Top 23 Korean Horror Movies of All Time: From Classics to New Hits (2024-2026)

Looking for your next nightmare? South Korea is home to some of the most unsettling and innovative horror films ever made. While classics like A Tale of Two Sisters set the gold standard for psychological dread, a new wave of Korean filmmakers is currently pushing the boundaries of terror even further. Whether you're a seasoned gore-hound or a fan of slow-burn suspense, K-horror offers something that lingers long after the credits roll. In this curated list, we’ve rounded up the scariest South Korean movies to watch right now—spanning legendary masterpieces and the most anticipated horror hits of the 2024-2026 seasons. If you’re a fan of visceral storytelling, shocking plot twists, and relentless suspense, these K-horror gems belong at the top of your watchlist.

🎬Must-Watch Korean Horror Movies: New Hits & All-Time Classics

1.Korean Horror & Thriller Movies (2024–2026 New Hits)

Korean horror is currently entering a "Golden Age" of high-concept supernatural and sci-fi thrillers.This section focuses on recent and upcoming titles that continue Korea’s strong tradition in horror and suspense cinema.

📌 Note: IMDb ratings for 2025–2026 titles may update after international releases.

2.All-Time Korean Horror & Thriller Classics

These are the films that defined the "K-Horror" wave and remain essential viewing for any film lover.

👉 Best for: viewers who appreciate psychological depth, social themes, and high-quality storytelling over simple scares.

💡Where to Watch Korean Horror Movies？

Popular platforms that often carry Korean horror films include:

• Netflix (global availability, high-quality subtitles)

• Amazon Prime Video

• Hulu

• Viki (strong Asian film catalog)

• Apple TV / Google Play (rent or buy)

Availability may vary by region.

📍Top 10 Must-Watch Classic Korean Horror Movies

1.The Wailing (2016)  - Rating: 7.4 (IMDb)

Lead Actors: Kwak Do-won, Jun Kunimura, Chun Woo-hee

Genre / Theme: Supernatural / Folk

Where to Stream：Hulu, Apple TV

The Wailing is a terrifying South Korean horror-mystery about a series of bizarre, violent deaths and sicknesses that grip a quiet mountain village after a mysterious Japanese stranger arrives. A slow-witted police officer, Jong-goo, investigates the inexplicable events, especially after his own daughter falls ill, uncovering a supernatural battle involving shamanism, demonic possession, and deep spiritual questions, forcing him to choose between faith and skepticism to save his family, as

Plot Summary:

2.A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) - Rating: 7.2 (IMDb)

Lead Actors: Lim Soo-jung,Yum Jung-ah,Kim Kap-su

Genre / Theme: Psychological / Gothic

Where to Stream：AMC+,Apple TV

When it comes to the sophisticated style and shocking twists of Korean horror, no film is as perfect an example as A Tale of Two Sisters. Directed by Kim Jee-woon — who also made our No. 4 pick, I Saw the Devil — this psychologically harrowing film is about a pair of young girls who live in a handsome country home with their father. Also present are two malevolent presences: the ghost of their mother and their evil stepmother, Eun-joo (Yum Jung-ah). Kim's direction is bold and stylish, and the supernatural scenes are terrifying, embodying the finest that Korean horror has to offer.

Plot Summary:

• Return Home: Su-mi, recovering from trauma, returns with her younger sister Su-yeon to their secluded country home, where their widower father lives with his new wife, Eun-joo.
• Rising Tension & Ghosts: The sisters clash with the controlling stepmother, while strange, terrifying events and ghostly sightings plague the house, linked to their late mother.
• Dark Secrets Unfold: Su-mi discovers family photos revealing Eun-joo was her mother's nurse and finds bruises on Su-yeon, suspecting abuse, while Su-yeon claims a ghost, their mother, is present.
• The Twist: The climax reveals the horrifying truth: Su-mi's psychosis led her to imagine Su-yeon and the vengeful ghost, with the "stepmother" actually being Su-mi's deceased mother, who died in a tragic incident involving Su-mi and the real Eun-joo (the nurse, who was trying to help), leading to a profound, shared hallucination

