A curated collection of independent horror short films, featuring hand-picked short horror films from emerging filmmakers.
VIDEO 4
Directed by Ryan Valdez
Cast: Sophie Cooper
Recommended by Buried Films (26 Films)
Hand-picked short horror films curated by Buried Films. This selection rotates regularly, spotlighting standout work that blows us away.
Milk & Serial
From Curry Barker and Cooper Tomlinson, the team behind the film Obsession from Blumhouse and Focus Features. This was a found footage film they put out for free before Obsession. Check it out! A surprise birthday prank takes a turn for the worse when a popular social media duo must face the reality of the terrifying aftermath.
Ignore It
A family struggles to live with a spirit that becomes deadly if its presence is acknowledged.
Trouble
Set in 1952, this musical thriller is what happens when a traveling salesman shows up on the doorstep of a dying old man and can't contain the song within his heart. A dark riff on a classic musical.
Lights Out
When you are all alone in a small dark room, what do you fear the most? Is it the temporary blindness or is it the uneasy deep feeling that someone, or rather something, is observing your every move?
The Backrooms
An analog horror series revolving around a mysterious alternate dimension known as the Backrooms.
There Comes a Knocking
A grieving woman installs an antique door into her home, which opens herself up to the other side.
Close Your Eyes
A musician's quiet evening turns into a night of terror when he sees his roommate sleepwalking.
Don’t Feed The Cat
Chloe finds a cat trapped in her sick grandfather's basement.
Larry
A man. A parking lot. A friendship.
Method
When a dog sitter arrives at a house for what seems like a simple job, a list of strange rules makes him suspect that this is no ordinary dog.
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The last 10 short horror films that have been added to Buried Films.
Katie
Katie, a short horror film by Nathan Wright-Edwards. As her daughter retreats behind a mask and into silence, a mother's obsession with uncovering the truth forces her to confront a horrifying reality. Katie was written, shot and edited in just 48 hours! Created for the 48 Hour Film Project (Horror/Sci-Fi) - Toronto.
The Resonance
Short horror film The Resonance from Paul Robinson and Sashia Dumont. When respected psychologist Sloan Campbell inherits her predecessors last known session tapes before his untimely demise, she discovers a dark and unsettling pattern. As she delves deeper into the center of his final case, a sinister force threatens to blur the line between modern medicine and religion. Will her pursuit for the truth force her to tow a fine line between science and the supernatural, or will she become the next victim of…the resonance.
Obsessed
Short horror film Obsessed from Cliff Mello. A young woman’s pursuit of perfection spirals into madness when a miracle weight-loss drug—and its haunting VHS trainer—begin to consume her mind and body. In this 5-minute psychological horror short, Tess orders Trimexa, a revolutionary weight-loss program promising control, beauty, and power. Guided by the too-perfect Craig Powers, her reality unravels as the side effects grow darker—blurring the line between discipline and delusion. Official entry for the Jakob Owens Horror Short Film Contest 2025
Lorelei
In the short horror film Lorelei, a woman’s ordinary swim at a quiet pool leads her down a dark and twisted path. Plagued by unsettling memories at a party, she finds herself manipulated by an ancient force—the Lorelei. This siren from German folklore distorts reality, pulling her deeper into a living nightmare. What starts as a subtle shift in perception soon becomes a fight for control, as she is drawn into the Lorelei’s deadly grasp.
Psychokinetics
Short horror film from Gary Davies, Psychokinetics. A troubled psychic gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to help a desperate police detective investigate a horrific murder scene one night.
Hey Missy!
Short horror film Hey Missy from Joe Taft, premiering on Crypt TV. Missy has a pretty unique kink... luring men into a false sense of sexual bliss before brutally murdering them. She aims to rid herself of this disease, but when her past acts come back to haunt her, she's forced to face her demons head-on.
Shut Eye
Award-Winning Short Horror Film Shut Eye from Robert Gregson. A recovering addict is haunted by episodes of sleep paralysis and visions of silhouetted demons. When the episodes intensify, she's certain the haunting forces aren't only in her mind. WINNER Best Horror Short - Montreal Independent Film Festival Best Editing - Brooklyn Horror Film Festival
Stimulant
Stimulant, a psychological horror short written and directed by Nicholas Laughlin. Michael and his roommate Jenn decide to try the new pill that everyone is raving about. But the side effects warp more than just their minds as bodies pile up around them.
