Best Horror Cult Movies, Ranked

There has always been something fascinating about fanatical “true believers,” those people who exist on the fringe of acceptable society due to their extreme beliefs, and films about cults cater to this curiosity. Not to be confused with cult classics — films that acquire a group of highly dedicated fans and often become funnier with time — a cult film is a small subgenre of cinema (usually within the horror genre) that focuses on the often shadowy affairs of certain (usually religious) groups. While scares can come from many places on the big screen, there are few things more sinister than a fanatical, fundamentalist group of the dangerously devout, portrayed cinematically as far back as the Satanic cults of 1934’s The Black Cat and 1943’s The Seventh Victim.

This has been seen on screen to great effect more recently, with the horror films Saint Maud, The Perfection, and Midsommar all capturing the specific terror of cults, and Netflix’s extremely successful Wild, Wild Country documenting their real-life goings-on. It’s even been announced that Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio will portray Jim Jones, the 1970s cult leader who was behind the Jonestown mass suicide which took more than 900 lives. Until his film is made, there is a great spectrum of movies that capture the curiosity over these scary and mysterious groups. These are the best horror films about cults.

25

‘Red State’ (2011)

Marking a distinct shift from his usual comedic work, acclaimed director Kevin Smith unveiled Red State in 2011. The plot traces the dangerous path of three teenagers lured by the promise of a sexual encounter, only to be ensnared by a ruthless, sinister religious cult headed by Pastor Abin Cooper. This film, merging horror with social commentary, employs the religious cult trope to evoke gut-wrenching terror. The movie deviates from traditional horror, spotlighting the truly disturbing monster — human fanaticism. The terror quotient escalates due to the ruthless depiction of the cult, where characters embrace their horrifying doctrines with an eerie dedication.

Kevin Smith’s First Foray Into Horror

The storyline takes unexpected turns, constantly leaving viewers disoriented. Smith adeptly leverages shock and surprise to intensify suspense. Red State remains pertinent through its nuanced dissection of fanaticism and intolerance. The disturbing reality it mirrors reverberates throughout the decade, retaining its relevance even today. In addition, the performances are noteworthy, especially Michael Parks’ chilling embodiment of Pastor Cooper — a charismatic, malignant presence that lingers in viewers’ memories long after the final credits have rolled.

24

‘V/H/S/2’ (2013)

V/H/S/2

Release Date

June 6, 2013

Runtime

92 Minutes

This 2013 sequel of V/H/S is presented as an anthology of short films linked together with the concept of found footage. Fans of the franchise have agreed that the most shocking entry out of the entire franchise is “Safe Haven” from V/H/S/2, which follows a news crew as they investigate an Indonesian cult.

A Shocking Short About a Cult

As they probe deeper into the group’s activities, it becomes apparent that the cult is preparing for a “reckoning,” which entails mass suicide, zombies, and, ultimately, a monstrous supernatural entity. It’s intense and overpowering, and the “reckoning” certainly echoes the terrible real-life events at Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate mass suicide — thereby highlighting why cult films are still being made today.

23

‘Suicide Club’ (2001)

Suicide Club

5
/5

Release Date

October 29, 2001

Runtime

1h 39m

Director

Sion Sono

Cast

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A string of suicides occurs across Tokyo, starting with a group of 54 teenage girls leaping in front of a moving train. This leads the police to investigate the one tying factor, an online group known as the Suicide Club that is linked to a fictional pop group. The investigation takes the police down some dark rabbit holes, including the discovery of swatches of flesh stitched together from the victims, and a glam-rock singer and his band holding out in a warehouse, torturing innocents.

Driven to Death by Dark Forces

When it comes to Suicide Club, the film’s ambiguous conclusion suggests that there may not even be a cult in the first place. Still, for the bulk of the runtime, audiences are subjected to the concept that there is some malevolent force pushed by a cult, resulting in some ghastly deaths. Here, the appeal lies in the ambiguity and bizarre visions of death. Name one movie with a more shocking opening than Suicide Club; I’ll wait.

22

‘The Empty Man’ (2020)

The Empty Man

Release Date

October 23, 2020

Runtime

137 Minutes

Director

David Prior

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Opening with a tragedy deep in the mountains that sees a group of climbers come face to face with an odd entity, The Empty Man’s plot focuses on the investigation by Detective James Lasombra (James Badge Dale) into the mysterious disappearance of a friend’s daughter, Amanda. His investigation is marred by a string of suicides, influenced by an urban legend. These events and the discovery in the mountains years ago begin to intertwine when it is revealed that an evil cult known as the Pontifex Institute may be behind all the instances.

An Ancient Cult Weaves a Deep Web of Evil

An incredibly divisive entry into the horror genre, The Empty Man feels like several films cobbled together, with a shocking opening that fades into the background until much later in its long runtime. Yet, as the pieces start to come together, a Lovecraftian force emerges, brilliantly utilizing a cult in various ways to weave its evil presence across the globe. Add in elements of mystery, lots of twists and turns, and the amount of stuff going on in The Empty Man does require patience, but it is undoubtedly worth it for a unique vision of cult-driven horror.

21

‘Race With The Devil’ (1975)

Race With The Devil is a 1975 action-horror movie directed by none other than Jack Starrett. It’s bad luck to accidentally witness a cult ritual, and it’s even worse when it’s a demonic ritual. Roger, his friend Frank, and their wives find themselves, to their misfortune, caught up in a cult mess when they decide to head to Texas for some off-road motocross fun. A gang of Devil-worshippers sacrifices a young girl to gain favor with Satan. But they get deeply unsettled when they learn that they have been watched. They decide to chase the couple down the freeway to kill them and silence them forever.

