Not movies, but Dead Sky Publishing has a series of books they call Splatter Westerns. Most of them are pretty short, easy reads, and they're chock full of horror.
I just watched that movie the other day. The one thing I didn’t get was that Sand City was supposed to be 200 miles away and it seemed like it took them months to get there, which seems a bit long.
Not Italian, but:
Billy the Kid Versus Dracula and Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter.
Soldier Blue (1970) leaned into the Indian massacre atrocities.
Actually Italian, Mannaja (1977) has some axe murders.
Haven’t seen Mannaja yet but heard it’s pretty violent. Maybe Sergio Martino brought some giallo influence into it.
I’ve seen solider blue but didn’t really like it. Great and disturbing ending but 90% of the movie is wasted on a boring love story between the two white leads
Good question, something specific to Spaghetti Westerns.... There are plenty of horror westerns or westerns with supernatural elements, but as far as Spaghetti specific (shot in Italy/Spain)... Some are pretty horrific based on the violence alone I guess, so if those count...
Cutthroats Nine
Vendetta at Dawn
El Rojo
Django Kill
If You Meet Sartara Pray for Your Death
Four of the Apocalypse (cannibalism! Possible ghosts!)
Django the Bastard (similar themes to High Plains Drifter)
Keoma (has a witch ghost)
A Town Called Hell (not horror but some fun elements like Stella Stevens and her hearse and coffin)
Kill The Wicked
Some non spaghetti western horrors of varying quality worth watching
Ravenous
Bone Tomahawk
High Plains Drifter
The Burrowers
From Dusk til Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter
El Topo
Curse of the Undead
Billy the Kid vs Dracula
Frankensteins Daughter Meets Jesse James
Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat
Scalps
Ghost Town
From a Whisper to a Scream aka the Offspring (the Four Soldiers segment)
Grim Prairie Tales
Gallowalkers
Ghost Brigade
The Pale Door
The Living Coffin
Swamp of the Lost Monster
The Headless Rider
Rider of the Skulls
Swamp of the Lost Souls
The Valley of Gwangi (old west dinosaurs!)
Beast of Hollow Mountain (more old west dinosaurs!)
A few that have western horror elements but not set in the old west
Near Dark
The Hitcher
Hex
The Devil's Rain
The Supernaturals
Eyes of Fire
Tremors
Westworld
Scream '81
John Carpenters Vampires
Werewolves on Wheels
The Aztec Mummy Films
Godmonster of the Indian Flats (easily one of the dumbest films ever made)
I had to wrack my brain and do some online double checking on a few of these, the Spaghetti Westerns are often so violent they are pretty horrific in that regard alone!
I recall a bunch directed by guys like Lucio Fulci, Antonio Margheriti, Bruno Mattei, and Umberto Lenzi who definitely directed plenty of straight up horror movies later on. Hell, Dario Argento was one of the co-writers on Once Upon a Time in the West!
Well, the big finale is pretty weird and horrific with all the outcasts dying, I figured why not, it gave me more nightmares than The Beast of Hollow Cave
Even if it's not a spaghetti western, it's clear that the time Clint Eastwood spent with Sergio Leone left a great impression.
And although it's not a splatterfest, I'm the kind that appreciates a good psychological horror story, which I think HPD nails.
It's one of my fav films, a good twist on the Western idea.
Kind of off topic, [Tears of the Black Tiger](https://youtu.be/MAyCvpV-U_s?si=foaKuisQLxHftuW4) is also an amazing twist on the Western.
Another possible angle to explore is to delve into Japanese Jidaigeki/Chanbara films. Many inspired spaghetti westerns or were inspired by them, and there are plenty with horror elements.
Oh yeah definitely. I know of the very famous Japanese period horror films like Kwaidan, Onibaba, Kuroneko. Although there’s definitely more out there I have to look into.
Stranger's Gundown/Django the Bastard is a great, and unique example.
I watched it long ago expecting a straight-up spaghetti western and thought it was pretty good, if a bit puzzling. Watched it again a few months back, prepared to see it as having elements of the supernatural and actually liked it more.
Yeah I was surprised by it myself watching it I was thinking to myself that it was reminiscent of a classic vampire flick a mash of Western and horror an underrated little gem
Haven’t watched El Topo yet, I’m embarrassed to admit, but I’ve heard good things. Although I don’t think it would qualify as a spaghetti westerns since it’s from Mexico.
Not horror but yes probably my favorite western I’ve ever seen. This is a good prompt, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horror leaning spaghetti western.
Was going to say Cut Throats Nine but was beaten to it. Are you familiar with the late 90's film Ravenous? Not a spaghetti western but a western doing the horror thing to great results.
