Table of Contents
Folklore, with its timeless tales passed down through generations, continuously evolves, making it a constant source of inspiration for filmmakers. These stories, both light-hearted and sinister, have been a rich wellspring of plots. The more cheerful folklore often serves as the foundation for children’s movies and romantic comedies, where the focus is primarily on the enchanting aspects (Disney, we’re looking at you).
However, folklore can also be harnessed for darker narratives, and Asian horror is renowned for its unique interpretations of folklore and urban legends. Europe, with its extensive history of chilling stories dating back centuries, also contributes its fair share to the horror genre. Thus, here is a list of the most impactful horror films rooted in European folklore.
Updated as of October 9, 2023: This list has been refreshed to include even more films that draw inspiration from European folklore.
Sponsered English Shortfilm Playlist
The Best Horror Movies Based on European Folklore, Ranked
Krampus (2015)
Remember this equation: When you combine Toni Collette with a horror film, you get an exceptional cinematic experience. While she has delivered some of her finest performances in this genre, Collette has been avoiding horror movies lately, which is unfortunate because she excels in them. “The Legend of Krampus” draws its inspiration from Central and Eastern Alpine folklore. In this film, a young boy named Max loses his holiday cheer due to his family’s constant arguments, leading to the arrival of Krampus in his home to administer punishment. However, unlike the traditional folk creature who punishes children with birch branches, this monster is on a mission to collect souls.
Baba Yaga (1973)
This is not a prequel to the John Wick movies, although some might mistakenly draw that connection. Instead, it draws from Slavic mythology, particularly the multifaceted character of Baba Yaga, which varies in interpretation depending on the region. In the 1973 film directed by Corrado Fariña, the story revolves around an actress named Caroll Baker who plays the role of a witch casting a curse on a beautiful photographer. As the plot unfolds, Caroll becomes entangled in a world of sadism and lust, and she begins to feel that her character, Baba Yaga, is gradually taking control of her life.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
In 1992, Sony embarked on a mission to bring their own interpretations of the iconic monsters that Universal Pictures had made famous. Since these characters are in the public domain, they chose to start with Dracula by acquiring the rights to Bram Stoker’s literary works.
The Dracula legend is rooted in the true story of Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, who ruled Wallachia, which is modern-day Romania. This unique ruler had a gruesome habit of impaling his enemies’ bodies on the battlefield. The movie, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, narrates the tale of the count many years later, as he rejects God and curses his eternal existence while attempting to reunite with a woman named Mina, who bears a striking resemblance to his deceased wife.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)
Following the success of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” Sony ventured into the production of “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.” The iconic literary tale originated in the United Kingdom and, though not a traditional folk story, it has undergone numerous retellings over the years, attaining a timeless quality that has elevated it to legendary status. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the film boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Robert De Niro, Helena Bonham Carter, and Branagh himself. The movie reimagines the classic narrative of a mad scientist attempting to conquer death through scientific means, only to confront the repercussions of his actions when his monstrous creation returns from the abyss, seeking companionship.
Kashchey the Immortal (1945)
The movie “Kashchey the Immortal,” directed by Aleksandr Rou, is a cinematic adaptation of the Russian legend of Koschei the Deathless, a malevolent sorcerer who harbored dark desires, including riding his horse in the nude and preying on young women. Fearing the loss of his soul due to his sinful ways, Koschei concealed it within three animals and an iron chest.
The film’s narrative centers around a courageous Russian soldier named Nikita, who embarks on a mission to rescue his beloved after she is abducted by Kashchey. However, beneath its fantastical surface, the movie serves as an allegory, drawing parallels to the invasion of Russia by the Nazis during World War II. Notably, the film premiered on May 9, coinciding with Victory Day, a significant Russian holiday commemorating their triumph over Nazi forces.
Feature your entire movie cast on Shortfundly’s weekly podcast show. Promote your creation with us. To know more, click here.
