Every year we say “it’s been a great year for horror” and it’s one of those clichés that seems to always hold true. 2025 offered some excellent mainstream options, like the gnarly body horror of The Ugly Stepsister and Together, Ryan Coogler’s western vampire epic Sinners, the gut-wrenching Bring Her Back, and killer new entries in the Final Destination and V/H/S franchises.
Meanwhile, 2025 indie horror continued to push the boundaries of what’s possible and what’s terrifying.
Here, I’ve assembled Izzy’s Eerie Faves of the year! I don’t claim that these are the “best” 2025 indie horror films but, rather, they represent some of my personal favorite individual films. They’re all indie horror films that do something cool or unique within the genre. If you’ve read my other reviews and know your movie taste aligns with mine, then you’re going to love these:
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Marshmallow (Dir. Daniel delPurgatorio)
It’s a premise you’ve heard a bazillion times in horror: A campfire tale turns out to be real in the form of a sadistic killer! But Marshmallow has more than a few surprises in store for fans of summer camp slashers.
This movie benefits from its clever sci-fi angle, and it’s my personal favorite take on the subgenre that I’ve seen in years.
Marshmallow’s characters are likeable and well-developed. The villain is equal parts storied and enigmatic. The setting actually feels like a real summer camp instead of the stylized, nostalgic versions we’re used to seeing depicted in movies like this.
But here’s the best part: There really are no movies like this, and you have to stay to the end to find out why.
Where to watch Marshmallow (2025):
The Surrender (Dir. Julia Max)
The Surrender is an impressive debut by filmmaker Julia Max, one that tackles the subject of grief in a way that sounds familiar on paper but is uniquely impactful on screen, partly thanks to the electric chemistry between the film’s stars, Kate Barton and Colby Minifie, but largely due to Max’s ability to balance horrific imagery with a persistent feeling of dread and hopelessness, underscored by creepy rituals and lots of blood.
Horror rule number million and one: Don’t try to bring people back from the dead!
Where to watch The Surrender (2025):
Looky-Loo (Dir. Jason Zink)
Speaking of dread… If you want to feel this specific emotion, I recommend this year’s tense and brutal Looky-Loo.
Some dude is walking around neighborhoods with his camera, recording what he sees as he stalks women, peeps on them through their windows, searches for keys underneath welcome mats, breaks into homes, rifles through belongings, and does far worse as he pursues his methodical obsession in this found footage nightmare.
There’s terror in the stalker’s calmness and the overall quiet of the film, which is punctuated by sudden and rare bursts of violence that feel like a gut punch. This movie manages to build an incredible sense of unease in its short runtime, and I strongly recommend it.
Where to watch Looky-Loo (2025):
The Fetus (Dir. Joe Lam)
Did you know that when Bill Moseley was younger, he had sex with a hole in the ground in his basement? Discover more crazy ‘facts’ like this in this year’s top pregnancy horror flick, The Fetus!
I had a great time with this movie, which stars Terrifier’s Lauren LaVera as a woman coming to terms (and term) with the demon baby growing inside of her. This is a funny and freaky entry into this subgenre, and lovers of practical effects will get a big kick out of this.
Where to watch The Fetus (2025):
Night of the Dead Sorority Babes (Dir. Angel Nichole Bradford + Steve Hermann)
As the title suggests, you’re in for sorority girl antics as two wicked house mothers (Lynn Lowry and Ann Myrna) put the new pledges through a series of increasingly troubling challenges.
Who would have thought Gamma Rho Kappa was hiding a deadly secret? (Well, except for anyone who discovered this movie on Tubi). And, like any other good B-movie on Tubi, there’s blood, breasts, and even a couple of beasts.
Lynn Lowry and Ann Myrna charm with devilish magnetism as they badger the poor pledges, and I kept thinking I’d love to see the two headline a remake of Rabid Grannies (1988). This movie’s also a bonus for those following the Cinematic Universes of indie horror mainstays Jessa Jupiter Flux and Angel Nichole Bradford.
