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Indie horror films have long been the breeding ground for some of cinema's most daring, imaginative, and unsettling works. Unlike major studio productions, independent horror often pushes creative boundaries, employing a low budget to deliver raw, unfiltered storytelling that haunts audiences.

From psychological torment to merciless gore, certain films embody the spirit of indie horror at its finest, showcasing the vision of filmmakers who make fear palpable without relying on blockbuster effects. The best indie horror movies have left a permanent mark on the genre by offering standout elements that challenge, frighten, and, in many cases, disturb audiences long after the credits roll. Also, when it comes to certain indie masterpieces, they are essential viewing for anyone looking to experience horror's depth and diversity, whether someone is a seasoned horror fan or a newcomer to the genre.

Movie Title

Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer

Rotten Tomatoes' Popcornmeter

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

67%

61%

Funny Games (1997)

73%

83%

Creep...

When it comes to movie ratings, the Nc-17 or X certification was as strict as it could get, meaning that these horror movies were truly for adult eyes only. While the already harsh R rating meant those under 17 years old required an accompanying parent or adult guardian to see the film, these classifications blocked all young people from seeing these controversial, divisive, and highly violent movies. Many of these horror films pushed far past normal boundaries of acceptability and were likely to give viewers nightmares no matter how old they were.

Some of the scariest horror movies of all time were rated Nc-17 or X, although it was more than just gore and violence that often led to these classifications. Intense themes, highly sexualized imagery, and pure profanity could also lead classifiers like the Motion Picture Association (MPAA) and the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to deem these movies for adults only.

Since launching in 2020, Cauldron Films has quickly established itself as a boutique label to watch for cult film fans. In addition to unearthing and restoring obscurities like The Crimes of the Black Cat, American Rickshaw, and Frankenstein ’80, they’ve secured a few heavy hitters. Their most recognizable title to date is Lucio Fulci’s City of the Living Dead (originally released in the US as The Gates of Hell). Following an exclusive slipcase edition last year, a standard retail version of the 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray set is available this week.

The 1980 Italian horror film is significant for kicking off Fulci’s thematically connected Gates of Hell trilogy, followed by The Beyond and The House by the Cemetery the next year. Developed in the wake of Fulci’s success with Zombie in 1979, City of the Living Dead features more undead ghouls but this time as accoutrements rather than a centerpiece.

A new episode of The Manson Brothers Show, the video series hosted by the writers/stars of the horror comedy The Manson Brothers Midnight Zombie Massacre – Chris Margetis (Stone Manson) and Mike Carey (Skull Manson) – has just been released, and in this one the Boys take a tour of the City of the Living Dead… or at least, they watch and discuss the 1980 film with that title (which you can watch Here). To find out what they had to say about City of the Living Dead, check out the video embedded above!

Directed by Lucio Fulci, who also crafted the screenplay with Dardano Sacchetti, City of the Living Dead has the following synopsis: The seven gates of Hell have been torn open, and in 3 days the dead shall rise and walk the earth. As a reporter and a psychic race to close the portals of the damned, they encounter a seething nightmare of unspeakable evil.

In two weeks, vampires, cannibals, Halloween frights and more will grace the screen at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont, Illinois for Bruce Cambell's Horror Film Festival. Now a telekinetic kid and and an apocalypse have joined the killer lineup, as both June and JeruZalem will make their U.S. premieres at the festival.

Press Release: "Chicago, Illinois (August 6, 2015) – The second annual Bruce Campbell Horror Film Festival presented by Wizard World, running August 20 – 23 at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont, Illinois (9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont), is proud to announce the addition of two more films to the already bursting schedule.

June, starring Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers) and Kennedy Brice (The Walking Dead), tells the story of nine-year-old June (Brice), who has been shuffled in and out of foster homes for years. Though she tries to be good, no matter where she goes a trail of chaos and terror seems to follow.

One month from now, Bruce Cambell's Horror Film Festival will take over the Muvico Theater in Rosemont, Illinois and they've announced killer lineup that includes Tales of Halloween, a screening of Fright Night with a Q&A from Tom Holland, and Eli Roth introducing Cannibal Holocaust:

"Chicago, July 22, 2015 – The second annual Bruce Campbell Horror Film Festival presented by Wizard World, running August 20 – 23 at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont, Illinois (9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont), promises thrills, chills, guests and surprises to Chicago’s legions of horror fans. The four-day event, programmed by The Awesome Fest, will coincide with Wizard World Chicago and offers convention-goers and ticket holders a chance to sit back, relax, and lose their minds.

