A List of Horror Movies Directed by Women

Written by: Paula Haifley, CC2K Horror Chick

There are a lot of differences between men and women, many of them obvious. There’s less of a difference between films directed by men and films directed by women. Some are good, some are meh, some are not even three beers will save this. I’ve compiled a list of (mostly) readily available horror feature films directed by women so that you can celebrate Women In Horror month by watching a few, if you so choose. This does not mean that I am endorsing snuggling with your sweetie for a candle-lit viewing of Boxing Helena, it just means that a woman made it. Here they are, chronologically. If you think of more that should be included, comment and let me know!

The Hitch-Hiker  — Ida Lupino (1953)
Slumber Party Massacre — Amy Holden Jones (1982)
The Being — Jackie Kong (1983)
Blood Diner — Jackie Kong (1987)
Blood Sisters — Roberta Findlay (1987)
Near Dark — Kathryn Bigelow. (1987)
Stripped to Kill — Katt Shea (1987)
Prime Evil — Roberta Findlay (1988)
Lurkers — Roberta Findlay (1988)
Dance of the Damned — Katt Shea (1989)
Pet Sematary — Mary Lambert (1989)
Stripped to Kill II: Live Girls — Katt Shea (1989)
Howling VI: The Freaks — Hope Perello (1991)
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare — Rachel Talalay (1991)
Pet Sematary II – Mary Lambert (1992)
Ghost in the Machine — Rachel Talalay (1993)
Boxing Helena — Jennifer Chambers Lynch(1993)
Blood & Doughnuts — Holly Dale (1995)
The Rage: Carrie 2 — Katt Shea (1999)
Ravenous — Antonia Bird  (1999)
American Psycho — Mary Harron (2000)
(Harron was also the only woman to direct a Masters of Horror or Fear Itself. Her episode is Community.)
Trouble Every Day — Claire Denis (2001)
Urban Legends: Bloody Mary – Mary Lambert (2005)
Twilight — Catherine Hardwicke (2008)
(Twilight is a supernatural romance so I’m including it.)
Jennifer’s Body — Karyn Kusama (2009)