It has been proven that terror can arise from various sources, including the sky, nearby surroundings, and even beneath one’s feet. Caves, in particular, can be frightening in any situation, and a movie set deep underground taps into the primal fear present within every viewer’s heart. Is it like a monster’s lair down there? Are there creatures from the Black Lagoon or labyrinthine descendants lurking about? This cave serves as the scariest in horror movie history, enough to send shivers down even the most seasoned horror enthusiast’s spine.
Cave of San Lorenzo – Black Scorpion (1957)
However, the 1950s were a golden age for Big Bug movies. “Black Scorpion” may not be one of the most memorable examples of this genre, but its creepy setting still sends shivers down your spine. The film revolves around a pair of geologists investigating the mysterious death of a new volcano in Mexico after it suddenly formed.
They discovered that the deaths were caused by a giant scorpion and had to track it down to its lair. Created by legendary special effects artist Willis O’Brien, the scorpion is both scary and creepy, especially when it lurks in its lair. The giant bugs were scary enough, but the movie’s caves restrict the movement of the human characters, making escape nearly impossible.
Bone Tomahawk – Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Western movies are commonly recognized for their picturesque and vast landscapes, but the Western/Horror movie Bone Tomahawk aims to showcase the ominous side of the Old West. The plot revolves around a local resident who gets abducted by a group of cannibals, prompting a team to set out on a mission to hunt down these bloodthirsty cave dwellers.
Often deemed as one of the most underrated Western films, Bone Tomahawk offers an excellent mix of classic western elements with plenty of spine-chilling moments. The film’s final act takes place in the troglodyte’s cave, which has left many viewers horrified. Transporting you back in time to the dawn of humanity, this movie epitomizes prehistoric horror.
The Mayan Sunken City – 47 Meters Deep: Uncaged (2019)
Being stalked by a shark is already terrifying, but in “47 Meters Down: Uncaged”, the fear is amplified by the addition of claustrophobic caves. The movie follows a group of young girls on a diving expedition to a sunken Mayan city in Mexico, where they become trapped and hunted by a school of killer sharks.
The already scary concept of dry caves is taken to new heights as the caves are now flooded, adding another level of horror to the situation. Unlike other shark attack movies set in open waters, “47 Meters Down: Uncaged” sets itself apart by focusing on the more confined and nerve-wracking environment found in underwater caves.
Creatures from the Black Lagoon (1954)
The Universal Monster Cycle mostly ended in the 1950s, but then Creatures from the Black Lagoon appears unexpectedly and deals the final blow to the team. The story follows a group of scientists who travel down the Amazon River in search of an elusive primitive creature believed to live in a black lagoon.
Soon after the film was released, Gilman became a part of popular culture, and his terrifying image of living underwater will forever be etched in horror history. At its climax, the monster kidnaps a woman and takes her to his secret cave. While there’s nothing scary about Gill Man’s lair, the whereabouts of a creature lost in time are somewhat unsettling.
Cave – Cave (2005)
With a simple title like “The Cave,” viewers are sure to understand what they’re in for when watching this underground horror movie. Set in a cave in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the film follows a group of scientists and cave divers who stumble upon an underground ecosystem of deadly monsters.
Although the film gets bogged down in extraneous details and misses out on some of the story’s homely charms, such as descendants, the underground setting provides a creepy twist. Additionally, the monsters themselves feel like they’ve been ripped from the nightmarish depths of the cave.
The Void Man – The Void Man (2018)
Caves can be scary due to their mystery and emptiness. They are believed to be fraught with mental danger. In the movie, a detective investigates a series of murders that take place in a haunted cave located in Bhutan’s Ula Valley.
The terror is magnified by the cave’s apparent ability to extend its negative energy beyond its boundaries, creating an inescapable atmosphere. The Grim Skull Totem adds another layer of horror, transforming caves from ordinary underground spaces into completely tragic events.
Dylatov Pass Cave – Devil’s Pass (2013)
The infamous Dylatov Pass incident has confounded history enthusiasts for decades. Speculation on the gruesome events depicted in found footage continues to this day. In “Devil’s Pass,” a team of scientists travels to a mountain to investigate the mysterious events of the 1950s and uncover the truth behind them.
While there is no concrete evidence of what actually occurred, the film postulates that it may be related to a mysterious system of caves and bunkers located on a nearby mountain. The climax takes place inside these caverns, where tension builds up in an opulent style before reaching its ultimate crescendo. Although the pacing of the movie may seem slow at times, the ending is well worth waiting for.
Tomb – As Above (2014)
Rated as one of the best-shot movies of all time, “Here is the above” explores horror in a very real place. The film is set in the city’s infamous catacombs beneath the streets of Paris and follows a team of archaeologists who stumble upon Biblical horrors.
While found footage style can often be distracting, “Here is the above” uses it perfectly to raise tension. The film is barely embellished but instead fully showcases a truly macabre location that sits alongside the beauties of the French capital. Expected by the audience until the last minute, the twisted ending of the film left viewers dumbfounded.
The Pit – The Pit (1981)
Although viewers never get a chance to enter the creepy pit cave, it remains one of the scariest underground horrors of all time. Jamie is a twelve-year-old outcast who suddenly finds purpose in life when he discovers a pit filled with bloodthirsty monsters in the woods near his home.
Even though it’s a cult classic that has been overlooked by many, The Pit is one of Canada’s best monster movies and a truly creepy coming-of-age story. The pit of the same name is more of a plot device than a scene, but it is at the heart of the film’s horror. The troglodyte monsters are terrifying, and it is Jamie who is the real villain.
Appalachian Cave – Descendants (2005)
Caves are always great locations for shooting horror movies, but there’s nowhere quite like Descendants. A year after a tragic accident, a group of friends reunite for a cave expedition in the mountains of North Carolina. Suddenly, the cave traps them and forces them deeper inside. Experience the claustrophobia of being trapped underground as they make their way through.
As the journey progresses, there is an unexpected shift from thriller to monster movie as they encounter creatures from the underworld. The pacing is perfect for building up to the greatest horror moments. The characters will keep the audience rooting for them as they struggle to stay alive and escape the cave.