Korean horror movies have become a global sensation, known for their bold storytelling, emotional depth, and unforgettable scares. Unlike typical horror films, Korean horror blends supernatural fear with real human emotions, exploring themes like family, faith, guilt, and survival.
Whether you’re a longtime horror fan or just starting to explore the genre, this guide highlights 10 must-watch Korean horror films up to 2025. Each movie offers something unique, from chilling folklore to psychological nightmares and action-packed supernatural battles.
1. Metamorphosis (2019)
Metamorphosis (2019), directed by Kim Hong-seon, is a chilling South Korean supernatural horror film starring Bae Seong-woo, Sung Dong-il, Jang Young-nam, Kim Hye-jun, Cho Yi-hyun, and Kim Kang-hoon. The movie follows a family that moves into a new home after their pastor uncle is accused of murdering a child during an exorcism. Unknown to them, the same face-changing demon he once tried to expel has returned to destroy his family from within.
Tense, emotional, and deeply unsettling, Metamorphosis explores themes of faith, guilt, and evil in disguise. Its haunting atmosphere and strong performances earned it critical recognition, including nominations at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
2. The Divine Fury (2019)
The Divine Fury (2019) is an exciting South Korean action-horror film directed by Kim Joo-hwan, starring Park Seo-joon, Ahn Sung-ki, and Woo Do-hwan. The movie follows Yong-hoo, a talented martial arts champion who develops mysterious divine powers after a strange stigmata appears following a fight in the U.S.
Haunted by the loss of his parents and a deep resentment toward God, Yong-hoo joins forces with Father Ahn, an experienced exorcist. Together, they face terrifying demons and confront Ji-shin, a powerful disciple of evil threatening Korea.
Filled with intense fight scenes, supernatural suspense, and emotional drama, The Divine Fury delivers a thrilling mix of action and horror that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
3. #Alive (2020)
#Alive (2020) is a thrilling South Korean zombie film directed by Cho Il-hyung, starring Yoo Ah-in and Park Shin-hye. The story follows Oh Joon-woo, a video game streamer trapped alone in his Seoul apartment during a sudden zombie outbreak.
As the city falls to zombies, Joon-woo faces isolation, food shortages, and constant danger. Using his drone and social media, he discovers another survivor, Yoo-bin. Together, they navigate zombie-infested apartments and even confront other humans with dangerous intentions.
Packed with suspense, action, and emotional moments, #Alive blends survival horror with modern technology, showing how resourcefulness and human connection are key to surviving a zombie apocalypse.
4. Sleep (2023)
Sleep (2023) is a South Korean psychological horror thriller with a touch of dark comedy, directed by Jason Yu in his feature debut. The film stars Jung Yu-mi and Lee Sun-kyun and was shown at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. It is also one of Lee Sun-kyun’s final film appearances.
The story follows newlyweds Hyeon-soo and Soo-jin. One night, Soo-jin discovers her husband sleepwalking and acting in a frighteningly strange way. As the nights go on, she fears he might harm their newborn, creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere.
With suspenseful storytelling and psychological twists, Sleep is a gripping and chilling look at fear, trust, and the horrors that can lurk within everyday life.
5. Exhuma (2024)
Exhuma (2024) is a South Korean horror film directed by Jang Jae-hyun, starring Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yoo Hae-jin, and Lee Do-hyun. Combining mystery, occult, and supernatural elements, the film follows a team trying to excavate a cursed grave, unleashing terrifying consequences. It premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival and became the highest-grossing South Korean film of 2024.
Shaman Hwa-rim and her apprentice Bong-gil are hired to cure a newborn’s mysterious illness, only to discover it’s caused by a vengeful ancestor’s spirit. Joined by a feng shui master and a mortician, they attempt to move the grave—but awaken powerful forces, including a samurai-like oni and the restless grandfather spirit.
Packed with suspense, supernatural battles, and Korean folklore, Exhuma is an intense, thrilling horror film that blends cultural mythology with high-stakes action.
6. Noise (2025)
Noise (2025) is a South Korean horror thriller directed by Kim Soo-jin, starring Lee Sun-bin, Kim Min-seok, and Han Su-a. It premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in South Korea in June 2025.
