Horroras a genre is one of versatility, one that can be warped and wrapped in ways that allow its audience to enjoy it without it becoming too repetitive. Like other popular genres, it can take on the qualities of a specific sub-genre, going anywhere from atmospheric to slasher. One little-known version, however, is that of Punk Rock Horror.
Punk is, of course, a style of its own, one of rebellion, anti-consumerism, and counter-culture to its core. There are plenty ofsubgenres of punkfor horror films to mine from, from hardcore to anarchy, riot grrrl, and, arguably, emo. Bands like the Sex Pistols, Flogging Molly, the Dead Kennedys,and even Green Dayhave come to popularize this trend over the years.
Punk rock horror, therefore, is exactly what it sounds like — movies that center around bands and people that either create punk rock music or embrace the culture at large and include films that have heavy punk rock themes, music, and dress. Not to be confused with the horror punk of bands like the Misfits, these films blend horror’s ignorance of societal norms with punk’s embrace of the counter culture to send a distinct message through film.
Updated July 08, 2025: If you’re a fan of punk rock, this article has been updated by Amanda Minchin with more horror films to check out this Halloween season.
Elements of punk in horror can be seen anywhere from mainstream films likeFriday the 13th Part IIItoJapan’sWild Zeroto the over-the-top antics ofThe Toxic Avengerreboot, to name just a few. These idyllic blends ofmusic with perfectly timed scaresmake for one hell of a movie-going experience. Here are some punk rock horror films we suggest before your next jam sesh.
12Green Room (2015)
Green Roomis a slow-burn horror movie that will fill you with dread as the plot evolves. It features a band called Ain’t Rights who are desperate for a gig and the money it will bring. They end up playing at a neo-Nazi skinhead bar in Oregon. It’s not an ideal venue, of course, but they’re desperate, so they agree… to be fair there is a subgenre of punk for that. After the show, however, the band is held hostage in what else but the green room. This epic ensemble cast includes Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, and Sir Patrick Stewart. Stewart as a diabolical club owner toying with his hostages is unusually compelling. And we’re not the only ones to think so. This film has a strong 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
11American Satan (2017)
American Satanfollows a multicultural band called The Relentless. Like countless others before them, the group wants stardom more than anything. So, of course, they decide to make a deal with the devil to get what they want. As expected, things go horribly awry for the band members from there. With a lead character named Faust, it’s easy to see how this deal with the devil will end.
The Best Horror Musicals, Ranked
Combining two popular but extremely different genres, musical horror movies are rare but usually a fun, weird time, as seen in these great films.
Something really great about this part-thriller movie is that the main character, Johnny Faust, is played by Andy Biersack, lead singer of the metal band, Black Veil Brides. Not only that but Leo Donovan is played by Ben Bruce, who is the actual lead guitarist of the band Asking Alexandria. Featuring actual band members is just one way this film stands apart.
10The Toxic Avenger (1984)
A punk rock horror superhero movie hybrid for the 1980s,The Toxic Avengeris one of the first major films from Troma Entertainment and, like any good punk rock band, became a cult hit. The film follows a down-on-his-luck nerd who is transformed into a monstrous hero after being dumped in toxic waste and becomes an avenging angel. The Toxic Avenger is punk rock in sensibility, if not the soundtrack, but it is a film very much of the moment that speaks to upset the established order. A remake with Peter Dinklage is set to be released soon andcarries on its punk rock sensibilities.
9Class of 1984 (1982)
Released in 1982, the filmClass of 1984is a horror movie with a knack for making its audience more uncomfortable than terrified with its content. In the film, Perry King plays a new music teacher in a not-so-great school. Little does he know that the school is run by a group of rockers, and of course, he winds up clashing with its leader. Filmed entirely in Canada, the ending ofClass of 1984is where the climax really hits home with an intense and possibly triggering scene… you’ve been warned. The film went on to spawn two turn-of-the-century-themed sequels,Class of 1999, which was also directed by Mark Lester, and Class of1999 II: The Substitute, both of which came out well before the titular year. Also, a young Michael J. Fox is great as Arthur, so if you’re a fan of his, you should definitely check this out.
