15 Best Folk Horror Movies Ranked by Eerie Atmosphere

Folk horror pulls you into unsettling worlds where nature feels alive and ancient rituals hum with dread. These films use isolated settings and eerie folklore to create a slow, creeping fear that lingers long after the credits roll.

From remote villages to haunted forests, the best folk horror movies build atmospheres that feel both familiar and otherworldly. I’ve ranked 15 of them based on how effectively their eerie vibes stick with you, starting with the least intense and ending with the most unforgettable.

15. ‘The Ritual’ (2017)

A group of friends hiking in Sweden’s wilderness stumble into a forest where Norse myths come alive. The film’s misty woods and strange symbols create a tense, disorienting mood that keeps you on edge.

David Bruckner directs this chilling tale, using the vast forest to amplify feelings of isolation. The eerie atmosphere grows as the group uncovers creepy relics, making ‘The Ritual’ a solid entry for folk horror fans.

14. ‘Apostle’ (2018)

Set in 1905, a man infiltrates a cult on a remote Welsh island to save his sister. The film’s foggy landscapes and unsettling rituals build a grim, oppressive vibe that’s hard to shake.

Gareth Evans crafts a brutal story with Dan Stevens delivering a raw performance. While the gore can distract, the eerie setting and cult’s strange practices make ‘Apostle’ a haunting watch.

13. ‘The Blood on Satan’s Claw’ (1971)

In 18th-century England, a village descends into chaos after a demonic skull is unearthed. The film’s pastoral fields hide a sinister energy, with eerie chants adding to the dread.

Piers Haggard’s direction leans into the countryside’s deceptive calm, creating a creepy contrast with the villagers’ dark deeds. The unsettling mood makes this a classic of the genre.

12. ‘Kill List’ (2011)

A hitman takes a job that spirals into a nightmarish folk horror tale. The British suburbs give way to rural rituals, with a creeping sense of unease that builds to a shocking end.

Ben Wheatley blends crime drama with occult dread, using subtle visuals to unsettle. The eerie atmosphere, especially in the final act, makes ‘Kill List’ a disturbing standout.

11. ‘Hagazussa’ (2017)

A young woman in 15th-century Austria faces superstition and isolation in a remote Alpine village. The film’s stark landscapes and slow pace create a hypnotic, unsettling mood.

Lukas Feigelfeld’s debut is a visual poem of dread, with haunting imagery of forests and shadows. The eerie atmosphere feels like a fairytale gone wrong, perfect for patient viewers.

10. ‘The Devil’s Bath’ (2024)

Set in 1750s Austria, a woman grapples with repression and madness in a rural community. The film’s bleak countryside and quiet tension build a suffocating sense of dread.

Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala use muted colors and sparse sound to evoke unease. The eerie atmosphere, paired with shocking moments, makes ‘The Devil’s Bath’ a modern gem.

9. ‘Onibaba’ (1964)

During a Japanese civil war, two women survive by luring warriors to their deaths in a reed-filled marsh. The film’s ghostly setting and eerie mask create a chilling, surreal vibe.

Kaneto Shindo’s black-and-white visuals turn the marsh into a living nightmare. The eerie atmosphere, steeped in betrayal and folklore, makes ‘Onibaba’ a timeless horror.

8. ‘The Village’ (2004)

A 19th-century village lives in fear of creatures in the surrounding woods. The film’s autumnal palette and secretive community build a tense, mysterious atmosphere.

M. Night Shyamalan crafts a slow-burn tale with Bryce Dallas Howard shining as the brave Ivy. The eerie mood, driven by the unknown, keeps you guessing until the twisty end.

7. ‘Kuroneko’ (1968)

In feudal Japan, vengeful spirits haunt a forest, targeting samurai. The film’s shadowy groves and ghostly figures create a dreamlike, spine-chilling atmosphere.

Kaneto Shindo blends folklore and tragedy, with ethereal visuals that feel otherworldly. The eerie mood, paired with quiet horror, makes ‘Kuroneko’ a haunting masterpiece.

6. ‘November’ (2017)

In a 19th-century Estonian village, peasants use magic to survive a harsh winter. The film’s black-and-white visuals and bizarre folklore craft a surreal, unsettling vibe.

Rainer Sarnet’s tale mixes dark humor with creepy imagery, like animated skeletons. The eerie atmosphere feels like stepping into a twisted fairytale, gripping from start to finish.

5. ‘The Wailing’ (2016)

A South Korean village faces a mysterious illness, sparking panic and violence. The film’s misty mountains and shamanic rituals build a relentless, eerie tension.

Na Hong-jin’s direction weaves folklore with dread, keeping you uneasy throughout. The eerie atmosphere, especially in the final act, makes ‘The Wailing’ a standout.

4. ‘A Field in England’ (2013)

During the English Civil War, deserters wander into a strange field filled with hallucinations. The film’s stark visuals and psychedelic tone create a disorienting, creepy mood.

Ben Wheatley’s experimental approach uses grainy black-and-white to amplify unease. The eerie atmosphere, fueled by surreal horror, makes this a bold folk horror entry.

3. ‘Midsommar’ (2019)

A grieving woman joins friends at a Swedish festival that hides dark rituals. The film’s bright daylight and floral settings create a uniquely eerie, claustrophobic vibe.

Ari Aster’s vision contrasts beauty with horror, with Florence Pugh’s raw performance anchoring the dread. The eerie atmosphere, unrelenting and vivid, lingers long after.

2. ‘The Witch’ (2015)

A Puritan family in 1630s New England faces paranoia and supernatural forces. The film’s desolate farm and gloomy forest build a suffocating, dread-filled atmosphere.

Robert Eggers’ debut uses authentic dialogue and dim lighting to immerse you in fear. The eerie mood, paired with Anya Taylor-Joy’s breakout role, makes ‘The Witch’ unforgettable.

1. ‘The Wicker Man’ (1973)

A policeman investigates a missing girl on a remote Scottish island, uncovering pagan rituals. The film’s sunny landscapes and folk songs create a deceptively eerie vibe.

Robin Hardy’s classic, starring Edward Woodward, blends cheer with dread masterfully. The eerie atmosphere, culminating in a shocking finale, makes ‘The Wicker Man’ the ultimate folk horror.

Which folk horror film’s atmosphere creeped you out the most, or did I miss a hidden gem? Share your thoughts in the comments!