Top 20 splatter movies that are not for the faint-hearted

Splatter movies are not for everyone. These films push violence and gore to extremes that most horror movies avoid. Over time, splatter films have gained a strong following among horror fans. They are not just about violence but often include creative ideas or striking effects that stick with you. These are not the kind of movies you casually watch. They demand attention and often leave you wondering if you can handle more. They are bold and shocking and can be hard to forget. Each film on this list has pushed the genre in its own way.

1. The Evil Dead (1981)

Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead is a brutal dive into chaos that spares no one. A group of friends unknowingly awakens demonic forces, turning their cabin retreat into a blood-soaked nightmare. Cheryl’s attack by possessed trees is deeply disturbing, and Ash dismembering his friends with an axe makes it impossible to look away. Blood splashes across every frame while rotting corpses twitch in grotesque movements. The relentless violence grabs you by the throat and does not let go until the credits roll.

2. Dead Alive (Braindead) (1992)

Dead Alive by Peter Jackson is a chaotic mix of humor and extreme gore. The lawnmower massacre floods the screen with flying limbs and entrails, making it one of the bloodiest scenes ever filmed. The dinner scene with pus dripping into custard is nauseating to watch but impossible to forget. Every moment feels like a dare to keep watching as the carnage escalates. This film is unapologetically wild and pushes splatter comedy to an unmatched level of absurdity.

3. Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Cannibal Holocaust is a shocking experience that has haunted viewers for decades. The scene where a woman is impaled on a pole leaves a sickening impression. The live butchering of a turtle has made audiences physically ill. Each act of violence feels raw and unfiltered, making it hard to watch without looking away. The film’s unflinching brutality forces audiences to question their own limits. It stands as one of the most infamous and controversial films in horror history.

4. Ichi the Killer (2001)

Ichi the Killer dives into sadistic violence in a way few films dare to attempt. Kakihara’s torture scene, where a man is hung by hooks and scalded with boiling oil, is impossible to watch without cringing. The film explores the twisted psychology of its characters while showing violence in gruesome detail. It does not shy away from its shocking elements but uses them to build a story that feels uniquely deranged. This movie leaves viewers disturbed and unable to forget what they saw.

5. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre creates pure terror through its raw and brutal moments. Leatherface’s first kill with a hammer is quick, brutal, and impossible to unsee. The infamous dinner scene where Sally is tied to a chair surrounded by the deranged family makes you feel like you are trapped in the nightmare yourself. The film’s gritty visuals and relentless intensity make it one of the most unforgettable horror experiences. This is a film that does not let you breathe until it is over.

6. Hostel (2005)

Eli Roth’s Hostel is a nightmare that pulls viewers into a brutal world where human lives are auctioned off for torture. One scene shows a man’s Achilles tendons being sliced, forcing him to crawl in agony while his captors watch. Another victim has her eye gruesomely mutilated, leaving audiences shocked by the sheer brutality. The graphic violence feels unrelenting and raw, making it hard to sit through. The film’s unapologetic cruelty made it infamous among horror fans and a defining moment for the torture-porn genre.

7. Martyrs (2008)

Martyrs is a relentless film that pushes the limits of suffering and despair. The scene where a young woman is savagely beaten day after day is excruciating to watch. The climax takes it further as her skin is removed in a horrifying act of cruelty. The violence feels purposeful and overwhelming, leaving viewers questioning their own limits. This is not just a film about gore but about the dark places humanity can reach. It became a symbol of French extreme horror and remains unforgettable.

8. The Human Centipede (First Sequence) (2009)

Tom Six’s The Human Centipede is pure nightmare fuel that shocks with its grotesque premise. The surgery scene, where three people are stitched together to share a single digestive system, is revolting beyond words. Watching the victims struggle with this horrifying existence is almost too much to bear. The scene where the first victim is forced to eat is especially unbearable. This film is infamous for its sickening concept and imagery, making it one of the most disturbing movies ever made.

9. Re-Animator (1985)

Re-Animator takes horror and gore to outrageous levels. The scene where a decapitated head attempts to assault a woman is grotesque and leaves viewers stunned. Another unforgettable moment is a reanimated corpse spraying blood everywhere as it violently attacks. The film thrives on its absurdity and unrestrained chaos, making each scene feel shocking yet fascinating. Its bold and over-the-top approach to horror helped cement its place as a cult classic that fans of gore still admire today.

10. Hellraiser (1987)

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser is unforgettable for its raw and unsettling imagery. Frank’s resurrection, where his body slowly reforms from blood and tissue, is revolting to watch. The final scene, where chains rip into flesh, is horrifying and leaves a lasting impression. The Cenobites represent pain and pleasure in terrifying ways, making every appearance feel menacing. The grotesque visuals serve the story’s themes of desire and suffering, creating a unique experience that changed the horror genre forever. Pinhead remains an icon of fear and brutality.

