Best Canadian Horror Movies of All Time with IMDB Ratings

Monday, October 7, 2024

 

The Canadian film industry has delivered some of the most bone-chilling horror movies of all time.

Renowned for their ability to evoke deep psychological terror and intense suspense, these films delve into a variety of haunting themes.

From Indigenous folklore and the eerie desolation of isolation to the gripping realism of found footage and the nostalgic bloodlust of cult classic slashers, Canadian horror movies have carved a unique niche in the genre.

Here, we will explore some of the best Canadian horror movies of all time, ranked by IMDb. These films showcase the country’s significant contribution to the horror genre.

Prepare to be terrified by a selection of cinematic masterpieces that have left an indelible mark on horror enthusiasts worldwide.


1. The Fly – 1986

the-fly-1986

IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

The Fly is a 1986 movie about a brilliant but eccentric scientist who invents a teleportation device and attempts to test it on himself.

However, during the experiment, a house fly enters the teleportation pod with him, causing their DNA to merge.

This causes the scientist to transform into a grotesque human-fly hybrid. The film is directed by David Cronenberg, a renowned Canadian director.

His works are characterized by their exploration of the human body and mind’s limits, frequently incorporating graphic and disturbing imagery to challenge the audience’s perception and provoke thought.


2. Videodrome – 1983

videodrome-1983

IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

Videodrome is another classic science fiction horror film directed by David Cronenberg.

The film follows Max, a television programmer, who stumbles upon and becomes increasingly obsessed with a show called Videodrome, which features extreme violence and torture.

As his interest grows, Max realizes the show is more than a TV program. Max’s obsession leads him into a nightmarish world of body horror, mind control, and grotesque hallucinations.

Videodrome is a horrifying exploration of the effects of technology and media consumption on the human mind, filling up the horror genre with graphic and gore imagery.


3. Cube – 1997

cube-1997

IMDb Ratings: 7.1/10

Cube is a Canadian survival horror film about a group of strangers who wake up in a labyrinthine structure of interlocking cubic rooms with deadly traps.

The group must work together to navigate the maze, avoid the traps, and find a way out while grappling with tension and paranoia.

The film explores human behavior under extreme stress and an incredible depiction
on the effects of paranoia in a claustrophobic setting.


4. The Witch – 2015

the-witch-2015

IMDb Ratings: 7/10

The Witch is an American-Canadian movie Set in 1630s New England. Starring Anya Taylor Joy as the lead.

The story follows a Puritan family that has been exiled from their community and settles on the edge of a remote forest.

Strange and terrifying events begin to occur, and the family starts to suspect that they are being tormented by a witch living in the woods.

The film masterfully captures viewers in its sinister atmosphere, pulling them into a world of unsettling dread and paranoia.


5. Ginger Snaps – 2000

ginger-snaps

IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

Ginger Snaps is a Canadian coming-of-age horror movie that follows two teenage girls, Ginger and Brigitte, outcasts in a suburban town.

Their mundane lives take a dark turn when Ginger is attacked by a mysterious creature and undergoes a terrifying transformation.

The film focuses on adolescent challenges, sisterhood, and the monstrous aspects of growing up, using the horror trope to tell a relatable story about teenage angst.


6. Pontypool – 2008

pontypool

IMDb Rating:6.5/10

Pontypool is a Canadian horror film set in a small Ontario town and follows radio DJ Grant Mazzy, who begins receiving reports of a bizarre virus spreading through the town during his morning broadcast.

The virus is transmitted through the English language, causing those infected to turn violent.

As he and his team try to contain the outbreak from their isolated radio station, they must confront the chilling reality that language has become a deadly weapon.

The film offers a unique take on the zombie apocalypse narrative, focusing on psychological horror and the power of communication.


7. My Bloody Valentine – 1981

my-bloody--valentine-1981

IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

My Bloody Valentine is a Canadian slasher horror film that follows the narrative of a Valentine’s Day dance gone horribly wrong.

In Valentine Bluffs, a mining accident 20 years ago left Harry Warden, the lone survivor, insane and vengeful. He killed those he blamed and vowed more violence if Valentine’s Day celebrations resumed.

Ignoring the warnings, townsfolk plan a Valentine’s Day dance. Soon, they face a series of gruesome murders by a killer in mining gear. Fear and panic spread as the body count rises, hinting at Harry’s return.

Desperation mounts as survivors delve into the mines to uncover the killer’s identity. The suspenseful climax in the dark, winding tunnels amplifies the terror, making “My Bloody Valentine” a classic slasher tale.


8. Mama – 2013

mama-2013

IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

Mama is a Canadian horror film, following two young orphan girls who have lived secluded in a remote cabin after being missing for 5 years.

After locating their whereabouts, they are taken in by their uncle Lucas and his girlfriend Anabel who try to provide and care for them.

However, unknown to their foster parents, the girls bring with them an unsettling and malevolent entity they call Mama, that has cared for them in the wilderness.

