The Best And Worst Killer Plant Movies | Part 4

Happy Halloween! Have you suffered enough yet? Over the last two weeks, we’ve dug through the compost bin of cinema, exploring the most hilariously rotten killer plant movies that horror has to offer. We’ve watched monsters fail to terrify, creatures struggle to walk, and low-budget effects turn would-be horror into unintentional comedy. But today, let’s put all that behind us—it’s time for a real Halloween treat! Now we’re diving into the very best of the genre, highlighting the films that truly bring terrifying plants to life in memorable, spine-tingling ways. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and join us as we count down the top seven killer plant movies guaranteed to thrill this Halloween.

Creepshow is a horror anthology featuring five terrifying tales inspired by classic horror comics. Each segment, ranging from vengeful corpses to monstrous creatures, delivers a unique blend of horror and dark humor, connecting them through a framing story about a young boy’s fascination with the macabre comic book that brings these stories to life.

This movie is a horror fan’s dream come true. Based on the 50s EC Comics, written by Stephen King, directed by George Romero, and featuring special effects by Tom Savini, it is a menagerie of everything that monster kids in the 1980s loved. 

Including this on the list might be cheating because only one of the segments shows someone foiled by foliage, but it’s a very memorable part of the movie. The character in question, who is a dimwitted farmer consumed by a mysterious moss that came from a meteorite, is played by an always fun-to-see-on-screen Stephen King. The performance, premise, and practical effects make this short the silliest of the bunch, but in the best way possible.

#6. Matango

In Matango, a group of friends on a yachting trip becomes stranded on a deserted island, where they discover strange, mutated mushrooms. As desperation sets in, they begin to eat the mushrooms, only to realize too late that they transform anyone who consumes them into grotesque, mushroom-like creatures.

One of the most atmospheric horror films to come out of Japan. Initially slow-paced it grows into a disturbing body horror. Although the monster transformations seem minimal by today’s standards, Ishirō Honda’s emphasis on atmosphere and character interaction elevates the film beyond typical creature features.

The film's pacing and bleak tone feel like a dark, surreal twist on Lord of the Flies, exploring themes of human nature in isolation. Honda himself regarded Matango as one of his best works, and the film is lauded for its disturbing yet subtle descent into body horror and madness, making it an unforgettable experience for horror fans.

In The Thing from Another World, a team of scientists and military personnel in the Arctic discovers a crashed alien spaceship and unwittingly awakens a hostile alien creature frozen in the ice. As the creature begins attacking, the team must work together to survive against this shape-shifting being that feeds on blood, escalating into a desperate fight for survival in their isolated outpost.

While largely overlooked since the release of John Carpenter’s masterful and special effects-filled remake, the original still deserves appreciation. Combining Cold War-era themes of paranoia and cautionary tales of science gone wrong, on the surface it may seem plants have nothing to do with this movie, but that’s where you’re wrong.

The alien creature has the ability to regenerate itself, making it resilient and capable of regrowing tissue, giving it an otherworldly blend of plant and alien physiology that terrifies the scientists trying to understand it. It is described as a humanoid alien composed of plant-like material, with cellular structures that resemble those of a vegetable. It’s essentially a walking carrot that has the stranded scientists so scared.

#4. Godzilla vs. Biollante

This one is for all the rose gardeners out there. In Godzilla vs. Biollante, a scientist combines Godzilla's and his own daughter’s DNA with a rose, inadvertently creating a massive, mutated creature named Biollante. Humanity must now face the consequences of tampering with nature and genetic engineering.

For the uninitiated, Godzilla films are divided into distinct eras, beginning with the Showa Era, where Godzilla shifted from a symbol of nuclear devastation to a more child-friendly character over 15 films. After a decade-long hiatus, The Return of Godzilla brought the King of the Monsters back with a darker, more serious tone and improved effects. The Heisei Era started with a colossal roar.

Despite wanting to get away from the monster brawls the series had become known for, the very next film brought it back in full force. Biollante is one of the most unique monsters in the franchise. She is the first monster to be created with Godzilla DNA, a recurring theme in the franchise, and is a very sympathetic monster due to her human origins. She begins as a beautiful rose and becomes more mutated and monstrous with every form.

#3. Annihilation

In Annihilation, a biologist joins an expedition into an environmental disaster zone where natural laws are distorted. As the team ventures deeper into this surreal and nightmarish landscape, they encounter strange and beautiful creatures, terrifying mutated predators, and vegetation that blurs the boundaries between life forms.

While not entirely focused on killer plants, Annihilation features some hauntingly memorable scenes involving mutated flora. The film features stunning visuals and is probably the best-looking film on the list. The thought-provoking narrative blends science fiction with existential horror and presents a deeply atmospheric, unsettling journey into the unknown.

#2. Body Snatchers (1993)

Body Snatchers (1993) follows a teenage girl and her family as they move to a remote military base, only to discover that an alien invasion is replacing humans with identical, emotionless clones. As the alien threat spreads through the base, she must find a way to escape before she and her loved ones lose their identities to the pod people.

This film is one of several adaptations of Jack Finney’s novel Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but it stands out for its unique setting in a controlled, militaristic environment. Director Abel Ferrara injects a modern sense of both personal and institutional distrust, reflecting themes of isolation and the fear of losing one’s identity in a rigid, hierarchical society. 

With the best effects in the franchise, Body Snatchers (1993) offers a chilling, visually impressive take on the classic tale of alien infiltration. The pods have never looked better and we get some terrific transformation scenes that are captured with the best cinematography of all the adaptations. If you’re a fan of old-school creature features and practical effects, you’ll get a kick out of this adaption. 

#1. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Little Shop of Horrors centers on Seymour, a meek and love-struck florist who discovers an unusual, talking plant he names Audrey II. The plant brings him fame, fortune, and attention, but it has one horrifying requirement: human blood. As Audrey II grows larger and more powerful, Seymour finds himself in a darkly comedic cycle of feeding it fresh victims to keep up with its insatiable hunger while pining over his dream girl. 

How could this movie not be at the top of the list? Audrey II is the most iconic plant in all of cinema. Who hasn’t imitated the flamboyant flower’s iconic “Feed me, Seymour” line while feeding their own hungry plants?

The impact of the original 1960 movie is undeniable. Shot on leftover sets with a shoestring budget in only three days, Little Shop of Horrors became a surprise success. It spawned a cult following and a Broadway musical, from which this version is adapted. 

While you can’t go wrong with either version of the film, my pick is the ‘86 version, especially if you watch it with the deleted alternate ending where Audrey II becomes kaiju-sized and destroys the city.

                                                                                                                                  

And that’s a wrap on our killer plant movie countdown! We've journeyed through campy B-movie thrills, sci-fi paranoia, and twisted botanic horror. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of creepy cinema or just in it for the Halloween spirit, we hope this list has brought you plenty of chills and laughs along the way. So, as you settle in tonight with your Halloween candy, maybe queue up a few of these leafy nightmares. And remember: never turn your back on the flora!