Many renowned horror directors are known for their ability to craft chilling masterpieces that have either become or are likely to become cult classics. Although prior experience usually helps in filmmaking, some of them have made an unforgettable first impression with their debuts. A strong debut doesn’t always define a filmmaker’s entire career, but it can have a lasting impact. And when it comes to the horror genre—often undervalued compared to other categories—it’s even harder for a first-time director to make their mark.
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Nevertheless, more than one filmmaker managed to defy expectations, delivering terrifying and influential films right from the start and immediately earning recognition in Hollywood and beyond. Some of these debuts sparked equally outstanding careers, whether in horror or other cinematic genres. Through inventive storytelling and an innovative, distinctive style, these directors proved that even a first venture can leave an indelible mark.
You are watching: 10 Great Horror Movies From First-Time Directors
10
Get Out (2017)
Directed By Jordan Peele
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Get Out
R
Horror
Mystery
Thriller
7/10
13
7.7/10
Release Date
February 24, 2017
Runtime
1 hour, 44 minutes
Director
Jordan Peele
Writers
Jordan Peele
Cast
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Lyle Brocato
-
LaKeith Stanfield
Jordan Peele made his directorial Horror debut with Get Out, a terrifying Psychological Horror film starring Daniel Kaluuya. In the 2017 release, Chris Washington heads to Upstate New York to meet the family of his girlfriend, Rose. What follows is a horrifying ordeal for the anxious photographer.
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One of the most discussed movies of the last 10 years, most people did not expect Get Out to become such a cultural phenomenon, especially considering the relatively unknown name of its director. Nevertheless, Jordan Peele crafted a surprisingly relevant horror metaphor for his debut. Unsurprisingly, the movie was nominated for four Academy Awards and earned one for Best Screenplay.
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Although he had co-written the movie Keanu in 2016, Peele had never helmed a feature film before. He rose to the occasion, crafting a masterpiece of tension and subtlety. It uses classical elements of the genre, like an unsettling score and an ominous context, to deliver a powerful political commentary on social inequality and hidden racism in the United States. An eerie reinterpretation of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Get Out does not rely on jump scares or bloody sequences to shock us, but it torments the viewer with the disturbing silence of uncomfortable truths.
9
Revenge (2018)
Directed By Coralie Fargeat
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Revenge
R
Horror
Action
Release Date
May 11, 2018
Runtime
109 Minutes
Director
Coralie Fargeat
Writers
Coralie Fargeat
Cast
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Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz
Jen
-
Kevin Janssens
Richard
-
Vincent Colombe
Stan
-
Guillaume Bouchède
Dimitri
Revenge (2018) is a French action-thriller film that follows the story of a young woman who is left for dead in the desert by her wealthy boyfriend and his friends, ultimately seeking vengeance against those who wronged her. The film explores themes of survival, resilience, and justice through intense and gritty storytelling.
Main Genre
Horror
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Before reaching international fame with one of the most shocking body horrors of the last few years, the acclaimed director of The Substance debuted on the big screen with an equally captivating story. Revenge is a gripping tale of survival, violence, and payback. The movie follows Jen, a woman who, after being sexually assaulted by three men and left for dead in the desert, embarks on a quest to seek revenge against them.
Coralie Fargeat created a feminist manifesto, delivering a visually striking and emotionally devastating story that simultaneously angers, entertains, and satisfies. There is an unapologetic, raw brutality that perfectly matches the aggressive energy of the narrative. Considering she was relatively new to the industry, Fargeat made extremely bold creative decisions, subverting expectations and refusing to let her characters and plot twists be defined by traditional tropes. This same courage would later define her future 2024 masterpiece.
