Vanessa Maki with 10 essential survival horror movies for your watch list…
The name of the game in a lot of horror films is to survive the events that are unfolding. The characters might not make it out with their mental health intact, or even without wounds, but if they survive then that tends to be better than the alternative. Just like with any subgenre, there’s always a range of survival horror, the lower end being the films that aren’t very good, and the higher end being the must-watches. Today, you’ll be spared from reading about the former.
The survival horror genre focuses on characters and their primary focus of survival against odds that are stacked against them. They can be films that gently dip into other subgenres as well, a common subgenre being home invasion. Therefore, many horror films could be classified as survival horror, depending on if the focus is on a character trying desperately to stay alive. Let’s get down to it then and follow some of the most unsettling modern survival horror films. Just to make it a little more unique, all the films are ones from the 2010s onwards, and there’s a range of subgenres, therefore you’re not going to be without options…
Frozen (2010)
Surviving in nature is one thing, but being stuck on a chairlift in freezing cold temperatures for a length of time is a different type of scary. Frozen follows three folks who find themselves stranded on a chairlift, and must decide what they’re willing to do in order to live. There are no serial killers or secret monsters in this one. The antagonistic force is nature and everything that accompanies it, including wild animals. It’s an incredibly uncomfortable watch because of the cold atmosphere, but also due to the imagining what one might do in such a situation.
Of course, our trio makes a grave mistake by going up on the lift when the resort is about to close down for the season. It’s a horrible decision on their part, but also ridiculous on the part of the resort worker. No, this film doesn’t have a happy ending for anyone really, and that’s not necessarily a spoiler. And there is a scene that’ll either feel unrealistic to you and or will be downright horrifying. Though aside from all quibbles, Frozen does its job at making you feel like you’re up there with them.
Backcountry (2014)
The worst boyfriend alive, a black bear, and a horrifically accurate bear attack? Backcountry follows a couple who decide to go camping in the middle of the wilderness, only to encounter something terrifying: a rabid black bear. The film is inspired by a real-life bear attack that happened in Ontario in 2005, therefore, it makes the film a little bit more unsettling because the reality is, bear attacks aren’t just for the movies.
Backcountry builds up to its more disturbing moment, rather than be about a bear running around and killing everything in sight. Therefore, if you’re hoping for something like Cocaine Bear, you will not find that here. Instead, the horror is in the ruthlessness of nature and how the bear isn’t a human to be reasoned with. Throw this on if you want to see what happens when nature is the threat.
Kristy (2014)
Thanksgiving slashers/survival horror films aren’t plentiful in the slightest. Kristy follows a young woman who stays on campus for Thanksgiving weekend, but ends up stalked by a cult who aims to kill her. Setting a slasher and survival horror film on a campus makes it more unique. As does the final girl, barely slowing down for a moment because her life is on the line.
The cult aspect of Kristy isn’t super delved into, but that’s not a huge gripe anyone should have about this. There are more than a few creepy moments, the set pieces work (especially the pool), and Justine (Haley Bennett) does everything she must in order to survive. Especially when there are several people chasing her, very little people around to help, and she’s just trying to enjoy her holiday weekend. It’s worth throwing on if you’re wanting something that leans into slasher territory as well.
Hush (2016)
There aren’t nearly as many horror films with disabled characters as the lead protagonist. Hush follows a deaf-mute writer who must fight for her life with a serial killer begins to terrorize her. While it would’ve been better to have an actually deaf-mute actress in the role, Kate Siegel does a tremendous job as Maddie. And with the isolated setting of her home, as well as neighbors that aren’t directly close-by, she’s left to fight on her own.
Hush builds up the terror, suspense, and discomfort as this man relentlessly toys with her, harms her, and claims he can come in whenever he wants. Killers that don’t have a specific reason for doing what they are even scarier than ones with motivations. No amount of reasoning helps Maddie out, so she’s left with the concept of kill or be killed. Hush is definitely a fan favorite from Mike Flanagan’s filmography, especially as it’s a slasher as well.