A Deadly Chase

What starts as a fun vacation quickly turns into a gothic cult murder scene, and ends up being a road chase between a group of lunatic Satan worshipers and two completely ordinary couples. This is the kind of movie that takes its audiences by surprise, driving them into the wrong turn with no exit. It would interest any action-oriented audience since it delivers more action scenes than your typical cult movie.

20

The Devil Rides Out (1968)

Ever tried the feeling of being invited to the wrong party? If not, The Devil Rides Out will definitely give you an idea of how it feels. The story starts with the arrival of the Duc de Richleau and Rex Van Ryn at a fashionable party thrown by the Duc’s protégé, Simon Aron. The two men soon realize that the true reason behind the party, led by the high priest Mocata, is in fact to sacrifice the beautiful Tanith (Nike Arrighi) that night. Faced with a group of fanatic and evil devil worshipers, de Richleau and Rex strive to save the young beauty from the upcoming tragedy.

Setting the Stage for Satanic Cult Movies to Come

As the Duc saves Simon, Mocata is taken by revenge and summons up the forces of darkness in one of the most beautifully shot scenes. Tanith is stabbed to death and then resurrected using white magic to give Hollywood its happy ending. The movie is a classic and an absolutely entertaining 95 minutes of sublimely suspenseful screen time. It can be considered one of the pioneers of Satanic cult movies setting the tone for the 21st century cult horror movies, and movies about exorcism as well. Its success is reflected in a well-deserved 96% Rotten Tomatoes score which speaks volumes about the audience’s satisfaction.

19

‘Children of the Corn’ (1984)

Children of the Corn

Release Date

March 9, 1984

Runtime

92 minutes

Director

Fritz Kiersch

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  Peter Horton

  Burton Stanton

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  John Franklin

  Isaac Chroner

Adapted from the product of Stephen King’s unsettling imagination, Children of the Corn, directed by Fritz Kiersch, emerged as a terrifying 1984 cult classic. The narrative plunges audiences into Gatlin, Nebraska — a quaint settlement now in the menacing grip of its youthful population. Propelled by a sinister prophecy, these innocents submit all adult inhabitants to an ominous entity lurking within the expansive cornfields. An atmosphere of dread pervades throughout Children of the Corn, manifesting from the unnerving transformation of benign children into a monstrous cult.

Sinister Forces Draw Kids to Make a Cult

Kiersch employs traditional horror components to their fullest, infusing his individualistic artistry with a spine-chilling depiction of cultism. King’s original narrative remains fundamentally untouched in the film’s storyline, thereby escalating the horror born from an unholy amalgamation of otherworldly powers and warped innocence. A powerful symbol of intergenerational fear is displayed, hinting at the unsettling notion of the youth abandoning time-tested norms for a perilous and enigmatic alternative. Standing head and shoulders above the rest, Linda Hamilton’s acting prowess adds to the long-lasting appeal of the film.

18

‘Dagon’ (2001)

Paul Marsh and his girlfriend Barbara find themselves forced to dock in the remote fishing town of Imboca after a storm almost sinks their ship. It is here that they meet odd residents, who keep their forms hidden and seem to be standoffish towards the couple. When night falls, the pair come face to face with its residents, mutated fish people who worship a god called Dagon.

A Cult Born From an Ancient Deity From the Sea

Master of horror Stuart Gordon would go on to adapt several stories by H.P. Lovecraft, but Dagon best captures the horror author’s exploration of cults that developed around ancient gods. Here, Paul and Barbara learn of a dark history brought on by the abandonment of the biblical God to Dagon under the promise of riches from the seas, to its slow degradation into a dreary village of fish-people. The ending here is also oddly romantic, making it one of Gordon’s most thought-provoking adaptations of Lovecraft.

17

‘The Ritual’ (2017)

The Ritual

Release Date

October 13, 2017

Runtime

94minutes

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Based on the 2011 novel by Adam Nevill and surely inspired by The Blair Witch Project, The Ritual stars Rafe Spall (The Big Short, Hot Fuzz) as part of a group of hikers who stumble upon a cult in the woods that seeks to summon an ancient demon. As night falls, the group finds themselves fighting against an evil force summoned by a cult living deep in the woods.

A Cult Waits in the Woods For Unexpected Victims

The Ritual is praised for its performances and use of Scandinavian settings. However, what made The Ritual particularly striking is the remarkable tonal shift of its ending. Once the demon is summoned, the movie transforms from an exceptionally slow-burn to a horrifying monster movie.

16

‘Martyrs’ (2008)

Martyrs

Release Date

September 3, 2008

Runtime

99 Minutes

Martyrs is a 2008 French horror movie directed by Pascal Laugier, who dares to go to extremes in picturing the dark reality of cult culture. The movie is considered shocking and isn’t for everyone, so unless you are ready for some surprising twists and some unapologetically graphic scenes, keep away. It starts with a thrilling home invasion where two women intrude on the normal suburban life of an ordinary family and kill everyone in it.

An Extreme Horror Film with Deadly Secrets

Martyrs explores the traumatic memories of Lucie as they emerge uninvited and examines how these memories led her to the doorstep of her abusers. The movie was so controversial and authentic that an American version of the movie was made by directors Michael Goetz and Kevin Goetz in 2015.