10 Underrated Horror Movies That Roger Ebert Loved

Roger Ebert is one of the most credible and influential film critics ever, and he gave excellent scores to many underrated horror movies. After his passing, Ebert’s work is still maintained by critics via his website, reviewing new film releases. Specifically regarding films that Ebert reviewed himself, there are several gems that he rated higher than other critics, relative to his four-star scale. There are many subgenres of horror movies, and the ones he reviewed ranged from psychological thrillers and gothic horror to adaptations of beloved novels.

Between under-seen gems and films that had received mixed reviews elsewhere, Ebert gave over three stars to some must-watch horror films. Ebert was known as one of the most thoughtful and knowledgeable film critics, establishing himself as an authoritative voice in the field. While there were movies that Roger Ebert didn’t like that have aged well, there were other cases where he caught on to a masterpiece far earlier than anyone else.

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10 Thirst (2009)

Directed by Park Chan-wook, given 3/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

Park Chan-wook is one of South Korea’s most prolific filmmakers, with unbelievable works like Oldboy and The Handmaiden. Ebert describes Thirst as “a blood-drenched vampire film about, unexpectedly, a Roman Catholic priest” and also notably states that the filmmaker’s work transcends the horror genre, “probing alarming depths of human nature.” Park Chan-wook’s films are particularly brutal and violent and pull no punches in their exploration of morally complex human characters.

While Thirst generally received decent critical acclaim, it deserves more recognition from international audiences. Parasite, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture, opened the eyes of audiences worldwide to the jaw-dropping films being made in South Korea, and Thirst is a must-see for lovers of psychological thrillers, horror, and vampire movies. While Roger Ebert refers to Let the Right One In as the best modern vampire movie, he has high praise for Park Chan-wook and Thirst.

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9 Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

Directed by Werner Herzog, given 4/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

Another beautiful, underrated vampire film is Werner Herzog’s rendition of Nosferatu. Decades after the 1922 silent film and decades before Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated modern remake, German filmmaker Werner Herzog explored the vampire character through a sensitive, aesthetically gorgeous lens. Nosferatu the Vampyre is one of the best Dracula movies to date, and Roger Ebert gave it his seal of approval with a whopping 4/4 stars.

Ebert quickly acknowledges the visual artistry of Herzog’s masterpiece, which establishes its European setting with painting-like excellence. Ebert explains that “Herzog’s pictorial eye is not often enough credited. His films always upstage it with their themes.” He’s entirely correct in that Nosferatu the Vampyre is an astonishingly gorgeous film, yet Herzog’s emotional exploration of Dracula is the film’s highlight. The 1979 version is a far cry from Christopher Lee’s campy vampire Count, as the film hones in on the inherent loneliness and dread of being a vampire.

8 From Hell (2001)

Directed by Albert and Allen Hughes, given 3/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

Admittedly, From Hell isn’t for everyone, as it scored a 6.7 on IMDb and a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Roger Ebert gave the Jack the Ripper-centric, Victorian-era horror thriller 3/4 stars, and the film has some feats to merit his praise. The exploration of one of the most notorious unsolved serial killings in history is inherently fascinating material, and it pays off with an exciting mystery ride. Ebert describes the experience as “dark, clammy, and exhilarating,” which is undoubtedly true for the underrated Johnny Depp flick. From Hell is a ton of fun for gothic horror fans.

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7 Red Dragon (2002)

Directed by Brett Ratner, given 3.5/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

While Brett Ratner’s Red Dragon isn’t the best Hannibal Lecter movie, it’s certainly not the worst. With stars like Ed Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and more rounding out the cast, it’d be challenging to make that terrible of a movie. Roger Ebert sang his praise for the Silence of the Lambs prequel, admitting that it didn’t have the same level of action as Ridley Scott’s Hannibal but that the subtlety worked to its benefit. He adds, “A movie like “Red Dragon” is all atmosphere and apprehension,” complimenting the film’s natural state of unease.

6 Identity (2003)

Directed by James Mangold, given 3/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

The 2000s had many fantastic psychological thrillers, from renowned films like Mulholland Drive and The Prestige to underrated gems like Identity. A solid edition to James Mangold’s filmography, the film received mixed reviews from critics, including a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Still, Roger Ebert praised the mystery thriller for subverting classic “whodunit” movies and leaning more into its horror elements. He praises the film’s ending, referring to it as “a third act that causes us to rethink everything that has gone before.”

5 Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

Directed by E. Elias Merhige, given 3.5/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

Not to be confused with Nosferatu, 2000’s Shadow of the Vampire is a fantastical biographical drama about the shooting of the classic 1922 silent film, which imagines Max Shreck, the actor who originally portrayed Nosferatu, as a vampire himself. Shreck is played by Willem Dafoe, who’s in his niche in layers of makeup and prosthetics, with Ebert describing his performance, saying, “He embodies the Schreck of “Nosferatu” so uncannily that when real scenes from the silent classic are slipped into the frame, we don’t notice a difference.” Dafoe’s performance is the standout of the film, which otherwise received mediocre reviews.

4 Cronos (1993)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro, given 3/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

Guillermo del Toro is one of the most beloved filmmakers of the past three decades, and he managed to impress Roger Ebert with his feature film debut in Cronos. The directorial debut showed off del Toro’s signature visual prowess and narratively offered an inventive blend of horror, fantasy, and mythology. The film was well-received critically, though it’s never had the popularity of del Toro’s more recent works, like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, which explore similar ideas. Ebert described Cronos, saying, “This is the stuff of classic horror films.”

3 Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, given 3/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

Out of Francis Ford Coppola’s movies, his Dracula rendition is one of the most underrated. The film has its issues, with Keanu Reeves’ performance being a consistent target of criticism. However, Gary Oldman’s portrayal of the Count is exceptional and easily the most multi-faceted depiction on screen. Bram Stoker’s Dracula excels in its visuals, with Ebert describing the aesthetic as a “Gothic extravaganza intercut with the Victorian London of gaslights and fogbound streets.” Love it or hate it, Coppola’s vampire epic is worth trying at least once.

2 The Hidden (1987)

Directed by Jack Sholder, given 3/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

Kyle MacLachlan is best known for his role as Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks, but it wasn’t the only project where the beloved actor played an FBI Special Agent. 1987’s The Hidden sees MacLachlan suit up for a riveting sci-fi/horror journey that’s fast-paced and wildly entertaining. Ebert gave the cult classic 3/4 stars, complimenting MacLachlan’s performance and adding that The Hidden “has more brains than the average thriller.” It’s a unique and fascinating cinematic experience and a must-watch for horror fans and Twin Peaks fans alike.

1 Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

Directed by Jack Clayton, given 3.5/4 stars by Roger Ebert.

Based on the celebrated novel by Ray Bradbury, 1983’s Something Wicked This Way Comes received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. The story offers something similar to classic 1980s coming-of-age adventures like E.T. or Stand By Me, though it never earned the same acclaim. Roger Ebert offered nothing but praise in his 3.5-star review, declaring it “a horror movie with elegance.”