The Top 10 Best & Must-See Mexican Horror Films (ATTE: Trash-Mex)

Mexican-made Horror films originate in the 1930’s with La Llorona (1933) and El Fantasma Del Convento (1934). These 2 stunning & creepy films in particular were a spark of what was to come later on which consisted of mostly superstitions & monsters.

The colorful palette of Mexican horror films as a whole is quite limited and I say this because there aren’t many horror titles as people think there is and this of course leads to some discrepancies/limitations in its history. And of course the cringy/performative Letterboxd crowd get it all wrong with their so-called “complete” & “definitive” lists. 

The films I chose for this list are of high entertainment value & puro horror made in Mexico. A good horror film has to be both scary & entertaining, right?

I also wanted to list films that weren’t ever trying to “send a message” of “morality” nor trying to be “edgy”. The filmmakers here just wanted to give the audience a real good scare & have some fun, too. 

These are also recommendations/opinions from myself by the way. Not an AI generator.

And just so we’re clear: this Mexican horror list doesn’t have Santa Sangre, Cronos, Huesera, and Tigers Are Not Afraid. We really do not need to keep adding those in “best Mexican horror films” lists & articles. But then again, that’s what an AI generator is going to be typing out all the damn time because it doesn’t know that there’s more than those 4. 

10. Cementerio Del Terror (1985)

The greatest horror film made in Brownsville, Texas. This film was obviously inspired by John Carpenter's "Halloween" and Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" music video. Mixing these 2 in a Mexican production came out so well. A huge favorite for many growing up during this era and rightfully so. This one is oodles of fun & still quite suspenseful. Ruben Galindo Jr's debut film as a director did him some good!

9. Ladrones De Tumbas (1989)

This is what a Mexican slasher should be like. It’s eerie opening credits song & gruesome kills by a zombie executioner is just pure gold. Guaranteed to make you go wow. And again, director Ruben Galindo Jr knew what he was making here. 

Read the archival review: https://www.trashmex.com/post/ladrones-de-tumbas-1989

8. Cazador De Demonios (1987)

The one film to portray the Nagual legend decently. Some say this film is pretty slow and there’s no denying that, but it builds up right at least, whereas other films lead to disappointment & confusion.

Read the archival review: https://www.trashmex.com/post/cazador-de-demonios-1987

7. La Tia Alejandra (1980)

From legendary Mexican art auteur Arturo Ripstein & writer Vicente Leñero, this witch film entry from the late 1970’s/early 1980's is a thing of both beauty & suspense. La Tia Alejandra wastes no time in telling its story of a scary relative played by Isabella Corona whom was no stranger in playing a witch. Isabella is highly remembered in playing one in El Espejo De La Bruja (1960). 

photo from Fundación Televisa

6. Misterios De Ultratumba (1959)

This classic black & white horror film from director Fernando Mendez & writer Ramon Obon is a good time to see a bad time. What do I mean by that? Literally everyone in this film is never at peace because something horrifying is always happening around them or at them! As "outdated" as this film is, it’ll still make you feel unsettled. 

5. La Horriplante Bestia Humana (1969)

Out of all the lucha libre films coming out from this era, this one is pure horror & madness made by the legendary Rene Cardona & his son Rene Cardona Jr. The gruesome looking ape monster truly had to cause some nightmares for people back in the day. Shit, even for me now.

4. Satanico Pandemonium (1975) 

Pitched by producer Jorge Barragan, filmmaker Gilberto Martinez Solares & his son Adolfo Martinez Solares brought Barragan's disturbing & bloody nun story to life and despite several setbacks in production & issues with Barragan himself, the film came out perfectly and so much that it has become a huge favorite around the world and its title being an inspiration to a certain mid-90’s cult film. 

Listen to our interview with Adolfo Martinez Solares on the Trash-Mex Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/trashmexpodcast/1899462/

3. El Libro De Piedra (1969)

They just do not make them like they used to. Legendary Mexican horror film auteur Carlos Enrique Taboada brings a tale of a little girl befriending a very creepy looking statue of a boy reading a book. It apparently talks to her and perhaps even moves on its own. 

This one has to be watched at night in order to feel the suspense this film brings. 

2. Hasta El Viento Tiene Miedo (1968)

To my surprise, legendary Mexican horror film auteur Carlos Enrique Taboada has been called “overrated”, but what makes him overrated exactly? Why denounce the one man who actually made great horror films during his heyday? I always felt the reason for his dislike is a certain group of people who just hate on Mexican cinema of the past. Especially the genre stuff. But don’t let this group of smelly, unfunny eggs make you think otherwise. 

Hasta El Viento Tiene Miedo is a must-see. This late 1960’s Mexican horror entry features a stunning & talented cast of ladies being haunted by an eerie ghost girl. The opening scene before the credits is amazing. Like Libro De Piedra, this film too has to be watched at night! No exceptions! 

1. Vacaciones De Terror (1989)

There’s no denying on the reputation that Vacaciones De Terror has at being a huge favorite amongst those who grew up in the 1980’s & 1990’s. This is a film that actually scared people when it came out & also entertained the hell out of them. I’d like to compare its impact in the same vein as A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) because it too is from the same era and features plenty of memorable gruesome scenes & nightmarish special effects shots. The witch-possessed doll is also fucking creepy looking. There is no denying that. 

I chose those as number 1 because it still has an affect on a lot of people (young & old) and is still very popular today and for the foreseeable future. Director Rene Cardona III knew exactly what kind of film he was making here and he pulled it off so well on his own.