Japanese horror movies are popular worldwide and have captivated many global audiences. These movies usually explore psychological terror, supernatural forces, and the darkest corners of the human mind. Some of these Japanese films are the scariest and most influential in the horror genre.
Below is a list of the 15 best Japanese horror movies of all time, still ranking at the top in the horror genre in 2025.
Top 15 Japanese Horror Movies of All Time
1. Dark Water (2002)
Director: Hideo Nakata
Starring: Hitomi Kuroki, Miyu Irino
Synopsis:
This Japanese horror movie begins with a mother and daughter moving into an old apartment building but finds the house is haunted by a restless spirit. One day mysterious water leaks from the ceiling, and the daughter becomes involved in the bizarre events that bring about a profound revelation of past trauma in the apartment’s history. This thriller movie tells a touching story of grief, loss, and a supernatural force.
2. Audition (1999)
Director: Takashi Miike
Starring: Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina
Synopsis:
This Japanese scary movie mainly tells a widowed man named Aoyama who hosts a fake interview to find a new wife but is attracted by a special woman, Asami. As their relationship develops, Aoyama gradually uncovers Asami’s disturbingly dark past. Audition is a psychological horror film that begins with a slow build-up but explodes with a shocking and bloody climax. This movie explores obsession, trauma, and the dangers of idealizing others.
3. Ringu (1998)
Director: Hideo Nakata
Starring: Nanako Matsushima, Hiroyuki Sanada
Synopsis:
This Japanese horror film follows a journalist investigating a mysterious cursed videotape. Those who watch the videotape will receive a phone call and die in seven days. The journalist tries to uncover the horrific secret behind the tape and finds that it is linked to a vengeful ghost named Sadako. Ringu is a chilling supernatural thriller focusing on the horrific consequences of the union of technology and a vengeful ghost.
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4. Cure (1997)
Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Starring: Koji Yakusho, Tetta Sugimoto
Synopsis:
This Japanese scary movie starts with a detective investigating a series of bizarre murders. Each victim’s death is unique and unexplained. He soon realizes that the murders are connected to a mysterious man who can lull others into a hypnotic state. The Cure movie blends crime thrillers with supernatural terror and explores themes of control and the human psyche.
Also read: 11 Best Horror Movies on Hulu [Ranked]
5. Perfect Blue (1997)
Director: Satoshi Kon
Starring: Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto
Synopsis:
This Japanese movie tells the story of Mima Kirigoe. She was originally a pop idol singer, but she decided to make a career change to acting. However, this decision leads her into psychological instability. When Kirigoe is stalked by an obsessed fan, her sense of reality gradually collapses, blurring the line between her public persona and her private life. Perfect Blue is a psychological movie that explores fame, identity, and the price of success, mixed with disturbing elements of horror.
6. One Cut of the Dead (2017)
Director: Shinichiro Ueda
Starring: Takayuki Hamatsu, Mao
Synopsis:
This Japanese horror film revolves around a film crew who is making a zombie movie in an abandoned water treatment plant. However, they are attacked by real zombies. The movie starts as a simple zombie movie, but as the plot develops, it gradually turns into a meta-comedy that pays homage to the filmmaking process. One Cut of the Dead is a unique and good horror-comedy that shatters audience expectations while delivering laughs and scares at the same time.
7. Carved (2007)
Director: Koji Shiraishi
Starring: Eriko Sato, Haruhiko Kato
Synopsis:
This Japanese horror film is based on the Japanese urban legend of the “Slit-Mouthed Woman” (Kuchisake-onna). She is a vengeful spirit who wears a surgical mask. She asks her victims if they think she is beautiful. If the victims answer “yes”, she unveils her horrific mouth slit and kills them. If they say “no”, she still kills them. The Japanese film explores the psychological terror of this legend and the fear it inflicts on communities.
8. Confessions (2010)
Director: Tetsuya Nakashima
Starring: Takako Matsu, Yoshino Kimura
Synopsis:
This Japanese horror film tells a high school teacher who thinks two students are responsible for her daughter’s death. She decides to take action for revenge. In a chilling confession to her class, the teacher reveals her plan for revenge to the entire class. Confessions is a dark psychological thriller movie that explores revenge, guilt, and the destructiveness of secrets, set in a terrifying atmosphere full of human emotions and moral ambiguity.
Also read: 10 Best Hollywood Movies in 2025: A Must-Watch List
9. Ju-on: The Grudge (2002)
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Starring: Megumi Okina, Takako Fuji
Synopsis:
A woman is haunted by the curse of a house where a horrific murder took place. Anyone who enters the house will be infected by the curse, which is marked by the appearance of the vengeful ghosts Kayako and Toshio. Ju-on explores the terrifying consequences of this curse as it spreads to everyone, creating an endless web of horror. This Japanese horror movie is widely considered one of the masterpieces of J-horror movies and was adapted into an American version, The Grudge.
10. Cold Fish (2010)
Director: Sion Sono
Starring: Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Denden
Synopsis:
A mild-mannered tropical fish store owner becomes involved with a charismatic businessman who lives a dark double life. The businessman and his wife are revealed to be serial killers, and the fish store owner is forced to help them cover up their crimes. Cold Fish is a Japanese crime-horror film that combines dark humor with grotesque violence. It explores themes of moral decay and human depravity.
11. House (1977)
Director: Nobuhiko Obayashi
Starring: Kimiko Ikegami, Ai Matsubara
Synopsis:
A group of high school girls visits one of their aunts’ houses in the countryside. They discover that the house is alive and has consciousness of its own. House is a surrealistic horror film that blends wired visuals, dark humor, and various grotesque elements. This classic Japanese horror movie has influenced many filmmakers and attracted a loyal fan base.
12. Pulse (2001)
Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Starring: Haruhiko Kato, Kumiko Aso
Synopsis:
This Japanese thriller movie tells people begin to mysteriously disappear or die after visiting a mysterious website. It explores themes of loneliness, the internet, and the supernatural spirit.
13. Noroi: The Curse (2005)
Director: Koji Shiraishi
Starring: Jin Muraki, Rio Kanno
Synopsis:
This found-footage film follows a documentary filmmaker as he investigates a series of mysterious deaths tied to an ancient curse. As the investigation deepens, the filmmaker uncovers disturbing events linked to a malevolent entity and becomes entangled in the curse’s web. This Japanese horror film uses a disturbing narrative and macabre presentation to build tension and create a slow-burn supernatural horror atmosphere.
14. Kwaidan
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama
Synopsis:
“Kwaidan” is a movie adaptation of four traditional Japanese ghost stories. Each story presents a different supernatural encounter, from ghostly appearances to cursed spirits. This movie is known for its stunning cinematography, wonderful atmosphere, and adherence to the conventions of traditional Japanese horror movies. “Kwaidan” remains one of the most influential films of the horror genre, showcasing the essence of Japanese horror films.
15. One Missed Call (2003)
Director: Takashi Miike
Starring: Kou Shibasaki, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Kazue Fukiishi
Synopsis:
A woman receives a call from her own phone number, with a message predicting her death. She starts investigating, and she finds that some others have also received similar mysterious calls that forecast their deaths. The Japanese horror movie tells a psychological and supernatural story where technology becomes a tool of horror. One Missed Call has become a classic horror movie, inspiring American remakes.
Bottom Line
Japanese horror movies are known for their unique approach to fear. They often focus on an eerie atmosphere, psychological dread, supernatural vengeful spirits, and slow-building tension rather than relying on violence. Whether you’re looking for supernatural hauntings, dystopian violence, or surreal nightmares, the 15 films listed in this post are must-watch classics.
