If you’ve seen Wolf Creek (2005), then you know exactly why it’s an underrated gem. Set in the desolate Australian outback, the movie follows three backpackers whose road trip turns into a nightmare when they’re captured and tortured by a sadistic local named Mick Taylor. Directed by Greg McLean and loosely inspired by real-life crimes, Wolf Creek blends true crime with survival horror in a way that feels terrifyingly real.
What makes Wolf Creek so popular among horror fans is that it doesn’t rely on over-the-top effects or constant jump scares. Instead, it drags you into a hopeless situation and makes you sit with the fear. The isolation of the outback, the unpredictability of the killer, and the fact that it all feels like it could happen to anyone is what makes it unforgettable.
If you enjoyed the tension and remote setting, then here are 11 more movies like Wolf Creek that I think are worth a watch.
1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
This is the ultimate backwoods horror movie and one of my all-time favorites in the genre. It’s grimy, relentless, and still feels disturbing after all these years. Directed by Tobe Hooper, the film follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals in rural Texas. Marilyn Burns stars as the final girl, and Gunnar Hansen delivers an unforgettable performance as Leatherface. The low-budget, documentary-style feel only adds to the nightmare.
2. Eden Lake (2008)
Eden Lake gutted me emotionally. It’s the kind of movie that sticks with you for days. Directed by James Watkins and starring Kelly Reilly and Michael Fassbender, it’s about a couple trying to enjoy a weekend getaway at a remote lake, only to be terrorized by a group of violent teenagers. It starts off quiet and picturesque, then spirals into something vicious and brutal. If you liked the helpless, isolated feeling of Wolf Creek, this one’s for you.
3. Wrong Turn (2003)
Wrong Turn is just pure backwoods mayhem, and I loved every gritty second of it. Directed by Rob Schmidt, this one kicks off when a group of young people take a detour through the West Virginia woods and end up hunted by inbred cannibals. Eliza Dushku, Desmond Harrington, and Jeremy Sisto lead the cast. It’s fast-paced, brutal, and full of nasty kills. The woods feel endless and hopeless, just like in Wolf Creek, but with even more blood and body parts.
4. The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
Alexandre Aja’s version of The Hills Have Eyes is a disturbing remake of the original that hits hard. A family’s road trip goes horribly wrong when they’re stranded in a government testing zone and attacked by a group of mutated cannibals. It stars Aaron Stanford, Kathleen Quinlan, and Vinessa Shaw. It’s intense, violent, and doesn’t hold back, much like Wolf Creek.
5. High Tension (2003)
This French horror film is an absolute adrenaline rush. Directed by Alexandre Aja, High Tension is about two college friends staying at a remote farmhouse when a sadistic killer shows up. Cécile de France and Maïwenn star, and the movie lives up to its name—it’s unrelentingly tense, with brutal kills and a shocking twist. It’s stylish, bloody, and unforgiving, which makes it a must-watch if you love raw survival horror.
6. The Strangers (2008)
This one scared the hell out of me. It’s slow, quiet, and then suddenly terrifying. Directed by Bryan Bertino and starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, The Strangers is about a couple trapped in a remote vacation home, stalked by masked intruders for no reason at all. That randomness is what makes it so chilling. Like Wolf Creek, it taps into real-world fear and the horror of being truly alone and vulnerable.
7. Killing Ground (2016)
If you haven’t heard of this Australian horror film, add it to your list immediately. Killing Ground, directed by Damien Power, follows a couple who go camping in the bush only to stumble onto a horrific crime. Starring Harriet Dyer and Ian Meadows, this one takes its time building dread and then pulls no punches. It reminded me a lot of Wolf Creek in tone—bleak, grounded, and disturbingly realistic.
8. The Snowtown Murders (2011)
This one isn’t for the faint of heart. The Snowtown Murders, directed by Justin Kurzel, is based on the true story of Australia’s most infamous serial killings. Daniel Henshall plays John Bunting in one of the most chilling performances I’ve ever seen. It’s not a typical horror movie, but it’s deeply unsettling and atmospheric. If you were drawn to the realism of Wolf Creek, you’ll find this even more disturbing.
9. Speak No Evil (2022)
This Danish psychological horror got under my skin in a big way. Directed by Christian Tafdrup, it’s about a Danish family visiting a Dutch couple they barely know, only to discover that something is very wrong. It stars Morten Burian and Sidsel Siem Koch. The tension, manipulation, and the fear of being too polite make this a slow burn, but it leads up to a horrifying final act that sticks with you. And if you enjoy this one, then I recommend also watching the 2024 U.S. remake starring James McAvoy.
10. Alone (2020)
Alone, directed by John Hyams, is a taut, simple survival thriller that’s incredibly effective. Jules Willcox stars as a recently widowed woman being stalked by a mysterious man after a roadside encounter. What follows is a tense, stripped-down cat-and-mouse chase through the wilderness. It reminded me of Wolf Creek in its pacing and grounded realism, and it kept me on edge the whole time.
11. Breakdown (1997)
This one leans more into thriller territory, but it’s too good not to mention. Directed by Jonathan Mostow and starring Kurt Russell, Breakdown follows a man whose wife goes missing after their car breaks down in the desert. As he searches for her, he uncovers a terrifying conspiracy. It’s fast-paced, intense, and taps into the fear of being stranded in the middle of nowhere. A great mix of suspense and action with a horrifying premise.