8
Talk To Me (2022)
Danny & Michael Philippou
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Talk to Me
R
Horror
Thriller
7/10
9/10
Release Date
July 28, 2023
Runtime
94 minutes
Director
Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
Writers
Bill Hinzman, Danny Philippou
Cast
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Sophie Wilde
-
Joe Bird
While trying to cope with the death of her mother, Mia (Sophie Wilde) becomes enthralled with an embalmed hand that can conjure spirits. While Mia and her group of friends get a thrill out of communicating with spirits, things go too far when Mia doesn’t close the door to the other side.
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Not many people might have expected that a debut feature from two Australian YouTube filmmakers would become one of the best horrors of the 2020s. However, Talk to Me speaks for itself. Danny & Michael Philippou, alternatively known by their stage name RackaRacka, took the world by surprise when they delivered a thrilling supernatural story about a group of teenagers attempting to contact spirits using a mysterious embalmed hand.
The main character is a teenager who gradually descends into obsession in order to reach out to her deceased mother.
The movie, however, is much more than a scary tale whispered in the dark. It adopts classic horror elements like sinister objects and a haunting scenography to explore deeper themes of grief and addiction. The main character is a teenager who gradually descends into obsession in order to reach out to her deceased mother. The Philippou twins have successfully crafted a powerful story that evokes a wide range of emotions, from terror to pain, creating a work that is both entertaining and emotionally profound.
7
The Witch (2015)
Directed By Robert Eggers
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The Witch
R
Horror
7/10
18
9.3/10
Release Date
February 19, 2016
Runtime
92minutes
Director
Robert Eggers
Writers
Robert Eggers
Cast
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Kate Dickie
-
Wahab Chaudhry
Distributed by A24, The Witch marks the feature directorial debut of Robert Eggers and the first film appearance of Anya Taylor-Joy. Written by Eggers, The Witch follows a puritanical family in New England in the 1630s who are forced to leave their community after a religious dispute. Attempting to set up a farm in the New England countryside, the family soon find themselves beset by malevolent and supernatural forces beyond their comprehension.
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It is surprising to think that one of the most blood-curdling horror movies of the last decade was produced by a relatively new director. Although Robert Eggers had prior experience in short films and worked as a costume designer, taking on a project like The Witch as a solo director was incredibly audacious. Yet, horror enthusiasts are undoubtedly grateful, as he delivered a folklore masterpiece that immediately became a classic.
The Witch is a haunting portrayal of a Puritan family in a remote area of 16th-century New England, as their faith begins to unravel when an evil force starts preying upon them. The movie possesses an eerie quality, resembling a decadent fairy tale. The beautiful visuals do not sacrifice the social critique investigating the darker facets of religious extremism and hysteria. Despite his limited experience, Eggers succeeded in subtly startling the viewer through an oppressive atmosphere and the unseen terror instead of jump scares. This debut, along with his future work, established him as a horror master.
6
Cam (2018)
Directed By Daniel Goldhaber
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Cam
TV-MA
Horror
Mystery
Thriller
Release Date
November 10, 2018
Runtime
94 minutes
Director
Daniel Goldhaber
Writers
Isa Mazzei, Daniel Goldhaber, Isabelle Link-Levy
Cast
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Madeline Brewer
-
Patch Darragh
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Melora Walters
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Devin Druid
Cam is a psychological horror film directed by Daniel Goldhaber and starring Madeline Brewer as Alice, a camgirl who discovers that her online identity has been stolen by a sinister dopplegänger.
Main Genre
Horror
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Cam is an underrated, hidden gem in the subgenre of social horror. The movie explores the world of webcam pornography, as the protagonist, Alice / Lola, finds her account has been stolen by a mysterious doppelgänger who hijacks her channel. Despite receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews, the movie has not garnered as much discussion as it deserves, which is unfortunate given its societal relevance. Additionally, the film is even more impressive if one considers that it marks Daniel Goldhaber’s directorial debut.
Goldhaber skillfully explores the more sinister side of web pornography, bringing to the screen an incredibly unsettling yet thought-provoking story.