11. A Serbian Film (2010)

A Serbian Film is one of the most controversial movies ever made, filled with relentless violence and scenes meant to provoke. The infamous newborn scene is so disturbing that it leaves many unable to finish the movie. Another sequence shows the protagonist forced into unspeakable acts that push every imaginable boundary. The graphic content is not just excessive but shocking to the point of disbelief. Its extreme nature has sparked debates about artistic freedom, but few can stomach its brutal imagery and unsettling themes.

12. Inside (À l’intérieur) (2007)

Inside is brutal and relentless, focusing on a pregnant woman hunted by a deranged intruder. The scene where the intruder stabs a pair of scissors into a pregnant belly is graphic and shocking. Blood splatters as every attack grows more violent, with bodies piling up in the small house. The movie’s claustrophobic setting adds to the tension as the violence escalates. It leaves viewers horrified at how far it goes, cementing its place as one of the most disturbing French horror films.

13. Tokyo Gore Police (2008)

Tokyo Gore Police is an absurdly violent cyberpunk splatter film that overwhelms the senses. The scene where a mutant woman transforms her severed arms into swords while spraying blood across the screen is unforgettable. Another grotesque moment involves a man being mutilated by living weapons. The movie piles on blood and gore in every frame, making it impossible to look away. Its over-the-top violence and surreal visuals helped it gain a cult following as one of Japan’s most bizarre and extreme films.

14. The Green Inferno (2013)

Eli Roth’s The Green Inferno pays homage to old cannibal films while amplifying the gore. The scene where a captive is butchered alive, with their limbs hacked off and eyes gouged out, is graphic and stomach-churning. Watching survivors witness these acts adds to the horror, as they realize the tribe intends to eat them next. The film’s use of practical effects makes every death feel disturbingly real. It reminds viewers of the shocking brutality of classic exploitation films while bringing it into a modern setting.

15. Saw (2004)

Saw redefined horror with its gruesome traps and psychological terror. The scene where Dr. Gordon is forced to saw off his foot to escape is so intense it leaves audiences speechless. The reverse bear trap, designed to rip a victim’s jaw apart, is another horrifying moment. The traps are not just violent but also deeply personal, forcing characters to make unimaginable choices. The film’s creative gore and mind-bending twists made it an instant classic and launched a franchise that continues to unsettle viewers today.

16. High Tension (Haute Tension) (2003)

High Tension is brutal and leaves no room for mercy. The home invasion scene shows a man decapitated with a bookcase and a mother violently killed while trying to protect her child. Every act of violence feels raw and unflinching as the story builds toward a shocking ending. The film pulls you into its bloody chaos without giving you a moment to breathe. Its combination of extreme violence and an unforgettable twist made it a landmark in French horror.

17. Audition (1999)

Audition starts slowly before plunging into horror that leaves viewers speechless. The scene where Asami uses piano wire to sever a man’s limbs is one of the most unsettling moments in cinema. Her quiet whispers as she performs the act make it even more chilling. The sudden shift from calm to horrifying catches viewers off guard. Its ability to build tension before delivering gruesome imagery helped establish it as one of Takashi Miike’s most iconic works.

18. The Sadness (2021)

The Sadness turns a zombie outbreak into pure carnage. The subway scene is relentless as infected passengers mutilate and kill in a blood-soaked frenzy. Another shocking moment shows a man gouging out a woman’s eyes with his bare hands. The film never shies away from showing the worst horrors imaginable. Its unrelenting violence and intense atmosphere leave viewers shaken. This movie redefines how far zombie films can go with their portrayal of chaos and brutality.

19. Antichrist (2009)

Antichrist confronts viewers with scenes that are almost unbearable to watch. One moment shows a woman mutilating herself with scissors in a way that feels horrifyingly real. The slow pacing adds to the impact of its most brutal moments. Every act of violence feels deeply personal and hard to forget. The film explores grief and suffering in ways that feel raw and unfiltered. Its disturbing imagery and emotional weight make it one of Lars von Trier’s most controversial works.

20. The House That Jack Built (2018)

The House That Jack Built is a dark and deeply unsettling look into the mind of a killer. One of the most disturbing scenes shows Jack killing two children during a picnic and arranging their bodies in a twisted display. The violence feels calculated and disturbing with every detail. The film forces you to endure the psychological cruelty of Jack’s actions. Its shocking imagery and unapologetic approach made it one of Lars von Trier’s most divisive films.