“You can have your rom-coms, your indie darlings and your blockbusters,” remarks Bruce Campbell. “I’ll take a good old-fashioned horror movie any day or night of the week!”

“With this program we...

Love it or hate it, and for whatever reason, Cannibal Holocaust carved its own spot in cult movie infamy, and it has such staying power that it is not going away. Once Grindhouse Releasing made their return, and started releasing films to Blu-ray, I wondered instantly if things like Pieces and Cannibal Holocaust would get the High-Def treatment, and it appears that I have my answer. Though Pieces hasn’t been announced for a Blu-ray yet, Cannibal Holocaust has, and now we have not only a final release date, but a list of the treasure trove of bonus content that comes along with it. Get your pre-orders in, kids. Now is the time.

From the press release:

Cannibal Holocaust

3 Disc Deluxe Edition 2 Blu-rays + 1 CD

Label: Grindhouse Releasing

Pre-book: 6/3/2014 Street Date: 7/1/2014

Srp: 39.95 Upc: 797679001123 Cat: Bos 011

Run Time: 96 Minutes Language: English

Color Widescreen 1.85:1 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Region: All

Production Year: 1980 Genre:...

Filed under: Columns, Horror, Cinematical

Welcome to Where Everyone Has Gone Before, the weekly column where I continue my film education before your very eyes by seeking out and watching all of the movies I should have seen by now. I will first judge the movie before I've watched it, based entirely on its reputation (and my potentially misguided thoughts). Then I will give the movie a fair chance and actually watch it. You will laugh at me, you may condemn me, but you will never say I didn't try!

The Film: 'Cannibal Holocaust' (1980), Dir. Ruggero Deodato

Starring: Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, Perry Pirkanen and Luca Barbareschi.

Why I Haven't Seen It Until Now: I have a serious moral quandary with one of the more infamous aspects of this film. But we'll get to that momentarily. It also has something to do with me being a little behind on my Italian horror cinema,...

Filed under: Columns, Horror, Cinematical

Welcome to Where Everyone Has Gone Before, the weekly column where I continue my film education before your very eyes by seeking out and watching all of the movies I should have seen by now. I will first judge the movie before I've watched it, based entirely on its reputation (and my potentially misguided thoughts). Then I will give the movie a fair chance and actually watch it. You will laugh at me, you may condemn me, but you will never say I didn't try!

The Film: 'Cannibal Holocaust' (1980), Dir. Ruggero Deodato

Starring: Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, Perry Pirkanen and Luca Barbareschi.

Why I Haven't Seen It Until Now: I have a serious moral quandary with one of the more infamous aspects of this film. But we'll get to that momentarily. It also has something to do with me being a little behind on my Italian horror cinema,...

Filed under: Columns, Horror, Cinematical

Welcome to Where Everyone Has Gone Before, the weekly column where I continue my film education before your very eyes by seeking out and watching all of the movies I should have seen by now. I will first judge the movie before I've watched it, based entirely on its reputation (and my potentially misguided thoughts). Then I will give the movie a fair chance and actually watch it. You will laugh at me, you may condemn me, but you will never say I didn't try!

The Film: 'Cannibal Holocaust' (1980), Dir. Ruggero Deodato

Starring: Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, Perry Pirkanen and Luca Barbareschi.

Why I Haven't Seen It Until Now: I have a serious moral quandary with one of the more infamous aspects of this film. But we'll get to that momentarily. It also has something to do with me being a little behind on my Italian horror cinema,...

Filed under: Columns, Horror, Cinematical

Welcome to Where Everyone Has Gone Before, the weekly column where I continue my film education before your very eyes by seeking out and watching all of the movies I should have seen by now. I will first judge the movie before I've watched it, based entirely on its reputation (and my potentially misguided thoughts). Then I will give the movie a fair chance and actually watch it. You will laugh at me, you may condemn me, but you will never say I didn't try!

The Film: 'Cannibal Holocaust' (1980), Dir. Ruggero Deodato

Starring: Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, Perry Pirkanen and Luca Barbareschi.

Why I Haven't Seen It Until Now: I have a serious moral quandary with one of the more infamous aspects of this film. But we'll get to that momentarily. It also has something to do with me being a little behind on my Italian horror cinema,...