11 Must-Watch Korean Horror Films for Your Halloween Movie List

With Halloween just around the corner, don’t fret if you haven’t planned a night out. The following selection of 11 spine-chilling Korean horror films is ideal for a cozy evening at home! Get ready to snuggle under warm blankets, whip up some delicious snacks, and hope the power stays on!

1. I Saw The Devil

Delivering a thrilling emotional rollercoaster, I Saw The Devil captivates without relying on traditional jump scares. Viewers are taken on a gripping revenge odyssey led by secret agent Soo Hyun (Lee Byung Hun) as he hunts down the sadistic serial killer responsible for his wife’s brutal murder. The horrifying moment where the killer dismembers a pregnant woman, despite her desperate pleas, leaves a lingering impact as one of the film’s most disturbing scenes.

2. Oldboy

Oldboy stands tall as a landmark in Korean cinema. Frequently hailed as one of the greatest films ever, it boasts a shocking twist so dark that many find themselves unable to rewatch it due to its unsettling nature. The narrative follows Oh Dae Su (Choi Min Sik), who awakens in a mysterious room after a drunken celebration for his daughter’s birthday, trapped with no escape. As his anguish heightens upon learning of his wife’s murder—with him as the prime suspect—he embarks on a bloody quest for revenge after spending 15 years in captivity, triggered by a phone call from his captor.

3. The Wailing

Considered a classic within the exorcism subgenre, The Wailing grips audiences with its unsettling narrative. A sudden outbreak of a strange illness sends a village spiraling into hysteria, leading to suspicions aimed at a foreign traveler (Jun Kunimura). In a desperate attempt to combat the threatening chaos, the villagers enlist a renowned exorcist (Hwang Jung Min) to confront this enigmatic figure.

4. The Call

The plot of The Call unfolds when Seo Yeon (Park Shin Hye) receives frantic calls from a girl named Young Sook (Jeon Jong Seo). Although they develop a deep bond, things take a dark turn as Young Sook reacts violently when her connection with Seo Yeon falters, leading to a chain of horrific murders across time.

5. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum

Described as one of the scariest films in Korea, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is set in the titular abandoned hospital, which CNN deemed one of the “7 freakiest places on the planet.” Presented in found footage style, the film immerses viewers in the chilling experiences of a group of friends, led by Ha Joon (Wi Ha Joon), as they venture into Gonjiam to explore supernatural occurrences, armed with equipment to contact spirits and search for ghostly activity.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum - Terrifying experiences

6. Metamorphosis

This chilling film presents a terrifying journey filled with grisly scenes and unsettling imagery. Metamorphosis follows the family of priest Jung Soo (Bae Sung Woo) who, after failing to exorcise a malevolent force, finds his family members preyed upon by it, resulting in mistrust and lethal chaos. It doesn’t shy away from showing disturbing content, including the deaths of animals and people, keeping viewers on edge with the sinister notion that “home can be the most dangerous place.”

7. 0.0MHz (2019)

0.0MHz is inspired by the webtoon of the same name by Jang Jak and follows a paranormal investigation club as they delve into supernatural experiences. The plot revolves around their investigation in a haunted house, trying to uncover connections between ghostly entities and radio frequencies, based on the belief that brainwaves at 0.0 MHz allow one to observe spirits. Directed by Yoo Seon Dong, it stars Jung Eun Ji, Sung Yeol, Choi Yoon Yoong, Shin Joo Hwan, and Jung Won Chang, yet it was banned in Vietnam for not adhering to local regulations.

8. The Wailing (2019)

The Wailing, set in a secluded mountainous village, grapples with a shocking series of murders and a bizarre outbreak. Officer Jong Goo (Kwak Do Won) is assigned to unravel the unsettling mysteries, which intensify upon the arrival of a mysterious Japanese man. The situation escalates as Jong Goo battles fear and uncertainty to rescue his daughter from a shadowy malevolence threatening their community.

9. Train to Busan (2016)

Train to Busan portrays the terrifying reality of a zombie apocalypse in South Korea. As Seok Woo (Gong Yoo) and his daughter Soo An (Jung Yoo Mi) embark on a train journey to Busan, they encounter a horde of terrifying challenges. This gripping tale showcases various passengers’ survival tactics while delving into themes of parental love, self-sacrifice, and collaboration in desperate situations.

10. The Closet (2020)

The narrative of The Closet begins when Sang Won (Ha Jung Woo) relocates to a new home with his daughter, only to have her mysteriously vanish. Strange occurrences related to a closet in their living space lead Sang Won to uncover connections to his daughter’s disappearance. With the aid of a psychologist, he unearths the dark secrets surrounding the closet and the spirits trapped within.

11. The Mimic (2017)

The Mimic unfolds as a mother, Hee Yeon (Shin Ji Hoon), embarks on a journey to locate her missing daughter, Eun Hee (Kim Soo An), in an isolated forest. After relocating to the countryside in hopes of a fresh start, Hee Yeon encounters a mysterious being that can replicate human voices. As bizarre events transpire, she begins to suspect a connection between this entity and her daughter’s unexplained disappearance.

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