The Most Terrifying Japanese Horror Movies of All Time
Are you wondering which Japanese horror films are considered the best by voters like you? Whether you're a huge fan of the Japanese horror movie genre or just beginning to dive into these creepy foreign films, this list (ranked by fans) will let you know which scary flicks are the most popular.
If your particular favorite Japanese horror movie is not at the top of the list, vote it up! Or, if you don’t see your favorite listed, go ahead and add it so that other lovers of Japanese scary movies can enjoy it as well.
Looking for a new scary movie that you haven’t seen yet? With this extensive list you are sure to find something new. Or maybe you're an old pro who wants to relive some of the best horror movie moments. No matter what, this list will help you find what you are looking for (as long as you're looking for awesomely terrifying movies).
Don't be afraid! Check out the list below to find out which fan favorites are considered the best Japanese horror movies.
11998- Actors: Hiroyuki Sanada, Miki Nakatani, Yūko Takeuchi, Yutaka Matsushige, Nanako Matsushima
- Directed by: Hideo Nakata
Ring is a 1998 Japanese mystery thriller film directed by Hideo Nakata, adapted from the novel Ring by Kôji Suzuki, which in turn draws on the Japanese folk tale Banchō Sarayashiki. The film stars ...more
2- Actors: Itou Misaki, Megumi Okina, Takashi Matsuyama, Yui Ichikawa, Kanji Tsuda
- Directed by: Takashi Shimizu
Ju-on: The Grudge is a 2002 Japanese horror film written and directed by Takashi Shimizu. This film is the third installment in the Ju-on series and the first film to be theatrically released. The ...more![Audition]()
31999- Actors: Eihi Shiina, Renji Ishibashi, Ren Osugi, Jun Kunimura, Ryo Ishibashi
- Directed by: Takashi Miike
Audition is a 1999 Japanese psychological horror-drama film, directed by Takashi Miike and starring Ryo Ishibashi and Eihi Shiina. It is based on a Ryu Murakami novel of the same title, from a ...more![Dark Water]()
42002- Actors: Asami Mizukawa, Fumiyo Kohinata, Hitomi Kuroki, Yu Tokui, Shigemitsu Ogi
- Directed by: Hideo Nakata
Dark Water is a 2002 Japanese horror film directed by Hideo Nakata, the director of Ring and Ring 2. Dark Water is based on Floating Water, a short story by Koji Suzuki. The plot follows a divorced ...more![Pulse]()
5Pulse
2001- Actors: Koyuki, Kōji Yakusho, Kumiko Aso, Haruhiko Katô
- Directed by: Hiromi Kurosawa
Pulse, known in Japan as Kairo, is a 2001 Japanese horror film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. The film is based on his novel of the same name. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at ...more![Battle Royale]()
62000- Actors: Beat Kitano, Chiaki Kuriyama, Kou Shibasaki, Aki Maeda, Ai Maeda
- Directed by: Kinji Fukasaku
Battle Royale is a 2000 Japanese action thriller film adapted from the 1999 novel of the same name by Koushun Takami. It is the final film directed by Kinji Fukasaku, the screenplay written by his ...more
