8 Underrated Slashers That You Should Absolutely Watch

Twists, weird killer reveals, and a whole lot of  '80s slasher charm? Happy Birthday to Me nails all of those things. The film follows Ginny (Melissa Sue Anderson), whose friends are being brutally murdered ahead of her birthday. As Ginny struggles to grasp reality due to trauma, she wonders if she's the one killing her friends.

The film is exactly what one might expect from an early '80s slasher. But there's a lot of charm and interesting filmmaking on display. Happy Birthday to Me has unique kills, fun practical effects, and a reveal that you might not see coming. It makes for a good birthday watch for any seasoned slasher lover!

Sometimes, horror films that have cult followings don't always get wider attention. Night School follows a string of murders happening to the students at a Boston night school. And as the murders continue, the police slowly realize a common denominator. The film has a giallo-inspired killer, a lot of beheadings, and a gross scene that might make you avoid stew for a while. 

Night School is very much of the time it was released, and the killer's motivations are relatively dated. However, the giallo feeling woven throughout will appeal to some fans, and a woman in the director's chair is a bonus. If you're a connoisseur of the subgenre and like the concept of a mysterious killer who wears a chic outfit, you'll enjoy Night School. 

In terms of sorority-based slashers, The House on Sorority Row is one of the best examples. The House on Sorority Row follows sorority sisters who are stalked and killed off by a mysterious killer after a prank goes wrong. Despite the film undergoing the remake treatment in 2009 with Sorority Row, it's still not as widely appreciated or mentioned. 

The House on Sorority Row has a great fall aesthetic, typical sorority characters, and is very weird, but in the best way. There's something special about it, and it's one of those slashers that either works for you or doesn't. While it may not have the most interesting killer reveal, it's perfect for fans who like their slashers bizarre. If you're grossed out by severed heads in toilets, you're in it with this one.

There aren't many Thanksgiving-based horror films out there, and there are certainly none like Blood Rage. The film follows twin brothers as one of the twins escapes a psychiatric hospital after spending years there for seemingly murdering someone. It's a twisty and unapologetically bizarre slasher. The characters are all strange, the murders are gory, and it's hands down one of the worst Thanksgiving nights ever. 

Blood Rage might not have the greatest acting, but that's part of the charm. It's heavy on the practical effects, unafraid to terrorize its victims, and the ending offers no hurrah for anyone. Instead of a final girl being triumphant at the end, Blood Rage subverts any of those expectations. If you're looking for an obscure slasher from the '80s, this is the perfect film to throw on for a wild ride. 

As far as late '90s slashers go, Cherry Falls got the short end of the stick in terms of release, as it never went to theaters in the US. Cherry Falls focuses on a killing spree that targets virgins in the fictional town of Cherry Falls, Virginia. It's one of those slashers that can easily be forgotten amongst '90s heavy hitters like Scream.

It's an imperfect slasher, and some elements might not age well, but it still has an appealing quality because it's so different. Plus, the late Brittany Murphy delivers a quirky performance with a lot of screaming throughout. Cherry Falls might have become more recognized if it had gotten a proper theatrical release. But we'll never know for sure, and all anyone can do is check it out and talk about it more!

A Syfy remake of a cult horror film from the '80s might not sound good, but it is. Slumber Party Massacre follows a tight-knit group of girls whose vacation to a rented cabin becomes a battle for their lives. The remake turns the plot on its head and, much like the original, offers commentary regarding women in slashers. There's quite a bit to love about this remake and what it manages to do.

Slumber Party Massacre is a cute remake and gives the audience characters to root for, a wink at a potentially queer relationship, and some fun kills. The original has a quirky charm to it and humorous moments, and this remake manages to do that as well. It's not discussed as much in the horror remakes conversation, but to me, it should be. 

A pandemic-based horror film written by Kevin Williamson? Absolutely. Sick follows best friends, Parker (Gideon Adlon) and Miri (Beth Million) who decide to quarantine in Parker's lakehouse, but they soon discover they're not alone. It's a heart-pounding slasher that'll leave you clinging to your blankets. And that's something we don't always get these days.

The premise of Sick might not sound unique aside from the pandemic aspects. However, it's one of the most relentless slashers released in the past few years. The killer reveal isn't what one might suspect on an initial viewing. The film not getting a theatrical release is a shame, and throwing it on Peacock might have caused people to forget it existed. But it's absolutely worth throwing on! 

There's a lot of fun to be had in this partially satirical slasher about capitalism and corporate greed. The Conference follows employees who go on a team-building retreat as they're picked off by a deranged man looking for revenge. The film is an international gem that's easy to miss on Netflix, but if you stumble upon it, you won't be disappointed.

The Conference has a lot of humor, capable characters, and gory kills to top it all off. Aside from the kills, one of the best parts of the film happens to be the characters who fight back to the best of their ability. If you're looking for an international slasher with no shortage of blood, you'll enjoy this one! 

For more excellent horror to add to your watchlist, check out the best new horror movies coming in 2025 and watch the video version of our underseen slashers list below.