Are Spanish horror movies something you want to remember forever? Don’t cringe because this post features some of the most frightful Spanish horror films ever appearing on screen.
Their imagery and plot twists will make your heart and mind race. Hold on to your movie-watching buddy as you grab some snacks and a wooden stick because this post may become creepy!
Spanish filmmakers, whose works have had a rebirth in recent years, are responsible for some of the most innovative, thought-provoking, and scary horror films.
The following is the list of best Spanish horror movies.
1. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- Cast: Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Doug Jones, Álex Angulo, and Manolo Solo
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Running Time: 1hr 58m
A sadistic captain sends a squad of Spanish soldiers to flush out rebels after the Allies invade Nazi-occupied Europe. He also takes his new wife and her daughter along for the adventure.
The captain leads his soldiers on a homicidal rampage; his family lives in the countryside, which his stepdaughter sees. She enters Pan’s Labyrinth, a magical realm on her outskirts, to escape her current situation.
Guillermo del Toro has transformed Narnia or Wonderland into both enthralling and terrifying places. The young protagonist encounters allies who wish to help her and enemies with more sinister motives. One of the most outstanding Spanish horror films ever made is Pan’s Labyrinth.
2. The Skin I Live In (2011)
- Director: Pedro Almodóvar
- Cast: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet, Marisa Paredes, Roberto Àlamo, Eduard Fernández, and José Luis Gómez
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Running Time: 2hr
Dr. Robert Ledgard is working to create the perfect skin that can endure burns, wounds, and other types of harm in memory of his late wife, who perished in a fiery vehicle accident.
The scientific world becomes doubtful as he gets closer to completing this skin on his faultless patient. His background is exposed, demonstrating how intimately connected his patient is too horrible events he would like to forget.
Vera discovers a picture of Fulgenico dressed as Vicente next to the news article about missing people after he departs. Ledgard and Vera begin having intercourse in the middle of the night, but Vera informs him that she is still painful from Zeca’s rape.
Vera takes Ledgard’s rifle and shoots him while ostensibly walking down the stairs to look for some lubrication.
After hearing the shot, Marilia rushes into the bedroom armed with her pistol and discovers her son Ledgard dead on the bed.
Marilia is shot and killed by Vera lurking under the bed. Marilia finishes her sentence with the words, “I knew it.”
Vicente visits his mother’s clothing store for the first time since being abducted after being finally set free.
He sobs as he explains his abduction, forced sex change, and the killings of his former lesbian coworker Cristina, whom Vicente had loved six years earlier.
In the movie’s final statement, “I am Vicente,” Vicente gently tells them who he is as his mother enters the room. This film is one of the best Spanish horror movies.
3. The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- Cast: Marisa Paredes, Eduardo Noriega, Fernando Tielve, Federico Luppi, Íñigo Garcés, Irene Visedo, and José Manuel Lorenzo
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Running Time: 1hr 46m
The deadly Spanish Civil War lasted three years and ended in 1939, and General Franco’s right-wing Nationalists were ready to defeat the Republican forces on the left.
Carlos, a ten-year-old youngster whose father was a deceased Republican war hero, is abandoned by his tutor at a remote orphanage.
Carmen, the orphanage’s strict but compassionate headmistress, and Professor Casares. A lovely man who supports the hopeless Republican cause administers the facility.
Carlos never seems quite at ease in his new environment, despite their compassion for him and his steady victory against the typical schoolyard bully.
First, there was that run-in with the mean caretaker of the orphanage, Jacinto, who becomes even angrier if someone peers into the storage room with the deep well.
The existence of a ghost, a previous resident of the orphanage named Santi, is the second and more puzzling phenomenon.
Soon after Carlos arrives, Santi seizes on him and begins tormenting him nightly while grimly predicting that “Many of you will die.”
The ghost’s prophecy appears depressingly accurate with the defenseless orphanage due to its isolation and the quick advance of Franco’s troops.
As if the unexploded bomb that dominates the orphanage’s courtyard wasn’t enough to keep the residents in an unrelenting state of terror. This film is one of the best Spanish horror movies.