3.Train to Busan (2016) - Rating: 7.6(IMDb)

Lead Actors: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok

Genre / Theme: Zombie / Action

Where to Stream：Netflix ,Amazon Prime Video

Train to Busan (2016) stars Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, and Ma Dong-seok, following a work-obsessed father (Gong Yoo) and his daughter as they get trapped on a high-speed KTX train from Seoul to Busan during a sudden, violent zombie apocalypse, forcing them to fight for survival against the infected and selfish passengers to reach the supposed safe city. 

Plot Summary:

4.I Saw the Devil (2010) - Rating: 7.8(IMDb)

Lead Actors: Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik, Jeon Gook-hwan

Genre / Theme: Revenge / Slasher

Where to Stream：Netflix, Apple TV

I Saw the Devil (2010) is a South Korean psychological thriller about an elite secret agent seeking brutal revenge on the psychopathic serial killer who murdered his fiancée, leading to a twisted, violent cat-and-mouse game where the hunter becomes a monster himself, blurring lines between good and evil. The agent, Soo-hyun, captures and releases the killer, Kyung-chul, multiple times, subjecting him to torture and escalating the conflict to extreme, bloody lengths

Plot Summary:

5.The Host (2006) - Rating: 7.1(IMDb)

Lead Actors: Song Kang-ho,Byun Hee-Bong,Park Hae-il

Genre / Theme: Creature / Satire

Where to Stream：Netflix,Hulu

The Host (2006) follows the dysfunctional Park family in Seoul, South Korea, as they desperately try to rescue young Hyun-seo after she's snatched from a riverside snack bar by a giant, mutated river monster, a creature spawned from toxic waste dumped by the U.S. military; the family, initially dismissed as infected, breaks quarantine and races against government containment efforts to find her, battling the creature, public indifference, and their own flaws in a story blending horror, dark comedy, and sharp social commentary on family, environmentalism, and American interventionism. 

Plot Summary:

• The Abduction: A massive amphibious monster emerges from the Han River and causes chaos, snatching Park Gang-du's daughter, Hyun-seo, during the panicked escape.

• The "Virus" & Quarantine: The U.S. military declares the monster carries a deadly virus, leading to the quarantine of anyone exposed, including the Park family, who are treated as potential carriers.

• The Escape & Hunt: Believing Hyun-seo is still alive (a detail authorities dismiss), the family breaks quarantine and begins a chaotic, often bumbling, quest to find and rescue her, challenging corrupt officials and the military.

• Confronting the Truth: They uncover that the virus is a fabrication to hide the U.S.'s responsibility for the creature's creation, facing off against the monster and a government trying to cover its tracks.

• Family Dynamics: The film blends creature-feature horror with dark humor, focusing on the resilient but flawed Park family, whose unity in the face of tragedy drives the narrative. 

6. Exhuma (2024)- Rating: 7.0(IMDb)

Lead Actors: Choi Min-sik (geomancer), Kim Go-eun (shaman), Yoo Hae-jin (undertaker), Lee Do-hyun (shaman's protégé)

Genre / Theme:  folk horror/supernatural horror/ mystery 

Where to Stream：Netflix, Apple TV

Exhuma follows shaman Hwa-rim and her protégé Bong-gil, hired by a wealthy Korean-American family in LA to cure a curse affecting firstborns, leading them to discover a vengeful ancestor's grave near the North Korean border, requiring collaboration with geomancer Sang-deok and mortician Yeong-geun to exhume it, only to unleash a powerful, ancient Japanese demon spirit tied to Korea's colonial past, culminating in intense rituals to fight the vengeful entity and its Anama (flaming sword) manifestation. 

Plot Summary:

• The Problem: A wealthy Korean-American family in LA experiences supernatural illness in their newborns, linked to a "Grave's Call" from an ancestor's spirit.

