The horror genre is thriving, offering endless creativity to spook audiences. Short horror films have exploded in popularity, becoming a staple of internet culture. With Halloween vibes in the air, let’s celebrate the best horror shorts that have shocked viewers worldwide. Here are 10 incredible horror short films guaranteed to keep you awake!
10. Alone Time (2014)
Directed by Rob Blackhurst, this horror-thriller tells the story of Ann, a stressed New Yorker seeking peace in a solo hiking trip. As she enjoys her day off, she slowly realizes something is terribly wrong. The brilliant writing of Alone Time excels at creating a false sense of security, using a relatable character to draw you in. While lacking jump scares, its realistic twist delivers unsettling chills.
9. I Heard It Too (2014)
Inspired by the famous two-sentence horror story, Matt Sears and Tim Knight created this bone-chilling short. I Heard It Too follows Stephanie, a girl awakened by her mother’s voice calling from downstairs. Her mother pulls her close, uttering the iconic line, “I heard it too.” What follows is a tense quest to discover the source of the calls.
Matt Sears has an incredible horror portfolio, but I Heard It Too is his masterpiece. The film keeps you on edge and doesn’t let go until the very end.
8. The Sermon (2018)
An isolated church community, led by an extremist preacher, tortures a woman caught having an affair with his daughter. The daughter decides to break free from the church’s practices and devises a plan.
As far as psychological horror goes, few films have left a mark like The Sermon. Director Dean Puckett delivers a unique take, reminiscent of Ari Aster’s Hereditary and Midsommar, with a beautiful vintage aesthetic that immerses you in its dense atmosphere. The Sermon pulls no punches, and its message is as scary as the film itself.
7. STUCCO (2019)
Written and directed by Janina Gavankar, who also stars as J, an agoraphobic woman who discovers a hidden room behind a wall in her new home. As she waits for the house’s blueprints, strange occurrences plague J, and the possibilities of what lurks behind the wall consume her.
Gavankar’s directorial debut won the SXSW 2020 Special Jury Prize and immense praise. STUCCO is raw, unapologetic, and unusual, making it a welcomed entry into modern psychological horror. Don’t miss it!
6. There Comes A Knocking (2019)
Emma, grieving the loss of her husband, installs an antique door in her home. Discovering it’s locked, she plans to deal with it the next day. That night, strange knocks emanate from the other side.
There Comes A Knocking, written and directed by Ryan Connolly, thrives on emotional value. The imagery is beautiful, the acting is top-notch, and it delivers when it gets creepy. It makes you feel for Emma as she tries to process a horrible tragedy.
5. The Jester (2016)
After a late-night shift on Halloween, a young man encounters a jester who insists on performing magic tricks. As the tricks become creepier, the man tries to escape, starting a terrifying game of cat and mouse.
The Jester is a blast. Colin Crawchuck delivers an entertaining movie with a terrifying masked antagonist who is charismatic despite being silent. The jester feels like an unstoppable force of nature, and his unpredictable behavior keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Due to its popularity, The Jester has two sequels, also directed by Crawchuck: Chapter 2 and Chapter 3.
4. Larry (2017)
Director Jacob Chase tells the story of Joe, a bored nighttime car-park attendant. He finds an old iPad with the story of Larry, a depressed monster seeking a friend. As Joe reads, something lurks outside the booth. Larry has come to visit.
Larry is incredibly effective due to its claustrophobia. The entire short takes place within Joe’s tiny booth, the only light source. Once the light flickers, all bets are off. This one is a must-see. It has been adapted into a feature film titled Come Play.
3. The Smiling Man (2015)
Directed by A.J. Briones, this award-winning short features a little girl home alone who finds balloons around the house. Following them downstairs, she encounters the terrifying Smiling Man.
The creature in this film is an anxiety-inducing nightmare, one of the scariest in recent memory. The Smiling Man leaves a lasting impression and could become a horror icon if given a feature film adaptation.
2. Behind (2015)
This Japanese short film, directed by Rick Kawanaka, follows a young woman working on her computer who is startled by her repeatedly opening door. She turns on her webcam to see what’s happening behind her.
In classic Japanese horror style, this film is a masterclass in rising tension. It uses a simple concept and exploits its potential in minutes. Due to its success, Behind became the first in a series known as Alone In The House.
1. Lights Out (2013)
This modern classic follows a woman who sees a silhouette in the hallway when she turns off the lights. She realizes the silhouette only appears in the dark and moves when she can’t see it.
Lights Out broke the internet in 2013. Director David F. Sandberg’s career took off, directing a feature-length version in 2016 and Hollywood blockbusters like Annabelle: Creation and Shazam!. Lights Out is considered the ultimate horror short, still capturing audiences today. Don’t miss it.
So, there you have it – a curated list of horror short films that promise sleepless nights. Which of these shorts crawled under your skin the most? Leave your comment below and let’s discuss the scares!
