An Introduction to Japanese Horror: What Not To Miss

All of these movies are readily available on accessible streaming platforms, perfect for anyone to begin a deep dive into the realms of Japanese horror films. If you’re a language lover they’re also a great way for learning Japanese. As demonstrated in this list there is something for everyone whether it’s suspenseful, classic, artsy, or a creature feature you’re looking for they’ve got it all.

1. House

In this horror/comedy, made in 1977, a group of friends visit one of their distant aunts and immediately start dying in ridiculous ways in this all but ordinary movie. Taking note of the time this was made, it is truly amazing to see the special effects the filmmakers accomplished. From dancing severed fingers to a man-eating piano, director Nobuhiko Obayashi was completely unafraid of any limitations he might have faced in the filmmaking process.

Another astounding fact is that most actors were amateurs acting for the first time—a bold casting move that results in wonderful performances from everyone involved. Each character, with their funny nicknames like Sweet, Mac, and Kung Fu, is convincing and enthralling, forcing you to root for them even though they repeatedly prove how brainless they are. The fantastic absurdity is what makes House so enjoyable. It will make you laugh yet still manage to creep you out enough to make you double-check that your feet aren’t hanging off the bed at night.

2. One Cut of The Dead

The first half of this film is a rush and the second half is a whirlwind. We see a group of filmmakers make a low-budget zombie movie that’s eventually ruined by “actual zombies” during production. The rest of the picture shows the production from behind the scenes. This truly one-of-a-kind film is the perfect fresh addition to zombie horror and is most definitely unlike anything you’ve seen.

Also classified as a comedy, One Cut of The Dead can parade itself as comically bad at times but it’s all in good fun and works perfectly for what it strives to execute. As a movie inside a moviem director Shin’ichirô Ueda skillfully filmed this to tell a specific story using a single 37 minute one-shot for the entirety of the first act. As we see how they achieved this masterful one-shot in the second and third act we get satisfying payoffs for every crazy stunt they engineered and even the mistakes along the way that could have jeopardized the whole thing. Filmed in only eight days, this low-budget film is a charmer and maintains a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

3. Shin Godzilla

Although this is the 31st installment of the Godzilla franchise, it’s worth seeing because of its specific reimagining as more than an American Hollywood blockbuster. That’s something that any Japanese rendition of Godzilla will have to offer because of the creature’s direct representation of nuclear warfare as he wreaks havoc on Japan; a message that will always be that more impactful in the hands of those who actually witnessed nuclear warfare and is bound to be mishandled by American filmmakers.

Another enjoyable aspect is the original roar they use from the original Godzilla (1954) is as iconic as ever. The creature design also deserves praise. Godzilla evolves multiple times just when you think he can’t get any more insane, and he even eventually acquires a glowing ability that is very unique to this rendition of the kaiju. Whether you’re looking for pure fun or a film primed for reflection, Shin Godzilla has something for everyone.

4. Ringu

The 1998 adaption of The Ring is the first of its kind and it builds suspense to a level distinct from the remakes. It isn’t flashy and doesn’t have a ton of jump scares, but it gets under your skin with the weight of unease that builds beautifully under Hideo Nakata’s direction. The plot follows a reporter and her ex-husband as they try to find out why this strange videotape is cursed and the motive behind it in order to save their own lives as well as their son’s. The unfulfilled promises of this goal make it that much more unnerving.

Today, a film with a plot like this should be all the more frightening because the potential of viral mayhem society faces is unmatched by any previous generation or time. And so, this movie ages well and if you like walking on eggshells then this is one to watch.

5. Dark Water

In this 2002 film, we bear witness to a woman and her child in the middle of a divorce. After finding a place to live it is clear that something is not quite right with the apartment building which has water spots appearing everywhere and a reappearing red purse. Dark Water is an exemplary case study of family dynamics during divorce and the love of a mother for her child. It ends up filled with exposition, but it works out well in the end as it all comes together.

This is one of the few horror movies able to make you cry and jump out of your skin just a few moments apart. It’s also worth noting the acting in this by Rio Kanno as 6-year-old Ikuko is exceptional that sends the film over the top in the best way.