If you loved Netflix’s hit horror movie The Ritual then make sure to check out these similar scary movies too for more of the same frightsNetflix Originals have gotten better and better, as more time has passed. Streaming services are the new movie theaters in a way and once and a while, there are films that just stick with the audience; in the horror genre, The Ritual fits the bill. After the death of a friend, a group of college men decides to go on a “trip of the lifetime” into the woods. They encounter a sinister presence as they venture deeper into the woods in search of a shortcut.
The Blair Witch Project (1999).
The Blair Witch Project may be the most outstanding found-footage documentary. It was not only one of the most successful films in its genre, but the eerieness it revealed is still relevant today. The film begins when three students from Maryland travel to a forest in Maryland to learn more about a local legend known as the “Blair Witch”. The legend is real, and they are able to vanish before anyone can warn them. They found the footage that they left behind, which was not surprising considering the fact that the film was made for entertainment purposes. However, the authenticity of the footage and the way the cast merged together made it seem authentic and well-made. Although there was a sequel in 2000, and a reboot in 2016, they didn’t live up to the original.
The Witch (2015)
The Witch was released in 2015 and scared viewers with its slow-burn/gothic approach. It was paired with stunning film shots. The story was set in 1630s England and focuses on a New England family who is exiled by their village due to strange events that took place around the oldest daughter.
They couldn’t have imagined the paranormal forces, loss and black magic that would await them once they moved to the country. Perhaps it was always there and is now with their family wherever they want.
The Evil Dead (1981).
The Evil Dead is a classic horror film about a cabin-in the woods. This movie paved the way to horror movies about cabins, demons and the woods for many more years and has remained a favorite film ever since.
Five friends drive to a cabin in a wooded area to release an ancient pack demons who have a thirst to possess. Bruce Campbell stars in this movie, which is filled with humor, fear, and bravery that he maintains throughout the series. This is one of Bruce Campbell’s best movies to date, along with the other iconic role he’s played.
The Cabin In The Woods (2011)
Horror fans who haven’t yet delved into this gem are missing out on a lot. The Cabin in the Woods fits into the typical horror movie format, with an excellent cast. The Cabin in Woods stars Thor’s Chris Hemsworth. It is a thrilling horror movie that will thrill viewers. Thanks to a few trinkets hidden in the basement, the five friends unleash an evil. The reason they were brought here to the cabin in woods is another story. Filled with comedic relief, some of the scariest monsters in the film history, and a race to maintain humankind, this film is one to see immediately.
The Hallow (2015)
A family who moves to an isolated area of Ireland discovers that they are not the only ones there. They must then fight to survive against the demonic creatures of the woods.
The Hallow blends horror, fantasy, and thriller to create a scary movie set in the woods. It was Corin Hardy’s first full-length movie and he did it well, with creepy undertones that portray the supernatural in a “realistic” way.
The Shrine (2010)
The Shrine is a story about two women journalists and a photographer who travel to Poland. They investigate mysterious disappearances in Poland and stumble upon an even more sinister type of evil that they never expected.
They travel to a village with many secrets and friendly locals. They are now stuck in the village and become aware of the ritualistic beliefs they believe in, and realize that they are ready to harvest them. Even though it’s not among the best foreign horror films ever made, according to IMDb, it still proves just how scary this forest is.
The Forest (2016)
Natalie Dormer is still the main lead role in the filming of scenes for Games of Thrones. The story takes place mainly in Aokihagara Forest in Japan. It is located at the base of Mount Fuji and known as “The Suicide Forest.” Japanese police reach Sara to let her know her sister was in trouble and that she may need assistance. Sara then travels back to Japan to retrace her steps and stops at nothing in her quest to discover what happened. She realizes, while in the forest that she is not the only one in the dense and dark woods.
The Descent (2005)
Sarah, her husband and daughter, dies. Sarah goes on an expedition with friends to mark the one-year anniversary. The women are well-versed in caverns and it seems like everything is going according to plan until strange things begin to happen within the cave system. Although The Descent takes place in a forest, the majority of the movie is set in a North American cave.
Sarah and her friends meet a strange species of predators who live in caves for hundreds of centuries. Although these creatures hunt outside of the caves, they are able to find their next meal without having to venture far. Because these creatures are so scary and perhaps among some of the best sci-fi monsters in years, it makes the film that much scarier. It’s both a frightening and refreshing storyline, and the “found footage” aspect sometimes makes it seem more real than it actually is.
