Aspiring filmmakers consider the horror genre as a perfect way to jump-start their careers, even without a big budget. Horror movies, after all, focus on suspense, emotions, and fear, regardless of if the antagonist is a creepy doll or if it is a mythological creature. Sometimes just a single location and dark lighting are good for a tight budget, too.

Take, for example, the box office hit, Paranormal Activity. This 2007 film had a budget of $15,000 but earned more than $193 million, making it the most profitable film ever. It was shot using a home video camera, the actors improvised, and the shooting was finished in a week. Everything was tight for this horror film, and that might have been the reason it was a success. A limited budget might mean more creative juices flowing, resourcefulness, and wise decisions.

Many horror movies are coming up in 2022, all of them offering something new, yet remaining loyal to one thing: the fear of the unknown. Recent horror movies include the fresh retelling of Firestarter, The Twin, Umma, and a new Scream, among others. Scare tactics never get old, and horror movies will remain a favorite among viewers, low budget or not.

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8 Hush (2016)

     Netflix

Blumhouse Productions knows how to spook you, something they once again showed with Hush. This Kate Siegel-starring film follows a deaf writer living in the woods, who must fight for her life against a masked killer.

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Many slasher films have been made, but Hush enamored many critics for its “ingenious suspense” and effective use of loud noise. One critic said it’s “one of the best horror films in modern history.” Even Stephen King loved it. For a movie called Hush, the noise about this horror flick is welcome, proving yet again that director Mike Flanagan is a force to be reckoned with.

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7 Backcountry (2014)

     IFC Midnight

Fans of survival thriller movies should not miss Backcountry. A critic said it “does for the woods what ‘Jaws’ did for the ocean,” even as it is Adam MacDonald’s directorial debut. The movie is about a couple who go camping, only to find themselves lost in the territory of a predatory bear. It is based on the true story of a bear that attacked two campers in Ontario, Canada. Knowing that a real-life event is behind this movie makes it more thrilling.

Backcountry actors Missy Peregrym and Jeff Roop were praised for their performances, and the movie was praised for being “impactful” and “well-executed.”

6 Pontypool (2008)

     Maple Pictures

Words can be endearing and hurtful at the same time, something literally shown in Pontypool. This Canadian movie takes viewers on a bloody adventure in a town where the “infected” residents repeat words, usually terms of endearment, until they become so distraught, that the only way out of the situation is to “chew their way… through the mouth of another person.” Not zombies, but still gory.

The movie was based on a Tony Burgess novel and is praised for being “witty.” Stephen McHattie was commended for his “commanding performance,” with one critic saying it might be his “best.” Pontypool is among the scariest movies of all time, so it’s not a surprise it resulted in a spinoff and a sequel.

5 The Ritual (2017)

     Entertainment One (United Kingdom)/ Netflix (International)

Based on Adam Nevill’s novel of the same name, The Ritual follows a group of reunited friends as they hike through a Swedish forest. There, they encounter a mysterious presence that stalks them. This “well-directed” British movie was praised for its style and “creepy production design,” with one critic saying it was a “masterpiece.”

Director David Bruckner was lauded for his “evocative use” of the setting, while the actors (Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, Sam Troughton, and Paul Reid) were commended for their great performances. The Ritual follows a familiar plot for horror movies, but it “makes the most out of” the getting-lost-in-the woods plot.

4 The Eyes Of My Mother (2016)

     Magnet Releasing

Being black-and-white, The Eyes of My Mother evokes the needed emotion for a horror film. Set in a secluded farmhouse, the movie tells the story of Francisca and her trauma. Rotten Tomatoes best described the movie as “a hauntingly hypnotic odyssey whose nightmarish chill lingers long after the closing credits.”

The Eyes of My Mother was filmed beautifully, even as it was Nicolas Pesce’s directorial debut. It was commended for its “eerie, echoing score” and for being “exquisite.” One critic was so pleased with this movie that she said it “will scare you to death and then torture you a little more.”

RELATED: The Best Eco-Horror Movies, Ranked

3 Lake Mungo (2008)

     Arclight Films

A girl drowned in a lake, and strange events followed. That’s the plot of the psychological thriller Lake Mungo. This mockumentary-style film is focused on interviewees (found footage and docu-fiction) to present the story. Director Joel Anderson said it was more than a supernatural thriller, and more about grief.

The actors improvised their scenes, so it’s surprising to see that they delivered good performances, with a critic saying it’s “one of the most impressive debut films” in Australia. Though Variety’s Russell Edwards is not a fan of the lack of a script, he nonetheless praised its “construction and execution. Lake Mungo is not a well-known film, but certainly deserves attention.

2 Found (2012)

     XLrator Media

Found was based on a Todd Rigney novel of the same name, and is about a boy who discovers that his brother is a serial killer. It’s a coming-of-age movie that slowly turns into a horrific story with “some serious scares.” Though the plot is disturbing, Gavin Brown and Ethan Philbeck were praised for their “great acting.”

Some viewers might not like the film (it has a R18+ rating in Australia), but cinephiles will appreciate it for its “solid performances, production values, and general polish.” Found is a gem for true-blue horror fans.

1 Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986)

     Greycat Films

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer only had a budget of $110,000 but raked in more than $609,000 of sales. It was not a blockbuster hit, but gained a cult following, making it a horror classic. Michael Rooker plays the role of Henry, who was reunited with an ex-convict acquaintance, and later on learned the ways of being a serial killer. Their characters were based on real-life serial killers Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole.

The movie attracted controversy because of its theme, and the issues raised its profile before its theatrical release. Ebert said it was a “very good film,” while journalist Elliott Stein said it was 1986’s “best film.” Lovers of crime flicks should not miss Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, because it’s one of the “1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.”