The movie’s atmosphere, filled with tension and anxiety, keeps the viewers on edge throughout. Although it may seem to veer into fantasy territory, there is a chilling realism to the plot. It serves as a metaphorical exploration of identity and the dangers of the digital age. Goldhaber probably has a brilliant future in the horror genre.
5
Raw (2017)
Directed By Julia Ducournau
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Raw
R
Drama
Horror
Release Date
March 15, 2017
Runtime
99 Minutes
Director
Julia Ducournau
Writers
Julia Ducournau
Cast
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Garance Marillier
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Ella Rumpf
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Rabah Nait Oufella
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Laurent Lucas
Raw is a French-Belgian horror drama film directed by Julia Ducournau. The film follows Justine, a vegetarian veterinary student, who undergoes a drastic transformation after a hazing ritual introduces her to raw meat. As she grapples with newfound cravings, her identity and morality are challenged. Raw stars Garance Marillier and Ella Rumpf in leading roles, offering a unique exploration of coming-of-age themes interwoven with darkly compelling horror elements.
Main Genre
Drama
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Few debut films have been as strikingly disturbing and intriguing as Raw. Julia Ducournau, a French director now known for her work in the body horror subgenre, certainly left the public simultaneously shocked, disgusted, and fascinated when this 2016 gem premiered. The story follows a young woman, Justine, a lifelong vegetarian who, after being pressured into trying meat for the first time in college, develops an insatiable craving for human flesh.
Raw is unapologetic and unashamed in its graphic intensity, appealing directly to devoted fans of the body horror genre. Despite being her debut, Ducournau refused to shy away from uncomfortable visuals and an unsettling narrative—a boldness required of many directors. However, the film also possesses a striking psychological depth, blending its grotesque imagery with a powerful coming-of-age arc.
4
The Babadook (2014)
Directed By Jennifer Kent
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The Babadook
R
Horror
Drama
8/10
6/10
Release Date
November 28, 2014
Runtime
94 Minutes
Director
Jennifer Kent
Writers
Jennifer Kent
Cast
See All
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Essie Davis
Amelia Vanek
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Noah Wiseman
Samuel Vanek
The Babadook, directed by Jennifer Kent, explores the struggles of a single mother grieving her husband’s death while confronting her son’s fear of a lurking monster. As they contend with this unseen entity, the sinister presence grows increasingly pervasive in their lives.
Main Genre
Horror
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Among the many horrors that marked the history of cinema, The Babadook is one of the most emotionally haunting and heartfelt to come alive on the big screen. The movie is the feature debut of Jennifer Kent and was inspired by her previous short story Monster, developed nine years earlier. Despite coming from the brilliant mind of a then-unknown director from Australia, The Babadook carved out its own significant place in the film landscape.
Kent effortlessly bridges the gap between the inner demons that torment our minds and the ones that lurk under our beds.
The movie features a grieving single mother and her son, Samuel, who begin experiencing terrifying occurrences tied to an ominous figure from a children’s book known as the Babadook. However, they refuse to be helpless victims. This horror utilizes mythical monsters from children’s literature to delve into themes of loss, despair, and loneliness. Kent effortlessly bridges the gap between the inner demons that torment our minds and the ones that lurk under our beds.
3
The Bird With The Crystal Plumage (1970)
Directed By Dario Argento
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The Bird With the Crystal Plumage
Thriller
Mystery
Horror
Release Date
June 12, 1970
Runtime
96 Minutes
Director
Dario Argento
Writers
Dario Argento, Fredric Brown
Cast
See All
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Tony Musante
Sam Dalmas
-
Suzy Kendall
Julia
-
Enrico Maria Salerno
Inspector Morosini
-
Eva Renzi
Monica Ranieri
An American writer living in Rome witnesses an attempted murder that is connected to an ongoing killing spree in the city, and conducts his own investigation despite himself and his girlfriend being targeted by the killer.