The film follows sisters Joo-young and Joo-hee, who move into their dream apartment but start hearing a mysterious, untraceable noise. When Joo-hee suddenly goes missing, Joo-young rushes back from her factory job to find her with the help of Joo-hee’s boyfriend, Ki-hoon. Meanwhile, a neighbor below, also disturbed by the noise, becomes convinced the sisters are behind it and begins threatening them.
Suspenseful and tense, Noise is a chilling story about fear, paranoia, and the hidden dangers that can lurk in everyday life.
7. The Host (2006)
The Host (2006) is a classic South Korean monster film directed by Bong Joon-ho, starring Song Kang-ho, Go Ah-sung, Bae Doona, and Park Hae-il. Combining horror, action, and family drama, it follows a father’s desperate fight to save his daughter from a monstrous creature that emerges from Seoul’s Han River.
The creature is born after toxic chemicals are dumped into the river. Park Gang-du, a snack stand vendor, teams up with his family to rescue his daughter while facing government cover-ups and deadly encounters with the beast.
With thrilling action, emotional storytelling, and sharp social commentary, The Host is widely regarded as one of the best monster films of the 21st century and a landmark in Korean cinema.
8. The 8th Night (2021)
The 8th Night (2021) is a South Korean supernatural horror thriller directed by Kim Tae-hyoung, starring Lee Sung-min, Park Hae-joon, Kim Yoo-jung, and Nam Da-reum. Streaming on Netflix, it combines mythology, suspense, and intense horror.
The film follows a former exorcist and a young monk, Cheongseok, who must stop the Red Eye from reuniting with the Black Eye—two ancient beings sealed for 2,500 years. Along the way, they face possessed people, vengeful spirits, and dark forces that test their courage and faith.
With its mix of myth, suspense, and psychological tension, The 8th Night is a gripping and culturally rich supernatural thriller.
9. Thirst (2009)
Thirst is a 2009 South Korean horror-romance directed by Park Chan-wook, starring Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-vin. Inspired by Émile Zola’s Thérèse Raquin, it mixes gothic horror, dark comedy, eroticism, and romance. The film won the Jury Prize at Cannes and was a hit both in South Korea and internationally.
Sang-hyun, a Catholic priest, volunteers for a medical experiment to cure a deadly virus but becomes a vampire. Struggling with his thirst for blood, he falls in love with Tae-ju, the wife of his childhood friend. Their forbidden romance leads to dark deeds, including murder.
As Tae-ju grows violent and uncontrolled, Sang-hyun tries to restrain himself. Their conflicts escalate into a deadly rooftop chase. In the end, they drive into an open field at dawn, sacrificing themselves to the sunlight, leaving a tragic and haunting conclusion.
10. The Odd Family: Zombie On Sale (2019)
The Odd Family: Zombie On Sale is a 2019 South Korean zombie comedy directed by Lee Min-jae, starring Jung Jae-young, Kim Nam-gil, Uhm Ji-won, Lee Soo-kyung, Jung Ga-ram, and Park In-hwan.
Man-Deok (Park In-hwan) runs a quiet gas station in a small village, dreaming of retiring in Hawaii. He has three adult children: Joon-Gul (Jung Jae-Young), the responsible eldest; Min-Gul (Kim Nam-gil), who returns home after losing his job; and Hae-Gul (Lee Soo-Kyung), the youngest. Joon-Gul is married to Nam-Joo (Uhm Ji-Won), but struggles to express his love for his family.
Life takes a strange turn when a mysterious man (Jung Ga-Ram) arrives, triggering a bizarre zombie outbreak that shakes the family and the entire village. The film blends humor, family moments, and quirky zombie chaos, making it a fun and unique watch.
Conclusion
Korean horror films have mastered the art of balancing scares with substance. From psychological thrillers to folk legends and zombie comedies, these ten films showcase the creativity and power of Korea’s horror scene.
If you’re ready for stories that make you think as much as they make you scream, start here. Turn off the lights, grab some popcorn, and dive into the haunting, unforgettable world of Korean horror cinema.
