By Eric Myford
We all know about the big companies out there giving us horror, from production companies like Blumhouse churning out original films to more independent ones like A24. Then we have those companies releasing old and new genre films alike in lavish collector's editions. Who doesn't have horror movies released by Arrow, Scream Factory, Criterion, etc. But what about the little guys? Those smaller companies you may have never heard of. Well that's I want to talk about today because there are so many, even more than what are on this list that are devoted to bringing us new and old genre films in the best ways possible. So let's check them out.
Cauldron Films
I want to mention this newcomer because they seem to be on the right track to really make a name for themselves and I hope they continue.
Notable releases: Abrakadabra, American Rickshaw (so far)
Garagehouse Pictures
I believe this is a one man operation but wow does he put together some very full releases for super obscure movies. Not many releases, but substantial ones.
Notable releases: The Satanist, Monstrosity, Blood Stalkers
LINK
H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival / Arkham Bazaar
This film festival doubles as an independent distribution company, putting out short film compilations and feature length films that are, you guessed it, either Lovecraft adaptations or Lovecraftian works. They do excellent work.
Notable releases: Dead Tongues, Film Festival short film compilations
Festival - LINK | Bazaar - LINK
Massacre Video
Another small company that doesn't put out releases terribly often but they do have some great mostly obscurities to choose from.
Notable releases: Orozco the Embalmer, The Devil, 555
LINK
Mondo Macabro
Another one that doesn't have huge release schedules but man do they go deep into quality obscurities, discovered some awesome stuff through them.
Notable releases: Santanico Pandemonium, Suddenly in the Dark, The Devil's Business
LINK
AGFA (American Genre Film Archive)
This company scours everywhere to uncover super obscure but notable (for many reasons) genre films for physical release. They're doing the (dark) lord's work!
Notable Releases: The McPherson Tape, Wicked World, Ninja Zombie
LINK
SRS Cinema (Sub Rosa)
Been buying from Ron Bonk and company for a lot of years. If you want weird, microbudget, trashy z grade horror (and you know you want it), you have to come here. They have released a lot of great movies over the years and even the bad ones end up being special. If you're that kind of horror fan. Which I am.
Notable Releases: Meat Market, Shatter Dead, House Shark
LINK
Unearthed Films
A company looking to release movies that may be a bit too intense for other companies. I mean, they did bring us the original Guinea Pig series all those years ago. And they continue to bring us movies that may fall on the extreme side, as well as now releasing lost classics as an awesome bonus.
Notable Releases: Aftermath / Genesis, The Unnamable, Philosophy of a Knife
LINK
Epic Pictures
This company seems to keep getting bigger and having more and more releases but still also seems to by flying under the radar. I own everything they have done so far and there are many quality releases but every release gets a great physical format version that is loaded.
Notable releases: Terrifier, Harpoon, To Hell and Back – The Kane Hodder Story
LINK
Dark Sky Films
They have been around for a while but sadly never seem to get the word of mouth they deserve. So many great movies under this banner that definitely pushes me to buy them over some other places due to a track record of quality.
Notable releases: Starry Eyes, Deathgasm, Stitches
LINK
Blue Underground
For years this company has released so many high quality movies and a plethora of obscure foreign horror in addition to massively deluxe versions of some genre favorites. They deserve far more recognition than they get.
Notable releases: Amsterdamned, Maniac, Zombie
LINK
Vinegar Syndrome
Imagine giving trash low budget horror and old porn massive Blu-Ray releases loaded with extras. Well that's what this company does and I love them for it. No really, I do vulgar things for Vinegar Syndrome releases.
Notable releases: Psychos in Love, Witchtrap, Star Time
LINK
Severin Films / Intervision
My love for Severin, it is immense. So many incredible releases. From some well known movies that just dropped off the face of the Earth, obscurities foreign and domestic, new releases. The balance here is incredible, and so is the quality.
Notable releases: Threads, Hardware, Next of Kin
LINK
IFC Midnight
Everyone knows IFC, but the genre offshoot, not as much. Horror fans should be well versed in the name though because so many incredible movies are released by them. Especially after Magnet dropped off the map for a while. IFC Midnight picked up the reigns into being one of the best, if not the best independent movie stop.
Notable releases: What Keeps You Alive, Wildling, A Dark Song
LINK
Necrostorm
The company giving me movies I never knew I needed but now I can't live without. Such an incredibly unique aesthetic, insane gore, crazy storylines and all handled exceedingly well with very low budgets. This is a unique place because they are a one stop shop. They make every aspect of their movies, create the physical product, ship it, crowdfund on their own site. All self contained. Incredibly impressive.
Notable releases: Little Necro Red, Adam Chaplin – Violent Avenger, Infidus
LINK
