While we generally like to think that human beings have catalogued most of the animal kingdom, the fact is that there are still plenty of biological mysteries to uncover. After all, gorillas were only recognized by science in the 1850s, and don’t even get me started on the extinction-dodging coelacanth. That’s why cryptozoology is such a fascinating subject, with amateur zoologists insisting that there’s still a little bit of magic left in the world.
Of course, not every legendary cryptid creature is as cuddly as the jackelope, and that’s why we’ve come up with this list recommending six underrated movies inspired by cryptozoology! After all, what good are monsters if we can’t enjoy scary movies about them?
As usual, we’ll be following a couple of rules in order to keep things concise. First of all, no double-dipping, which means we’ll only be including a single movie per cryptid. Second, we won’t be mentioning any bigfoot movies, as we’ve previously published a list recommending six of the best sasquatch-inspired feature films!
With that out of the way, don’t forget to comment below with your own favorite cryptid horror movies if you think we missed a particularly fun one.
Now, onto the list…
6. Deep Rising (1998)
From Clash of the Titans to Pirates of the Caribbean, there have been numerous attempts at bringing the legendary Kraken to the big screen. Unfortunately, the creature usually isn’t the focus of these movies, only serving as a nautical plot device or climactic threat. Stephen Sommers’ Deep Rising is one of few exceptions, with the film following a group of mercenaries as they explore a luxury cruise ship that was attacked by a massive cephalopod.
A loud and cheesy throwback to monster movies of yore, Deep Rising certainly isn’t an Academy Award winner, but it still features one of the all-time best cinematic depictions of a Kraken (here called “Octalus”), as well as a talented cast.
I’d recommend this one to any cryptid fan who isn’t offended by late 90s CGI and silly dialogue.
5. The Last Broadcast (1998)
The Blair Witch Project may have popularized the Found Footage format in mainstream cinema, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only 90s flick to use faux-documentary footage to explore a chilling legend. Directed by Stefan Avalos and Lance Weiler, 1998’s The Last Broadcast presents itself as a mockumentary about a pair of TV hosts who were murdered while investigating the infamous Jersey Devil.
The Devil itself is more of an idea than a physical monster here, but there’s no denying that Jersey’s iconic Pine Barrens are a huge part of what makes The Last Broadcast such a compelling thriller. If you’re a fan of faux true crime or ancient New Jersey legends, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.
4. Trollhunter (2010)
Trolls may have joined Goblins and Fairies as mythical creatures that only show up in fantasy stories and the occasional tabletop RPG, but you’d be surprised with how many troll sighting blogs you can find on the internet. This, coupled with the film’s excellent use of the mockumentary format, is exactly why André Øvredal’s Troll Hunter remains one of the best Found Footage monster movies out there, feeling just real enough to make its absurd premise work.
Following an aging monster hunter as he tracks down bothersome beasts across Norway and teaches a documentary crew the tricks of the trade, Trollhunter is proof that CGI can be used to great effect in low-budget monster movies when done right.
3. Cold Skin (2017)
Much like Trolls, there’s a bit of contention in the cryptozoology community about considering mermaids cryptids due to their presence in fantasy storytelling. However, after the astounding success of Animal Planet’s Mermaids documentaries, it’s pretty clear that at least some people still believe in these underwater humanoids. That’s why Xavier Gens’ Cold Skin makes it onto this list, as it’s one of the most subversive takes on the classic mermaid love story.
Borrowing from fairy tales and H.P. Lovecraft in equal measure, this peculiar little thriller follows a pair of lighthouse workers as they find themselves forced to endure nightly raids by a race of humanoid sea creatures. However, these raids may not be as unmotivated as they initially appear, with the film delving into uncomfortable territory.
If you’re into psychosexual thrillers with a dash of cosmic horror, this one’s for you.
2. Incident at Loch Ness (2004)
With Nessie being one of the most iconic cryptids, I’ve always found it strange that there are very few genuine monster movies about this Scottish legend. That being said, there is one strange Nessie-focused film that I’d recommend to cryptid enthusiasts. Directed by Zak Penn, Incident at Loch Ness is more of a cinematic love letter to German filmmaker Werner Herzog than anything else, but it also happens to be a fun little Found Footage film about everyone’s favorite lake dweller.
Presented as a film within a film, Penn’s “behind the scenes” recordings chronicle Herzog’s attempts to shoot a documentary about Nessie. Naturally, the doomed project devolves into a messy monster hunt with plenty of cryptozoological thrills along the way. Though your enjoyment of this strange picture may depend on how familiar you are with Herzog’s other work, it’s still one of the best cryptid movies out there.
1. The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
While the creature has seen a recent resurgence in popularity (mostly due to internet memes), I’ve always thought it was a shame that the infamous Mothman wasn’t featured in more movies. That being said, Mark Pellington’s The Mothman Prophecies is a pretty great place for the winged humanoid to start its cinematic career. A tight existential thriller about death and the beyond, the movie is downright chilling despite never showing us more than a brief glimpse of the titular monster.
Monster movie aficionados might not appreciate the film’s deliberate pacing and talky script, but terrific atmosphere and great writing make this the best cryptid movie out there. It also happens to be my favorite Richard Gere vehicle, though he’s obviously upstaged by his interdimensional co-star.
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