There are many sub-genres of horror that take multiple paths to get to the same outcome, fear. Nothing quite gets the pulse racing like the breakout of a plague or a murderous scientist seeking to wipe out the human race. The thought of an invisible or unstoppable threat that can infect the body causes shivers down the spines of the most fearless of individuals.

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The vacancy of a monster to fight or a killer to run from creates a unique void and sense of danger that affects each person differently, making a medically focused horror film incredibly nerve-racking. At the same time, being betrayed by a person sworn to do no harm also carries its fair share of trauma-inducing fear. Here are some of the most terrifying medical horror movies to enjoy.

7 The Dentist

the dentist

The Dentist is a classic horror movie that has more than enough bang to get horror fans shaking in their seats. Dr. Feinstone was a reserved and well-mannered dental expert, played by Corbin Bernsen, but goes off the rails after he discovers the infidelity of his beloved wife.

With his mind crumbling under the weight of his rage, Dr. Alan Feinstone begins to take his frustrations out on his patients. One after another, Feinstone pushes the envelope until he finally gets his hands on his wife and disfigures her permanently before being apprehended by the police.

6 American Mary

Mary covered in blood on the poster for American Mary

American Mary is the tale of a woman scorned who turns away from her dream of becoming a surgeon after she is assaulted by her college professor. Mary now moonlights as a body modifier by day and a cruel serial killer by night. Mary is pulled into the abyss by her trauma and carves up those she deems deserving of her wrath.

Mary goes unnoticed and develops a taste for cruel and visceral medical procedures that leave her “patients” in gruesome shape. Mary's cold and hair-pin lethality will make most viewers' blood run cold as they explore what lengths she will go to for revenge.

5 The Returned

the returned

A unique and fresh take on the zombie apocalypse theme, The Returned begins after the plague has ended. An infection swept through the world, turning everyday people into mindless flesh eaters; however, scientists quickly worked to cure the disease but come up short, instead creating a treatment that suppresses the degenerative effects of the infection.

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Unfortunately, this treatment comes from infected zombies, and the risk of running out ignites new social issues among the haves and the have-nots. The Returned is a suspenseful ride that follows the fuse of the ticking time bomb that is the second coming of the zombie apocalypse.

4 The Lazarus Effect

Lazarus effect

Mankind's greatest challenge is to overcome nature and beat death by claiming everlasting life. When a college group of mad scientists attempts to create an aid for comatose individuals, they are taken aback when they find a way to bring the dead back to life instead.

Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for things to go awry when Zoe, one of the team members, is accidentally killed and brought back to life, claiming to have been in hell. However, Zoe returns noticeably different, and before the rest of the team can substantiate their suspicions, Zoe goes on a rampage having empowered mental abilities thanks to the serum she was injected with.

3 Silence of the Lambs

Hannibal Lecter's eyes

Anthony Hopkins defined a generation when he took on the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter alongside Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling. A story about a deranged man who was convicted of murder and cannibalism dives into the chemistry of psychopaths as rookie agent Chloe Starling is placed on the largest case of her career.

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A serial killer is abducting and skinning young women, and it is up to the FBI and the mind of a madman to save the day. The Suspense of Silence of the Lambs is defining, and the fear is palpable as from a cage, Hannibal Lecter pulls all the strings and is the only hope to save the life of the most recent victim.

2 Malignant

Madison from Malignant

A new wave of horror has been sweeping the genre with truly unique concepts. Malignant is one of those films that expands upon a simple idea and creates a special type of movie monster. What begins as the psychotic break plaguing Madison Mitchell as she witnesses horrendous murders through the eyes of someone else turns into a supernatural mystery as a gruesome killer torments her life.

Madison urgently searches for the answer to how she and the killer are connected, which leads her to a life she didn't know she had, being a foster child in a mental facility. Malignant goes places no viewer will see coming and ends with more than a few surprises.

1 Quarantine

quarantine-movie-1

When an unidentifiable virus takes root in a local New York apartment complex, a rookie reporter and her cameraman infiltrate a quarantined building against CDC order and get more than they bargained for. The illness is described as being similar to rabies and drives people who have contracted the disease insane, making them feral and violent.

Trapped inside the building, the reporter, Angela and a handful of civilians try to stay alive as they are hunted like cattle by infected tenants. Quarantine confines the zombie apocalypse to a four-floored building and traps a handful of average joes inside, creating a truly unsettling film.

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