It has been proven that terror can arise from a variety of sources, including the sky, the surrounding environment, and even under a person’s feet. In particular, caves can be scary in any situation and a movie set deep underground will touch the primal fear present in the heart of every viewer. Does it look like a monster’s lair down there? Are there any creatures from the Black Lagoon or descendants of the labyrinth lurking? This cave is considered the scariest in horror film history, enough to make even the most seasoned horror enthusiasts shudder.
Cave of San Lorenzo – Black Scorpion (1957)
However, the 1950s were the golden age of Big Bug movies. “Black Scorpion” may not be one of the most memorable examples of the genre, but its macabre setting still sends shivers down your spine. The film revolves around a pair of geologists investigating the mysterious death of a new volcano in Mexico after it suddenly formed.
They discover the deaths were caused by a giant scorpion and must track it down to its lair. Created by legendary special effects artist Willis O’Brien, the scorpion is both terrifying and creepy, especially when it’s lurking in its lair. Giant bugs are scary enough, but the film’s caves limit the movement of the human characters, making escape nearly impossible.
Tomahawk Bones – Tomahawk Bones (2015)
Western films are often recognized for their vast and picturesque landscapes, but the horror/western film Bone Tomahawk aims to showcase the ominous side of the Old West. The plot revolves around a local being kidnapped by a group of cannibals, prompting a group to go on a mission to hunt down these bloodthirsty cave dwellers.
Often considered one of the most underrated Western films, Bone Tomahawk offers a great mix of classic Western elements with plenty of creepy moments. The final scene of the film takes place in a troglodyte cave, terrifying many viewers. Taking you back in time to the dawn of humanity, this film is the epitome of prehistoric horror.
The Mayan sunken city – 47 meters deep: Uncaged (2019)
Being stalked by a shark is already scary, but in “47 Meters Down: Uncaged,” the fear is heightened with the addition of claustrophobic caves. The film follows a group of young girls on a diving expedition to a sunken Mayan city in Mexico, where they become trapped and hunted by a school of killer sharks.
The already terrifying concept of dry caves is taken to a new level as the caves are now flooded, adding another level of horror to the situation. Unlike other shark attack movies set in the open ocean, “47 Meters Down: Uncaged” sets itself apart by focusing on the more confined and stressful environments found in underwater cave.
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
The Universal Monster cycle mostly ended in the 1950s, but then the Creature from the Black Lagoon appeared out of nowhere and dealt the final blow to the team. The story follows a group of scientists who travel along the Amazon River in search of an elusive, primitive creature said to live in the black lagoon.
Soon after the film’s release, Gilman became a part of popular culture, and his terrifying underwater image will forever be etched in the history of horror. At the climax, the monster kidnaps a woman and takes her to his secret cave. While there’s nothing scary about Gill Man’s lair, the whereabouts of a creature lost over time is somewhat disturbing.
Cave – Cave (2005)
With a simple title like “The Cave”, viewers will definitely understand their purpose when watching this underground horror film. Set in a cave in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the film follows a group of scientists and cave divers who stumble upon an underground ecosystem of deadly monsters.
Although the film gets bogged down in extraneous details and misses some of the story’s simple charms, such as the descendants, the underground setting provides a creepy twist. Additionally, the monsters themselves feel like they’ve been ripped from the nightmarish depths of the cave.
Nowhere Man – Nowhere Man (2018)
Caves can be scary due to their mystery and emptiness. They are said to be in mental danger. In the film, a detective investigates a series of murders that took place in a haunted cave located in the Ula Valley of Bhutan.
The terror is heightened by the cave’s apparent ability to extend negative energy beyond its boundaries, creating an atmosphere of inevitability. Grim Skull Totem adds another layer of horror, turning the caves from ordinary underground spaces into completely tragic events.
Dylatov Pass Cave – Devil’s Pass (2013)
The infamous Dylatov Pass incident has puzzled history enthusiasts for decades. Speculation about the horrific events depicted in the found footage continues to this day. In “Devil’s Pass,” a group of scientists go to a mountain to investigate the mysterious events of the 1950s and discover the truth behind them.
Although there is no concrete evidence of what actually happened, the film suggests that it may have involved a mysterious system of caves and bunkers located on a nearby mountain. The climax takes place inside these caves, where the tension builds in luxurious style before reaching its climax. Although the pace of the film sometimes seems slow, the ending is worth the wait.
Mausoleum – As Above (2014)
Considered one of the best found footage films of all time, “Here is the Above” explores horror in a very real place. The film is set in the city’s infamous catacombs beneath the streets of Paris and follows a team of archaeologists who stumble upon biblical horrors.
While the found footage style can often be distracting, “This Is the Top” uses it perfectly to ratchet up the tension. The film hardly embellishes and instead fully introduces a truly creepy location located next to the beauties of the French capital. Expected by the audience until the last minute, the film’s twist ending left viewers dumbfounded.
Cai Ho – Cai Ho (1981)
Although viewers never get the chance to enter this terrifying cave, it remains one of the scariest underground horrors of all time. Jamie is a 12-year-old outcast who suddenly finds purpose in life when he discovers a hole filled with bloodthirsty monsters in the woods near his home.
Despite being a cult classic overlooked by many, The Pit remains one of Canada’s best monster movies and a truly creepy coming-of-age story. The eponymous hole is more of a plot device than a scene, but it is central to the film’s horror. The troglodyte monsters are terrifying, and Jamie himself is the real villain.
Appalachian Cave – Descendants (2005)
Caves have always been great locations for filming horror movies, but there’s nothing quite like The Descent. One year after a tragic accident, a group of friends reunite for a caving expedition in the mountains of North Carolina. Suddenly, the cave traps them and forces them deeper. Experience the fear of being trapped underground as they make their way through.
As the journey progresses, there is an unexpected change from a horror movie to a monster movie as they encounter creatures from the underworld. Perfectly paced to build to the greatest horror moments. The characters will keep the audience following them as they struggle to survive and escape the cave.