• The Team Assembles: Shaman Hwa-rim (Kim Go-eun) and her protégé Bong-gil (Lee Do-hyun) hire geomancer Kim Sang-deok (Choi Min-sik) and mortician Yeong-geun (Yoo Hae-jin) to relocate the ancestor's grave.

• The Exhumation: They find the grave in a remote Korean mountain, and despite Sang-deok's unease, they proceed with the exhumation, uncovering a sinister, ancient secret.

• Unleashed Evil: The exhumation unleashes a terrifying, vengeful spirit (a "Ghoul") tethered to a sacred, cursed location, revealing a deep historical trauma connected to Japanese invasion and Korean suffering.

• Confrontation: The team must fight the powerful spirit, discovering the true reason for the grave's placement and the deep historical wounds buried within it, culminating in a violent, ritualistic battle. 

7.Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)- Rating: 6.4(IMDb)

Lead Actors: Wi Ha-joon, Park Ji-hyun, Oh Ah-yeon, Moon Ye-won

Genre / Theme: Found Footage / Supernatural

Where to Stream：Netflix, Tubi

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is a 2018 Korean found-footage horror film where a crew from a web series, "Horror Times," livestreams their exploration of the infamous, abandoned Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, famous for patient suicides and the director's disappearance, hoping for viral fame by staging scares but instead encountering genuine, escalating paranormal activity, particularly in the notoriously locked Room 402, leading to terrifying, uncontrollable events that blur the line between fake and real horror.

Plot Summary:

• Premise: A team of internet personalities ventures into a real, reputedly haunted asylum for a live broadcast, aiming for viewership and clout.

• Found Footage Style: The film uses body-mounted and handheld cameras (GoPros) for a realistic, immersive experience, avoiding typical motion sickness.

• Staged vs. Real: Initially, the crew (led by Ha-joon) stages scares, but the asylum's ghosts, especially around Room 402, become increasingly real and hostile, trapping them.

• Themes: Explores vanity, greed, and the obsession with internet fame, critiquing the lengths people go to for online attention.

• Setting: Based on the real Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, known as one of Korea's most haunted locations, adding to its creepy atmosphere.

• Climax: The broadcast descends into chaos as the team faces terrifying manifestations and figures, particularly in the dreaded Room 402, blurring the lines between their staged show and actual supernatural horror. 

8.Bedevilled (2010)- Rating: 7.3(IMDb)

Lead Actors: Seo Young-hee (as Kim Bok-nam) and Ji Sung-won (as Hae-won)

Genre / Theme: Slasher / Psychological

Where to Stream：Netflix, Apple TV

Bedevilled (2010) is a South Korean horror-thriller and social commentary film that culminates in a brutal, blood-soaked tale of revenge. The story focuses on two women: Hae-won, a cold city dweller, and Bok-nam, her childhood friend trapped in a cycle of abuse on a remote island. 

Plot Summary:

• Hae-won's Indifference: Hae-won is a selfish and apathetic bank clerk in Seoul who witnesses a brutal assault but refuses to testify to avoid involvement. After work troubles force her to take a vacation, she retreats to the remote, backward Moodo Island where her grandparents lived.

• Bok-nam's Plight: On the island, Hae-won is greeted by her childhood friend Bok-nam, who lives as a slave to the island's few, cruel inhabitants. Bok-nam endures constant physical, sexual, and mental abuse from her husband, his family, and the other women, who justify the mistreatment.

• The Breaking Point: Bok-nam, desperate to escape with her young daughter, begs Hae-won for help, but Hae-won remains indifferent. When Bok-nam discovers her husband is also abusing their daughter, she attempts to flee with the child, leading to an accidental tragedy that kills the daughter.

• The Unleashed Fury: Following the tragedy and the villagers' lies to the police, Bok-nam snaps. Her years of suppressed rage explode in a horrific massacre as she uses a sickle to brutally kill her tormentors one by one.