Night Of The Living Dead
The original cult classic zombie horror film from George A. Romero. A film every horror fan should watch, and plays such an important role in cinema. A ragtag group of Pennsylvanians barricade themselves in an old farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls that are ravaging the Northeast of the United States.
Milk & Serial
From Curry Barker and Cooper Tomlinson, the team behind the film Obsession from Blumhouse and Focus Features. This was a found footage film they put out for free before Obsession. Check it out! A surprise birthday prank takes a turn for the worse when a popular social media duo must face the reality of the terrifying aftermath.
1-5 Minute Shorts (32 Films)
Ultra-short horror films that deliver the scares fast, all under five minutes. These bite-sized shorts focus on atmosphere, timing, and strong ideas rather than long setups or explanations.
The Lonesome Thing
A man tries to convince a spirit to leave his house.
The Whisperer
A girl hears strange whispering while home alone at night.
Polaroid
What's LURKING in the POLAROID??
Come Up Here
A woman is home alone, but someone's calling from upstairs... come up here. Just another quick micro horror short based on an idea I had, and a story my great grandma used to tell me when I was a kid.
One Last Dive
With only 20 minutes left to investigate an underwater crime scene, a diver goes for one last dive.
Lights Out
When you are all alone in a small dark room, what do you fear the most? Is it the temporary blindness or is it the uneasy deep feeling that someone, or rather something, is observing your every move?
The Witch
A woman is haunted by a presence. Every night it comes back. But is it real, or just her imagination?
After Dark
Short horror film After Dark from Jakob Owens. A woman finds out what happens when you break the rules of the cabin. Lock the doors and windows. Be quiet. Leave the lights on. And DO NOT GO OUT AFTER DARK.
Ding Dong
Someone-- or something-- plays Ding Dong Ditch with a girl who's home alone.
Fresh Ink
A man finds a mysterious warning note tucked away inside of an old book. He soon finds out he's not alone.
5-10 Minute Shorts (38 Films)
Short horror films running between five and ten minutes, striking a balance between tight pacing and complete storytelling. These films have enough time to build tension, establish mood, and deliver a strong payoff without dragging things out.
Darby After Dark
One night, during her usual shift as a late-night radio host, Darby receives a mysterious phone call from a woman who shares a chilling paranormal game with her.
Nightfall
Jim is working late in his garage on what seemed like a normal summer night. That quickly turns into a nightmare, when he sees a silhouette of someone standing at the end of his driveway.
The Maiden
A real estate agent tries to sell a haunted house.
The Treatment & The Cure
Two rogue scientists strive to create the cure to save humanity from a deadly plague that could wipe out all of humankind.
Don’t Peek
A young woman discovers a frightening video game character intent on crossing into the real world.
Psychokinetics
Short horror film from Gary Davies, Psychokinetics. A troubled psychic gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to help a desperate police detective investigate a horrific murder scene one night.
I Heard It Too
A girl heard her mom yell her name from downstairs, so she got up and started to head down. As she got to the stairs, her mom pulled her into her room and said "I heard that, too."
Stay With Me
A woman studying for the MCAT finds her focus shattered when her automatic door lock mysteriously engages, hinting that she's not as alone as she thought.
Don’t Feed The Cat
Chloe finds a cat trapped in her sick grandfather's basement.
Selfie
An insecure teenager deletes her social media accounts but soon learns that what she put online will come back to haunt her.
10-15 Minute Shorts (19 Films)
Short horror films running between ten and fifteen minutes, giving the story room to breathe and tension time to build. These films allow for stronger atmosphere, deeper setups, and more deliberate pacing than ultra-short horror.
The Jester: Chapter 2
The Jester returns in this sequel short film to continue to spread his Halloween cheer.
The Jester: Chapter 3
On Halloween night, a young girl has no one to go trick-or-treating with....until The Jester offers to tag along.
MORA
A struggling artist searches for a mysterious woman that shows up in gruesome AI-generated images.
The Resonance
Short horror film The Resonance from Paul Robinson and Sashia Dumont. When respected psychologist Sloan Campbell inherits her predecessors last known session tapes before his untimely demise, she discovers a dark and unsettling pattern. As she delves deeper into the center of his final case, a sinister force threatens to blur the line between modern medicine and religion. Will her pursuit for the truth force her to tow a fine line between science and the supernatural, or will she become the next victim of…the resonance.
