8 of our favorite Spanish-language horror movies

Expand your horror horizons by checking out some of these iconic Spanish-language horror films. There are tons of fantastic movies out there, many of which are often better than American horror films. It's definitely worth trying new things if you're a true fan of the genre.

The Platform (2019)

One of Netflix’s most twisted horror films, this Spanish movie takes place in a vertical prison that forces its inmates to fight over limited resources.

They all eat from the same platform, but obviously, those on the higher levels of the prison get to eat their fill while those relegated to lower levels are left with scraps or nothing at all. The Platform is one of Netflix's most viewed non-English-language films of all time, and a sequel is releasing this October.

When Evil Lurks (2023)

A brutal story of possession, When Evil Lurks is a horror film that does not hold back. Set in a remote village plagued by a demonic infestation, the movie follows two brothers who try to escape the incoming evil at all costs.

Piggy (2022)

Somewhat similar to When Evil Lurks just in terms of how little is held back, Piggy is another disturbing horror film that focuses on the cruelties of being a kid, especially one who is consistently bullied.

The story centers on a teenage girl often the victim of bullying by the "cool" girls in town. But when Sara is given an opportunity to get revenge on her bullies, she'll have to make a choice that could change everything.

Verónica (2017)

When Verónica was first released in 2017, many people hailed it as one of the scariest movies of all time, especially one of the most frightening available on Netflix.

Though the story is deceptively simple, a tale of a teen girl experimenting with a Ouija board and things go awry, the direction from Paco Plaza makes this a riveting and genuinely terrifying viewing experience.

Sister Death (2023)

For those who loved Verónica, you shouldn't miss out on Sister Death. Plaza returned to helm this prequel film that follows a novice at a convent/all-girls school in the 1940s.

It's the same school that Verónica would later attend in the 2017 movie and the nun at the center of this story, played by Aria Bedmar, would go on to become the blind nun who tries to warn Verónica and her friends in the first movie. It's really about her story and the paranormal terrors she experienced during her time at the school.

Terrified (2017)

Paranormal investigators look into a series of unexplained supernatural events that occur in a Buenos Aires neighborhood. Packed with jump scares, gross body horror, and shocking twists, Terrified is often heralded as one of the best and most frightening Spanish films of the past decade.

The Orphanage (2007)

If you enjoy gothic horror stories and films like The Others then you'll want to add The Orphanage to your watch list. The film revolves around a woman named Laura who recalls having a happy upbringing when she grew up in an orphanage and wants to create that experience for other children.

She and her husband purchase a building to convert into an orphanage, but then Laura's own son disappears, and she starts hearing spirits that might be trying to help her find Simon...or they might have ulterior motives.

REC (2007)

You'd be hard-pressed to find a list like this one or one about found-footage horror films that doesn't include REC. Frequently listed as one of the best horror movies of all time, REC follows a reporter who ventures into an apartment building after receiving calls about a disruption, only to learn that there is an infection spreading and the occupants have been quarantined inside it.

As you might have guessed, things aren't exactly as they appear. There was also an American remake called Quarantine in 2008 but I definitely recommend checking out the original. Several sequels have also been made, to varying degrees of success.

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