10 Hidden Gem Body Horror Movies

There are plenty of horror veterans who wouldn't bat an eyelid while watching slashers, zomcoms, or paranormal thrillers and yet, they might draw the line when it comes to body-horror. After all, seeing human bodies mutating, meshing together, or being mutilated is pretty screwed up. (Seriously, who wasn't scarred for life after watching The Fly?) For this reason, sickly flicks like these tend to be a niche market.

That's why it was jarring but refreshing to see a splatter-heavy gorefest like The Substance recently picking up quite a few gongs. For the first time in a while, casual moviegoers are talking about arguably the most disgusting sub-genre out there. So, while body-horror is enjoying the spotlight, now seems like the perfect time to reflect on films of that ilk that never got their due.

Before we continue, we must lay out a word of caution. Some of the entries on this list are in their own league of disturbing, to the point where they feel more like endurance tests than movies. Though some features underplay the body-horror, the subject matter alone could leave viewers shaken to their core.

Though these ten films are worth checking out, don't say we didn't warn you.

David Cronenberg is directly responsible for popularising body-horror. As a result, it's fitting to kick off our list with his first dip into the genre.

Shivers revolves around a scientist who hopes to revolutionise the medical field by creating parasites that can perform the functions of human organs. However, society soon descends into chaos when the donors begin infecting everyone around them with a parasite.

While watching Shivers, it's obvious Cronenberg was still finding his footing. And yet, the underrated skincrawler holds up, even after half a century. Due to the shoestring budget (reported to be under $200,000,) gore is limited and the invasive worms never appear for long.

Although this would've spelt disaster for an amateur director, Cronenberg took the Jaws approach, focusing more on atmosphere and building up the slimy critters as much as possible. By utilising this technique, it always feels like the parasites are nearby, even when they're not on-screen.

Shivers is ultimately a body-horror, but it effectively mixes in a few zombie elements. While the infected are chasing their victims in droves, you'd swear you were watching a George A. Romero flick.

Considering the influence Cronenberg's body-horror has had on the genre, it's worth checking out the film that started it all.