Are you ready to get grossed out by the best body horror movies? Because, oh boy, do we have a list for you.
If you know me, you know I love horror movies. I'll spend hours watching the best horror movies and still somehow always find something to end up loving even more.
But you want to know what I have actively avoided for years? Body horror. Usually, I'm not very squeamish.
If you’re here because you’re curious about what "body horror" is, this subgenre of horror film often involves body transformations and intense amounts of blood and gore -- and that's something that has always made me gag. Either way that doesn't change the fact that I've still managed plenty of the best body horror movies out there – so today, I'll get into the ones you should care about – without somehow vomiting up my insides.
The Fly (1986)
Coming up first is an iconic film from David Cronenberg. The Fly (based on the short story and 1958 film of the same name) is a sci-fi horror film that takes body horror to another level when a scientist has an experiment that goes wrong, and it slowly turns him into a hybrid of a human and a fly.
The Fly is a disgusting movie – and I mean that in a significant way. It starts well enough as a great sci-fi horror movie, but it just gets grosser as time goes on and creates arguably one of the most disgusting transformations in horror history.
It's one of Jeff Goldblum's best films and one of the best sci-fi horror films out there. But dear god… watch this on an empty stomach. The practical effects are fantastic but the first time I watched this I’m genuinely surprised I did not puke my guts out.
The Substance (2024)
Oh, you knew this would be on here, don’t lie. The Substance was helmed by Coralie Fargeat, and tells the story of a celebrity who takes a certain drug from the black market that creates a literal younger version of herself, but the consequences change her life forever.
So The Substance is one of those movies that I know I am probably never going to watch again because there are moments in this film that legitimately make me gag and have actual nightmares – and that’s coming from someone who never has nightmares. The body horror is amazing so it’s perfect for this list, but you really stay to watch it for the themes and the incredible acting performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. The movie was even nominated for the 2025 Academy Award for Best Picture.
Rent/Buy The Substance on Amazon.
Videodrome (1983)
Another David Cronenberg movie, Videodrome, is about a man who, while working at a UHF TV station, discovers a signal that broadcasts snuff films. Trying to figure out where it's coming from, he finds darker, deeper secrets he never imagined.
Videodrome is one of those body horror movies that doesn't necessarily have an intense full-body transformation like some other options on this list. Still, the moments it does have – such as certain things being put into certain people's body parts – are enough to warrant this as a body horror movie. It's creepy, has an exciting plot, and has cool practical effects.
Rent/Buy Videodrome on Amazon.
Malignant (2021)
Directed by James Wan, Malignant is what I like to call a slow-burn horror, which tells the story of a young woman whose life is changed forever when she starts to realize the visions she has of people being viciously murdered are things that are happening in her reality.
You know, at first, you would not think Malignant is a body horror film. It feels a lot more supernatural at the start – which is sort of par for the course with James Wan considering that’s what he’s known for with both Insidious and The Conjuring universe. But let me tell you, this takes a very quick turn into body horror about three quarters through the film. I’m not going to tell you how, but you’ll know.
Stream Malignant on Max.
Rent/Buy Malignant on Amazon.
Scanners (1981)
Another film from David Cronenberg, Scanners is set in a world where one man has particular telekinetic and telepathic abilities and discovers that there are far more like him. Some people want domination to do whatever they want with this power, and others are trying to top it, and these opposing sides cause chaos.
This is another example of a body horror where the body transformation isn't super intense. The powers used are out of this world and, unlike anything else, cause massive catastrophes to other bodies – such as heads exploding or skin peeling off or turning a different color. It's gross in the best ways.
Stream Scanners on Max.
Rent/Buy Scanners on Amazon.
The Autopsy Of Jane Doe (2016)
Hailing from André Øvredal, The Autopsy of Jane Doe follows two coroners, a father and a son, who examine the body of an unknown woman (a Jane Doe) and start to experience strange supernatural phenomena around them.
