10 Forgotten Horror Movies on Prime Video That’ll Chill You to the Core

10 Forgotten Horror Movies on Prime Video That’ll Chill You to the Core

Prime Video is packed with horror movies that most people have never heard of, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t terrifying. While everyone talks about the big blockbusters, some of the scariest films sit quietly in the shadows, waiting to be discovered. These forgotten gems offer genuine chills, creative storytelling, and unforgettable scares that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

1. Carnival of Souls (1962)

Mary Henry survives a car accident but finds herself drawn to a mysterious abandoned pavilion, unable to shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. Shot on a shoestring budget, this indie classic uses dreamlike black-and-white cinematography and haunting organ music to create an atmosphere of pure unease.

The film unfolds slowly, building tension through silence and strange encounters rather than jump scares. Mary’s isolation grows as she realizes people around her can no longer see or hear her.

Its influence on modern psychological horror is undeniable, inspiring filmmakers for decades. If you love ghost stories that mess with your mind, this one deserves a spot on your watchlist.

2. Lake Mungo (2008)

Presented as a documentary investigating the drowning death of teenager Alice Palmer, this Australian gem builds horror through interviews, home videos, and photographs. Nothing jumps out at you, yet the sense of dread becomes almost unbearable as secrets unravel.

The brilliance lies in its realism—it feels like you’re watching an actual documentary about a real family’s grief. Small details revealed through footage create moments of genuine terror that sneak up on you.

Lake Mungo explores loss, secrets, and the things we hide from those we love. Its quiet, sorrowful tone makes the supernatural elements even more disturbing and unforgettable.

3. Oculus (2013)

Karen Gillan delivers a chilling performance as Kaylie, a woman determined to prove that an antique mirror is responsible for her family’s tragic past. The mirror doesn’t just reflect—it distorts reality, bending time and memory until you can’t trust what you’re seeing.

Director Mike Flanagan masterfully weaves two timelines together, showing the siblings as children and adults confronting the same evil. The result is a puzzle box of paranormal terror that keeps you guessing.

What makes this film truly unsettling is how it explores trauma and the unreliability of memory. By the end, you’ll question everything you thought you understood.

4. Gretel & Hansel (2020)

Forget the fairy tale you grew up with—this version is darker, stranger, and visually stunning. Gretel leads her younger brother through a haunted forest where hunger and desperation force them into the home of a witch who offers more than just candy.

The cinematography is mesmerizing, with each frame looking like a twisted painting from a nightmare. Colors bleed into shadows, and the pacing is deliberately slow, letting dread creep under your skin.

This reimagining adds a feminist twist, focusing on Gretel’s journey toward power and independence. It’s not your typical horror movie—it’s a gothic mood piece that lingers.

5. Vivarium (2019)

Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots play a couple searching for their first home, only to become trapped in a neighborhood where every house looks exactly the same. Escape is impossible, and a mysterious box containing a baby arrives with instructions to raise it.

This surreal thriller works as both horror and social commentary on suburban life and modern relationships. The suffocating sameness and bizarre child they’re forced to care for create a nightmare you can’t wake up from.

Vivarium doesn’t explain everything, which makes it even more unsettling. It’s a puzzle wrapped in existential dread, perfect for viewers who enjoy films that challenge expectations.

6. Let the Right One In (2008)

Bullied and lonely, twelve-year-old Oskar meets Eli, a mysterious child who only comes out at night and smells faintly strange. Their friendship blossoms in the frozen Swedish landscape, but Eli harbors a dark secret—she’s a vampire who needs blood to survive.

This isn’t your typical vampire movie filled with action and fangs. Instead, it’s a tender, melancholy story about isolation, friendship, and survival wrapped in quiet horror.

The snowy cinematography creates a beautiful yet chilling backdrop for their relationship. Let the Right One In balances heartbreak with brutality, making it one of the most unique vampire films ever made.

7. The Craft (1996)

Four teenage outcasts discover real magic and use it to get revenge on everyone who wronged them—but power comes with a price. The Craft became a cult classic for good reason, mixing high school drama with supernatural consequences and sharp commentary on friendship and control.

Fairuza Balk’s performance as the unhinged Nancy steals every scene, showing what happens when someone with nothing suddenly gains everything. The film doesn’t shy away from the dark side of witchcraft and obsession.

Decades later, it still resonates with anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. Its blend of teen angst and occult horror keeps it relevant and endlessly rewatchable.

8. The Innkeepers (2011)

Claire and Luke are the last two employees at a closing hotel, determined to capture evidence of the ghost rumored to haunt the building. Ti West’s slow-burn approach lets the tension build naturally through creaky floors, strange sounds, and escalating unease.

The film balances dry humor with genuine scares, making the characters feel real and relatable before things go horribly wrong. Their amateur ghost-hunting attempts feel authentic rather than forced.

By the time the supernatural activity ramps up, you’re already invested in their fate. The Innkeepers proves that sometimes the scariest stories happen in the quietest places.

9. The Descent (2005)

Six women embark on a caving expedition that turns into a living nightmare when they become trapped underground with blind, flesh-eating creatures. Director Neil Marshall crafts relentless tension from the first moments, even before the monsters appear.

The true horror comes from the suffocating darkness and tight spaces that make you feel like you can’t breathe. When the creatures finally show up, the terror escalates into brutal, primal survival.

What sets this apart is its emotional depth—grief and betrayal haunt the characters as much as the monsters do. The Descent is brutal, unforgettable, and not for the faint of heart.

10. The Deep House (2021)

A couple of YouTube urban explorers discover a perfectly preserved house at the bottom of a lake and decide to dive down to film it. What starts as an exciting adventure quickly becomes a fight for survival when they realize the house isn’t empty.

The underwater setting creates a unique claustrophobia—escape isn’t as simple as running out the door when you’re forty feet below the surface. Limited air supply adds constant tension to every scene.

Combining haunted house tropes with underwater horror creates something genuinely fresh and terrifying. The Deep House takes familiar scares and drowns them in a nightmare you can’t swim away from.