As the spirit becomes increasingly possessive and attached to the girls, Lucas and Annabel must uncover the dark origins of the entity to save the girls and themselves.

The film is well known for setting an eerie atmosphere, as well as blending horror with a distressing story about family and loss.


9. Splinter – 2008

splinter-2008

IMDb Rating: 6.1/10

Splinter follows a young couple and two criminals trapped in a gas station by a deadly parasite. The parasite infects its hosts with splinter-like spikes, turning them into deadly creatures.

The group must survive and find a way to escape the relentless threat. As the group struggles to survive, they must confront the horrifying parasite and its relentless nature.

Splinter creates a harrowing atmosphere and effectively uses a confined setting to heighten the terror.


10. The Void – 2016

the-void-2016

IMDb Rating: 5.9/10

The Void is a horror science fiction movie that follows a police officer who discovers a blood-soaked man on a deserted road and takes him to a nearby hospital.

Soon after arriving, the hospital is surrounded by mysterious, cult-like figures, and the staff and patients inside begin to experience horrifying and supernatural events.

As they struggle to survive, they uncover a portal to another dimension filled with monstrous creatures.

The Void puts together practical effects, and pays homage to 1980s horror films, blending elements of cosmic horror, gore, and psychological terror.


11. A Christmas Horror Story – 2015

a-christmas-horror-story

IMDb Rating: 5.8/10

A Christmas Horror Story is a Canadian film featuring several interconnected stories that take place on Christmas Eve.

The tales include a family facing a malevolent spirit, teens investigating a school murder, a couple with a strangely behaving son, and Santa battling zombie elves.

The film is narrated by a radio station DJ, who provides a chilling commentary that ties the stories together.

The movie is a creative take on holiday traditions, that blends festive cheer and the Christmas spirit with gruesome horror.


12. Pyewacket – 2017

pyewacket-207

IMDb Rating: 5.8/10

Pyewacket is a 2017 Canadian horror film that follows Leah, a troubled teenage girl grieving the loss of her father.

In a fit of rage, she performs a ritual to summon a demon to kill her mother, with whom she has a strained relationship.

Soon after performing, she begins to experience terrifying and supernatural occurrences and realizes too late the deadly consequences of her actions.

The movie is a disturbing experience, exploring the dangers of dabbling in the occult.


13. Blood Quantum – 2019

blood-quantum

IMDb Rating: 5.6/10

Blood Quantum is a Canadian horror film set on a First Nations reserve where the local Indigenous people discover they are immune to a zombie apocalypse that is spreading outside their community.

As the zombie outbreak intensifies, the residents must protect their land and loved ones from both the undead and external threats.

The film is a great addition to the zombie apocalypse genre, combining traditional zombie horror with Indigenous cultural themes, survival, and the impact of colonialism.


14. Grave Encounters 2 

grave-encounters-2

IMDb Rating: 5.1/10

Grave Encounters 2 is a 2012 Canadian found footage horror movie the sequel to the 2011 movie “Grave Encounters.”

The movie follows a standalone plotline about a film student named Alex Wright, who becomes obsessed with the events depicted in the first movie.

Believing the footage to be real, Alex decides to investigate the abandoned psychiatric hospital featured in the original film.

He and his friends venture into the hospital, only to discover that the malevolent paranormal forces from the first film are still active.

As they experience increasingly horrifying activities, they must find a way to escape the nightmarish trap they have entered.


15. Skinamarink – 2022

skinamarink-2022

IMDb Rating: 4.8/10

Skinamarink is a 2022 horror film that follows two children who wake up in the middle of the night and find their father missing.

As the children search for their missing father, they realize their house is increasingly becoming distorted, with strange and frightening occurrences happening around them.

The film takes a frightening approach to living trapped and isolated with a disembodied evil entity.

It gained criticism and popularity for using unsettling visuals, ambient sounds, and cinematography to create a sense of dread and isolation


16. Below Zero – 2011

below-zero-2011

IMDb Rating: 4.4/10

Below zero is another great take on the isolation trope. The 2011 movie follows a desperate screenwriter who confines himself inside a meat refrigerator, in hopes of coming up with inspiration.

There, his imagination begins to take a sinister turn when reality and fiction begin to merge, and his imaginary characters turn into a real threat.

The film depicts the psychological effects of extreme isolation on the writer’s perception of reality as he struggles to maintain his sanity and survive.


17. Seed – 2007

seed-2007

IMDb Rating: 3.1/10

Seed is a 2007 addition to the Canadian slasher horror movie. The film is about a convicted killer Max Seed, who is executed by the electric chair but survives the ordeal.

After his escape, Seed returns to exact revenge on those who wronged him, leaving a trail of brutal violence.

The film follows a detective and his team as they hunt Seed down while grappling with the horrific aftermath of his crimes. The movie is known for its graphic violence and controversial content. 

https://howtowatch.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/howtowatch-sidebar.png

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

fifteen + fifteen =

X