Stop-motion animation and the horror genre seem to align frequently. Perhaps it’s because of the strange style that comes from how stop-motion characters move, or maybe the act of physical creation that comes from making these films — but in any case, horror tends to seep into the medium. It is difficult to find a stop-motion film that isn’t a little bit scary.

But, there’s a reason why films like “Coraline” (2009), “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) and “Corpse Bride” (2005) are so popular; the people yearn for the horror genre! Not just implication, not just some scary character designs — they want some real frights.

This list will satisfy that itch, spotlighting several under-the-radar stop-motion horror films that will scare some socks off. Or, at the very least, entertain for an hour or two.

‘Mad God’ (2021)

This is the most obvious inclusion, for the clear reason that “Phil Tippett horror film” is the greatest conceivable idea to anyone familiar with his campy and classic oeuvre. 30 years in the making, this film encapsulates horror that could truly only be executed by a master of stop-motion.

The plot follows a mysterious figure exploring what can only be described as a living hell, with horrifying monsters and disgusting events unfolding everywhere around the protagonist, all constructed and animated in dramatic and bloody ways. It is currently available to stream on AMC+/Shudder.

‘Alice’ (1988)

Apologies to the purists out there, this one is a live-action stop-motion hybrid. A dark adaptation of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” this film follows a live-action Alice (Kristýna Kohoutová) as she descends into a new world made up entirely of stop-motion characters.

The scenes will obviously be familiar to fans of either the original book or the Disney adaptation, but the film nevertheless feels new thanks to the completely original way of telling the story. It is a brilliantly conceived film and the feature directorial debut of Jan Śvankmajer, who would go on to make many acclaimed stop-motion feature films, including “Faust” (1994) and “Lunacy” (2005). It is currently available for free on Hoopla as well as on streaming on OVID.

‘The Wolf House’ (2018)

Horror holds strong roots in reality, and this film reckons heavily with the horrors of history.

In Chile, during the latter half of the 20th century, German preacher — and convicted pedophile — Paul Schäfer founded a cult called Colonia Dignidad, maintaining it through controversial government connections, propaganda, and a network of systemic fear and violence. Although Schäfer was eventually arrested for his crimes, the history still remains, and was ultimately used as inspiration for “The Wolf House.”

Arguably a retelling of “The Three Little Pigs,” the film utilizes the horrifying methods of propaganda and manipulation Schäfer used to maintain control over his victims — including the film’s style as a faux-propaganda piece — in order to document horror on the many levels it presents itself as both historical fiction and propaganda. It is currently available on Tubi as well as Kanopy, the latter depending on access to libraries.

‘The Pied Piper’ (1986)

While Russia was working on that beautiful creature Cheburashka, the Russian equivalent of Mickey Mouse, Czechoslovakia was busy with the most terrifying adaptation of the Pied Piper of Hamelin ever.

Although fairly short at 55 minutes, “The Pied Piper” provides some vivid and impactful imagery courtesy of the expressionist style the film embodies. There are strange and graphic images, including abstract depictions of murder, which are genuinely very horrifying. It is currently available on Tubi, as well as Kanopy, depending on access to libraries.

‘Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires’ (2018)

This film follows Chuck Steel, a “maverick, renegade, loose cannon, lone wolf cop-on-the-edge who doesn’t play by the rules,” according to the man himself, fighting against hordes of vampires who suck the blood of drunk people.

It’s as if “The Naked Gun” (2025) was animated in stop-motion and also about vampires, except even more nonsensical. It’s the perfect popcorn flick for people into dumb fun, and very much something to turn the brain off and enjoy. This is for those looking for a good laugh or fans of schlocky 1980s B-movies.

‘Frankelda’s Book of Spooks’ (2021)

“Frankelda’s Book of Spooks” follows Frankelda and, believe it or not, her book of spooks as she tells a new scary story in each of the series’s five episodes. Frankelda is on the same level as Lemony Snicket in terms of fictional authors: She has a brilliant on-screen presence as she delves into different supernatural beings, all centered around Mexican culture and aesthetics.

The series is a visually stunning and emotionally striking presentation, and it’s honestly a sin that everyone hasn’t seen this. It is currently available on HBO Max. Also, keep an eye out for “I Am Frankelda” (2025), the feature film following the origins of the title character, which will hopefully see its United States release in the coming months.