4. Julia’s Eyes (2010)
- Director: Guillem Morales
- Cast: Belén Rueda, Lluíz Homar, Pablo Derqui, Francesc Orella, Joan Dalmau, Julia Gutiérrez Caba, and Boris Ruiz
- IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
- Running Time: 1hr 58m
Julia, Sara’s twin sister, believes that her blind sibling was murdered when Sara hung herself in the basement of her home.
To organize Julia’s burial, Julia temporarily relocates with her husband Isaac to Sara’s home due to a degenerative eye condition causing her to lose sight.
Julia visits the Sara-frequented Centro Baumann for the Blind, where she hears from other patrons that Sara has a boyfriend.
Inspector Dimas of the police does not believe Julia when she says a mysterious man is pursuing her. Julia attempts to identify Sara’s hidden lover by tracking her final steps. While Julia loses sight, strange things are happening all around her.
5. The Others (2001)
- Director: Alejandro Amenábar
- Cast: Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan, Alaina Mann, Eric Sykes, James Bentley, and Elaine Cassidy
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Running Time: 1hr 44m
Grace Stewart, a widow, and her children Anne and Nicholas dwell in a lonely old mansion in Jersey, Channel Islands, in 1945.
Because Anne and Nicholas are photosensitive and Grace lost her devoted husband Charles in World War II.
However, she keeps the curtains drawn and the doors locked to shield them from the sun. Grace upholds tight discipline and adheres to moral standards when rearing her children.
The odd housekeeper Mrs. Bertha Mills, the damper maid Lydia, and the gardener Mr. Edmund Tuttle who had requested employment, are all hired by Grace.
The home experiences weird occurrences out of the blue, and Anne alleges a youngster named Viktor visits them.
Up to the day she receives a discovery regarding the house and its intruders, Grace unsuccessfully searches for the intruders. When you talk about Spanish horror movies, this is definitely one of them.
6. The Orphanage (2007)
- Director: J.A. Bayona
- Cast: Fernando Cayo, Belén Rueda, Roger Príncep, Mabel Rivera, Montserrat Carulla, Edgar Vivar, and Andrés Gertrúdix
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Running Time: 1hr 45m
An orphanage, formerly an old house, nurtured her; Laura, a former orphan, raises her adopted son Simón alongside her husband, Carlos.
Simón claims to have five invisible companions while at the orphanage, but Laura thinks this is just a figment of his creative mind.
In addition to throwing a party, Laura chooses to reopen the orphanage to accept disadvantaged children. Simón tries to convince Laura to visit his friend’s cabin during the party, but she is too occupied.
Later, she notices a shadowy boy wearing a mask and learns that Simón has also vanished. Months after first seeing other individuals in the house, Laura invites a group of parapsychologists to investigate.
7. Rec (2007)
- Directors: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
- Cast: Ferran Terraza, Manuela Velasco, Pablo Rosso, Jorge-Yamam Serrano, David Vert, Vicente Gil, and Martha Carbonell
- IMDb Rating: 7.4.10
- Running Time: 1hr 18m
Reporter ngela Vidal and cameraman Pablo are in Barcelona covering the night shift at the local fire station.
A woman inside a building calls the firefighters in trouble; Angela and Pablo ride along in the firetruck with Manu and Lex, with Pablo documenting their every move.
When they enter the building under police siege, they see the insane occupants gathering in the lobby at the entrance and hear screaming from upstairs.
As ngela and Pablo follow Manu and Lex upstairs, they encounter an agitated older woman who assaults one of the police officers.
When they return to the lobby, they discover that they are imprisoned within the structure with the other occupants at the start of a chaotic, nightmare night. This film is one of the best Spanish horror movies.