The Itch
A psychological sci-fi horror story about a young man who awakens in an unfamiliar apartment only to find himself under surveillance… and decaying rapidly. He relies on an enigmatic set of vaccines he discovers in the bathroom to slow his decline, but quickly plots revenge on his unseen watcher as his condition continues to deteriorate.
$TRIP
Short horror film $trip. It's Penny's first night stripping at an underground club. Will she go all the way? And what happens to her if she doesn't?
Trouble
Set in 1952, this musical thriller is what happens when a traveling salesman shows up on the doorstep of a dying old man and can't contain the song within his heart. A dark riff on a classic musical.
The Jester
Note: This film is age restricted by the creator. You'll need to click through to watch on YouTube after logging into your account. After a closing shift on Halloween night, a man stumbles upon what seems to be the embodiment of Halloween itself. Trick or treat?
Static
Charlotte, a sleep-deprived new mother grappling with postpartum depression, begins to hear unsettling interference noises emanating from her baby monitor.
TRICK or TREAT!
During their first Halloween in their new home, Travis and Beth encounter an unexpected trick or treater.
15-20 Minute Shorts (6 Films)
Short horror films running between fifteen and twenty minutes, offering space for deeper storytelling and more immersive worlds. These films take their time developing characters, mood, and tension without feeling rushed.
Box Fort
One weekend while their parents are away, three sisters decide to build a box fort. As strange things start to happen around them, they wonder if someone or someTHING is living inside of it. Based on the Creepypasta and Reddit NoSleep short story written by Mallory Eddy.
The Review
Two young vloggers, Jamie and Ethan, set out to create a fun, positive review of their stay in a picturesque, remote County Durham treehouse. They wanted subscribers, but what they found was a terrifying local legend.
The Rickety Man
A father discovers his children are grieving their mother's death in their own terrifying way, after having met a mysterious entity in the woods.
Other Side of the Box
A couple receives a mysterious package from an old friend.
Shut Eye
Award-Winning Short Horror Film Shut Eye from Robert Gregson. A recovering addict is haunted by episodes of sleep paralysis and visions of silhouetted demons. When the episodes intensify, she's certain the haunting forces aren't only in her mind. WINNER Best Horror Short - Montreal Independent Film Festival Best Editing - Brooklyn Horror Film Festival
Stimulant
Stimulant, a psychological horror short written and directed by Nicholas Laughlin. Michael and his roommate Jenn decide to try the new pill that everyone is raving about. But the side effects warp more than just their minds as bodies pile up around them.
Psychological Horror (40 Films)
Psychological horror short films driven by tension, dread, and the human mind. These films focus on fear that builds slowly and lingers, rather than relying on jump scares or shock alone.
Every Night I See Them
A man does everything in his power to not fall asleep in an attempt to escape certain death.
The Rickety Man
A father discovers his children are grieving their mother's death in their own terrifying way, after having met a mysterious entity in the woods.
The Witch
A woman is haunted by a presence. Every night it comes back. But is it real, or just her imagination?
Darby After Dark
One night, during her usual shift as a late-night radio host, Darby receives a mysterious phone call from a woman who shares a chilling paranormal game with her.
Method
When a dog sitter arrives at a house for what seems like a simple job, a list of strange rules makes him suspect that this is no ordinary dog.
Blink
After being violently pushed from a window, Mary wakes up in the hospital, almost completely paralyzed. Trapped inside the prison of her own body, Mary’s only way to communicate is by blinking her eyes. She tries to warn the nurse that a sinister, inhuman force is trying to kill her. But when strange things begin happening around her, she realizes it may be too late to stop it.
Attic Panic
In the underlit attic, an unsuspecting woman tidies up an already cluttered space; however, in the mysterious dimness, her eye catches a motion. Is this a trick of the mind, or is there something sinister hiding in the thick shadows?
Whisper
A young woman is haunted by ghost that her Amazon Echo picks up on.
