10 Underappreciated 90s Horror Movies

It wasn't until the mid-2000s that Guillermo del Toro came to be widely celebrated as one of the most significant genre filmmakers of our time. However, whilst he might have taken a while to gain momentum, the Mexican writer-director made a great statement of intent with his 1993 feature debut.

Federico Luppi stars as an aged antiques dealer who comes into contact with a strange mechanical device. On examining the object, his skin is pierced - and soon thereafter he comes to experience great physical changes, his frail old body seemingly rejuvenated. However, he also finds himself becoming sensitive to sunlight, and developing a taste for blood...

Though clearly made on a far lower budget than most of the films he's made since, Cronos points toward what would become del Toro's signature style. It blends elements of Gothic horror and fairy tale with contemporary realism, presenting a fantastical story with a grounded and mature emotional core.

Notably, Cronos also gives a key supporting role to a certain Ron Perlman, who would go on to reunite with Del Toro on many occasions (and doubtless more yet to come).