The spooky season is here, making it the right time to bring back the jitters with some of Singapore’s classic horror films.
From tales of Southeast Asia’s folklore and ghostly traditions to vengeful spirits exacting retribution, here is an unlucky lot of 13 horror flicks available to stream that will make you scream – or chuckle.
The Maid (2005)
The Maid is a must-watch classic about a maid from the Philippines struggling to settle down with her religious employers during the “Seventh Month,” aka Chinese ghost festival, a Taoist and Buddhist tradition when worshippers pray to the dead.
The film broke the Singapore box office record for the horror genre with S$700,000 on its opening weekend. It also won the European Fantastic Film Festival Federation Asian Film Award.
The Maid is available on Netflix.
Blood Ties (2009)
A Chinese superstition holds that when a person dies, their spirit returns home on the seventh night. Combine that with a vengeful spectre haunting its murderers, and you have Blood Ties, a Chinese-language thriller by Singaporean film director Chai Yee Wei.
It was the city’s most-anticipated supernatural horror film when it was released in 2009 and stars Chinese actress Cheng Pei Pei, Hong Kong actor Kenneth Tsang, and Singaporean actor Vincent Tee.
Blood Ties is available on Netflix.
Ghost Child (2013)
Ghost Child is a Singaporean Chinese-language tale of a widower (Chen Hanwei) whose new Indonesian-Chinese beau brings in a Toyol, a type of undead infant, who proceeds to terrorize his teen daughter (Jayley Woo).
The flick was written and directed by Gilbert Chan and grossed S$530,000 at the Singapore box office.
Ghost child is available on Netflix.
Pulau Hantu (2008)
Pulau Hantu, or Ghost Island, revolves around a group of soldiers whose itchy hands disrupt a haunted gravesite on Pulau Hantu, a real island located south of Singapore, which leads to a battle with old, vengeful spirits. It was directed by Singapore writer Esan Sivalingam and stars actors Carl Ng, Pamelyn Chee, and Adrian Pang.
Pulau Hantu is available on Netflix.
Bring Back the Dead (2015)
In this 90-minute film filled with “oh nos,” Bring Back the Dead follows a grieving mother who turns to a medium to bring her dead son back to life.
It was written and directed by Lee Thean-jeen and stars actors Jesseca Liu, Jacko Chiang, and Liu Lingling.
Bring Back the Dead is available on Netflix.
Where Got Ghost? (2009)
For his first attempt at the horror genre, local producer Jack Neo made Where Got Ghost?, a compilation of three tales riddled with Singaporean humor. Roadside Got Ghost follows a conman, Forest Got Ghost revolves around national servicemen, and House Got Ghost, which takes place during the ghostly Seventh Lunar Month.
It stars Neo himself, and familiar faces Henry Thia and Mark Lee.
Where Got Ghost? is available on Netflix.
The Ghosts Must Be Crazy (2011)
Riding on the comedy horror train, The Ghosts Must Be Crazy is a two-part film directed by Mark Lee and Boris Boo. Their plotlines involve a day off from the army and a ghost bride’s marriage.
The film was Lee’s directorial debut and written and produced by Jack Neo.
The Ghosts Must Be Crazy is available on Netflix.
Greedy Ghost (2012)
Greedy Ghost follows the life of a money-obsessed funeral parlor employee who struggles to get his life back together after developing the ability to see ghosts.
It stars Taiwanese entertainer Kang Kang and local actors Henry Thia, Brendan Yuen, and Jesseca Liu. It was written and directed by Boris Boo.
Greedy Ghost is available on Netflix.
23:59 (2011)
In yet another story revolving around Singapore’s soldiers, 23:59 follows a series of hauntings after a group of soldiers find a dead recruit during a road march. The Singaporean-Malaysian production was directed by Gilbert Chan.
Its sequel, 23:59: The Haunting Hour, was released in 2018 and is also set in an army barracks. This time, a socially awkward recruit deals with bullying by army mates by writing military-themed horror stories. Things soon go awry when he meets a mysterious attractive reader.
23:59 and 23:59: The Haunting Hour are available on Netflix and Apple TV.
Revenge of the Pontianak (2019)
Bring in the queen of Southeast Asian folklore! Revenge of the Pontianak is a Singaporean, Malay-language romantic horror movie in which a couple is terrorized by a Pontianak, a female vampire who died giving birth and hungry for revenge. Find out who wins in this film directed by Singapore’s Glen Goei and Gavin Yap.
Revenge of the Pontianak is available on Netflix.
Folklore (2018)
A feast for the eyes, HBO Asia’s Folklore is a six-episode anthology based on Asian superstitions and folklore from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Each episode runs for close to an hour and directed by someone from each country, including Singapore’s Eric Khoo. Indonesia’s critically acclaimed director Joko Anwar also takes one on.
It has been renewed for a second season coming Nov. 14 with a new slate of directors.
Folklore is available on HBO.
BONUS
Incredible Tales (2004)
Incredible Tales is a local television gem. While it might not be so terrifying, it is definitely entertaining. There are eight seasons worth of paranormal tales harvested from members of the public in Singapore and Southeast Asia – and a lot of subpar reenactments.
The series aired for 13 years and was hosted by Thai actor Utt Panichkul.
Incredible Tales is available on Netflix.
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