We try to bury our fears, but time and again, they resurface and suffocate us in a claustrophobic wave of heavy earth, rock and soil. What’s that mineral taste in your mouth? Is it fear? What’s that smell? Is it … death? No, it’s just another fresh heap of horror films, unearthed for your viewing pleasure.
This time, I dug deep and found subterranean horror on our streaming service, Kanopy. If you don’t know what Kanopy is by now: it’s the free streaming service that you, lucky library cardholder, have access to through your very own Daniel Boone Regional Library. Here’s the dirt …
“10 Cloverfield Lane”(2016)
Underground bunkers are supposed to be safe, but what if you woke up in one and were told that the world had come to an apocalyptic end while you slept? And the creepy guy who says he saved your life seems a little, uh, creepy?
“Beast from the Haunted Cave” (1959)
A gangster and his perpetually inebriated moll bring along two annoying goons and a ski lodge guide for a heist. When they blow up an abandoned gold mine as a distraction from their robbery, they arouse the interest of a leggy monster with a thirst for pretty girls. Bonus: the wardrobe features great vintage sweaters!
“The Bunker” (2025)
Another film set in an underground bunker, this time with scientists racing to develop a biological weapon to use against a humanoid alien threat while extra-terrestrial ships ominously hover above every major Earth city. The horror builds through extended isolation and paranoia, with each scientist gradually losing their minds. Will they develop the weapon in time? Better watch to find out!
“Buried” (2010)
This film features Ryan Reynolds acting his way out of a wooden box. No, really, he’s been buried alive! Armed with a lighter and a cellphone, he has only 90 minutes to escape! Let’s hope he’s more convincing than his Mint Mobile commercials!
“Deep Fear” (2022)
Three students improbably decide to celebrate their graduation by visiting the Paris catacombs. They discover an abandoned Nazi bunker. What could go wrong?
“The Descent” (2005)
Easily the most distressing and action-packed horror film on this list, The Descent follows six women explorers of an uncharted cave. The claustrophobia is palpable as they repel, climb, and tumble through the treacherous cave system. The more experienced cavers among this group start the expedition off with some shockingly bad decisions and they all learn soon enough why there are no charts of this cave. So many jump scares!
“Hercules in the Haunted World” (1961)
Here’s a fun surprise from Italian director, Mario Bava. This film puts a new spin on the sweaty sword-and-sandal genre and submerges Herc and his friends in a color-saturated underworld of horror. Bonus: Christopher Lee sporting a shoddy “Caesar” wig!
“John and the Hole” (2021)
13-year-old John puts his family in an abandoned bunker. Other than his entitled father being kind of a jerk, no one knows why he did it and he’s not really into explaining himself. One thing’s for sure, I’d hide my prescription sleep aids with that kid around.
“The Tunnel” (2011)
Journalists piece together a pseudo-documentary from footage of concrete tunnels around the subway system in Sydney, Australia where there’s a whiff of supernatural occurrences and a government cover-up. Additional talking head interviews and security footage attempt to add some realism, but it’s a pretty dull hour and a half. It’s a great sleep aid, but we won’t tell John.