8. Rec 2 (2009)
- Directors: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
- Cast: Manuela Valasco, Jonathan D. Mellon, Ariel Casas, Óscar Zafra, Alejandro Casaseca, Pablo Rosso, and Rafa Parra
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Running Tim: 1hr 25m
Is led by doctor Dr. Owen led a three-person SWAT team inside the locked facility to get a blood sample from the young Medeiros to create an antidote. Dr. Owen uses a crucifix to enclose a zombie after one of the zombie-like monsters attacks them.
He reveals that the Vatican sent him to preserve humanity since the patient possessed was zero. Additionally, they won’t leave the building unless he commands them to.
Three teens pursue a firefighter and a man who gets into the apartment through the sewer lines to rescue his daughter and colleague, both stuck inside.
They fall for the trap and let loose the evil being that Dr. Owen has imprisoned in a room. The lead team unexpectedly encounters journalist Ngela Vidal hiding inside the structure.
9. Rec 3: Genesis (2012)
- Director: Paco Plaza
- Cast: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martin, Ismael Martínez, Àlex Monner, Borja Glez. Santaolalla, David Ramirez, Emilio Mencheta, and Miguel Ángel González
- IMDb Rating: 5/10
- Running Time: 1hr 20m
Koldo and Clara have assembled their family and friends at a lavish rural house for their upcoming wedding celebration. That evening, a veterinarian who a dog just bit exhibits strange behavior and turns hostile.
As more attendees become sick due to bites, the party is overtaken by an unstoppable wave of violence. The commotion separates Clara and Koldo.
Alongside his cousin Adrián, Clara’s sister Tita, the professional photographer Atun, and a copyright inspector known only as “Royalsties,” Koldo seeks safety in the kitchen. Except for Atun, who cannot fit through the ductwork, they all manage to escape.
The group discovers a police car outside and a visitor consuming the police officer’s flesh. When they try to call the police after killing her, the now-infected officer destroys the Royalties.
In the camera monitoring room, Clara and the wedding celebrant hide while helplessly observing the carnage.
When the infected notice them, they flee and come across Rafa, a friend of the newlyweds, and Natalie, Clara’s French acquaintance, who had gone into a room for sex without recognizing the danger.
10. Rec 4: Apocalypse (2014)
- Directors: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
- Cast: Manuela Valasco, Jonathan D. Mellon, Ariel Casas, Óscar Zafra, Alejandro Casaseca, Pablo Rosso, and Rafa Parra
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Running Tim: 1hr 25m
Angela Vidal, a television reporter, awakens on a ship and discovers she is quarantined in her cabin. Guzmán, who rescued her from the Spanish apartment building, follows her as she flees and stumbles.
They learn that the ship’s deadly infection is the subject of research by Drs. Ginard and Ricarte. Guzmán enters the wheelhouse, where he meets Captain Ortega, who is on his final journey, and Nic, the radio operator and hacker attempting to acquire the footage from Angela’s camera.
A blackout occurs on the ship, and Dr. Ricarte finds that someone freed their diseased monkey guinea pig so they could try an antidote. The monkey attacks the cook, and their lunch infects most staff.
Dr. Ricarte observes the girl Tristana Medeiros spreading the worm-like virus to Angela, who insists she is not afflicted, as Nic retrieves the video from the camera.
Dr. Ricarte wants to remove the parasite from Ngela’s stomach to test the antidote because he thinks she is the captive and patient zero. Will the attempt succeed amidst the mayhem on board?
11. The Hidden Face (2011)
- Director: Andrés Baiz
- Cast: Quim Gutiérrez, Martina García, María Soledad Rodríguez, Jose Luis Garcia, Marcela Mar, Humberto Dorado, and Julio Pachón
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Running Time: 1hr 37m
The talented orchestra conductor Adrián gets a video message from his girlfriend Belén, who breaks down in tears and informs him that she is leaving him and that they can no longer be together.
Adrián seeks assistance from the local police to solve this mysterious case of Belén’s disappearance after being shocked to learn of their unavoidable breakup and perplexed by her strange decision. However, as there is still no word of Belén, a new woman will enter his life.
Who would think to go beyond the facts in Belén’s perplexing case, where there has been no progress, given that truth frequently hides in the most unlikely of places? This film is a great addition to our list of Spanish horror movies.
