Halloween’s finally here, and that means only one thing - a big spooky get-together with all of your friends! You’ve decorated the house with fake spider webs, you’ve prepared your spookiest snack spread, and now you’re trying to figure out what to do about entertainment. Having a horror movie marathon seems like the perfect fit, but the question is, which horror movie?
Well, we've got to tell you, when it comes to horror movies, no one does it like Japan. Don't know where to start? Lucky for you, we've listed the top 10 Japanese horror movies that you and your friends can binge while munching on the tastiest Japanese Halloween snacks and candy!
10. Pulse (2001)
Horror Genre: Technohorror
Ratings: IMDb 6.7 | Rotten Tomatoes 76% | Metacritic 70
Young adults in Tokyo begin seeing terrifying visions across the internet right after the suicide of college student Taguchi. People are disappearing throughout the city, and the internet becomes a breeding ground for ghastly, malevolent spirits. The film follows the seemingly disconnected stories of Michi, Ryosuke, and Harue as they try to solve the mystery behind these spirits leaking from the internet.
9. Uzumaki (2000)
Horror genre: Supernatural Horror
Ratings: Rotten Tomatoes 61%, IMDB 6.1/10, Metacritic 62 out of 100
Based on the manga written by Junji Ito, Uzumaki tells the story of Kire and Shuichi, who live in a small town. Shuichi notices that his father has become utterly obsessed with spirals, and soon everyone else in the town becomes obsessed too. These curiosities turn into tragedies, and even though Shuichi wants to escape to Tokyo, Kirie wants to stay to figure out what's going on.
8. Confessions (2010)
Horror Genre: Psychological Horror
Ratings: IMDb 7.7 / Rotten Tomatoes 81%
Middle school teacher Yuko is shattered when she finds that her 4-year-old daughter had been killed. Returning to school, she finds her students responsible for the murder of her child. She becomes a cold-blooded avenger for her daughter.
Looking for some tasty chips to pass around during your Halloween movie night? Try Tohato Extra-Thick Amijaga Potato Chips - Beef Wasabi. Each piece is super crunchy and savory!
7. Audition (1999)
Horror Genre: Slow-Burn Psychological Horror
Ratings: IMDb 7.1 | Rotten Tomatoes 81% | Metacritic 69
Aoyama is a widower who tries to date again. With the help of his film producer friend, Aoyama uses auditions as a dating service. There, he meets the gorgeous but withdrawn Asami. However, this lady isn't who she seems to be.
6. Kwaidan (1964)
Horror genre: Ghost Anthology
Ratings: IMDb 7.9 | Rotten Tomatoes 91% | Metacritic 87
This anthology movie takes its title from the archaic Japanese word "Kwaidan" which means ghost story. It adapts four Japanese folk tales: the story of a penniless samura who marries for money, a man stranded in a blizzard being saved by Yuki the Snow Maiden, the blind musician hoichi being forced to perform for an audience of ghosts, and an author who relates the story of a samurai who sees another warrior's reflection in his teacup.
5. Godzilla (1954)
Horror Genre: Monster movie
Ratings: IMDb 7.6 | Rotten Tomatoes 94%
This is the original Godzilla movie from the 50s. Awakened by an atomic bomb from its centuries-old sleep, the fire-breathing monster Godzilla begins terrorizing Japan. This film is an iconic horror movie that horror film buffs have to see.
Halloween movie night isn’t complete without Japanese snacks for nibbles. Make sure you and your friends get the perfect Japanese Halloween snacks to munch on with our upcoming box, Japanese Monster Munchies!
4. The Cure (1997)
Horror Genre: Psychological Detective Horror
Ratings: IMDb 7.4 | Rotten Tomatoes 94% | Metacritic 70
The film focuses on Detective Takabe, who's tracking a series of identical murders. All of them are committed under the same bizarre circumstances, yet nothing seems to really connect them all together. The film explores identity, suggestion, and hideous motivations.
3. The Ring (Ringu) (1998)
Horror Genre: Modern J-Horror
Ratings: IMDb 7.2 | Rotten Tomatoes 98% | Metacritic 71
Finding her niece dead along with three friends after viewing a supposedly cursed videotape, reporter Reiko Asakawa gets investigating. She watches the tape with her ex-husband Ryuji and then receives a phone call telling her she'll die in a week. Now, Reiko and Ryuji have to discover the video's origin to solve an old murder that might break the spell.
2. Ju-on: The Grudge (2002)
Horror Genre: Supernatural Horror
Ratings: IMDb 6.7 | Rotten Tomatoes 80%
A vengeful spirit residing in a house marks and pursues anyone who dares enter its threshold. It sends out a curse that spreads from victim to victim, which in turn creates an inescapable circle of fear and death. This film is often regarded as one of the most frightening Japanese horror movies ever made.
If you’re looking for something to nibble on during your Hallowen movie marathon, then why not munch on some Pretzy Biscuit Sticks - Salty Lemon? These tasty biscuit treats give you the kick you need to keep watching movie after movie after movie.
1. Noroi: The Curse (2005)
Horror Genre: Found Footage Horror
Ratings: IMDb 6.7 | Rotten Tomatoes: 74%
The film focuses on paranormal researcher Masufumi Kobayashi who documents a series of strange but seemingly interconnected events. He eventually uncovers a terrifying identity linked to ancient rituals. Unrelated cases begin to form a disturbing pattern, and the lines between reality and the supernatural begin to blur.
Brrr, just reading about all these horror movies is giving us the chills. So, which horror movie are you going with this Halloween? Is it Noroi: The Curse? Maybe you’re going to watch The Ring? Or are you going with the classic monster movie, Godzilla?
Whatever you choose, don’t forget to share some of your favorite Japanese chips and snacks with your buddies while watching the movie. Make sure to get the most monstrous haul with our upcoming box, Japanese Monster Munchies!
Ready for movie night? Make sure you've got some Japanese Monster Munchies to share with your friends!