Main Genre
Thriller
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There is a reason why Dario Argento has become one of the most renowned figures in the horror panorama. His first film, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, was an instant success, showcasing his exceptional talent for unsettling audiences and manipulating their perceptions. His debut welcomed the world into the intriguing world of the Italian giallo, delivering an exciting mix of mystery, psychological tension, and horror elements.
The movie follows an American writer in Rome who, after witnessing a crime scene, begins to investigate a series of murders targeting young women. Despite being his first feature, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage illustrated Argento’s visual storytelling and intricate narrative building. The film features the signature aesthetic that would later come to define his work, with his games of lighting and deceptive visuals, accompanied by Ennio Morricone’s evocative score. It is no surprise that Argento would later deliver one of the greatest Giallo in cinema history with Deep Red.
2
Saw (2004)
Directed By James Wan
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Saw
R
Horror
Mystery
Crime
4/10
10
7.8/10
Release Date
October 29, 2004
Runtime
103 minutes
Director
James Wan
Writers
James Wan, Leigh Whannell
Producers
Gregg Hoffman, Mark Burg, Oren Koules
Cast
See All
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Cary Elwes
Dr. Lawrence Gordon
-
Leigh Whannell
Adam Faulkner-Stanheight
Saw is the first installment in the horror franchise directed by James Wan. Released in 2004, the film follows two men who awake shackled in a derelict bathroom, discovering they are part of a sadistic game orchestrated by the enigmatic Jigsaw, requiring them to follow cryptic instructions to survive.
Main Genre
Horror
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Its critical reception might have been slightly more mixed than positive, but Saw quickly cemented itself as a genre-defining masterpiece, setting off one of the most beloved franchises in the cinema industry. Therefore, it might come as a surprise to many to realize that the film was the directorial feature debut of James Wan. In 2004, a then-unknown filmmaker established the beginning of a legacy that would forever define the horror landscape.
Through a non-linear narrative and the shifting perspectives of the two unfortunate main characters, Saw immerses the viewer into the mystery of the Jigsaw killer, a sadistic criminal who forces his victims into life-or-death mind games. Their survival depends on them solving the most absurd mental puzzles. With gruesome traps, ethical queries, and cerebral dilemmas, the movie is a perfect blend of gore and intellectual narrative. That was only the beginning for Wan, however, who later earned international fame as a horror maestro with masterpieces like The Conjuring films.
1
The Evil Dead (1981)
Directed By Sam Raimi
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The Evil Dead
R
Horror
9/10
Release Date
September 10, 1981
Runtime
85 minutes
Director
Sam Raimi
Writers
Sam Raimi
Sequel(s)
Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, Evil Dead Rise
Cast
-
Bruce Campbell
-
Ellen Sandweiss
The Evil Dead is a horror movie from 1981 starring Bruce Campbell and directed by Sam Raimi. The film follows Ash Williams, who after visiting a cabin in the woods, is tormented by deadites and must fight for his life after his friends are possessed. The Evil Dead not only started a long-running horror franchise, but it is also the film responsible for putting both Raimi and Campbell on the map as a director and actor, respectively.
Main Genre
Horror
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It is no surprise that the man who introduced a nightmarish element to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, started his career with a horror movie. On the other hand, the fans who mainly remember him for his extraordinary work on Spider-Man’s iconic 2000s trilogy might be taken aback. The Evil Dead, an independent supernatural horror, was immediately welcomed with positive reviews when it premiered and grew to become a cult classic over the years.
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Revenge narratives are quite popular in the horror genre, as hurt individuals set out on violent paths to take down those who’ve wronged them.
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6
The movie follows a group of five friends who travel to a remote cabin in the woods, only to unknowingly unleash a demonic force by playing an old audio tape. Sam Raimi produced a gritty and chaotic emotional roller coaster that manages to startle and terrify the viewer with its outrageous gore and dark humor. The Evil Dead went on to inspire many horror movies and opened the door for a successful franchise.
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