I mean, you sort of can’t get more body horror than digging deep into the body of a literal dead corpse. The supernatural aspects just add an extra dose of spookiness onto this and makes you squirm in your seat, but the actual body horror of this only adds to the creepiness.
Stream The Autopsy of Jane Doe on Netflix.
Rent/Buy The Autopsy of Jane Doe on Apple TV.
The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter's great movies are always worth a watch, and that certainly includes The Thing. The classic horror movie is based on the novella, Who Goes There?, and tells the story of a group of researchers who are hunted down by an alien known as "Thing" who can shape-shift and look exactly like them.
The Thing is an excellent movie. It is one of Kurt Russell's best movies and builds horror and suspense simply because you can't trust anyone in this movie, and anyone could be the Thing. And in terms of body horror? Oh boy, it's here – in some of the most iconic scenes of horror history. You have to check it out.
Tusk (2014)
You knew I’d get this movie on here. Tusk is an A24 horror movie from Kevin Smith that tells the story of a podcaster who travels for an interview but ends up going down a road of regret with a sailor who is obsessed with a walrus – appropriately named Mr. Tusk.
Look, is Tusk one of the best A24 horror movies? No. But hey, it’s a fun time, and the body horror is absolutely disgusting. I mean, I won’t give much away if you haven’t seen it but it gets real weird, real fast, and I’m not sure if you’ll be laughing or crying in terror by the end of the film. Justin Long gives an incredible performance and you’ll want to see him in even more horror movies after watching this.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Directed by John Landis, An American Werewolf in London is an iconic body horror movie that follows two backpackers who are attacked by a werewolf, and one of them is bitten, causing him to turn into one when the moon turns full.
We are back to body transformations here, and An American Werewolf in London certainly has one of the best. As a kid, I was terrified of the change in this movie, and now, watching it as an adult, I still get pretty weirded out by it because the practical effects are so good. This is the one to watch if you want a movie about a werewolf.
Stream An American Werewolf in London on Pluto TV.
Rent/Buy An American Werewolf in London on Apple TV.
Slither (2006)
While James Gunn is better known these days for his contributions to the superhero genre, earlier in his career he delved into sci-fi and horror with Slither. The film follows how a town deals with an alien parasite that begins to infect its inhabitants.
Slither was Gunn’s feature-length directorial debut, and what a freaking film it was to start out on because good lord, it is gross but perfect in all the right ways. The body horror in this film is pretty grotesque but almost in a funny way where you feel yourself laughing while also struggling not to vomit up your dinner. It’s hysterically done in the way that Gunn normally does his movies, and is a fun time if you’ve never seen it before.
Eraserhead (1977)
You can't get much better than the iconic David Lynch movies, and Eraserhead was undoubtedly one of them. While the story is a bit strange, this film mainly follows a man who must care for a deformed child when left alone.
This movie… is strange. Lynch is known as a surrealist when it comes to his films, and he will take the most abnormal images his mind could conjure up and put them in film, and oh boy, does he do that with this. If none of these movies on this list make you uncomfortable, this is the film that will. Pair that with an excellent performance from Jack Nance, and you're golden.
Stream Eraserhead on Max.
Rent/Buy Eraserhead on Amazon.
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Last but not least, we have Ginger Snaps. In this supernatural horror film, we follow two teenage sisters; one turns into a werewolf after being bitten by one when she begins her period.
Ginger Snaps is another excellent werewolf movie and, again, a fantastic look into what a painful transformation for a werewolf might look like. I think I almost like this one more than AAWIL because the change feels so much slower and more intense – and if you're looking for body horror, it's exactly what you need.
Stream Ginger Snaps on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Ginger Snaps on Apple TV.
Alright, writing this list has effectively grossed me out. I will go and watch a cute little not-so-scary witch movie to brighten up my day. Have fun getting grossed out – and please go into it on an empty stomach.
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