8Dolls (1986)
An exception to the rule of punk rock horror needing to feature punk rock music can be made for the cult classicDolls. The film starts much likeRocky Horror, but in this case, it’s a dysfunctional family that’s stranded in a thunderstorm, not a young couple blindly in love. They seek shelter together in a decrypt, haunted-looking mansion. Come to find out that the owners are"doll makers" of sorts… but, instead of clay, the puppet maker and his wife use people!Dollsis nothing if not campy. Once you watch it, you’ll be able to see why it’s a cult classic. As the tagline says - You’re never too old to play with dolls… until, of course, you’re dead.
7The Driller Killer (1979)
When a horror movie can get censored for any number of reasons, from being overly gruesome to being too realistic, or perhaps both.The Driller Killeris one of those movies. This appropriately named black comedy slasher centers around a man who lives next to a band called Rooster. Though not of a musical nature, he’s an artist himself, and he clearly detests his neighbors.
Between painting, struggling with his bills, and caring for his two female roommates, the constant playing finally gets to him, turning him into the titular Driller Killer. He ends up killing multiple homeless people by drilling into their heads as a way to ease the strain. This film is gory, over the top, and relies heavily on exploitation. For this reason, it was censored for nearly 15 years from 1984 to 1999.
6Repo Man (1984)
Repo Manmay play heavily into the sci-fi genre, but it still deserves a spot on this list. Emilio Estevez is great as Otto, a punk rocker who works as a clerk in a supermarket who’s recruited by a car repossession agency. Otto gets mixed up with aliens running around in a Chevrolet and discovers that he’s meant to be a “Repo Man” and take care of the celestial beings. What makes this horror-comedy so great is the soundtrack, which features the likes of the Circle Jerks, The Plugz, Black Flag, Iggy Pop, and more.
The Best Modern Horror Musical Scores, Ranked
When it comes to horror, the musical score makes or breaks the film. Here are modern scores that have elevated their films to the next level.
A satire of the Reagan administration, consumerism, and the Atomic Age, the film was inspired by what else but screenwriter and director Alex Cox’s experiences working with a repossession agent. Do us a favor, and don’t watch the made-for-tv version, which is overly dubbed in the best and worst of ways.
5Slumber Party Massacre 2 (1987)
If you thought the firstSlumber Party Massacrewas campy, you clearly haven’t seen the sequel. The only survivor from the first movie, Courtney, now has a band, and she’s being hunted down by someone who looks just like the original killer… who, of course, sports a gaudy red electric guitar with a long and semi-realistic drill bit on the end of it. Talk about metal.
Written and directed by Deborah Brock and produced by Roger Corman, the styling between the first and second films could not be any more at odds. An undeniable product of its time, this genuinely funny horror movie plays into the cheesiness ofa campy slasher. To make it even better, the movie features fourth wall breaks and a musical number, because, of course, it does. You had us at power-drill guitar.
Dan O’Bannon’s directorial debut was with the iconic smash hitThe Return of the Living Dead.It’s a fantastic tale of a zombie apocalypse that’s released by two bumbling employees goofing off in a lab. What could go wrong? O’Bannon is credited with starting the idea of zombies wanting to eat brains. Without that, who knows where zombie lore would be today? It’s also an early example of government interference in the zombie apocalypse, with dire consequences. A far more humorous and gory take on the genre, the soundtrack for this is absolutely stellar, with features from The Cramps, 45 Grave, The Flesh Eaters, and The Damned. It also features the tough-as-nailsscream queen Linnea Quigleyin all her glory.
3The Lost Boys (1987)
The Lost Boysis not just a play on the lost boys from the Peter Pan stories - it’s as horror-filled now as it was watching it in 1987. This fun punk adventure follows two brothers moving to a new town in California and getting mixed up with a girl who’s already been promised to be a vampire. From there, it’s a fight to stay alive as they have multiple run-ins with the gang.
The violence is not too far from the truth - Santa Cruz was once plagued with the reputation of being The Murder Capital Of The World, with 28 murders period between 1970 and 1973. Directed by Joel Schumacher, this iconic group of angst and vampires features the likes of Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman, and Billy Wirth. The film went on to influenceplenty of influence and scary momentsin the 1980s.
