17 Movies like ‘The Evil Dead’ (1981)

Evil Dead 2

Evil Dead II is Considered by many fans of the Evil Dead franchise to be the best in the series. The mix of dark humor and gore takes what Raimi and co. did in the first film and turns it up to 11.

Drag Me to Hell

On its release in 2009, “Drag Me to Hell” marked a return to form for Sam Raimi. This sort of spiritual successor to the Evil Dead trilogy showcases Raimi’s trademark blend of horror, dark humor, and a relentless supernatural curse. Much like “The Evil Dead,” this film is a testament to Raimi’s unique approach to the genre, seamlessly fusing terror and comedy into a thrilling viewing experience. It’s a PG-13-rated film, so don’t expect loads of gore found in the original films, but it’s a well-executed film that will scratch the horror-comedy itch in a way only Sam Raimi can do.

Cemetery Man

Michele Soavi’s (The Church) “Cemetery Man” AKA “Dellamorte Dellamore,” is an Italian-French comedy horror film that blends dark comedy, horror, and surrealism. It follows Francesco Dellamorte, a cemetery caretaker dealing with reanimated corpses in a small Italian town’s cemetery. The film explores themes of life, death, love, and existentialism through its unique narrative and visual style.

Read our full review of Dellamorte Dellamore – AKA Cemetery Man

Demons

Lamberto Bava’s (son of Italian horror auteur Mario Bava) “Demons” (1985), is a campy, atmospheric, and grotesque story of a group of people in a movie theater who suddenly turn into bloodthirsty demons. It has some great, over-the-top practical effects (including some pretty disgusting transformations. It also has a kick-ass 80s rock soundtrack featuring Accept, Motley Crue, Billy Idol, Saxon, and more.

Cabin in the Woods

Falling somewhere between the Evil Dead, and a Monster-of-the-week episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 2011’s Joss Whedon penned “Cabin in the Woods” is a clever meta-horror/comedy that offers a unique take on the genre, with a tongue-in-cheek subversion of many of the tropes found in cabin-in-the-woods horror like “The Evil Dead.” The plot begins with the typical cabin scenario, but everything is not as it seems and the story takes a series of unexpected turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Dead Alive

Kung-fu priests, Rockabilly Zombies, mommy issues, and more fake blood than the elevator in the Stanley Hotel; Peter Jackson’s seminal splatter flick/rom-com Dead Alive (AKA Braindead) has a little something for everyone. Dead Alive features a unique blend of practical effects, outrageous gore, and humor, all woven into a zombie outbreak story that takes splatter horror to the next level.

From Beyond

Loosely based on the H.P. Lovecraft story of the same name, Stuart Gordon’s (Re-Animator) “From Beyond” (1986) tells the story of a scientist who, while trying to find a new treatment for mental illness, opens a portal to an unknown dimension, like The Evil Dead, From Beyond features gory, over-the-top, practical effects, gallows humor, and themes of cosmic horror, and a stellar cast including Barabara Crampton, Jeffrey Combs, and Ken Foree.

Wither (AKA Vittra) – 2012

Arguably a more faithful remake of The Evil Dead, than the official remake, “Wither” is a low-budget (in a good way), brutal, and unrelating love letter to Raimi’s iconic franchise. If you’ve ever wondered what the original Evil Dead would be like as a dark, ultra-violent, modern horror flick (ala Evil Dead 2013), look no further than Wither.

Some people do complain that this is a little too much like the original, but it’s definitely worth a watch for gorehounds and fans of the original and remakes.

The Void

Gory and surreal, Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillespie’s “The Void” follows a group of people trapped in a small, rural hospital by mysterious, malevolent forces. As they struggle to survive, they uncover dark secrets about the hospital’s past and the sinister cult that operates within. This is a must-see for fans of Lovecraftian horror.

Re-Animator

Stuart Gordon’s “Re-Animator” (1985) is a heady cult classic –pun very much intended– that shares a love for gory practical effects and over-the-top horror with “The Evil Dead.” Loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “Herbert West: Re-Animator,” the story follows a medical student, Herbert West (played by the unparalleled Jeffrey Combs), who creates a serum capable of reanimating the dead. Things do not go according to plan when West’s test subjects develop a taste for murder, and West’s reluctant roommate, Dan, must take on an army of the mutated dead.

