Japanese horror, or J-horror, has been around for decades, with classics such as Onibaba and Kwaidan being released in the 1960s, and more modern examples such as Ring and Ju-On: The Grudge being released in 1998 and 2002 respectively. With the release of these Japanese horror classics came American remakes of both, and although there is much dispute over which is better, original or remake, there is no doubt that J-horror is truly terrifying.

RELATED: Every American Japanese Horror Remake, Ranked Worst To Best

J-horrors seem to be created in a very different way, usually adopting the less-is-more approach, and consistently prove that it's what the viewers don't see that is much scarier than what they do.

The Depths (1957) - 6.6

A man screams in horror while on the floor in Ghost Story of Kasana Swamp

The Depths was released in 1957 and served as the source material for a later remake, Kaidan Kasane-ga-fuchi. It was made about a decade before and follows a slightly different plot, the man is killed by the samurai due to a debt, and after being thrown into the swamp, comes back to haunt the samurai. That said, it holds up as a fantastic classic Japanese horror and is not to be avoided if you have seen the remake.

With a rural atmosphere and set pieces similar to that of a theatre production, The Depths takes it's viewers into the heart of Japan and it's folklore, resulting in one of the best adaptations of its folk tale inspiration.

Sweet Home (1989) - 6.6

Poster for the Japanese horror movie The Mamiya House

Sweet Home, or The Mamiya House, is a 1989 horror movie directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (no relation to Akira Kurosawa). The plot follows a film crew as they travel to an artist's abandoned home in hopes to not only restore the paintings left behind but also make a documentary about the artist, Mamiya, and his life.

Sweet Home is filled to the brim with disturbing imagery and genuinely terrifying scares. It features a fantastic depiction of possession as one of the film crew is possessed by Mamiya's wife, and goes on to show numerous disturbing and haunting scenes. The effects are also fantastic, given that it is from 1989, and a video game was released alongside it which actually served as the inspiration for the Resident Evil game series.

Visitor Q (2001) - 6.6

A man holding an umbrella in the movie Visitor Q

Released in 2001 and directed by Takashi Miike, Visitor Q is a direct-to-video movie that is described as an erotic, black comedy horror movie, and it certainly lives up to such a description.

RELATED: Takashi Miike's 5 Best & 5 Worst Films, According To Rotten Tomatoes

Shot in a found-footage style, Visitor Q's plot is almost indescribable, and certainly needs to be seen to be understood. This movie is not only very bizarre but makes for extremely uncomfortable viewing. While it is certainly not for the faint of heart, it's disturbing themes and imagery are there for a reason and Visitor Q contains social commentary on modern filmmaking and features some superb symbolism.

Ju-On: The Grudge (2002) - 6.7

A ghostly woman coming down the stairs in Ju-On The Grudge

Released in 2002 and a sequel to two direct-to-video movies, Ju On: The Grudge was one of the biggest horror movies of its time and continues to be a huge part of popular culture, thanks in part to it being spoofed in Scary Movie 3, alongside Ring, and its American remake.

Set in Japan and following the story of a cursed house due to its previous occupier murdering his family, Ju On: The Grudge leans heavily on what viewers can, or can't, see in the background of shots, mainly corners of rooms, ceilings, and stairways. When one can see what's lurking in the shadows, Ju On: The Grudge adopts haunting imagery similar to that featured in Ring.

Twilight Dinner (1998) - 6.7

A woman with blood on her lips in the japanese horror movie Twilight Dinner

Twilight Dinner was released in 1998 and follows a man who, after being questioned by police following a murder, befriends two sisters who move into a house down his street, resulting in an intense relationship between them all that leads him to become a twisted killer.

Part mystery, part thriller, part erotica and part horror, this movie features some terrifyingly beautiful cinematography, and plays out in parts like an investigative police thriller. Strong performances from the cast throughout and a truly shocking finale make this Japanese horror well worth the watch.

The Ghost Of Yotsuya (1959) - 7.0

Two women walking in a solitary field in the movie The Ghost Of Yotsuya

Another ghostly revenge movie, 1959's The Ghost Of Yotsuya was originally a kabuki play and follows a ronin who murders his wife in order to remarry, hoping to solve his financial problems. Although a simple premise, The Ghost Of Yotsuya has complex characters and character development, something sometimes lacking in horror movies.

The movie has psychedelic and hallucinatory imagery and also looks and feels like a play, much like it's inspiration would have, which immerses the viewer even more into it's weird, wonderful, and disturbing story.

The Woman Of The Snow (1968) - 7.1

A ghostly woman in the horror movie The Woman of Snow

Blending things like disturbing romance, drama, and horror, The Woman Of The Snow follows a sculptor and his apprentice who, while navigating a blizzard, encounter The Snow Woman, a witch that when seen must kill her onlookers.

Based on a popular Japanese folk tale, and actually included as a shorter story in Kwaidan, this movie not only delivers almost perfect visuals that accompany the spine-chilling ghost story but features a heavy dose of romance and drama, setting it well apart from the usual horror movie and making sure there is something for everyone.

Ring (1998) - 7.2

Sadako coming out of the television in Ringu

1998's Ring, or Ringu, sparked the Japanese horror boom of the 2000s, and one would be hard-pressed to find anyone who had not seen it or its 2002 American remake. Its place in popular culture has remained due to numerous spoofs, namely as a main plot point in Scary Movie 3.

Ring starts with two friends discussing an allegedly cursed videotape that, after watching, will curse its viewer and kill them after seven days. It is soon revealed that one of the friends has already watched it with her boyfriend, seven days ago. Ring is not only nerve-wracking due to the time-sensitive countdown to terror, it also features some of the most disturbing imagery of all time, something that J-horror seems to have mastered.

Ghost Story Of Kasane Swamp (1970) - 7.2

Two lovers embracing in Ghost Story Of Kasane Swamp

Ghost Of Kasane Swamp, or Kaidan Kasane-ga-fuchi, is a black-and-white horror that was released in 1970, a remake of the 1957 version.

RELATED: 15 Black And White Horror Movies That Are Scary As Hell

Both a revenge movie and ghost story, the plot follows a man who sleeps with the wife of a samurai who, upon witnessing this, murders them both in the act. As expected, the man and wife return as ghosts, hellbent on revenge. Based on a Japanese folk tale, this movie, although slightly dated, will still serve as a truly terrifying, and engaging, horror movie, with a fantastic atmosphere that will serve as the perfect backdrop to a superb example of how pacing and drama can increase a horror's scare factor.

Battle Royale (200) - 7.6

A group of teenagers in school uniforms in Battle Royale

Battle Royale isn't a typical horror, choosing real-life terror over the supernatural, but it is both terrifying and shocking nonetheless. Set in a somewhat dystopian future, Battle Royale follows a group of school kids that are forced to fight to the death due to the government's passing of what they call the 'BR ACT,' something they have created to attempt to lower the nation's amount of young offenders.

Causing controversy upon its release concerning the dark and violent themes and the age of both its characters and actors. Its mix of humor and horror makes for uncomfortable viewing, but this only solidifies its place as one of the best modern horror movies.

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