Indie film making has produced some of the greatest creature features of all time, and some of the highest grossing box office hits in any genre. Most of the best horror movies ever made have been independent horror films. Many of the directors of these films have gone on to greater glory outside the independent horror arena. Directors such as Ethan and Joel Coen (The Big Lebowski), Sam Raimi (Spiderman), and many others have started in the independent horror circuit only to find themselves with huge Hollywood careers. The following is a list of the Top Five all time independent horror movies.
5. The Evil Dead. Directed by Sam Raimi (Spiderman), this movie was produced on a micro budget it seems and the effects are kind of cheesy, but it is still one of the most frightening films ever made. Starring Bruce Campbell who went on to star in the sequels (not very good) this 1981 production lives on with a cult following and fans around the world.
4. The Blair Witch Project. In 1999 director Eduardo Sanchez shocked the world with this Sundance entry about a group of documentary film maker students lost in the forest wilderness of Maryland. Shot on a shoestring budget and using handheld cameras, many movie goers just did not get it or complained about the constant movement of the camera. Fans who did appreciate this independent horror cult classic found the premise and story terrifying.
3. The Ring. Starring Naomi Watts and directed by the aptly named Gore Verbinski, this remake of the Japanese cult classic Ringu was much more than just another American remake. This movie far surpassed the original in mood, tension, scares, and above all, great acting. Released in 2002, this movie has spawned a whole slew of Japanese horror movie remakes such as The Grudge, and The Eye. The Ring will scare your pants off and make you think twice about answering your phone. A great independent horror movie and one to catch.
2. Paranormal Activity. Released in 2007 this is another low, low budget independent horror movie filmed with a handheld video camera. Directed by Oren Peli and starring Katie Featherstone and Micah Sloat, it tells the story of a young couple that is haunted by a demon that attacks them while they are sleeping in their suburban San Diego home. Very frightening and not for the faint of heart. Starts slow but ends strong. Dont miss this one.
1. Night of the Living Dead. In 1968 fledgling film director George Romero gave us this nightmarish vision of the dead walking the earth that remains to this day the scariest independent horror movie ever made. Starring a cast of unknowns it started a wave of zombie films that continues to this day with movies like 28 Days Later and the spoof Shawn of the Dead. Not for the faint of heart.