Join us as we embark on this terrifying cinematic adventure through the top 10 scariest Filipino movies. Brace yourself for a spine-chilling exploration of the supernatural, psychological terror, and the rich tapestry of Philippine horror that will leave you with a lingering sense of unease. Get ready to experience fear like never before in the world of Filipino horror cinema.
Welcome to a chilling journey through the realm of Philippine cinema’s scariest tales. In this curated list, we will explore the dark and terrifying corners of Filipino horror films that have left audiences trembling in fear. Filipino horror movies have successfully established their own place in the world of storytelling, enthralling both local and international viewers with a captivating mixture of supernatural beings, psychological terrors, and chilling storylines rooted in folklore and urban legends.
The Philippine culture is truly unique and sets itself apart from others. There’s nothing more thrilling than watching a Filipino horror movie to achieve that eerie feeling. Whether a movie junkie or an avid scary movie fan, you’re on the perfect spot to get those goosebumps coming.
You won’t be disappointed by these top Filipino horror movies. But, should we warn you now? No! Everyone knows that horror movies are not for the weak and that there is no need to keep the lights on while you sleep; you’re just fine and not alone!
Must-Watch Horror Movies
Movie buffs have always had one question, why do we watch horror movies? The answer is simple. It’s our primal instinct to be scared but that’s not the answer we want to give. The truth is, we watch horror movies to be entertained. If a scare is not included in a movie, then we’ll eventually lose interest.
Nightshift
Directed by Yam Laranas
One of the scariest movies in cinema history, Nightshift, will keep you on the edge of your seat. A young woman is forced to stay in a morgue at night due to a delay in her coworkers’ arrival on her first night. Then, darkness descends upon the morgue, making her experience more terrifying as the corpse shows signs of rebirth.
It is the latest film to be released in 2020. The film stars Yam Concepcion,Soliman Cruz, Jeffrey Quizon, etc.
Aswang (Remake)
Based on the 1992 Aswang (shape-shifting monster) film starring Alma Moreno. A subspecies of aswang known as Abwak plagues the town in which two kids witness the murder of their parents. A mysterious woman, a member of the Abwak clan, helps the kids escape the monster and assassins running after them.
The Ghost Bride
To secure her family’s future and prevent her father’s demise, Mayen (Kim Chui) agrees to an immense payment from a Chinese matchmaker. In an unconventional turn of events, she finds herself bound to a deceased yet affluent Chinese suitor as his ghostly bride.
The Healing
For horror film lovers, this is another must-watch. A woman with supernatural powers is entrusted with healing families forced to rely on her for healing. But, as repayment becomes more pronounced, they encounter terrifying consequences.
Block Z
Mikhail Red, known for the film “Dead Kids,” comes back with a new thrilling masterpiece. This time, a group of young university students struggles to survive against zombies in a virus-infected city.In addition to Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia, the ensemble cast includes McCoy de Leon, Maris Racal, Dimples Romana, Ian Veneracion, and Ina Raymundo.
All-Time Filipino Horror Movies To Watch
Filipino horror movies are some of the most successful in the world, and I’ve always been fascinated by how they are made. When the movie industry first started making horror movies, the challenges were huge. First, there was the language barrier—Filipinos have notoriously bad enunciation when it comes to speaking English. Second, the film units were small and the quality of the film was not up to par. But with time, things have improved and today, horror movies in the Philippines have evolved from blood and guts horror to psychological horror and supernatural horror.
EERIE (2018)
Directed by: Mikhail Red
Guidance counselor Patricia (Bea Alonso) helps the spirit of the students get along. She tries to scrutinize what happened in the past with the young girl’s suicide—Erika—at Sta Lucia Academy, an all-girls catholic school. Eerie has selected the best Filipino entry for the foreign language at the 90th academy award.
Kuwaresma (2019)
Directed by: Eric Matti
The family is haunted by a ghost when they return home to Baguio to attend his twin sister’s wake. Arturo Fajardo As they stay in, for how many nights they notice that the death of his sister is a secret. Arturo investigates the death of his sister. The realization of the physic called demon when the ghost girl appeared in due course of the medium.
Sunod (2019)
Directed by: Carlo Ledesma
Being a caring mother, Carmina Villaroel works hard to cover the rising hospital expenses to save her daughter’s life. While she works without realizing it, she is haunted by a ghost girl trapped in that building a long time ago. In return for her daughter’s body, they have agreed with the ghost—help her locate her mother she was separated from decades ago.
