10 Must-Watch Horror Movies on The Cave of Forgotten Films
I first discovered this site a couple of years ago when it was mentioned in passing on a podcast and it opened up a whole new world to me. Cave is less of a streaming site and more of a shared collection of over 2000 movies to date, with categories ranging from noir to horror, westerns to silent movies. What you’ll find are movies which do not have domestic blu-ray releases; a few have DVD releases, but those are rare.
I’m still digging around Cave as I write this, but below is a list of what I think are must-watches for horror fans.
Note: Occasionally you’ll click on one which has been taken down due to a copyright claim (I’ve excluded what would have been a few choices from this list for that reason). You may also find some in which streaming is not currently available or the movie won’t play directly on the site. For these instances, you can still download the movie for free.
Blood and Roses (1960)
Director Roger Vadim (Pretty Maids All in a Row, Barbarella, ...And God Created Woman) gives us one of the best adaptations of the Carmilla short story. It is one of the most stylish gothic films you will ever see and you should jump at the chance to watch it if you haven’t seen it.
Diabel/The Devil (1972)
If you are a fan of Andrzej Żuławski’s Possession (1981) and are looking to see more of his filmography, this one may not be the best to start with. Having a full understanding (or as close as you can get) of the film requires some fairly extensive knowledge of the political climate of Poland at the time this was made. I did not, and still do not, have much of this knowledge, however, this episode of the Daughters of Darkness podcast certainly helped. Even without that knowledge, there is still much to enjoy, including some unexpected humor.
The Ghost of Yotsuya (1959)
While there are multiple adaptations of this story, this film is my favorite. Director Nobuo Nakagawa (Jigoku) perfectly balances each act of the film, as divergent as they are. What begins as a story about a Samurai’s greedy and malicious ambitions turns into a story about trying to escape poverty, and finally to a ghost’s revenge. Not to be missed.
Malpertuis, aka The Legend of Doom House (1971)
Yes, that’s Orson Welles in one of his few I’m-just-here-to-cash-paycheck horror roles in the 1970s (though you won’t hear his voice in the director’s cut available on Cave). Director Harry Kümel (Daughters of Darkness), brings Jean Ray’s novel of the same name to life in a physical and mental labyrinth of dreamy mystery.
Poison for the Fairies (1986)
Two young girls become friends, though one is manipulating the other with fantastical tales (read: lies) of her practice of witchcraft. A fantastic slow-burn thriller, this has one of the most satisfying endings I have ever seen. Pair this with Mildred Pierce (1945) for a “Birth Control in Celluloid Form” double feature.
At the Meeting with Joyous Death/Expulsion of the Devil (1974)
After watching this, you’ll see just how much talent runs in the Buñuel family. Juan Luis Buñuel, son of Luis (The Exterminating Angel, The Phantom of Liberty), directed and co-wrote this haunted house movie which was way ahead of its time. You’ll see why when the TV crew appears to try to catch the phenomena on film.
Lake of the Dead (1958)
Considered one of Norway’s best horror films, Lake of the Dead has a great setting (cabin by the lake) and some genuinely creepy moments.
Homebodies (1974)
A group of elderly people works together to fight back against being evicted from their apartments by a greedy developer. The film balances sentimentality with gruesomeness so effectively, you’ll be rooting for them to kill more and more. Pair this with Roberta Findlay’s Tenement for a “This Is My House” double feature.
The Man Without a Face (1950)
No, NOT the Mel Gibson one. This Mexican psychological horror film from 1950 has fantastic dream sequences with surrealistic sound stage set design and a faceless villain that will be familiar, but no less haunting.
The Ninth Heart (1979)
More dark fantasy than horror and directed by Juraj Herz (The Cremator, The Junk Shop). The opening credits art alone is worth watching, and while the first half of the film may play a bit slow and repetitive, the second half in the underworld is a feast for the eyes. Herz’s Beauty and the Beast (1978) is also on Cave and would make for a great double feature.
Erica is the co-host of the Unsung Horrors podcast along with Lance Schibi. When the world is not on fire, you can find them weekly at Austin Alamo Drafthouse’s Terror Tuesdays. In the meantime, you can listen to their reviews of underseen horror movies here.