The Best and Worst Killer Plant Movies | Part 1

As Halloween creeps closer, it's time for the obligatory movie watchlist post. This month is chock-full of horror movie challenges and marathons, and I wanted to add my own suggestions to the plethora already out there.

Of course, I had to cater the list to all you plant lovers! From vegetable-based alien lifeforms to carnivorous plants with an insatiable appetite, these films showcase flora as more than just something beautiful—they’re something to fear.

Some of these movies have rooted themselves as cult classics, while others… well, they belong in the compost bin. I’ve curated a list of 13 killer plant movies that span both ends of the spectrum.

This lineup will be revealed in four parts, with each week covering one half of the list, leading up to the final Top 7 on Halloween. Today, we'll dive into Part 1, where we’ll look at six of the best killer plant movies, starting with number 13. Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, when we'll start exploring of the worst of the bunch!

13. In the Tall Grass

In the Tall Grass follows a brother (Avery Whitted) and sister (Laysla De Oliveira) enter a vast field of tall grass after hearing a young boy's cries for help, only to find themselves lost in an endless maze. As they struggle to find their way, they encounter others trapped in the grass and discover a sinister force that distorts time and reality, preventing anyone from escaping.

One of several Stephen King adaptions available on Netflix, In the Tall Grass is notable for a great concept and setting. The grass is terrific at making you feel disoriented; it feels claustrophobic and endless at the same time, enhanced by the great cinematography.

However, this film suffers the same downfall as many King adaptions. The script struggles to stretch the source material to fit the runtime and the ending leaves a lot to be desired. Still, it's not a bad way to spend 90 minutes.

12. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes:

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes revolves around a small town that is thrown into chaos when ordinary tomatoes mutate into bloodthirsty monsters. A team of eccentric specialists band together to stop the rampaging produce and save humanity from the absurd vegetable uprising.

A seriously goofy parody of low-budget monster movies and American bureaucracy, this is a “bad on purpose” film that basically has one joke on display, creating similar moments from well-known movies and replacing the monster with tomatoes. Surprisingly, these gags don’t get old because of the many different ways they are executed. Similar in tone to a Zucker Brothers movie but predating Airplane, this is a fun watch for fans of satire.

11. The Day of the Triffids

In The Day of the Triffids, a meteor shower blinds most of humanity, leaving the survivors vulnerable to giant, carnivorous plants called Triffids that begin to attack and spread. As civilization collapses, a small group of sighted survivors must find a way to escape the deadly plants and rebuild in a world overrun by these walking, venomous threats.

This is a British science fiction horror film adapted from a book of the same name. Despite deviating from the book quite a bit and featuring a meandering script, the film is considered an enjoyable adaptation and is well-regarded. Most of the praise is focused on the memorable triffids, and large, carnivorous plants capable of walking and attacking humans.

Triffids have long tendrils that deliver venom to immobilize their prey, and they consume flesh for sustenance. Their unusual ability to move and communicate in groups makes them a formidable threat, especially as they prey on the largely blind human population.

10. Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing centers on Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise), a scientist who becomes a plant-human hybrid after a lab accident involving his secret bioengineering formula. Now transformed into the Swamp Thing, he uses his new powers to protect his swamp and a woman named Alice (Adrian Barbeau) from the villainous Dr. Arcane, who seeks the formula for his own purposes.

Swamp Thing was director Wes Craven's first attempt at a more mainstream story after getting his start in sleazy grindhouse movies. This is actually one of the earliest DC superhero films, coming just 4 years after Superman. While it's far from that quality, it gives us a lot of schlocky action. I love the use of the setting; as Swamp Thing says: "Much beauty in the swamp, if you only look".

9. The Ruins

In The Ruins, Jeff, Amy, Eric, and Stacy (Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey) visit an ancient Mayan ruin while on vacation in Mexico, only to find themselves ensnared by flesh-eating vines and trapped by the locals who prevent the deadly plant from spreading beyond the ruins.

These creeping vines are among the scariest plants on the list, capable of true carnage: they devour flesh, invade bodies, and even mimic human voices to lure unsuspecting prey, creating one of the film’s eeriest scenes. Brutal and unrelenting, the vines turn a simple sightseeing trip into a nightmare of body horror. If you're squeamish, you may want to look away.

8. The Hallow

The Hallow follows a conservationist (Joseph Mawle) and his family who move to a remote Irish village, only to discover that the surrounding forest is home to ancient creatures and a parasitic mold that protects the area. When they accidentally disturb these dark forces, they must fight to protect themselves and their young child from supernatural attacks that blur the line between myth and reality.

Ireland’s rolling green hills and magical forests are the perfect setting for nature-based horror films. The Hallow perfectly captures that fairytale aesthetic and twists it into something truly unsettling.

Fairytale creatures are the main threat here, but the film features a parasitic mold that is a memorable part of the movie. It slowly takes over the family's house throughout the movie, eventually infecting a character to grotesque results.

And that concludes Part 1! Keep an eye out for next week when we'll start Part 2 with the 13 worst. Whether you’re seeking cult classics or want to brave the compost bin, each installment will reveal something delightfully terrifying. So, get cozy, embrace the chills, and keep an eye out for what lurks just beyond the leaves—there's plenty more horror to unearth in the coming weeks!