Body horror is one of the most unique and gruesome genres of horror. For decades, it has haunted people days after they have watched a movie. So, today, we’re talking about some of the best films in this genre, and here are the 15 best body horror movies of all time:
15. Perfume (2006)
Perfume, usually followed by the vignette “The Story of a Murderer,” has built somewhat of a cult following since its release in 2006. The film tells the story of Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), who is hell-bent on mastering the art of perfumes.
However, instead of going the common way of creating fragrances, Grenouille is into something far more heinous—using people to recreate the scents. In his quest to recreate the smell of one specific girl, he commits a ton of vile acts.
14. The Human Centipede (2009)
The Human Centipede is not a film for the lighthearted. There isn’t something too terrible or unwatchable with it. However, it can be quite squirm-inducing for certain audiences, given the absurd nature of body horror depicted in this film.
It’s the story of an insane scientist who is keen on turning his sick and twisted fantasy into reality. Soon, he gets to bring his ideas to fruition when he comes across a trio of tourists. What follows is a story that you have to see to believe.
13. In My Skin (2002)
In My Skin is the story of a masochist, and you can imagine the kind of body horror you might witness in this. The story of Esther (Marina de Van) is quite chilling, as this marketing professional soon discovers the sort of damage her body can take.
Instead of taking it from others, Esther develops a keen proclivity for inflicting damage on herself. This becomes a cause of concern for her boyfriend, who tries to stop her self-mutilating acts. However, Esther ends up taking things too far—as you would expect in a file of this nature.
12. Thinner (1996)
Thinner isn’t your common body horror movie. It begins when Billy (Robert John Burke) runs over an old woman. However, it turns out to be a gypsy woman whom Billy ends up killing, and so he gets cursed by the late woman’s husband.
The most interesting part is the kind of curse he casts upon Billy, which is for him to lose weight rapidly, even until his death. Soon, things begin to go haywire for our main character, but they don’t remain restricted to him only.
11. Wrong Turn (2003)
Wrong Turn is one of the most renowned slasher movies of all time. The body horror and gore in this film make it quite difficult for light hearted audiences. The premise of the film is quite cliché, as yet another group of friends gets stranded away from civilization.
Soon, they run into a family of twisted individuals who have cannibalistic tendencies. The group fights to survive, but you know how the rest of these movies go. However, the gore in this film has made it one of the most popular body horror movies of all time.
10. Possessor (2020)
Possessor is another high-rated movie on this list and one that has a unique premise. In the film, a trained assassin, Tasya (Andrea Riseborough), is capable of killing people with a special twist—she can take control of other people’s bodies.
With the help of a high-tech brain implant, Tasya carries out assassination orders for high-profile targets quite easily. The technology she uses enables her to take control of other people’s bodies while getting paid in large numbers.
9. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
The Autopsy of Jane Doe is another treat for body horror lovers. The film begins with two coroners who are performing an autopsy. The autopsy is to help identify an unknown dead girl while also revealing the cause of her death.
Now, as you’d expect in movies like these, things aren’t always as simple as they seem. The atmosphere soon turns eerie as the father-son duo gets closer to finding out the truth. It’s another film that was received quite well by both the audiences and critics.
8. The Silence of The Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is another popular movie, mainly known for its chilling performance by Anthony Hopkins, who is also known as Hannibal Lecter. The film is mostly considered a psychological thriller, but it has body horror elements.
The film became so successful that it had two more sequels. The story is quite engaging, too, as the FBI is seeking help from a convicted serial killer. The idea is to catch another serial killer who is using a similar M.O. to kill female victims.
7. Existenz (1999)
Existenz is another cult classic that has become renowned for portraying the potential dangers of technology. The story takes place in a future where humanity has managed to enter the digital world—literally.
The story centers around a game designer who is running from dangerous people. At the same time, she suspects her creation is dented and must assess the damage from within the game. Thus, the spiral of events unfolds in the movie.
6. The Brood (1979)
The Brood is a sick and twisted tale of a mad doctor, Hal Raglan (Oliver Reed). The doctor uses unconventional techniques of psychological therapy on his patient, Nola Carveth (Samantha Eggar). Soon, the husband forbade her from seeking further therapy with the doctor.
Then the family is attacked, and the man connects the dots, figuring out the psychotic doctor might be behind this. Then, the doctor unveils more of his wretched schemes to achieve what he’s set out to do—figure out psychoplasmic therapy.
5. Hellraiser (1987)
Hellraiser is an all-time classic in the horror genre. The film has a large following, and it turned into a big franchise following the first movie. The classic continues to be one of the most popular movies/franchises, and for good reason.
The story begins when a couple moves to an older house. However, they find the man’s brother has turned into a monstrosity. Soon, the monstrosity asks the couple to bring him human sacrifices in a bid to become human again.
4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
In many ways, Texas Chainsaw Massacre could be considered one of the best body horror movies of all time. This is yet another film that has transformed into a franchise, and the characters have become pop-culture icons since then.
The story of the first movie begins as you’d expect for a classic horror to begin. Three friends get stranded in the middle of nowhere. However, soon, a chainsaw-wielding atrocity chases after them, picking them off one by one.
3. The Thing (1982)
There isn’t another movie on this list that’s as stomach-churning as The Thing. It’s widely considered one of the best horror films of all time, and it’s easy to see why. Besides outstanding body horror and gore through visual effects, the film’s story, pacing, and characters, everything hit the mark.
The story surrounds a research team in a remote area of Alaska. Soon, the team begins to run into unusual circumstances, and things begin to go awry as the alien, who can take the shape of anyone or become anyone, begins to haunt them.
2. Crimes of the Future (2022)
Crimes of the Future is one of the more recent body horror movies and one that has received acclaim from critics and audiences. The film also has a star cast of Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings), Lea Seydoux (Specter), and Kristen Stewart (Twilight).
The film’s plot is centered around future dystopian changes, where the human body can now undergo drastic changes, in the shape of transformations and mutilations. But these monstrous acts are soon revealed to be more than just human evolution.
1. The Fly (1986)
The Fly was one of the first movies to put the likes of Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis on the radar. However, aside from their casting, the film’s story was unique for the time. It was the era of science fiction horror, and The Fly made the most out of it.
It all starts with Seth Brundle (Goldblum) developing a teleportation machine. Now, when the time for testing this device comes, Brundle is caught with a fly in the said machine. Their genes get spliced together, and the scientist begins to turn into a monstrous anomaly.
Honorable Mentions
- The Substance (2024)
- Evil Dead (2013)
- Titane (2021)
- Slither (2006)
What are your favorite body horror movies? Share with us in the comments!
