The past ten years has seen a resurgence in folk horror with movies like The Ritual adding a modern twist to the genre, plus one of the most impressive screen monsters in decades.
David Brucknerâs nerve-jangling horror is about four old college friends who go on a hiking holiday in Sweden. When one of them twists his ankle, they decide to take a shortcut through the forest, and soon find themselves stalked by an evil presence…
If you love movies like The Ritual, letâs see whatâs waiting for us in this list of great picks…
10 Nail-biting Horror Movies like The Ritual
1. Dog Soldiers (2002)
A squad of British soldiers training in the Scottish Highlands meet their match against an unlikely enemy â a pack of werewolves…
Neil Marshall makes an impressive directorial debut and Sean Pertwee heads up the strong British cast. The practical werewolf effects are still scary almost 20 years on.
Dog Soldiers is a great place to start if youâre after more movies like The Ritual, thanks to its similar setting, cast and story. Itâs a cult favourite among horror fans.
2. Apostle (2018)
A mysterious man travels to a remote island to rescue his sister who is being held hostage by a strange cult. When heâs attacked, he fights back and discovers the unnerving truth about the cultâs religion…
Director Gareth Evans keeps a tight grip of his sinister material and Dan Stevens is riveting as the protagonist who is almost as creepy as the cult heâs fighting against.
Bleak and atmospheric, Apostle makes the list of movies like The Ritual because itâs another of the current crop of modern folk horror films.
3. The Witch (2015)
A strict Christian family in 17th century New England set up a farmstead on the edge of the woods. When their new-born baby goes missing, they turn on the eldest daughter, suspecting her of witchcraft…
Robert Eggers made an outstanding debut with this terrifying tale. Itâs a beautifully crafted film, from the authentic dialogue to the eerie score, and all the performances are outstanding. Anya Taylor-Joy is especially good as the daughter persecuted by her own family.
The Witch is regarded as one of the best horror movies of the 21st century, and received an endorsement from no less than the Satanic Temple…
4. Troll Hunter (2010)
A group of students head out into the Norwegian wilderness to investigate a series of bear killings, teaming up with a pro hunter. They discover that the culprits are far larger and more dangerous than they imagined…
This found-footage mockumentary put director AndrĂ© Ăvredal on the map. The cast of unknowns are OK but itâs really all about the trolls, which come in an inventive array of shapes and sizes.
Troll Hunter isnât scary, but if youâre looking for more movies like The Ritual where fantastical creatures lurk in the woods, you should have a great time with it.
5. The Descent (2005)
Six women go on a spelunking trip that goes horribly wrong. Trapped underground, they find themselves hunted by a strange race of cave-dwelling predators…
Neil Marshall made good on the promise of Dog Soldiers by delivering a slicker, scarier follow up. The Descent is terrifying even before the creatures show up, then it really gets crazy.
The Descent is a truly frightening thrill ride, perfect for fans of movies like The Ritual.
6. Eden Lake (2008)
Itâs not just monsters you have to watch out for in the woods. A couple head out to a romantic spot deep in the English countryside, only to have the mood spoiled by some young yobs. Confronting them is not the best idea…
James Watkins directs this unflinching and brutal tale, tapping into the British fear of âhoodiesâ. Kelly Reilly and Michael Fassbender are both good as the unfortunate couple terrorized by the kids.
Eden Lake is terrifying throughout, all the way up to its harrowing conclusion. Itâs not for the faint of heart.
7. The Wailing (2016)
 The Wailing is a Korean horror about a mysterious illness spreading through a remote village, causing carnage. A police officer investigates and finds out it may be the work of an evil spirit…
Na Hong-Jin’s masterful film builds a sustained atmosphere of dread before going totally nuts towards the end. Do-Won Kwak is sympathetic as the bumbling copper drawn into supernatural danger.
The Wailing is strong stuff and makes a notable Korean entry into the folk horror genre. Absolutely essential viewing.
8. Kill List (2011)
A pair of hitmen take on a lucrative job for three assassinations, but their mysterious employer threatens to kill their families if they donât complete the contract…
Ben Wheatleyâs nasty, gripping film is a strange beast â a hitman horror. Neil Maskell and Michael Smiley are both great as the contract killers who bite off more than they can chew.
Kill List makes this rundown of movies like The Ritual because it arguably kickstarted the modern folk horror craze, and itâs both disturbing and compelling.
9. The Endless (2017)
Two brothers are drawn back to the UFO death cult they escaped from by a mysterious message, and get caught up in a series of time loops apparently caused by an unseen menace above…
Co-directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead commendably build a sense of impending doom in this tricky horror fantasy. They also play the likeable leads.
Fans of movies like The Ritual with strange cult shenanigans will love this strange and creepy little puzzler.
10. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Movies like The Ritual tap into the primal fear of being lost in the dark, so this list wouldnât be complete without Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrickâs huge found footage hit.
Three students venture into the remote Maryland woods to film a documentary about the legend of the Blair Witch. They soon become lost, scared, and stalked by an unseen presence…
People either love it or loathe it, but thereâs no denying that The Blair Witch Project is a cultural phenomenon. It cannily leaves the horrors to the viewerâs imagination and if you buy in, it culminates in one of the scariest endings in movie history.