Where to watch Night of the Dead Sorority Babes (2025):
Horror in the High Desert 4: Majesty (Dir. Dutch Marich)
Dutch Marich’s hit mockumentary and found footage series Horror in the High Desert returns for its fourth entry, and I’m so happy there’s going to be a fifth one. Personally, I could watch this in perpetuity, as the series has quite a perplexing mystery at its center, and part of its effectiveness is how it seems like it can never be solved, while always remaining scary.
While we are no closer to solving Horror in the High Desert’s mystery after four movies, Marich gives the audience just enough to keep the intrigue addictive, introducing new characters in each film that guide us through freshly frightening nightmares involving unidentified creatures, people, and sounds in the high desert.
This fourth film takes place on a ranch called Majesty, near the area explored in the events of the third film, and it focuses on a strange box. It’s just as good as the other three. Fans of the franchise will know this already: Always wear your headphones when watching these!
Where to watch Horror in the High Desert 4: Majesty (2025):
Tahoe Joe 3: Concrete Wilderness (Dir. Dillon Brown, Michael Rock)
FoundTV is a treasure trove of found footage delights, and one of those is the Tahoe Joe series, a trio of films centering around the adventures of a filmmaking duo as they set out to capture on camera the elusive Bigfoot of Lake Tahoe, nicknamed Tahoe Joe.
Concrete Wilderness brings the hairy action to the streets of Reno in this third and final installment. While it’s sad to see the Horror Dadz part ways with the TJ universe, this entry brings the franchise to a satisfying close. Joe’s lore expands just enough to nod to more fringe aspects of Bigfoot mythology (aliens!) without overcrowding the story. There’s plenty of practical magic to enjoy, lots of great shots of Joe on the attack, and an overall solid conclusion to one of the stronger Bigfoot franchises we have in indie horror.
Where to watch Tahoe Joe 3: Concrete Wilderness (2025):
Shadow of God (Dir. Michael Peterson)
Think you’ve seen it all when it comes to possession horror? Can’t handle any more of the power of Christ compelling you? You’re not alone there.
But 2025 delivered a truly original exorcism film that slipped under the radar: Shadow of God.
The traditional exorcism tale sees a priest’s faith tested and subsequently strengthened through the experience of casting out a demon. Shadow of God flips that concept on its head entirely. It’s kind of uneven, but ultimately, I was really impressed by seeing such a fresh take.
Where to watch Shadow of God (2025):
Popeye’s Revenge (Dir. William Stead)
If you follow me, you know I feverishly seek out horror-fied public domain material. So, I had to include Popeye’s Revenge on my list.
This year, the public domain once again opened its doors, and we were blessed with not one, not two, but THREE Popeye horror movies. I watched all of them. Mileage will vary, but Popeye’s Revenge is my favorite of the bunch!
This one takes the form of a summer camp slasher, so just replace Jason Voorhees with Popeye, and you’ll get the drift! Popeye’s Revenge also boasts the most realistic depiction of what a Popeye serial killer would look like as opposed to a frozen cartoon face mask of him. If you’re in the mood for some dumb fun, check it out.
Where to watch Popeye’s Revenge (2025):
What 2025 indie horror films stood out to YOU?
That’s it for 2025, folks! Another year of horror in the wraps. Let me know what you thought about these movies if you saw them, and I want to hear about any 2025 indie horror movies YOU loved! See you in 2026.
Images for this post were purchased via CineMaterial. Except for Tahoe Joe and Horror in the High Desert, which came from IMDb and hopefully fall under Fair Use since they were used for review purposes.
What an incredible list! It reveals the author’s love for horror and his not-so-secret passion for found footage films. Isaiah Swanson has the ability to illustrate each film without giving away spoilers. His writing skill provides a condensed and engaging review, almost like the final trailer for the production. It makes you want to stop everything and start this marathon right now.
Thank you as always for your continued support, Denis!