• Aftermath: Hae-won is forced to confront the consequences of her inaction and indifference. The film ends with Hae-won back in Seoul, finally reporting the initial assault she witnessed, a small act that comes too late to save Bok-nam

9.Thirst (2009)- Rating: 7.1(IMDb)

Lead Actors: Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-vin

Genre / Theme: Vampire / Dark Romance

Where to Stream：Netflix, Apple TV

Thirst (2009) is a dark Korean horror-romance about a Catholic priest, Sang-hyun, who becomes a vampire after a failed vaccine experiment, leading him to struggle with his faith, bloodlust, and a passionate affair with his friend's abused wife, Tae-ju, forcing them into a twisted, destructive love story driven by primal desires and violence, loosely based on Émile Zola's Thérèse Raquin. 

Plot Summary:

• The Experiment: Priest Sang-hyun volunteers for a virus vaccine trial, gets infected, dies, but miraculously revives after a blood transfusion using vampire blood.

• Vampire Transformation: He develops an insatiable thirst for blood and intense sexual urges, conflicting with his priestly vows.

• The Affair: He finds an outlet in Tae-ju, an abused woman, and they begin a passionate, illicit affair, feeding off comatose patients and each other.

• Moral Decay: Their relationship spirals into violence and murder as Sang-hyun grapples with his new nature and Tae-ju seeks escape from her abusive husband.

• Dark Romance: The film blends horror, sensuality, and dark comedy as the priest and his lover descend into depravity, exploring themes of sin, guilt, and forbidden love. 

10.The Chaser (2008)- Rating: 7.8(IMDb)

Lead Actors: Kim Yoon-seok, Ha Jung-woo, Seo Young-hee

Genre / Theme: Crime Thriller/Neo-noir

Where to Stream：Netflix ,Amazon Prime Video

The Chaser (2008) is a gripping South Korean crime thriller about a disgraced ex-cop turned sleazy pimp, Joong-ho, who desperately hunts a psychopathic serial killer (Young-min) after his prostitutes mysteriously vanish, leading to a tense, brutal, and bloody race against time where he must find evidence before the killer is released by the overwhelmed police, all inspired by the real-life killer Yoo Young-chul. 

Plot Summary:

• The Setup: Joong-ho (Kim Yoon-seok) runs a small ring of prostitutes and is in financial trouble as his girls disappear.

• The Connection: He realizes a single client, Young-min (Ha Jung-woo), is linked to the missing women.

• The Chase: Joong-ho sends Mi-jin (Seo Young-hee) to the client, then frantically tries to track him down and save her, confronting his own morally compromised past.

• The Killer's Nature: Young-min is a chillingly remorseless killer who traps Mi-jin but struggles to kill her, eventually murdering an elderly couple who interrupt him, revealing his chaotic nature.

• Bureaucratic Frustration: The police, hampered by incompetence and media issues, capture Young-min but can't hold him long due to lack of evidence, escalating the urgency for Joong-ho.

• Climax: The film culminates in a harrowing, bloody confrontation as Joong-ho tries to save Mi-jin and stop the killer, highlighting themes of corruption, justice, and desperation. 

📝How to Choose the Right Korean Horror Movie?

Choosing the perfect Korean horror movie depends on what "scares" you most. Unlike Hollywood’s reliance on sudden jump scares, Korean horror excels in "slow-burn" psychological dread and social commentary.

Use the following framework to find your next nightmare:

1.Choose Your Sub-Genre

• Psychological Thrillers/Supernatural Horror: Many Korean horror films excel at creating deep, lingering psychological dread, often involving ghosts, family trauma, or mystery. These are great if you like a film to stay with you long after the credits roll.

  • Recommended films: A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), The Wailing (2016), The Call (2020).

• Creature/Monster Features: These films feature unique monster designs and often blend horror with action and even comedy, while still tackling serious themes.

  • Recommended films: The Host (2006), Monstrum (2018).