12. Sleep Tight (2011)
- Director: Jaume Balagueró
- Cast: Luis Tosar, Marta Etura, Alberto San Juan, Petra Martínez, Iris Almeida, Carlos Lasarte, and Amparo Fernández
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Running Time: 1hr 42m
The lonely and timid concierge is César. He does a good job, pays attention, and is caring. He can handle any issue that arises in the building, walk the dogs, and will even warmly welcome you home after a long day at work.
However, below this sophisticated exterior sits a well-hidden monster. César, raised without parental affection and attention, has an unusual bond with his mother and holds the rest of humanity responsible for his problems.
To physically and mentally kill his unwitting victim and everyone standing in his way, César will start plotting and executing his perverted schemes when his eyes are upon his target. Now, you can detect the sheep among wolves.
13. The Body (2012)
- Director: Oriol Paulo
- Cast: Jose Coronado, Hugo Silva, Belén Rueda, Aura Garrido, Miquel Gelabert, Juan Pablo Shuk, Miquel Gelabert, and Oriol Vila
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Running Time: 1hr 52m
An awful vehicle accident occurs in the middle of the night for a guard working the night shift at a morgue tucked away in the woods. But why did the guard initially panic and leave his station?
The body of Mayka Villaverde, a stunning and prosperous businesswoman, is also strangely gone from the morgue, according to the registry.
Mayka probably had a heart attack, but because her autopsy hasn’t been completed, who did the death certificate sign?
In forensic medicine, every death looks like a homicide until proven otherwise, according to a general concept. But it will be challenging to identify the culprit in this heinously complex case. Is Inspector Jaime Pea able to uncover the truth?
14. Here Comes the Devil (2012)
- Director: Adrian Garcia Bogliano,
- Cast: Laura Caro, Francisco Barreiro, Michele García, Dana Dorel, Alan Martínez, Jéssica Iris, and Juan Carlos Arreguín
- IMDb Rating: 5.6.10
- Running Time: 1hr 37m
The teenage children of a couple perish in the caves and hills of Tijuana, Mexico. Thankfully, the children were unharmed the following day.
Upon their return, they begin to act in a very odd, antisocial, and evil manner—almost as if they are possessed.
The couple starts to wonder whether something awful occurred the night they were gone, and they begin to think that an evil ghost might be to blame for this unsettling behavior.
In their search for information, they come across tales about the sinister local folklore and the caves where the kids became lost. The mother discovers herself in a cave where she finds all the solutions to her problems.
15. The Platform (2019)
- Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
- Cast: Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Antonia San Juan, Emiolo Buale, Alexandra Masangkay, Zihara Llana, and Mario Pardo
- IMDb Rating: 7/10
- Running Time: 1hr 39m
Goreng awakens in a portion of The Hole, where The Platform delivers food. People below receive less as those above act selfishly and consume everything they like.
Goreng begins to formulate a plan for The Hole’s inhabitants after learning from his fellow inmates that the inhabitants below are susceptible to crazy and sanity loss, which can result in violent cannibalism.
On level 33, Goreng awakens alongside Imoguiri and her dog in the third month. Goreng recognizes her as the administration representative who has spoken with him before escorting him down.
When she learned she had cancer. She claims she opted to enroll despite the appalling conditions. Imoguiri restricts her meals and tries to get the level 34 men to do the same, but they reject her.
After two weeks, Goreng’s threat to urinate on the meal finally persuades them. The two disagree over how they should convince someone. In the third month on level 33, Goreng awakens beside Imoguiri and her dog.
Goreng recognizes her as the administration official who chatted with him before leading him downstairs. She states that she chose to attend despite the horrifying conditions after learning she had cancer.
Imoguiri attempts to get the level 34 males to limit their meals, but they reject her. After two weeks, Goreng convinces them to pee on the food.
The best way for the two to convince someone is in dispute. This film is certainly among one of the best Spanish horror movies.