Return of the Living Dead

A tongue-in-cheek homage to “Night of the Living Dead”, Dan O’Bannon’s (Alien, Dead and Buried) “Return of the Living Dead” is a punk rock horror-comedy that effectively mixes scares with humor. The film’s distinct interpretation of zombies, including the introduction of some now cannon tropes of the genre (eating brains), and its mix of splatter humor make it a perfect choice for fans of The Evil Dead.

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

If you’re a fan of horror movies and looking for a good laugh, “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” (2010) is a must-watch. A sort of meta-slasher, the film stands out for its clever subversion of common horror clichés and its use of over-the-top gore. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy “The Evil Dead” and appreciate a comedic take on traditional horror tropes.

Dagon

If you’re a fan of the intense atmosphere and practical effects in “Evil Dead,” you’ll enjoy Stuart Gordon’s “Dagon” as a worthy companion. The movie immerses you in a deeply Lovecraftian world filled with ancient sea gods and nightmarish transformations, creating a sense of dread similar to the fear evoked by the unknown demonic forces in “Evil Dead.” Like Sam Raimi’s classic, “Dagon” takes full advantage of its isolated setting to escalate the horror, this time in a haunting Spanish fishing village. The practical effects are masterfully done, featuring horrifyingly memorable creature designs that rival the gruesome imagery found in “Evil Dead.” Although “Dagon” has a more serious tone, fans of “Evil Dead” who relish visceral horror and narratives of isolation and desperation will find much to appreciate.

Lair of the White Worm

Surreal, strange, and sexy; Ken Russell’s (The Devils) Lair of the White Worm tells the story of an archaeology student (Peter Capaldi) who unearths an unusual skull in the English countryside, leading to the discovery of an ancient, snake-like pagan god and its devoted worshippers. Loosely based on the Bram Stoker novel of the same name, Lair of the White Worm is a strange, hammy, horror comedy that most fans of The Evil Dead are sure to appreciate.

Basket Case

If you were to take Cronenberg, Raimi, and John Waters and Brundle-Fly them all together you’d probably get something close to, but not quite as interesting as Frank Hennenlotter. “Basket Case”, his first film, tells the gory, absurd story of separated conjoined twins Duane and Belial who seek revenge on the doctors who separated them. It’s strange, it’s silly, it’s gross, and it’s a hell of a good time.

Bloody Muscle Body Builder in Hell

Shot on Super 8, and loaded with practical gore effects, one-liners, and slapstick. Bloody Muscle Body Builder in Hell, is a perfect companion piece, and an obvious love letter to The Evil Dead. With a 60-minute runtime and recent Blu-Ray release (as well as being available to stream on Shudder), this one is a must-watch for fans of campy, over-the-top splatter, like The Evil Dead

Magic Cop

“Magic Cop,” directed by actor/choreographer Wei Tung, is a thrilling Hong Kong action-horror comedy. Notably light on gore, its strength lies in its practical effects, sight gags, and humor reminiscent of the Evil Dead series. The plot revolves around a police investigation into a drug ring using re-animated corpses, leading them to seek help from “Uncle” Feng, an ex-cop turned Taoist played by Ching-Ying Lam. As Feng, drawing from Taoist practices, hunts down the Evil Sorceress behind the drug scheme, he faces challenges from muscular adversaries, zombies, and personal relations. The movie, particularly in its 88Films Blu-ray edition, offers an entertaining and memorable experience. Highly recommended.

The Boxer’s Omen

This strange and beautiful film, directed by Chih-Hung Kuei and released by the legendary Shaw Brothers Studios in 1983, tells the story of a man who travels to Thailand to avenge his brother, who was injured by a corrupt Thai boxer. While in Thailand, he becomes entangled with a black magic sorcerer and must fight not only for vengeance but for his very soul.

This one is filled with body horror, gross-out effects, surreal visuals, and metaphysical battles, and is a must-see. Sadly, it’s not currently available in the US, outside of the Shawscope Volume 2 Boxed set