In the shadowy realms of horror, where the line between the natural and supernatural blurs, there exists a subgenre that sprouts fear from the most unexpected source – killer plants. While HorrorFam.com has explored the horrors of insects and other garden-dwelling creatures, let’s turn our attention to the green, leafy terrors that silently await their chance to strike.
Brace yourself for a chilling journey into the vegetative abyss and check out our list below, highlighting a dozen of the best killer plant horror movies:
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1978)
Kicking off our sinister flora-filled list is a cult classic horror parody film that comedically turned the mundane into the macabre — a killer plant film that’s been making people say “that’s a REAL movie?!” for over 45 years: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.
In Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, the humble fruit-that-tastes-like-a-vegetable transforms into a menace, terrorizing a town in a hilarious and unconventional tale of vegetal vengeance. It’s also notable for having Return of the Living Dead II star Dana Ashbrook’s first film role (as the “Boy on Boat”)!
The Happening (2008)
M. Night Shyamalan takes a bold step into the realm of killer plants in The Happening. And, we’re sorry, but the fact that The Happening is on this list at all may qualify a spoiler for those only interested in the Shyamalan Twist; though, to be fair, you’ve had 16 years to catch up with this one.
As nature turns against humanity, the plants in The Happening release a neurotoxin that drives people to gruesome acts of self-destruction. Can science teacher Elliot Moore, played by Mark Wahlberg, decipher this botanical mystery before it’s too late?
Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
Directed by Roger Corman, this black-and-white gem revolves around Seymour Krelborn, a florist who discovers a strange plant with an unusual appetite for human blood.
Best of all, the original Little Shop of Horrors‘ blend of humor and horror set the stage for its iconic 1986 remake.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
The 1986 adaptation of Little Shop of Horrors brings a colorful, musical twist to the carnivorous plant tale. Directed by Frank Oz, the film features Rick Moranis as Seymour, the hapless florist, and Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops lending his voice to the man-eating plant, Audrey II.
Filled with memorable songs and a stellar cast, this version adds a vibrant layer to the plant horror subgenre.
The Ruins (2008)
Venturing into ancient ruins is almost always a perilous endeavor if you’re a horror movie character, but that’s especially true when the flora itself becomes a malevolent force.
The Ruins explores a nightmarish scenario where a group of friends encounters a deadly and sentient plant species during their vacation in Mexico, leading to a battle for survival against an unrelenting botanical adversary.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Based on Jack Finney’s The Body Snatchers (1954), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) elevated its source material to new heights – like an ambitious vine reaching towards the sun – and has taken root as a sci-fi horror classic. It’s even one of the movies deemed worthy of preservation, selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1994.
Directed by Don Siegel, Invasion of the Body Snatchers explores a small town where alien spores replace humans with emotionless duplicates. The paranoia and suspense make this classic a chilling exploration of pod people and vegetative terror.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Two decades later, Invasion of the Body Snatchers returned with a gripping remake directed by Philip Kaufman.
This version, set in San Francisco, maintains the eerie premise of pod people replacing humans while adding a modern twist and heightened tension, solidifying its status as a horror staple.
From Hell It Came (1957)
A prince, wrongly punished for a murder he didn’t commit, swears his vengeance right before he’s put to death and buried inside a tree trunk. Add a few decades of time and a lot of atomic fallout and you’ve got yourself a walking tree monster!
Even among killer plant horror movies, From Hell It Came is a strange one.
The Day of the Triffids (1962)
Based on John Wyndham’s 1951 novel of the same name, The Day of the Triffids (1962) explores a world plunged into chaos after a meteor shower blinds most of humanity.
As survivors grapple with their new reality, deadly, mobile plants known as Triffids pose an additional threat, making every step a potential encounter with vegetative doom.
The Thing from Another World (1956)
While primarily known as an extraterrestrial horror, The Thing from Another World (1956) is also yet another literary adaptation in the killer plant horror movies subgenre.
Referred to as a “super carrot,” The Thing from Another World focuses on a sentient alien plant being discovered frozen in the Arctic. When this frozen vegetable is accidentally thawed, it reveals its hostile intentions, adding an extra layer of botanical horror to this classic.
The Mutations AKA The Freakmaker (1974)
In The Mutations AKA The Freakmaker, a twisted botanist played by Donald Pleasence combines human and Venus flytrap DNA, creating grotesque hybrids. The failed experiments, of which there are many, get sent to work at the local circus’ freak show.
If you watched Tod Browning’s Freaks (1932) and thought to yourself, “This is really good but I wish it could be less good but with way more plants” then The Mutations (1974) is the killer plant film for you!
The Navy VS. The Night Monsters (1966)
The Navy vs. the Night Monsters AKA The Night Crawlers AKA Monsters of the Night was based on the novel The Monster from Earth’s End by Murray Leinster. Bibliophiles love killer plant horror movies!
Set on a remote Pacific island, The Navy VS. The Night Monsters features acidic, carnivorous tree monsters capable of consuming human flesh. As a military team investigates strange nighttime occurrences, they uncover a prehistoric botanical horror that poses a threat to their lives and the rest of the world.
Bonus: Creepshow (1982) “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill” Segment
Stephen King’s short story “Weeds” comes to life in the Creepshow (1982) segment, “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill.”
A meteor crash introduces a mossy alien plant that quickly takes over Jordy’s farm, leading to a surreal horror story that’s both darkly comedic and deeply sad. It’s one of the most memorable of Creepshow’s horror anthology stories and deserves an honorary mention as one of the best killer plant horror movies.
Do You Love Killer Plant Horror Movies?
These killer plant films remind us that in the silent whispers of the wind and the gentle rustle of leaves, a sinister force may be lurking, ready to unleash its botanical malevolence upon unsuspecting victims. So, the next time you stroll through a garden or venture into the wilderness, keep an eye out for the shadows that may conceal the true nature of the flora around you.
Want more horror plants? How about a horror fungus?? Check out Lauren Spear’s tribute to Matango AKA Attack of the Mushroom People!
Images were purchased via MovieStillsDB, CineMaterial, and Pixabay and used for review purposes.