• Zombie Outbreaks: Known for action-packed sequences, strong character development, and social commentary, the zombie genre is very popular.

  • Recommended films: Train to Busan (2016), #Alive (2020), Kingdom (TV series).

• Found-Footage/Paranormal Investigations: For a more intense, immediate scare, these films put you directly into the action with a raw, realistic feel.

  • Recommended films: Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018), 0.0MHz (2019).

• Extreme/Gore: While many focus on psychological horror, some later films have embraced more maximalist gore.

  • Recommended films: I Saw the Devil (2010 - note: more of a thriller), Project Wolf Hunting (2022). 

2.Match Your "Fear Level"

3.Look for Key Themes

If you enjoy movies that leave you thinking about society, look for these common K-horror tropes:

• The "Han" (Resentment): Many ghosts are female spirits who died with unresolved trauma or injustice.

• Social Class: Like Parasite, many horror films (e.g., The Housemaid) use scares to highlight the gap between the rich and poor.

• Academic Pressure: The Whispering Corridors series uses school settings to critique the harsh education system.

4.Check the Director’s Style & Pedigree

Korean horror directors often have very distinctive voices. Following a director is one of the easiest ways to find quality films.If you are unsure about a plot, follow the masters of the genre:

• Na Hong-jin: For gritty, exhausting, and complex folklore (The Wailing)

• Park Chan-wook: For "beautiful" violence and taboo-breaking themes (Thirst, Oldboy).

• Kim Jee-woon: For stylish, high-concept horror and revenge (A Tale of Two Sisters, I Saw the Devil).

• Bong Joon-ho – Social commentary mixed with suspense (Memories of Murder)

5.Check Reviews and Ratings

💡While IMDb scores are helpful, Korean horror films are sometimes underrated internationally.

• IMDb 7.0+ → Generally safe choices

• IMDb 6.5–7.0 → Often strong in atmosphere or originality

• Read short reviews to see keywords like slow-burn, disturbing, or psychological

6.Start with Classics Before New Releases

If you’re new to Korean horror, begin with proven classics. They provide better storytelling and cultural context. Once you’re comfortable, explore newer films from 2024–2026 for fresh ideas and modern visuals.

💡 Quick Viewing Tips

• Prefer psychological tension? → Start with The Wailing or A Tale of Two Sisters

• Want fast-paced horror? → Train to Busan or newer survival thrillers

• Looking for realism and crime-based fear? → Memories of Murder or The Chaser

• Enjoy dark, extreme cinema? → I Saw the Devil (viewer discretion advised)

• Best for beginners →Train to Busan (Accessible, exciting, and emotional).

• Best for hard-core fans → The Wailing or I Saw the Devil (Prepare for long runtimes and heavy themes).

• Where to watch → Most of these titles are available on Netflix, Prime Video, or Shudder.

🔎Common Questions & Answers About Watching Korean Horror Movies

When watching Korean horror and thriller films, international audiences often face questions ranging from cultural confusion to pacing issues. Addressing these FAQs can significantly enhance the viewing experience.Here is a summary of the most common questions and professional solutions：

💡 Pro-Viewer Tips for the Best Experience

• Watch with Subtitles, Not Dubs: Voice acting and "vocal tension" are critical in Korean horror. Dubbing often strips away the atmospheric nuances and the raw emotion of the actors.
• Research the History: Many modern hits (2024–2026) like Exhuma reference the Japanese Occupation or the Korean War. A quick 5-minute background check on these eras will make the plot's "hidden layers" much clearer.
• Pay Attention to Sound Design: Korean horror often uses "silence" and "faint environmental sounds" more effectively than loud orchestral stings. Use a good pair of headphones for maximum immersion.

The best Korean horror movie isn’t the scariest one—it’s the one that matches your comfort level and curiosity. Whether you prefer psychological tension or adrenaline-fueled chaos, Korean cinema has something unforgettable waiting for you.