Top 10 Horror Films About Paganism

Description: This cult classic follows a devout Christian policeman investigating a missing girl on a remote Scottish island, only to uncover a pagan community with sinister intentions. The film's climax is both shocking and unforgettable.

Fact: The film was initially a commercial failure but has since gained a cult following. The iconic burning wicker man effigy was inspired by historical accounts of Celtic practices.

Description: Although not explicitly about paganism, the film's legend of the Blair Witch involves elements of folk magic and ancient curses, making it a fitting entry for this list. It's a found footage film that redefined horror with its minimalistic approach.

Fact: The film was made on a shoestring budget of $60,000 and grossed over $248 million worldwide. The marketing campaign was revolutionary, using the internet to blur the lines between fiction and reality.

Description: A spiritual sequel to "The Wicker Man," this film follows two American missionaries who fall into the hands of a pagan community in Scotland, leading to a horrifying conclusion.

Fact: It was directed by Robin Hardy, who also directed the original "The Wicker Man," and features some of the same themes and settings.

Description: This film involves hoodoo, a form of folk magic with roots in African and Native American traditions, which can be seen as a form of paganism. It explores the dark side of these practices in a Louisiana setting.

Fact: The film was shot in New Orleans, and the mansion used in the movie is known as the Felicity Plantation.

Description: Set in the 1980s, this film involves a babysitting job gone wrong, leading to a confrontation with a satanic cult practicing ancient rites. It's a slow-burn horror with a nod to pagan rituals.

Fact: The film was shot on 16mm film to give it an authentic 80s feel, and it was praised for its retro horror style.

Description: While not directly about paganism, the film's central mystery involves a body with strange symbols and signs of witchcraft, leading to a chilling discovery of ancient rites.

Fact: The film was praised for its suspenseful build-up and the eerie atmosphere, with the body of Jane Doe being a central character in itself.

Description: Set in 1630s New England, this film explores the paranoia and fear of witchcraft in a Puritan family. It delves into the dark side of paganism through the lens of historical witchcraft hysteria.

Fact: The film uses authentic 17th-century language, and all the animals in the movie were real, including the infamous goat, Black Phillip.

Description: This film takes viewers to a seemingly idyllic Swedish midsummer festival that quickly turns into a nightmarish exploration of pagan rituals and human sacrifice. It's a modern take on the horror of pagan traditions.

Fact: The film was shot in Hungary, not Sweden, and the director, Ari Aster, used real-life pagan traditions as inspiration for the movie's rituals.

Description: This Hammer Horror film involves a duke battling a coven of Satanists, showcasing elements of paganism and occult practices in a classic horror setting.

Fact: The film was based on a novel by Dennis Wheatley, who was known for his occult thrillers.

Description: A group of friends hiking in Sweden encounters ancient pagan rites and a terrifying entity. The film blends modern horror with ancient folklore.

Fact: The film was inspired by a novel of the same name by Adam Nevill, and the creature in the film was designed to evoke primal fear.