Our Favorite Spanish Horror Films

You know what’s better than a hot plate of delicious Spanish food from your favorite ethnic restaurant? That same meal served up with a side of good old Spanish horror. Spain has a long history full of incredible mythology that has resulted in a genre of horror we just can’t get enough of. We’ve put together this list of Spanish films to serve as something of a primer to the style, but there are countless more out there - some full of realistic scary Halloween props and others with more horrific villains than even our scariest Halloween costumes.

The Blood-Spattered Bride

This film was created in 1972 and hearkens back to the original vampire story, Carmilla. The film is used as a platform for anti-fascism and involves a lesbian vampire seeking to separate a woman and her husband. Under the hand of Vicente Aranda, this film brings to life a newlywed couple's trip to a chilling mansion that served as the husband's childhood home. Violent dreams cause her to start pulling away from her husband and into the arms of Mircalla. Those who know will recognize this as another homage to Carmilla, to the rest of you, it’s time to read Carmilla.

The Awful Dr. Orlof

This production came together as the result of a Spanish and French corroboration and paved the way for what the horror genre in Spain was set to become. Obsession with perfection plays actively in this movie in the form of a mad surgeon trying to repair the face of his daughter with skin stolen from other women. All of this takes place with the assistance of his horrid assistant Morpho.

Horror Rises From The Tomb

This is an incredible film that blows the top off of the horror genre with the innovation it brought to the screen in its time. It all starts with severed heads, and it’s tough to go wrong from there. The head begins possessing people to try to find the rest of its body so that it can reform itself back into the powerful warlock it once was. We’re not sure where ‘Centuries dead dismembered warlock’ fits in the horror prop category, but it’d definitely make a fun Halloween costume.

Who Can Kill A Child?

One of the most notable talents of the Spanish directors is their ability to produce visually stunning films that have storylines that involve children doing horrible things. On vacation to what they believe to be a deserted island they encounter a band of children who steadily murder all adults that come near the island.

These four movies are incredible representations of the style of horror you can expect to experience from Spanish directors. The storytelling tends towards suspense and psychological horror while playing with social elements that can serve to make the viewer distinctly uncomfortable. These movies are a significant variation from our typical fare, and we never regret taking time to explore the newest ones available. If you’re looking to diversify your horror diet then its time to sit down with a great Spanish horror film and see what the old country has to offer.