10 Best Italian Horror Movies

by Jordan
(Tasmania)

10. Demons - Directed by Lamberto Bava. 'They will make cemeteries their cathedrals and the cities will be your tombs!'

With a tagline that great, as well as the coupling of cinema legends Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava, how could this film not be on the list? It's atmospheric, energetic, gory and has influenced a number of films, such as Robert Rodriguez' entertaining masterpiece: From Dusk Till Dawn.

9. Opera - Directed by Dario Argento.

Often referred to as Argento's last truly great film, this is perhaps also one of his most personal; a love letter to the musical genre which has been prominent in most of his work.

8. Zombie Flesh Eaters - Directed by Lucio Fulci.

Cashing in on the success of Dawn of the Dead, Fulci's gore-fest contains a scene with a zombie fighting a shark and an infamous eyeball-meets-splinter encounter, and has become a classic in its own right.

7. Blood and Black Lace - Directed by Mario Bava.

This is perhaps the purest Giallo ever made, containing all of the essential ingredients which make up the sub-genre: beautiful victims, a hidden killer, an intricate musical score and mystery and suspense. This is a somewhat forgotten must-see for all fans of Italian horror.

6. Cannibal Holocaust - Directed by Ruggero Deodato.

Billed as 'The Most Controversial Movie ever Made', this is one movie which actually lives up to its reputation. The final twenty or so minutes are among the most horrifying you will ever witness.

5. The Church - Directed by Michele Soavi.

Originally intended as the third film in the Demons trilogy, this now exists as a stand-alone horror movie, and in terms of mood, atmosphere and visuals, is one of the best there is. The film is in constant motion, from the first frame to the last, and the sense of dread that accompanies it rivals anything ever made.

4. Black Sunday - Directed by Mario Bava.

Black Sunday aka The Mask of Satan is the debut film of the original master of Italian horror cinema; Mario Bava. Containing an incredibly Gothic mood which stemmed strait from Bava's imagination, this film has been cited among Director Tim Burton's favourites, and its influence can still be seen throughout many obscure works from mainly European directors.

3. Deep Red - Directed by Dario Argento.

This is considered by some as Argento's true masterpiece, and its not hard to see why. The tension he creates is enough to literally put the viewer on the edge of their seat, and way in which the mystery is unraveled has the power to enthrall even those uninitiated with the director's work. Deep Red also marked the first collaboration between Argento and Progressive Rock group, Goblin, who, in many ways, changed the direction of the legendary director's work.

2. The Beyond - Directed by Lucio Fulci.

The best advice you can be given when approaching Fulci's horror opus, is to forget all preconceptions you have about the genre and greet this masterpiece with a fresh mind. The plot is fairly complicated, but not essential; Fulci's main intention was to create a hell on earth of grotesque, but strangely beautiful imagery, and obliterate any horror standards which had been set beforehand. This he does to great avail, and The Beyond should be considered as one of the greatest horror movies ever made, period.

1. Suspiria - Directed by Dario Argento.

In my opinion, this is not only the best Italian horror movie ever made, but is second only to Dawn of the Dead as one of the best horror movies ever made in general. No movie has ever scared me more. The music, the colours, the sets and fairytale-esque simplicity of the film will stay with you forever.

Runners up: Tenebre, Zombie Holocuast, Cannibal Ferox, The Bird With The Crystal Plumage.