Osgood Perkins has rapidly established himself as a distinctive voice in modern horror, directing six feature films since his 2015 debut. In this definitive guide to Osgood Perkins horror movies ranked, we break down every film he’s directed, exploring the inventive premises, chilling atmospheres, and critical responses that have made his work a major talking point among genre fans.
Perkins’ career began with a quietly unnerving debut, and over the past several years he’s become one of the most prolific directors of unsettling cinema. While his movies vary widely in style and reception, each stands as a unique entry in contemporary horror, blending personal themes with classic spooky tropes. With new releases and more on the way, the conversation around his films is only growing.
Rising to Prominence in Modern Horror
Osgood Perkins made his first mark as a filmmaker with “February” in 2015, later retitled “The Blackcoat’s Daughter.” The film drew comparisons to classics like “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Shining,” signaling Perkins’ appreciation for slow-building suspense and isolated settings. Although it didn’t receive widespread acclaim at first, the film served as a springboard, alerting viewers to his emerging talent and setting the stage for a prolific creative period.
Within a year and a half, Perkins released three horror movies in cinemas, delivering a rapid burst of creative output rare in today’s genre landscape. Not only did he impress with volume, but his recent works, including “Longlegs,” “The Monkey,” and “Keeper,” quickly became some of the most discussed films among horror circles, even as they sparked a range of critical and audience reactions. Each title offers its own approach, ensuring that no two films feel like repeats while also broadening his reach to different horror tastes.
From supernatural deaths tied to families, to sinister forces in remote cabins, Perkins has explored a wide spectrum of horror themes. His earlier works, including “The Blackcoat’s Daughter,”
“I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House,”
and “Gretel & Hansel,” began with modest recognition, but his filmography has continually evolved, both in storytelling and impact. With a seventh film, “The Young People,” set to be released in 2026, his reputation in the genre space is poised to grow even further.
Every Osgood Perkins-Directed Horror Film, Ranked
Below, we count down all six of Osgood Perkins’s horror features, analyzing what sets each apart and how they compare within his distinctive body of work.
6. Gretel & Hansel (2020): A Darker Take on a Classic Fairy Tale
“Gretel & Hansel” arrived during a wave of grim reinterpretations of public-domain fairy tales, often dismissed by critics and audiences who questioned whether these retellings were necessary. Perkins’ adaptation dives into the Brothers Grimm story, emphasizing a moody, shadowy look and an unrelentingly somber tone. Despite being often regarded as the weakest entry among Osgood Perkins horror movies ranked, the film’s visual boldness distinguishes it from other adaptations and earlier efforts like “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” (2013).
Where “Gretel & Hansel” stumbles is in its adherence to familiar narrative beats, offering little deviation from the source tale aside from heightened unease and atmosphere. Still, for those interested in atmospheric horror and striking production design, it stands as a compelling if flawed experiment by Perkins.
5. I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016): Subtle Hauntings and Artistic Vision
Released with little fanfare on Netflix,
“I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House”
reflects the streaming era’s flood of new, original content, often making it a challenge for unique films to stand out. The movie stars Ruth Wilson and Lucy Boynton, both underappreciated at the time, which made it even easier for this eerily slow-paced haunted house story to slide under the radar for many subscribers.
The plot follows a nurse who becomes caretaker for an elderly writer. As unsettling events pile up, she is eventually forced to question the difference between her own imagination and a haunted reality. Like “Gretel & Hansel,” Perkins employs an unsettling visual style and deliberate pacing, making the film challenging for some in an age of instant digital distractions. Still, fans of his aesthetic and those who appreciate meditative horror will find a lot here to admire.
4. Keeper (2025): Psychological Terror in a Remote Setting
Shot in Canada during the 2023 industry strikes, “Keeper” brings together a predominantly Canadian cast and crew. Tatiana Maslany dominates the screen as Liz, whose plans for a romantic weekend with Malcolm (Rossif Sutherland) unravel when he is called away for work. Liz’s isolation quickly gives way to a mounting sense of dread, amplified by ambiguous, possibly supernatural elements connected to the secluded cabin.
The production reflects its tight circumstances, but Perkins succeeds in squeezing unnerving tension from the limited setting. The film explores classic horror setups, namely the
couple at a creepy cabin in the woods
scenario, while infusing it with surreal and psychological twists. Despite rushed elements, likely due to strike constraints, “Keeper” stands out as a nightmarish, trippy take on familiar themes.
Liz’s ordeal delves into feelings of alienation as she faces a malevolent force lurking in the woods. Secrets of the cabin are slowly unearthed, testing her grasp on reality and pushing the tension to disturbing heights. Both Maslany and Sutherland deliver performances that keep the audience guessing about the true source of evil.
