Military horror is a unique sub-genre that blends the gritty realism of a great war movie with the spine-chilling terror of good supernatural horror. These films delve deep into the psychological trauma of soldiers, the fear of the unknown, and often, the inescapable horrors of battle. With soldiers already experiencing the brutality of battle in the best war movies, the addition of supernatural threats elevates the tension and stakes. This makes these stories even more unnerving.
While many military-themed horror and supernatural films have gained significant attention, there are several that remain underrated and deserve more recognition. These films offer unique perspectives on both war and horror, using atmospheric tension, psychological dread, and supernatural forces to create deeply unsettling narratives. From haunted World War I trenches to eerie Nazi bunkers filled with undead soldiers, these movies have crafted unforgettable moments that stand out within the genre.
1 Deathwatch
Released In 2002
Deathwatch is a great example of how horror and war films can be fused to great effect. Set during the horrors of World War I, Deathwatch follows a group of British soldiers who, after becoming disoriented in a fog-filled battlefield, stumble upon a seemingly abandoned German trench. However, they soon realize that something far more sinister lurks within the trenches. The film masterfully combines the grim reality of war with supernatural horror.
The setting itself, which is muddy, claustrophobic, and labyrinthine, adds to the eerie atmosphere. This reflects the soldiers’ psychological breakdown as they face an unseen force that preys on their fears. Deathwatch is not only a story about survival, but also about the mental toll that war takes on those who fight. With a cast of young British actors including Jamie Bell and Andy Serkis, its slow-burn pacing, and bleak tone, this movie is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition for its unique mix of war drama and horror.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Deathwatch |
25% |
42% |
2 Ravenous
Released In 1999
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Ravenous R
Ravenous is a 1999 horror film directed by Antonia Bird. Set during the Mexican-American War, it follows Captain John Boyd, played by Guy Pearce, as he is transferred to a remote military outpost where he encounters a man with a disturbing tale of cannibalism. The film blends dark humor with gruesome suspense, featuring performances by Robert Carlyle and David Arquette.
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*Availability in US Director Antonia Bird Release Date March 19, 1999 Writers Ted Griffin Cast Guy Pearce , Robert Carlyle , Jeremy Davies , Jeffrey Jones , John Spencer , Stephen Spinella Neal McDonough , David Arquette
Set against the backdrop of the Mexican-American War, Ravenous is a darkly comic horror film that tells the story of Lt. John Boyd, a disgraced officer who is sent to a remote military outpost. When a man named Colqhoun arrives at the outpost with tales of cannibalism, the soldiers embark on a rescue mission. However, their efforts quickly turns into a nightmare as they’re forced to cross serious moral lines for a chance at survival.
Ravenous expertly blends psychological horror with black humor, focusing on the primal urge to survive — by any means necessary. The use of cannibalism as both a literal and metaphorical element highlights the dehumanizing effects of war. The film’s unsettling atmosphere and unique tone make it a standout in both the war and horror genres. Despite its inventive approach, Ravenous remains underappreciated, often overshadowed by more conventional horror films.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Ravenous |
52% |
78% |
3 The Bunker
(2001)
Set during World War II, The Bunker follows a group of German soldiers who retreat to an isolated bunker only to find themselves trapped and hunted by something far more terrifying than the Allied forces. The film’s claustrophobic setting creates a suffocating sense of dread that carries throughout the narrative. The soldiers are cut off from the outside world and must confront the psychological horrors that arise from their isolation, adding an unsetting psychological element to the narrative’s terror.
As they delve deeper into the bunker’s history, it becomes clear that something supernatural is at play. The film’s slow-burn pacing and focus on atmosphere over jump scares make it an underrated entry in the military horror genre.The Bunker blends psychological horror with war drama to create an eerie, suspenseful experience that deserves more attention.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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The Bunker |
80% |
34% |
4 Below
Released In 2002
Set aboard a WWII submarine, Below follows the crew as they begin to experience strange occurrences after picking up survivors from a torpedoed British hospital ship. As tensions rise and paranoia sets in, it becomes clear that something supernatural is haunting the vessel. The film masterfully uses the confined space of the submarine to heighten the tension, creating an almost unbearable sense of claustrophobia. This unique setting for a horror film proves to be an ideal space to keep the narrative character-focused and tense.
The combination of war-time thriller and creepy ghost story makes Below a unique and atmospheric horror film that is both unsettling and suspenseful. Despite its strong concept and execution, the movie remains underappreciated by mainstream audiences. The blend of supernatural horror and wartime drama sets it apart in the military horror genre, and gives fans of both genres plenty of reason to seek it out.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Below |
66% |
45% |
5 Frankenstein’s Army
Released In 2013
Set during the final days of World War II, Frankenstein’s Army follows a group of Soviet soldiers who stumble upon a secret Nazi laboratory where monstrous, biomechanical creatures are being created. The film is a blend of body horror and war drama with plenty of steampunk aesthetics to give it a unique visual tenor. The grotesque designs of the creatures are the standout feature of the movie, giving the film a memorable sense of pulpy style.
