10 Low Budget Thrillers That Are Better Than Blockbusters (& Where To Stream Them)

The increasing popularity of streaming services like Netflix has opened the door for filmmakers to craft works on smaller budgets, exposing them to mass audiences sans Hollywood hurdles. This has worked particularly well for the thriller genre. After all, these films hold the potential for works that provide scares and excitement through inventive content and style, not flashiness or grandiosity.

Though realistic fright-fests or epic action romps can be fun – it’s often simpler, more stylistic projects that have proven more interesting and thrilling. This has especially been the case in recent years, with directors like Robert Eggers and studios like Blumhouse rising to prominence with unique films.

10 Searching (2018)

What began as an idea for a short film soon evolved into this 100-minute crime caper. This unique mystery thriller from Aneesh Chaganty shines with its distinct style of existing completely on a computer screen. While this modernized found-footage format was tried a few times before, Searching is a rare instance of a gripping, deep story being told with this style.

The viewer is left to guess what happened to a missing girl, right along with his father, who spends the film flipping through new sources, social media, and other online tidbits.

For a budget of under a million dollars, Chaganty provides a compelling tale that’s authentically rich and borderline interactive.

Available on: DirecTV, Starz

9 Pooka! (2018)

In a sea of several episodes, Blumhouse’s Pooka! stands out as one of the strongest entries of a Hulu-based horror anthology. This web series, known as Into the Dark, has churned out many close-to-film-length episodes, all of which vary in quality and budget. Yet, one of the more subdued films proves to be one of the most compelling, as well as chilling.

We follow an actor slowly descend into madness after assuming the role of a mascot of an odd, bug-eyed Christmas toy called Pooka.

The film was met with mostly positive reviews, and recently spawned a recent sequel called Pooka Lives! 

Available on: Hulu

8 The Evil Dead (1981)

The Evil Dead has gathered a cult following since its release decades ago, spawning various sequels and even appraisal by Stephen King, who cites it as one of his favorite films. Yet, despite its clout and cinematic thrills, the film’s budget stands at a measly $400,000.

Sam Raimi’s horror melds campiness and humor with creepiness rife with demonic entities and ample gore. The film has received acclaim for its fusion of gore and black humor, along with its distinctly dark atmosphere.

Considering how little was spent on the project, this 80s horror romp at least deserves to be in the conversation with many other classic thrillers of the era.

Available on: AMC On Demand, Amazon Prime, Itunes, Vudu

7 The Invitation (2015)

This psychological thriller shows that strong writing and a thoughtful premise can be just as effective as flashy visuals or cinematic grandeur. Despite most of the film taking place in a single house, The Invitation captivates with its unsettling aura and dynamic, troubled protagonist.

A man and his girlfriend visit his ex-wife and old friends, as he begins to sense something sinister may be going on. At the same time, he’s coping with the loss of his son in this very house, making him question his judgment after this traumatic event.

Similar to films like Phone Booth and Rope, The Invitation stands on the strength of its building suspense, eerie atmosphere, and memorable dialogue.

Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Itunes

6 Calibre (2018)

In this intense British thriller, a simple hunting outing leads to a horrible accident. This forces our protagonists to “walk on eggshells” as lay low in a tightly-knit Scottish town.

To generate thrills, Calibre relies not on spooky imagery, flashy CG, or jump scares, but rather – an anxiety-ridden tension that continues to rise until reaching a disturbing climax.

After winning the award for Best British Film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Calibre was picked up by Netflix. It’s since flown under the radar as a distinctly heart-pounding thriller that’s worth checking out for subscribers.

Available on: Netflix

5 The Witch (2016)

Director Robert Eggers has fast become a major presence with his uniquely twisted and unsettling thrillers. Along with the dark, avant-garde The Lighthouse, 2016’s The Witch leaves quite the impression with its sinister ambiance and shocking twists.

The film centers around a family in 1630s-era New England, who increasingly become unraveled as the result of the lingering threat of a witch. The settings and aesthetic bring an air of gritty authenticity, adding to its subtle, but palpable feeling of uneasiness. With a relatively small budget, Eggers showcases a rich, inventive thriller that’s chilling to the bone.

Available on: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Itunes, Google Play, Microsoft Store, DirecTV

4 Creep (2014)

Despite its minimalistic found footage style, this aptly-named thriller presents an aura of creepiness that grabs hold and doesn’t let go. From the getgo, Creep conveys a subtle, but uneasy tension, as we hone in on a videographer documenting the life of an isolated man battling cancer. The film uses a shaky, 1st-person perspective to immerse the viewer, making this strange visit all the more unsettling.

When it comes to coaxing frights, it’s impressive what a dark woodland setting and a guy dancing in a wolf mask can achieve…

Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu

3 Following (1998)

Before Christopher Nolan was helming flashy Batman films or interstellar epics, he crafted a more grounded, but no-less-enthralling crime thriller. This hard-edged film uses a gritty, somewhat disorienting aesthetic to convey an unsettling, neo-noir vibe throughout.

The film keeps its viewers engaged with a compelling personal narrative that keeps escalating in terms of stakes, as we follow a writer’s curiosity leading to uncovering criminal happenings. With just 70 minutes and a 4-figure budget, Nolan takes you on a thrilling ride through the streets of London, complete with unexpected twists and turns.

Available on: Amazon Prime, Google Play, Itunes, Microsoft Store

2 The Blair Witch Project (1999)

This ’99 found-footage film truly changed the game in horror. With its spooky atmosphere and nail-biting tension, The Blair Witch Project proved that one’s imagination can coax more scares than even the most gory imagery or flashy visuals.

In this thriller, 3 young filmmakers get more than they bargained for while making a documentary about a witch. The desolate woodlands of Maryland set the stage for a bone-chilling romp, enhanced by the realistic shaky cam and authentic improvised acting.

The film’s small $60,000 budget managed to bring a massive $248 million return, proving that a simple idea can be enough for a compelling, successful thriller – if the premise is creepy enough.

Available on: Amazon Prime, DirecTV, AMC On Demand, Google Play, Itunes, Vudu, Microsoft Store

1 Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

Similar to The Blair Witch, George Romero utilizes a style that both simple and artistically effective – helping to spawn an entire subgenre in the process.

This independent film from ’68 went on to inspire a slew of zombie romps, often with robust budgets and production value that ramped up the scale and sleekness. Yet, Night of the Living Dead doesn’t need this bombast to provide allure and terror. Its soulless zombies, isolated setting, and grimy aesthetic are more than sufficient to set the stage for a chilling horror.

Available on: Amazon Prime, Roku, Google Play, Starz, The Criterion Channel, Vudu, Itunes, Microsoft Store, Flix Fling

About The Author

Stephen Lagioia
(250 Articles Published)

Stephen is an avid Nintendo, Indie, and retro gamer who dabbles in Xbox on occasion, mainly in the form of binge sessions of Overwatch. He’s a history buff, an aspiring writer of short fiction, and a devout metalhead who enjoys poorly drumming along to Black Sabbath on his cheap drum set. When his beloved Chicago Cubs or Bulls are not playing, he typically likes to watch random documentaries or campy horror films.

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