You may laugh at titles like Vegetarian Zombies, Attack of the Killer Poodle, and Psycho Santa, but the truth is the men and women behind these low-budget creature features have had bright futures. Vegetarian Zombies’  budget was easily attainable through Kickstarter, and now some new visionary filmmaker is able to tell a story that otherwise wouldn’t have worked out in another genre.

Ciaran Foy, director of Sinister 2, is one such filmmaker. Foy received critical acclaim for his psychological indie horror Citadel. Citadel hit the festival circuit both internationally and in the U.S. back in 2012. After winning the Midnighter Audience Award at SXSW, Foy snagged every indie filmmaker's dream: U.S. theatrical distribution. Scott Derrickson, director of Sinister and cowriter of both Sinister films, was a big fan of Citadel and basically offered Foy the directing gig for the sequel over Twitter. Hopefully for Foy, Sinister 2 will be a hit at the box office. But, success or not, he’s following a long lineage of successful first timers using horror as a starting point.  Below are my top 10 horror indies responsible for launching notable careers.

Also: Watch my video to find out everything you need to know before seeing Sinister 2I

10. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Directed and cowritten by George A. Romero, this black-and-white classic was the first horror to introduce zombies as flesh-eating monsters and not just as catatonic humans. With a budget of only $114,000, the horror sensation was a megahit at the box office, grossing 18 million worldwide.

Trailer- Night of the Living Dead 1968 Trailer by SinanDC

 

9. A Girl Walks Home Alone (2014) 

Touted as “the first Iranian vampire Western” (thank god someone still has original ideas), this brilliant comedy-horror from first-time badass-babe director Ana Lily Amirpour cleverly delivers the universal idea of young-adult boredom through a fresh pair of blood-sucking lenses. Although her latest film, The Bad Batch, has not yet hit theaters, if it follows the trend, I see a shiny gold man in her future.

Trailer- A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Official Trailer 1 (2014) - Horror Movie HD by Movieclips Film Festivals & Indie Films

 

 8. The Evil Dead (1981)

It taught kids everywhere never to trust a tree. Sam Raimi’s first feature film educated viewers on the most important rule for surviving a horror film: never stay in a creepy, isolated cabin in the middle of nowhere. Raimi went on to direct many horror films and blockbuster successes such as the Spider Man franchise.

Trailer- Evil Dead Original Theatrical Trailer by Classic Terror 4Ever!

 

7. Slither (2006)

The cult-classic sci-fi/comedy-horror from director James Gunn is a kind of throwback to the kitschy '80s horrors we all love to hate. Gunn’s ability to elegantly and quite perfectly mix genres can also be seen in my favorite superhero movie of all time, the hugely successful Guardians of the Galaxy.

Trailer- Slither Official Trailer #1 - Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks Horror Comedy (2006) HD by Movieclips Trailer Vault

 

6. The Last House on the Left (1972)

Wes Craven originally wrote this with the intention of making an adult graphic film, lucky for us The Last House on the Left ended up being one of the first mainstream exploitation films. The horror film introduced the rap and revenge theme to the genre as well as the concept of characters being trapped in their own homes, which Craven went on to make famous.

Trailer- The Last House on the Left Official Trailer #1 - David Hess Movie (1972) HD by Movieclips Trailer Vault

 

5. Cabin Fever (2002)

Eli Roth’s directorial debut laid down the foundation for torture porn: a new subgenre of horror. Roth is a master of blending extreme gore with clever, fleshed-out (pun intended) characters, smart scenarios and humor.

Clip- Cabin Fever (10/11) Movie CLIP - Screwdrivered (2002) HD by Movieclips

 

4. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

This smorgasbord of horror is the only flick to successfully, seamlessly and unofficially cover an entire genre in one film. It’s The Avengers of horror, if you will. Drew Goddard, first-time director and veteran writer, went on to create Netflix’s Daredevil and write the sci-fi horror World War Z as well as the upcoming sci-fi thriller based on the best-selling novel, The Martian.

Clip- The Cabin in the Woods (8/11) Movie CLIP - Down the Elevator (2012) HD by Movieclips

 

3. Saw (2004)

James Wan’s supersmart thriller-horror is legendary for its clever twist, and for bringing Cary Elwes back from the dead (not his character, his career). Wan’s career skyrocketed, making him one of the most sought-out directors in the biz. You may remember a little film he directed this year called Furious 7.

Clip- Saw (2/11) Movie CLIP - The Game (2004) HD by Movieclips

 

 

2. Halloween (1978)

The classic horror film launched the careers of its director, John Carpenter, and its young, talented star Jamie Lee Curtis. Michael Myers, not to be confused with Mike Myers the International Man of Mystery, remains one of the greatest villains of all time. To think the old Captain Kirk mask was purchased for only $1.98. Try finding that kind of deal on Priceline.com.

Trailer- Halloween 1978 Original Movie Trailer (HD) by Miguel Olivas

 

1. 28 Days Later (2002)

Established director Danny Boyle always finds creative solutions to low-budget problems, and 28 Days Later demonstrates this talent perfectly resulting in the most chilling scene in cinematic history: a bare, deserted London occupied by a terrified and confused Cillian Murphy. Boyle’s vision would not have been possible without  first-time screenwriter Alex Garland’s brilliant script that tied humanity beautifully into horror. Garland has written multiple screenplays since, and made his directorial debut with the genius film Ex Machina.

Clip- 28 Days Later (1/5) Movie CLIP - Vacant London (2002) HD by Movieclips