The Belko Experiment (2016)
The insidiousness nature of the corporate world is on full display in this film. The Belko Experiment follows 80 workers working abroad in Columbia, but when they are suddenly locked inside their respective building, a voice tells them that they must start murdering their coworkers to survive. It’s a gnarly survival horror that has jarring tones throughout, and the violence is often sudden.
The film does manage to sprinkle some humorous bits into it, but for the most part it’s quite serious in that people are going to die. There’s quite a bit of commentary regarding corporations and how they view people. But the film also poses what someone might do if their life is on the line, or how someone sees others in comparison to themselves. The Belko Experiment is meant to make you uncomfortable, and it absolutely achieves its goal.
Downrange (2017)
The idea of a lone gunman who simply wants to kill people isn’t far-fetched at all. Downrange follows a group of friends who are on a road trip that goes wrong, due to a lone sniper trying to kill them. Gun violence is something that’s unfortunately not uncommon, and it’s a very difficult subject to broach in a horror film. So, this will either work for people or it really won’t.
Rather than a relentless serial killer following them through wooded areas, Downrange forces its characters to stay in the same area. And there’s nobody around to help them out of their predicament. The area is secluded, and they have no weapons to defend themselves against this sniper. The idea of an unknown nutbar trying to murder you from afar is awful, and has happened in real-life. Overall, it’s decent enough, minus the ending, which is understandably disliked.
Sweetheart (2019)
Being stuck on an island is already hell enough, but adding a creature to the mix makes it worse. Sweetheart follows a woman who ends up stranded on an island, where a creature stalks her at night. It’s an absolutely a creature feature, but the survival of our final girl is the primary focus of this film.
Sweetheart has unique aspects to it as a survival horror film, such as our lead character being a Black woman, and while it might not be super bloody or anything, the creature design might impress you. As a whole, it’s one of those survival horror films that also works as decent gateway horror as well.
Ready or Not (2019)
Samara Weaving is perfect for horror as a genre, and she has proven that more than once. Ready or Not follows a newlywed who discovers that her in-laws want to kill her, as part of a ritual. Instead of the film being played very seriously, there’s more than a humor to lighten the serious situation that Grace (Samara Weaving) is in. Her survival is the primary focus, and she’s desperate to escape these people that are trying to murder her.
The film is sure to make you tense up, laugh at the most absurd moments, and remind you that the ultrarich really do see the world so differently. Ready or Not uses the concept of a simple game, and makes it deadly, which isn’t an uncommon concept in survival horror. Though, having your in-laws trying to sacrifice you to the Devil is a bit different from what happens in the Saw universe. All in all, this is a hilarious horror movie, and Grace kills it as a final girl.
No Exit (2022)
A primarily single location and nothing but creepy vibes in the snow is what you’ll get here. No Exit follows a woman who becomes suspicious of the folks she’s stuck in a diner with, especially after she finds a young girl tied up in a van outside. The twists in this one are meant to frustrate, a child being kidnapped is meant to unnerve you, and a recovering addict having to save this child by herself is stressful. But it’s a very capable survival horror-thriller that’s a decent watch.
No Exit isn’t doing anything too different from films like it, but it’s enjoyable enough that you’ll stick with it to the end. Darby (Havana Rose Liu) is doing her best and she’s not super heroine that never makes mistakes. And that really lends to the story as a whole, especially with how she’s able to survive.
Dangerous Animals (2025)
Shark based horror is absolutely back! Dangerous Animals follows a woman who is kidnapped by a serial killer, who happens to be obsessed with sharks and often uses them to kill his victims. It’s an intense survival horror film that’ll remind people of how scary being stuck in the middle of the ocean is. Let alone being stuck with a serial killer who really wants you dead, and plans to film your death.
Dangerous Animals is absolutely a horror hit from this year, and it deserves the praise it’s received from horror fans. Jai Courtney does a top-notch job as Tucker, and Hassie Harrison makes Zephyr a badass final girl. If you’re very much into aquatic-based horror, would like to see a new compelling horror villain, and are afraid of sharks, you’ve found the right film.
What recent survival horror films are worth a spot on this list? Be sure to let us know your recommendations on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Vanessa Maki