Obsessed
Short horror film Obsessed from Cliff Mello. A young woman’s pursuit of perfection spirals into madness when a miracle weight-loss drug—and its haunting VHS trainer—begin to consume her mind and body. In this 5-minute psychological horror short, Tess orders Trimexa, a revolutionary weight-loss program promising control, beauty, and power. Guided by the too-perfect Craig Powers, her reality unravels as the side effects grow darker—blurring the line between discipline and delusion. Official entry for the Jakob Owens Horror Short Film Contest 2025
The Nurse
With a gauze wrapped around her eyes, a young patient wakes up to the squeaky noise of a wheeled surgical cart, utterly terrified by the palpable darkness.
Supernatural (50 Films)
Supernatural horror short films focused on ghosts, hauntings, curses, and unexplained phenomena. These stories are rooted in the unknown, where fear comes from forces that can’t be fully seen or understood.
2 Players Required
Short horror film 2 Players required. When a troubled young woman begins playing a strange board game, she unwittingly allows a sinister presence to enter her apartment.
The Rickety Man
A father discovers his children are grieving their mother's death in their own terrifying way, after having met a mysterious entity in the woods.
The Whisperer
A girl hears strange whispering while home alone at night.
Nope
A man discovers a disturbance in his home and wastes no time deciding what to do about it.
Milk Teeth
An orphanage spirals into mayhem when a boy discovers a shadowy creature who comes to collect more than just the children's teeth...
Beast of Prey
A woman finds herself locked in an isolated cabin with something sinister on the other side of the door.
MORA
A struggling artist searches for a mysterious woman that shows up in gruesome AI-generated images.
Darby After Dark
One night, during her usual shift as a late-night radio host, Darby receives a mysterious phone call from a woman who shares a chilling paranormal game with her.
Static
Charlotte, a sleep-deprived new mother grappling with postpartum depression, begins to hear unsettling interference noises emanating from her baby monitor.
The Maiden
A real estate agent tries to sell a haunted house.
Creature (30 Films)
Creature driven horror shorts centered around monsters, entities, and physical threats. These films focus on creature design, practical effects, and the kind of primal fear that comes from facing something tangible and dangerous.
2 Players Required
Short horror film 2 Players required. When a troubled young woman begins playing a strange board game, she unwittingly allows a sinister presence to enter her apartment.
Disguise
A woman encounters a malevolent presence in her house that can disguise itself as anything.
MORA
A struggling artist searches for a mysterious woman that shows up in gruesome AI-generated images.
Don’t Peek
A young woman discovers a frightening video game character intent on crossing into the real world.
We Got A Dog
Morgan comes home from a late shift to find her boyfriend Mason, decided to adopt a new pet. Though there is something odd about Mason and his behavior, Morgan quickly becomes suspicious of the new pet in their home.
Larry
A man. A parking lot. A friendship.
Make It Stop
Anna Bowman’s patient, Jacob hears voices and sounds again, thinking it is God. She tries to solve this issue only to be confronted by what these voices really are.
Disinfectant
The janitor loves his job. The demon loves its food. Submission for the Jakob Owens Horror Short Film Contest 2023.
The Smiling Man
A little girl home alone finds herself face-to-face with pure evil.
Milk Teeth
An orphanage spirals into mayhem when a boy discovers a shadowy creature who comes to collect more than just the children's teeth...
Comedy (4 Films)
Horror short films that mix scares with humor, satire, or absurd ideas. These films lean into dark comedy, awkward moments, and unexpected twists while still playing with classic horror themes.
Party Demon
A rookie exorcist faces off with a demon whose only demand is to make a new friend. A comic twist on the horror genre, this short turns possession into an unlikely party invitation.
Nope
A man discovers a disturbance in his home and wastes no time deciding what to do about it.
Sugar Tits
A teeth-obsessed serial killer kidnaps a new victim to complete his deranged masterpiece.
Don’t Tell Your Mom
In the industrial area of a seedy town where vampires roam free, Kyle rolls up to his cousin's factory...of nightmares.
Slasher (11 Films)
Slasher horror short films centered on killers, close encounters, and escalating danger. These films lean into tension, pursuit, and the constant feeling that something bad is about to happen.
The Jester
Note: This film is age restricted by the creator. You'll need to click through to watch on YouTube after logging into your account. After a closing shift on Halloween night, a man stumbles upon what seems to be the embodiment of Halloween itself. Trick or treat?