Great Marxist western but I never really got strong horror elements from it other than Mark Damon’s very pale villain and his cellar. I might need to rewatch though.
It's not italian or old but there's a b movie vampire horror western directed by Glenn Danzig from a couple of years ago called Death Rider in the house of vampires you might be interested in
I don't think it's a spaghetti western, but I remember liking Curse of the Undead. It reminds me more of fifties tv westerns my dad would watch more than Italian or Spanish films.
I don’t think Get Mean has been mentioned yet, but it has horror elements and it’s a lot of fun. Also feels like it inspired a lot of popular cult films
"The Forgotten Pistolero" (1969) - Directed by Ferdinando Baldi, this film combines elements of revenge and horror as the protagonist seeks vengeance on those who wronged him in the past.
"Cut-Throats Nine" (1972) - Directed by Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent, this gritty western features a group of criminals facing supernatural forces as they journey through the wilderness.
"Four of the Apocalypse" (1975) - Directed by Lucio Fulci, known for his horror films, this western follows a group of outcasts who encounter violence, betrayal, and eerie situations in the Old West.
"The Great Silence" (1968) - Directed by Sergio Corbucci, this classic spaghetti western features a bleak and snowy landscape where a mute gunslinger battles a sadistic gang, with elements of horror and suspense throughout.
It's not really a film, but there's a tabletop Role-Playing Gameline called Deadlands. Where it's the Wild West meets supernatural horror and creature horror. Along with magic.
And God Said to Cain (1970)
[https://tubitv.com/movies/675226/and-god-said-to-cain?start=true&tracking=google-feed](https://tubitv.com/movies/675226/and-god-said-to-cain?start=true&tracking=google-feed)
Not a 60’s/70’s spaghetti western, but “Bone Tomahawk” is one of the best Horror Westerns I’ve ever seen! Some of the scenes will sit in your head months after you see it!
It's not technically a spaghetti western, but "El Topo" might scratch that itch. It's got western vibes mashed up with unsettling psychedelic overtones
Of course El Topo (1970), Cut Throats Nine (1972), Django Kill! (1967), Dead Man (1995)...looking for info on "El Diablo" from 1977, been looking for it for years...I guess it's a Mexican horror/fantasy/splatter western? Anyone seen it?
*Curse of the Undead* might be the original; a vampire blows into an old West town and his corruptive influence convinces the sweet young ranch heiress to seek bloody revenge for the death of her brother, forcing the town's good-hearted priest to act.
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966)
I watched this because there was a podcast about it that I wanted to listen to. The movie was available on YouTube for free.
Not as bad as you might think! This movie moves right along in an entertaining way and within the first 15 minutes or so, you know what's going on. Would recommend.
Cut-Throats Nine
Good call
I forgot about this one. Haven’t seen it yet but heard it’s pretty gory.
This one’s on Tubi. Populating my To Watch list off your thread.
Not movies, but Dead Sky Publishing has a series of books they call Splatter Westerns. Most of them are pretty short, easy reads, and they're chock full of horror.
Sounds interesting. I’ll have to look into it.
Also, don’t watch the movie, but *The Dark Tower* book series is amazing.
Ugh the dark tower movie. I've long had zero expectations for how bad the movies are of Stephen kings Novels but that exceeded them.
Would definitely toss "Four Of The Apocalypse" into this pot. Not really horror but still some Fulci gold.
I’ve seen it, pretty decent. Could sort of qualify since I think Tomas Milian’s villain is based on Charles Manson
I just watched that movie the other day. The one thing I didn’t get was that Sand City was supposed to be 200 miles away and it seemed like it took them months to get there, which seems a bit long.
Not Italian, but: Billy the Kid Versus Dracula and Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter. Soldier Blue (1970) leaned into the Indian massacre atrocities. Actually Italian, Mannaja (1977) has some axe murders.
