As a visionary modern horror filmmaker, The Haunting of Bly Manor have wonderful intersection and character work, while never losing sight of what makes the genre great, and providing the audience with genuine scares. However, beyond being scary on their own , Flanagan's projects invariably demonstrate his respect for the broader genre and reveal several major influences.

Flanagan has a love for all types of horror, from ghosts to vampires, and everything in between. The director has consistently shown appreciation for all kinds of things that go bump in the night, both in his own films and through the kinds of movies he recommends. In external interviews and on his own social channels, Flanagan has shared his appreciation for all kinds of horror films with a wide variety of subjects and tones. These are some of the best films Flanagan has talked fondly about, and they make excellent viewing for the Halloween season.

15 Oddity (2024)

Dir. Damian Mc Carthy

Described by Flanagan as "engrossing" and "terrifying", Oddity is an Irish horror movie that gives a fresh flavor to many of the genre's staple ingredients. Centering on a blind medium and a horrifying wooden mannequin, the film also incorporates mystery elements into its sinister story, as Carolyn Bracken's character tries to unearth the truth behind her sister's murder.

A modest financial hit, Oddity has been hailed by critics. Flanagan himself has previously been effusive in his praise for Mc Carthy's 2020 release Caveat, and called Oddity a "worthy follow-up". He went on to recommend the movie on his Letterboxd profile, declaring, "This one gets under the skin."

14 Lake Mungo (2008)

Dir. Joel Anderson

In a 2020 interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Flanagan shared some of his favorite overlooked horror films, and one of the movies he was most ionate about was 2008's Lake Mungo. Written and directed by Australian filmmaker Joel Anderson, Lake Mungo is a fake documentary about a family dealing with the loss of their daughter, and the terrifying ghostly matters that come with that.

Lake Mungo made just $29,000 at the box office.

Like much of Flanagan's work, Lake Mungo blends horror with melodrama, and Flanagan praised the film, saying he "wasn’t ready for just how impactful the tragedy would be". Despite its limited success at the box office, Lake Mungo enjoyed critical acclaim – achieving an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

13 Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)

Dir. Issa Lopez

Another overlooked horror film that Flanagan wanted to shine some light on was Issa Lopez's 2017 film, Tigers Are Not Afraid. This Mexican fairy tale seamlessly blends genres to tell the story of a young urban girl after her mother goes missing and she must fend for herself. Much of Tigers Are Not Afraid plays like a gritty crime film, but it has some of the most bone-chilling sequences in a modern horror film, while also including some magical realism.

After Tigers Are Not Afraid, Lopez went on to helm True Detective: Night Country.

Flanagan has shared his love for this movie several times and calls Lopez "an auteur to watch". Critics almost uniformly praised Tigers Are Not Afraid, resulting in a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score. Particular praise was reserved for the young cast, whose youth provides a stark and unsettling contrast with the movie's mature themes.

12 Prince Of Darkness (1987)

John Carpenter is one of the masters of horror and almost every filmmaker working in the genre today is in some way indebted to him. Flanagan has been very open about his love for the director and while talking about Oculus in an interview with ThatShelf, Flanagan cited Prince of Darkness as inspiration for the film's visuals.

Prince of Darkness is one of Carpenter's most underappreciated works, and its mix of science and religion makes it one of the director's best horror films. The middle chapter in the "Apocalypse trilogy", sandwiched between The Thing and In the Mouth of Madness, Prince of Darkness is worth seeking out – especially for anyone with a ion for unconventional horror storytelling.

11 The First Omen (2024)

Dir. Arkasha Stevenson

While the Omen franchise hasn't always been critically adored, the 2024 prequel The First Omen proved that there's still plenty of life in the series. Like the original and its many follow-ups, the movie explores ideas of religion and the nature of evil. However, what makes the movie really stand out is its bold exploration of motherhood and feminity.

Set before the 1976 movie, the story concerns how Damien came to be born in the first place, following an elaborate conspiracy between unexpected parties. Flanagan was particularly impressed with the film's bold approach, calling it an "absolute knockout debut feature" from director Arkasha Stevenson on Letterboxd.

10 Let The Right One In (2008)

Dir. Tomas Alfredson

Not to be confused with Matt Reeves' American remake, Let Me In, Flanagan has called this Swedish film one of his favorite vampire movies. However, Let the Right One In isn't just a vampire movie – it is also a touching story of childhood and romance. While the American remake is a solid horror movie in its own right, the original is the far superior version and much more in line with Flanagan's style and taste.

...Let the Right One In blends moments of cold beauty with brutal violence – a juxtaposition that retains the power to startle 16 years after its release.

Directed by Tomas Alfredson, who would go on to helm the equally acclaimed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in 2011, Let the Right One In blends moments of cold beauty with brutal violence – a juxtaposition that retains the power to startle 16 years after its release. While the remake is effective on its own , it can't beat the original.

9 Exhuma (2024)

Dir. Jang Jae-hyun

A compelling combination of supernatural mystery, folklore, and bizarre occult elements, Exhuma ranks as one of 2024's most original horror releases. Directed by Jang Jae-hyun, the film follows a rag-tag team tasked with relocating the grave of a wealthy businessman's deceased ancestor. What follows is predictably horrific.

Featuring an effective blend of many disparate genre elements, Exhuma could have come across as chaotic and confusing. However, director Jang Jae-hyun successfully manages to bring everything together, resulting in a story that's as engrossing as it is scary. Writing on Letterboxd, Flanagan praised Exhuma's "smart writing, good performances, and...terrific effects."

8 A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)

Dir. Ana Lily Amirpour

Flanagan described this Persian language vampire film as "impossible to categorize and utterly unique". By taking the classic elements of vampire lore and twisting them into a bold feminist take, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night became one of the most critically praised horror films of the 2010s. A decade on from its release, it's easy to see why.

Shot in stunning black and white photography, Ana Lily Amirpour's film is dark, twisted, and entirely original. Much of the movie's effectiveness stems from its societal commentary, in which the vampire becomes a vengeful vigilante as well as sinister creature of the night. It's a fascinating cocktail that contributes to A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night's inimitable atmosphere.

7 The Vanishing (A.K.A. Spoorloos – 1988)

Dir. George Sluizer

Despite not being a traditional horror movie – more akin to dark crime thrillers like Se7en or The Silence of the Lambs – The Vanishing remains a terrifying cinematic experience. The film follows two protagonists: Rex, a man desperately searching for his missing girlfriend; and Raymond, the man who kidnapped her.

The Vanishing depicts a tense cat-and-mouse game, making much of its story psychological rather than straightforwardly horrific. However, what marks it out as an unequivocal horror movie is its nightmarish ending, which remains almost unbearably terrifying. Remade in 1993 for an American audience, the original remains unsured, with Flanagan stating on Letterboxd that "you find yourself gazing into an abyss of human evil."

6 Thirst (2009)

Dir. Park Chan-wook

Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook is known for his graphic violence and ability to build tension, but he is not so much a horror director. Films like Oldboy and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance may have horrific moments, but they are more thrillers in the vein of Hitchcock than conventional horror. However, in 2009, Park finally dipped his toe into the world of horror with the vampire film Thirst.

Not only has Flanagan called this one of his favorite vampire movies, but he specifically praised the performance of Song Kang-ho as a priest turned vampire who finds himself falling in love. Like many of the best vampire movies, Thirst incorporates romanticism into its story – a combination that has proven effective time and again.