Halloween (Fan Film)
From Jakob - I've always loved the season of Halloween and even more so the Halloween movie franchise. As a fan of the movies and the holiday... I thought I'd have fun making my very own Halloween fan film!
TRICK or TREAT!
During their first Halloween in their new home, Travis and Beth encounter an unexpected trick or treater.
Nightfall
Jim is working late in his garage on what seemed like a normal summer night. That quickly turns into a nightmare, when he sees a silhouette of someone standing at the end of his driveway.
Hey Missy!
Short horror film Hey Missy from Joe Taft, premiering on Crypt TV. Missy has a pretty unique kink... luring men into a false sense of sexual bliss before brutally murdering them. She aims to rid herself of this disease, but when her past acts come back to haunt her, she's forced to face her demons head-on.
The Jester: Chapter 2
The Jester returns in this sequel short film to continue to spread his Halloween cheer.
Hobby Night
A man conceals his double life.
Sugar Tits
A teeth-obsessed serial killer kidnaps a new victim to complete his deranged masterpiece.
The Massacrer
The Massacrer, a short horror film proof of concept from Alysm Films. A weekend reunion of old college friends at the cusp of middle age is interrupted by an undead corpse's murderous rampage.
Guide My Slay
Let the reindeer games begin! A suburban Christmas party takes a dark turn when a menacing Santa arrives. Many of the guests are on his naughty list and he needs a makeshift "Rudolph" to help hunt them down.
Documentary (1 Films)
Documentary-style horror films focused on real events, real people, and unsettling truths. These films lean into investigation, history, and firsthand accounts, where the fear comes from what actually happened or what might have.
The Old Baraboo Inn
Known as a frequent stop for Al Capone and his outfit, the Old Baraboo Inn has become synonymous with gangsters, girls, and ghosts. Owned and operated by B.C. Farr until his death, the old inn is now owned by B.C.'s sister Shelly who continues his legacy of inviting patrons to interact with the spirits who call this bar home.
Features (2 Films)
Feature length horror films and longer-form projects that go beyond short formats. These films have more time for character development, extended tension, and fully realized stories to unfold.
Night Of The Living Dead
The original cult classic zombie horror film from George A. Romero. A film every horror fan should watch, and plays such an important role in cinema. A ragtag group of Pennsylvanians barricade themselves in an old farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls that are ravaging the Northeast of the United States.
Milk & Serial
From Curry Barker and Cooper Tomlinson, the team behind the film Obsession from Blumhouse and Focus Features. This was a found footage film they put out for free before Obsession. Check it out! A surprise birthday prank takes a turn for the worse when a popular social media duo must face the reality of the terrifying aftermath.
All Films (99 Films)
A complete collection of all the horror short films featured on Buried Films. You’ll find everything from supernatural and psychological horror to creature features, slashers, and experimental shorts, all in one place.
Whisper
A young woman is haunted by ghost that her Amazon Echo picks up on.
Pretty Pickle
MATURE - As he spends more time with his new girlfriend, a young man begins to privately dwell upon one of her quirks, leading him to a troubling discovery.
$TRIP
Short horror film $trip. It's Penny's first night stripping at an underground club. Will she go all the way? And what happens to her if she doesn't?
Disinfectant
The janitor loves his job. The demon loves its food. Submission for the Jakob Owens Horror Short Film Contest 2023.
One Last Dive
With only 20 minutes left to investigate an underwater crime scene, a diver goes for one last dive.
The Treatment & The Cure
Two rogue scientists strive to create the cure to save humanity from a deadly plague that could wipe out all of humankind.
Halloween (Fan Film)
From Jakob - I've always loved the season of Halloween and even more so the Halloween movie franchise. As a fan of the movies and the holiday... I thought I'd have fun making my very own Halloween fan film!
Shut Eye
Award-Winning Short Horror Film Shut Eye from Robert Gregson. A recovering addict is haunted by episodes of sleep paralysis and visions of silhouetted demons. When the episodes intensify, she's certain the haunting forces aren't only in her mind. WINNER Best Horror Short - Montreal Independent Film Festival Best Editing - Brooklyn Horror Film Festival
Nope
A man discovers a disturbance in his home and wastes no time deciding what to do about it.
Static
Charlotte, a sleep-deprived new mother grappling with postpartum depression, begins to hear unsettling interference noises emanating from her baby monitor.