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Frankenstein’s Army is a visually inventive horror film that combines the real-life horrors of war with the fantastical elements of mad science. The film’s unique concept and creative execution make it an underrated entry in the genre, although it often gets overlooked due to its low budget. Nevertheless, its unsettling visuals and tense atmosphere make it a must-watch for fans of both war and horror.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Frankenstein’s Army |
58% |
41% |
6 The Objective
Released In 2008
In The Objective, a CIA operative leads a Special Forces team into the deserts of Afghanistan in search of a mysterious and ancient force. As they delve deeper into the remote landscape, they begin to experience unexplainable phenomena that suggest a supernatural presence. The film’s eerie tension and slow-burn pacing makes it a standout in the military horror genre, as it embraces a more cerebral approach to the supernatural and psychological horror.
The Objective
explores the unknown, combining military tactics with a Lovecraftian sense of cosmic horror.
The Objective explores the unknown, combining military tactics with a Lovecraftian sense of cosmic horror. The desolate desert setting adds to the film’s unsettling atmosphere, as the team becomes increasingly isolated from reality. Although it flew under the radar upon its release, The Objective is a unique and thought-provoking military horror film that deserves more recognition and is a compelling drama that is bolstered by a darker touch.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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The Objective |
33% |
32% |
7 Outpost
Released In 2008
Set in a remote Nazi bunker, Outpost follows a group of mercenaries who uncover a secret Nazi experiment that has unleashed an army of undead soldiers. The film’s low budget is offset by its strong concept and chilling atmosphere, setting up a compelling take on the World War 2 horror narrative. The blend of war and zombie horror, combined with the claustrophobic setting, creates a tense and suspenseful narrative.
Outpost
received two follow-up fllms:
Outpost: Black Sun
in 2012, as well as the prequel
Outpost: Rise of the Spetsnaz
in 2013.
Outpost explores themes of immortality, power, and the horrors of war, with the undead soldiers serving as a grim reminder of the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Despite its intriguing premise, Outpost remains underrated, often overlooked in favor of more traditional zombie films. However, its unique take on the nazi zombie genre and its effective use of tension make it a standout in the military horror sub-genre.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Outpost |
N/A |
34% |
8 Red Sands
Released In 2009
Set during the Iraq War, Red Sands follows a group of American soldiers who accidentally unleash a Djinn, an ancient Middle Eastern demon, after destroying a sacred statue. The film blends military conflict with supernatural horror, creating a unique narrative that explores the intersection of war and folklore. The focus on unintened consequences plays well into the themes of both the war and horror genres that Red Sands is playing with.
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The Djinn serves as both a literal and metaphorical representation of the horrors of war, as the soldiers are forced to confront their own guilt and fear. Red Sands is an underrated film that uses its setting and folklore to create a tense and atmospheric horror story. While it didn’t receive much attention upon its release, it stands out as a unique entry in the military horror genre.
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Red Sands |
N/A |
10% |
9 The Keep
Released In 1983
One of Michael Mann’s more underrated movies, The Keep is a visually atmospheric horror film set during World War II. The story follows a group of Nazi soldiers who unwittingly release an ancient evil from a Romanian fortress. While the film has its flaws, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative coherence, The Keep‘s strong visuals and intriguing premise make it a cult favorite among fans of the legendary director.
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The film explores themes of power, immortality, and the consequences of tampering with forces beyond human understanding. Despite its initial mixed reception, The Keep has gained a cult following over the years and remains an underrated entry in the military horror genre. The film is an interesting blend of supernatural horror and wartime drama bolstered by strong direction. It is a unique and visually striking film that deserves more recognition.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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The Keep |
39% |
43% |
10 The Devil’s Rock
Released in 2011
Set during World War II, The Devil’s Rock follows two Allied soldiers who uncover a Nazi occult ritual on a remote island. The film blends military action with supernatural horror, as the soldiers must confront a demonic force unleashed by the Nazis. The Devil’s Rock is notable for its strong practical effects and atmospheric setting. Coupled with the central story, the film creates a sense of claustrophobic dread that can be hard to shake.
The film explores themes of power, control, and the consequences of dabbling in the occult. Despite its low budget, The Devil’s Rock is an effective and suspenseful horror film that does a terrific job of juggling the two tones to find something consistently frigthening and engaging. Its unique blend of wartime action and supernatural horror makes it a strong entry worth another look. These films highlight what makes the horror and war genres so effective together.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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The Devil’s Rock |
56% |
36% |