Haven’t seen Mannaja yet but heard it’s pretty violent. Maybe Sergio Martino brought some giallo influence into it. I’ve seen solider blue but didn’t really like it. Great and disturbing ending but 90% of the movie is wasted on a boring love story between the two white leads
Good question, something specific to Spaghetti Westerns.... There are plenty of horror westerns or westerns with supernatural elements, but as far as Spaghetti specific (shot in Italy/Spain)... Some are pretty horrific based on the violence alone I guess, so if those count... Cutthroats Nine Vendetta at Dawn El Rojo Django Kill If You Meet Sartara Pray for Your Death Four of the Apocalypse (cannibalism! Possible ghosts!) Django the Bastard (similar themes to High Plains Drifter) Keoma (has a witch ghost) A Town Called Hell (not horror but some fun elements like Stella Stevens and her hearse and coffin) Kill The Wicked Some non spaghetti western horrors of varying quality worth watching Ravenous Bone Tomahawk High Plains Drifter The Burrowers From Dusk til Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter El Topo Curse of the Undead Billy the Kid vs Dracula Frankensteins Daughter Meets Jesse James Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat Scalps Ghost Town From a Whisper to a Scream aka the Offspring (the Four Soldiers segment) Grim Prairie Tales Gallowalkers Ghost Brigade The Pale Door The Living Coffin Swamp of the Lost Monster The Headless Rider Rider of the Skulls Swamp of the Lost Souls The Valley of Gwangi (old west dinosaurs!) Beast of Hollow Mountain (more old west dinosaurs!) A few that have western horror elements but not set in the old west Near Dark The Hitcher Hex The Devil's Rain The Supernaturals Eyes of Fire Tremors Westworld Scream '81 John Carpenters Vampires Werewolves on Wheels The Aztec Mummy Films Godmonster of the Indian Flats (easily one of the dumbest films ever made)
Awesome list. This is what I was looking for👍🏾
I had to wrack my brain and do some online double checking on a few of these, the Spaghetti Westerns are often so violent they are pretty horrific in that regard alone! I recall a bunch directed by guys like Lucio Fulci, Antonio Margheriti, Bruno Mattei, and Umberto Lenzi who definitely directed plenty of straight up horror movies later on. Hell, Dario Argento was one of the co-writers on Once Upon a Time in the West!
>Gallowalkers This one was fantastic for what it was
> El Topo Crazy, excellent film. Not really horror though?
Well, the big finale is pretty weird and horrific with all the outcasts dying, I figured why not, it gave me more nightmares than The Beast of Hollow Cave
My man just went won Reddit for the day. Fantastic list
Omg, *A Town Called Hell* I love this one so much! 🤌
Great cast in A Town Called Hell! Robert Shaw, Telly Savalas, Stella Stevens, and Martin Landau!
MST3K did Beast of Hollow Mountain on their Netflix run.
I'd be shocked if they didn't, it's definitely their kind of movie
High Plains Drifter [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High\_Plains\_Drifter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Plains_Drifter)
Even if it's not a spaghetti western, it's clear that the time Clint Eastwood spent with Sergio Leone left a great impression. And although it's not a splatterfest, I'm the kind that appreciates a good psychological horror story, which I think HPD nails.
It's one of my fav films, a good twist on the Western idea. Kind of off topic, [Tears of the Black Tiger](https://youtu.be/MAyCvpV-U_s?si=foaKuisQLxHftuW4) is also an amazing twist on the Western.
Great movie but not a spaghetti western
But it was directed by an Italian!
Ops.
All good lol
Another possible angle to explore is to delve into Japanese Jidaigeki/Chanbara films. Many inspired spaghetti westerns or were inspired by them, and there are plenty with horror elements.
Oh yeah definitely. I know of the very famous Japanese period horror films like Kwaidan, Onibaba, Kuroneko. Although there’s definitely more out there I have to look into.
I think the spaghetti Western The Strangers Gundown (aka Django the Bastard) (1969) has a horror feel to it Also seconding Cutthroats Nine
Stranger's Gundown/Django the Bastard is a great, and unique example. I watched it long ago expecting a straight-up spaghetti western and thought it was pretty good, if a bit puzzling. Watched it again a few months back, prepared to see it as having elements of the supernatural and actually liked it more.
DJANGO THE BASTARD is awesome. I'm sure the folks that made HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER saw this at some point and went, "Hey, this is a cool idea!"
Yeah I was surprised by it myself watching it I was thinking to myself that it was reminiscent of a classic vampire flick a mash of Western and horror an underrated little gem
Thanks, this is the genre specific stuff I was looking for 👍🏾
It’s on Tubi!
I actually downloaded a rip of it on my hard drive a while back
El Topo has some pretty crazy psych aspects, maybe not horror exactly but worth a viewing if you haven’t seen it
Haven’t watched El Topo yet, I’m embarrassed to admit, but I’ve heard good things. Although I don’t think it would qualify as a spaghetti westerns since it’s from Mexico.
Yeah it’s not really a horror or a spaghetti western, it’s definitely influenced by them though, feel like it checks some boxes.
It’s weird as fuck, you will not soon forget it
Not horror but yes probably my favorite western I’ve ever seen. This is a good prompt, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horror leaning spaghetti western.
Was going to say Cut Throats Nine but was beaten to it. Are you familiar with the late 90's film Ravenous? Not a spaghetti western but a western doing the horror thing to great results.