3. The Monkey (2025): Stephen King Meets Dark Humor
For “The Monkey,” Perkins adapted Stephen King’s short story, seizing the opportunity to show off a more playful side of his directorial style. While King stories are often synonymous with terror, Perkins injects sardonic humor throughout, making it his most outlandish feature to date. The plot revolves around a mechanical monkey whose mysterious presence coincides with a series of shocking, sudden deaths, echoing the elaborate fatality setups of the “Final Destination” franchise.
The result is a gleefully entertaining mixture of dark slapstick and suspense, earning the film a reputation as one of the year’s most enjoyably gruesome horror adaptations. Perkins brought personal resonance to the film, referencing in interviews that the sudden nature of the story’s deaths reminded him of his own experience losing both parents unexpectedly. This emotional backdrop enriches the balance of comedy and horror found in “The Monkey,” and ensures it stands out among the many King adaptations released annually.
2. Longlegs (2024): An Atmospheric Serial Killer Tale
Among the reasons “Longlegs” captivated audiences was the strategic marketing campaign helmed by NEON, which managed to intrigue without spoiling key set pieces. The film fully embraces Perkins’ gift for crafting an eerie, moody visual language, delivering his most cinematic effort yet.
The story is relatively straightforward: FBI agent Lee (Maika Monroe) is on the trail of serial killer Gordo (Nicolas Cage), racing to stop his next crime. The work draws obvious inspiration from iconic thrillers like “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Se7en,” while layering in horror staples such as Satanic rituals, sinister dolls, and surreal edits, including fluctuating aspect ratios and intermittent devilish imagery. While the movie borrows from classic conventions, Perkins brings them together in a package that remains compelling for horror veterans and newcomers alike. Still, some argue it lacks the profound originality of his best film, but for most, it remains a gripping, visually arresting ride.
1. The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015): The Unrivaled Debut
Despite subsequent efforts, “The Blackcoat’s Daughter” remains the pinnacle of Osgood Perkins’ directorial achievements. The film centers on boarding school students Katherine (Kiernan Shipka) and Rose (Lucy Boynton), who remain behind over winter break, their stories intersecting with a mysterious figure named Joan (Emma Roberts). As Katherine’s increasingly erratic behavior heightens the sense of dread, Joan’s parallel journey adds layers of mystery, culminating in a shattering revelation in the final act.
The relentless chill of the setting almost feels alive, with the cinematography exploiting endless snowy landscapes and even showing characters’ breath indoors to reinforce the icy atmosphere. In a bold twist, Perkins strips his cast—known for their charm in other roles—of all warmth, casting them as emotionally hollow shells, which serves to deepen the unsettling mood. At just 93 minutes, the film masterfully delivers a slow-burning sense of horror and alienation, easily ranking among the top horror films of its decade and setting a bar that Perkins continues to chase.
Iconic Cast Members Across Perkins’ Filmography
Across his movies, Perkins has attracted numerous notable talents, contributing layers to his unnerving narratives. Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland led “Keeper,” portraying Liz and Malcolm as a couple facing psychological and supernatural threats in the Canadian wilderness. Maslany’s portrayal of isolation and vulnerability, countered by Sutherland’s enigmatic presence, elevates the classic cabin thriller into something more disturbing and personal.
Other key performances include Maika Monroe’s determined FBI agent in “Longlegs,” and Kiernan Shipka and Lucy Boynton’s haunting turns in “The Blackcoat’s Daughter.” Emma Roberts’ role as Joan in the same film adds a chilling counterpoint, while Nicolas Cage’s embodiment of the killer in “Longlegs” provides a menacing centerpiece. Each actor brings nuance and intensity, anchoring Perkins’s chilling stories with grounded performances even as the narratives veer toward the surreal.
Why Osgood Perkins’s Rankings Matter in Horror Cinema
Osgood Perkins has emerged as one of modern horror’s innovative voices, repeatedly blending personal experience with genre traditions to create films that both challenge and entertain. The journey of Osgood Perkins horror movies ranked highlights how he has navigated changing critical moods, audience tastes, and industry contexts—from under-the-radar streaming releases to the heights of theatrical horror buzz.
With “The Young People” on the horizon and past films continuing to inspire debate, Perkins’s legacy is secure as a filmmaker unafraid to take risks and reimagine the boundaries of horror. His diverse cast, enduring themes, and evolving style ensure that each new film becomes an event. As the horror world awaits his next move, the intrigue that surrounds each ranking and release confirms that Osgood Perkins’s place in genre history is well-earned.