Feng Shui (2004)
Director: Chito S. Roño
Joy (Kris Aquino) accidentally has the Bagua. Days passed, good fortune came into her life. She thought that this was lucky for her. Until she notices something wrong every time, she receives luck. All the good fortune and luck are in exchange for the death of her loved ones.
CLARITA (2019)
Directed by: Derick Cabrido
Clarita’s family was brought into the magical belief of healing possession. Until a cold-blooded murderer enjoys killing and claims to have a mental disorder, and is brought to a mental hospital. They believed that an evil spirit possessed her because of her murderous persistence.
PATAYIN SA SINDAK SI BARBARA (1995)
Directed by: Chito S.Roño
Despite the tragedy that has befallen Barbara and Ruth when they fell in love with the same man (Nick), Barbara agreed to move away since she did not want to upset Ruth. Even though Ruth and Nick were already married, Nick still tried to contact Barbara. Several years ago, Ruth committed suicide, vowing to avenge Nick and anyone else she thought was in love with him.
Barbara returns to the Philippines to mourn the wakes of her sister Ruth. She discovers the real reason for the mysterious death of her sister. Ruth killed herself because of depression, anxiety, and jealousy. The painful part is —her niece, the daughter of Ruth— witnessed her mother’s death. Eventually, Nick chose Ruth’s soul.
SUNDO (2019)
Directed by: Topel Lee
SUNDO is a Filipino suspense-thriller movie about a retired military officer. Romano has a third eye and began seeing ghosts after getting fatally wounded in battle and a group of people who hitched a ride with him to Manila. On their way back to Manila, Romano saw ghosts surrounded by the van, and they were staring at him.
The ghosts are familiar to him. The incidents started when one by one, his family begins to die by accident. Before someone dies, the spirit interacts with him. Will they be able to cheat death and their “sundo”?
OUIJA
Directed by Mike Flanagan
The five women, Aileen, Romina, Ruth, and Sandra, enlist the help of Sandra’s friend, Lucy, to call upon the spirits of the dead when they find their old Ouija board that they used to play with as children.
An accident causes the Ouija board to be burnt before finishing the ritual, trapping a murderous entity behind them. With greater awareness comes even more strain on Aileen and Romina’s relationship, as Lucy’s mental state becomes a burden to Sandra. At the same time, Ruth’s boyfriend Gino is unaware of the horrors that await all of them.
The girls have no place to turn except to identify the spirit from the Ouija board and take it to its burial place. Only by finding the burial place can the girls free the spirit from the Ouija board and survive its deadly hauntings
The Shake, Rattle & Roll film series
Way back in 1984, Shake Rattle and Roll was the best anthology in Philippine history. Regal Films produced this series. The movie series from I to XV was more on supernatural beings, urban legend, cults, and demonic possession.
Barang (2006)
Directed by Neal ‘Buboy’ Tan
A young girl from the province, who fell under a witch’s spell, and gets killed by a devil worshipper, seeks vengeance on the men who visited her place.
Filipino horror movies continue to evolve. You’ll surely agree with us that these films mentioned above are terrifyingly scary, which will make you feel that you are not alone anymore. So if you feel lonely, watch one of these horror movies!
In conclusion, the Filipino horror film industry has produced a captivating collection of spine-chilling movies that have left audiences trembling in fear. From the iconic “Shake, Rattle & Roll” series to the psychological terrors of “Feng Shui” and “Sigaw,” these films have showcased the rich tapestry of Filipino folklore, superstitions, and urban legends. They have taken viewers on a journey into the depths of the unknown, exploring the realms of possession, curses, and vengeful spirits.
The top 10 Filipino scariest movies we have explored are a testament to the creativity and storytelling prowess of Filipino filmmakers. They have managed to strike a delicate balance between cultural authenticity and universal fear, making these films both relatable and deeply unsettling. Through their captivating narratives, atmospheric settings, and exceptional performances, these movies have etched themselves into the annals of Philippine cinema as iconic horror classics.
Whether you are a fan of supernatural entities, psychological thrillers, or stories rooted in folklore, these films offer a diverse range of scares that will leave you on the edge of your seat. They have successfully managed to tap into the deepest fears and anxieties that lurk within us, reminding us that the darkness we fear may be closer than we think.
So, brace yourself for a haunting and unforgettable experience as you delve into the world of Filipino horror movies. Prepare to be immersed in a tapestry of supernatural encounters, psychological terrors, and spine-chilling tales that will send shivers down your spine. These top 10 scariest Filipino movies will not only entertain you but also offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and storytelling traditions of the Philippines.