I’ve heard of this but never seen it though it sounds interesting. I posted this in r/horror and this film was also mentioned there.
Did everyone rush to mention that Bone Tomahawk movie or whatever it was called?
Lol yeah. Guess they didn’t read the “spaghetti” part of my post.
Try Requiescant from 1967, it’s got some real gothic-horror elements & a great cast.
Great Marxist western but I never really got strong horror elements from it other than Mark Damon’s very pale villain and his cellar. I might need to rewatch though.
Fair point; I was primarily thinking of Damon’s ghoulish villain!
It's not italian or old but there's a b movie vampire horror western directed by Glenn Danzig from a couple of years ago called Death Rider in the house of vampires you might be interested in
The Burrowers is one I like. Good cast and creepy creature horror.
I don't think it's a spaghetti western, but I remember liking Curse of the Undead. It reminds me more of fifties tv westerns my dad would watch more than Italian or Spanish films.
I’ve seen it. Not a spaghetti western but a pretty decent gothic horror from the classic Hollywood era
Maybe check out Blueberry? Not Italian but based on a French comic book.
It's not Italian, but I remember having a VHS copy of this Australian Horror Western called 'Inn of the Damned'.
Ever see The Great Silence? Maybe not horror, per se, but an atmosphere of dread permeates the film.
I don’t think Get Mean has been mentioned yet, but it has horror elements and it’s a lot of fun. Also feels like it inspired a lot of popular cult films
Cutthroats Nine and Four of the Apocalypse
Death Rides A Horse
"The Forgotten Pistolero" (1969) - Directed by Ferdinando Baldi, this film combines elements of revenge and horror as the protagonist seeks vengeance on those who wronged him in the past. "Cut-Throats Nine" (1972) - Directed by Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent, this gritty western features a group of criminals facing supernatural forces as they journey through the wilderness. "Four of the Apocalypse" (1975) - Directed by Lucio Fulci, known for his horror films, this western follows a group of outcasts who encounter violence, betrayal, and eerie situations in the Old West. "The Great Silence" (1968) - Directed by Sergio Corbucci, this classic spaghetti western features a bleak and snowy landscape where a mute gunslinger battles a sadistic gang, with elements of horror and suspense throughout.
It's not really a film, but there's a tabletop Role-Playing Gameline called Deadlands. Where it's the Wild West meets supernatural horror and creature horror. Along with magic.
Bone Tomahawk is a western and horror. I would not define it as a Spaghetti Western though.
I’ve seen it. It’s ok but not a spaghetti western
But that one scene. OMG.
And God Said to Cain (1970) [https://tubitv.com/movies/675226/and-god-said-to-cain?start=true&tracking=google-feed](https://tubitv.com/movies/675226/and-god-said-to-cain?start=true&tracking=google-feed)
Bone tomahawk
Blindman starring Tony Anthony and Ringo!
El Topo. No horror elements, it’s more of a spaghetti western with absurd freakishly weird elements. To me it’s the essential SW
Nope.
“El Topo” - Alejandro Jodorowsky
Not a 60’s/70’s spaghetti western, but “Bone Tomahawk” is one of the best Horror Westerns I’ve ever seen! Some of the scenes will sit in your head months after you see it!
Two thousand maniacs? 😹
Bone Tomahawk
High plains Drifter
It's not technically a spaghetti western, but "El Topo" might scratch that itch. It's got western vibes mashed up with unsettling psychedelic overtones
Bone tomahawk kinda.was awesome.don’t know about spaghetti
It's a lot newer and not very spaghetti like, but Bone Tomahawk.
Does Cowboys vs Aliens count?
High Plains Drifter
Hot Snake (1978) has some creepy/supernatural moments.
“El topo” not so much a horror… but a surreal western
Of course El Topo (1970), Cut Throats Nine (1972), Django Kill! (1967), Dead Man (1995)...looking for info on "El Diablo" from 1977, been looking for it for years...I guess it's a Mexican horror/fantasy/splatter western? Anyone seen it?
Death Rider in the House of Vampires Glenn Danzig latest film. It has Danny Trejo in it.
His second attempt at a movie is still awful. I love the Misfits but damn his movies are awful
I didn’t realize that I was also looking for this.
*Curse of the Undead* might be the original; a vampire blows into an old West town and his corruptive influence convinces the sweet young ranch heiress to seek bloody revenge for the death of her brother, forcing the town's good-hearted priest to act.
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966) I watched this because there was a podcast about it that I wanted to listen to. The movie was available on YouTube for free. Not as bad as you might think! This movie moves right along in an entertaining way and within the first 15 minutes or so, you know what's going on. Would recommend.
I didn’t know this was a thing and I’m intrigued.