November (2017)
In a 19th-century Estonian village steeped in folklore and superstition, the inhabitants encounter a myriad of supernatural elements like spirits, werewolves, and the looming threat of the Black Death. Life is incredibly harsh, and it’s not uncommon for desperate villagers to make pacts with the Devil for their own survival. Amidst this backdrop, a young woman is deeply in love with a fellow villager, but he’s infatuated with a visiting baroness who has a habit of sleepwalking. The love triangle in the film “November” takes a twisted turn as love potions, advice from witches, and even werewolf transformations come into play, all working at odds with each other. Souls are manipulated, bartered, and sometimes lost, and those anticipating a happy ending in this dark and mystical world of folklore will be sorely mistaken.
Trollhunter (2010)
The title itself, “Trollhunter,” hints at the rich tapestry of Norwegian folklore surrounding these mythical creatures. Trolls in Norway are depicted as massive, sluggish beings with a penchant for consuming rocks, and in desperate situations, even people. The movie “Trollhunter” is a mockumentary that starts with a group of students planning to film a documentary about a suspected bear poacher, only to discover that this mysterious figure is, in fact, hunting trolls. Despite the potentially perilous nature of their discovery, the students opt to proceed with their project, a decision that turns out to be ill-fated. This film offers a clever and humorous perspective on how contemporary society views folklore, all while managing to instill a genuine sense of unease.
Men (2022)
The eerie quality of a movie featuring an endless cast of Rory Kinnear cannot be emphasized enough. In the film, Kinnear portrays every male character in the small English village that Jessie Buckley’s character, Harper, retreats to following a personal tragedy. While Harper roams the village alone, she visits a church where she encounters images of the Green Man, an ancient pagan symbol of rebirth, and witnesses one of Kinnear’s characters embodying this symbol in a highly visceral manner towards the film’s conclusion. She also comes across a sheela na gig, a highly sexualized representation of a woman. Although the folklore references may not be entirely clear, “Men” maintains a pervasive sense of disquiet in the midst of the village’s picturesque and lush surroundings, hinting at a ritualistic horror rooted in some ancient and repetitive inevitability.
Errementari (2017)
This 2017 period horror film draws its inspiration from folklore, specifically the Basque version of an Indo-European folktale called “The Smith and the Devil,” which is considered one of the oldest European folktales, possibly dating back as far as 6,000 years.
The movie, known as “Errementari” or “The Blacksmith,” is set in 1835 during the first of three Carlist Wars in Spain, which were civil conflicts revolving around differing views on the monarchy. In this story, the role of the blacksmith is taken on by a former rebel soldier who struck a deal with the devil to survive the war and reunite with his wife. However, he must now make a new pact with the devil to save a saintly yet scarred orphan girl, embarking on a journey to Hell and back to do so.
Viy (1967)
This nightmarish horror film, set in the Soviet era, is adapted from a novella heavily influenced by folklore, penned by the unmatched Nikolai Gogol. The story revolves around a group of seminary students seeking shelter for the night with an elderly woman, unaware that she is, in fact, a witch. The night takes a horrifying turn with the introduction of sacred circles, animated skeletons, the reanimation of the dead, and, most terrifying of all, Viy – a demonic entity feared by all. It’s worth noting that although Gogol attributed this character to Ukrainian folklore, there is little concrete evidence to support this claim, suggesting that he may have invented this element. However, this doesn’t diminish the horror of a monstrous entity who relies on demon minions to even move his eyelids.
Note:
*Shortfundly is hiring for multiple roles in Chennai. Start referring your known connections to these openings*. Check it out – https://lnkd.in/erZm6rzh
About Shortfundly
Shortfundly is an OTT marketplace platform available to share the best short films and web series through global multi-platform network. Their editorial platform enables global audience to easily discover, watch, and share unique contents anywhere on their desktop, connected TV and mobile devices.
If you are planning to release and earn on an OTT platform, learn how to distribute your short film via Shortfundly.
For publishing an advertorial article about your digital news/product launch/ short film/web series/album song on our website, drop an email at [email protected]
Hey Cinephiles! We welcome guest blogging on our platform. Do share your article with us.
Check out our Shortfundly YouTube channel for other interesting podcasts & interviews with filmmakers.
To watch unlimited premium short films & web series, Download the Shortfundly mobile application now available on Google Play Store and Apple App store.