16. Cronos (1993)
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- Cast: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman, Claudio Brook, Margarita Isabel, Tamara Xanath, Daniel Giménez Cacho, and Mario Iván Martínez
- IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
- Running Time: 1hr 34m
In Veracruz, Mexico, in 1536, during the Inquisition, an alchemist creates Cronos, a mysterious and complex gadget that promises its possessor eternal life.
When cleaning an ancient statue with his granddaughter Aurora, the antique merchant Jesus Gris discovers Cronos inside. He unintentionally activates the device, and soon after, he and his wife Mercedes notice that he looks younger.
Unexpectedly, the weird Angel de la Guardia stops by Gris’ store and purchases the old statue. The following morning, Gris discovers his store in ruins and Angel’s card on the ground.
However, Gris visits Angel, introducing him to the eccentric wealthy De la Guardia and telling him about Cronos’s ability to heal and grant perpetual life.
De la Guardia dispatches Angel to track down Gris and capture Cronos at any cost. This film is one of the best Spanish horror movies.
17. Verónica (2017)
- Director: Paco Plaza
- Cast: Sandra Escacena, Bruna González, Claudia Placer, Iván Chavero, Ana Torrent, Ángela Fabián, and Carla Campra
- IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
- Running Time: 1hr 49m
Verónica is a 15-year-old responsible adolescent still in shock over her father’s passing and whose mother works long hours at a tiny neighborhood bar. The girl has to step in as the mother figure for her twin sisters, Luca and Irene, and her younger brother, Antoito.
Verónica will persuade two of her Catholic school friends to hold an ill-advised Ouija board séance during a rare solar eclipse in 1991. She hopes to communicate with their loved ones who have passed away because she desperately craves his paternal presence.
The despairing dive into the mysterious supernatural realm where demonic possessors yearn to cross over from the other side. Nonetheless, will quickly follow what began as a desperate attempt to speak with the unknown.
All those surrounding Verónica will gradually become infected by something wicked. But how could her father be this thing? This film is one of best Spanish horror movies.
18. Dagon (2001)
- Director: Stuart Gordon
- Cast: Ezra Godden, Raquel Meroño, Francisco Rabal, Macarena Gómez, Birgit Bofarull, Brendan Price, and Uxía Blanco
- IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
- Running Time: 1hr 38m
Based on a short story by the undisputed king of the macabre, H.P. Lovecraft, Dagon tells the tale of Paul Marsh.
The young man learns that the truth will not set him free but instead condemn him to a waking nightmare of relentless horror.
Paul and his fiancée Barbara are seeking assistance in the run-down fishing village of Imboca after a boating mishap off the coast of Spain. As dusk comes, humans begin to vanish, and entities that aren’t quite human begin to appear.
Paul discovers that the entire village is after him. As he flees for his life, he learns Imboca’s sinister secret: they worship the hideous sea god Dagon.
And bizarre half-humans are roaming free in Imboca, the unholy progeny of Dagon. This film certainly makes our list of Spanish horror movies.
19. Piggy (2022)
- Director: Carlota Pereda
- Cast: Claudia Salas, Laura Galan, Carmen Machi, Camille Aguilar, José Pastor, Pilar Vastro, and Fred Tatien
- IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
- Running Time: 1hr 40m
Not everyone enjoys the summer. For Sara, it merely entails putting up with a never-ending torrent of criticism, condemnation, and abuse from the other females in her town.
Today, though, is distinct. The community notices an enigmatic stranger who abducts her tormentors. Finally, someone defended her. Sara notices everything, including the blood, mud, knife, and van where he has brought them.
The unidentified male has also seen her. A silent agreement that neither party will break. She is now a collaborator. A string of crimes shook the community, and an investigation started immediately.
The locals are suspicious and point fingers; the civil guard asks never-ending questions and the old neighbor gossip. Sara’s guilt is tormenting her, and the heat and pressure are oppressive. What if she is discovered?
What’s going on with the girls? What if the mysterious man reappears? This film is definitely one of the best Spanish horror movies.
