A curated collection of independent horror short films, featuring hand-picked short horror films from emerging filmmakers.
The Maiden
Directed by Michael Chaves
Cast: Alia Raelynn, Penny Orloff, Brian Knudson, Sunnie Pelant, Betsy Sligh
Recommended by Buried Films (21 Films)
Hand-picked short horror films curated by Buried Films. This selection rotates regularly, spotlighting standout work that blows us away.
Portrait of God
A religious girl prepares a presentation about a painting titled "Portrait of God". What she sees challenges her beliefs.
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.
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...
Playback
A couple stops at an old motel, and finds a mysterious VHS tape. Submission for the Jakob Owens Horror Short Film Contest 2025
There Comes a Knocking
A grieving woman installs an antique door into her home, which opens herself up to the other side.
The Backrooms
An analog horror series revolving around a mysterious alternate dimension known as the Backrooms.
The Smiling Man
A little girl home alone finds herself face-to-face with pure evil.
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.
Every Night I See Them
A man does everything in his power to not fall asleep in an attempt to escape certain death.
Don’t Feed The Cat
Chloe finds a cat trapped in her sick grandfather's basement.
Recently Added
The last 10 short horror films that have been added to Buried Films.
The Door
A mother grieving over her daughter's disappearance struggles to move on after she becomes obsessed with a mysterious door that appears in her house.
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.
Disinfectant
The janitor loves his job. The demon loves its food. Submission for the Jakob Owens Horror Short Film Contest 2023.
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.
Playback
A couple stops at an old motel, and finds a mysterious VHS tape. Submission for the Jakob Owens Horror Short Film Contest 2025
Don’t Feed The Cat
Chloe finds a cat trapped in her sick grandfather's basement.
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.
Late Fees
A video store clerk collects the souls of patrons who forget to return their movies on time.
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.
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?
1-5 Minute Shorts (29 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.
One Last Dive
With only 20 minutes left to investigate an underwater crime scene, a diver goes for one last dive.
Augmented
Left with only a note and pair of sunglasses when she awakens, a young woman discovers something terrifying on the "other side" when she puts the glasses on.
Mommy’s Boy
A little boy heads to the washroom when something catches his attention.
Call of the Ocean
A woman finds a beautiful seashell on the beach, and then something unexpected happens…
Midnight Snack
A noise awakens a women who finds something sinister looking for a MIDNIGHT SNACK.
The Whisperer
A girl hears strange whispering while home alone at night.
The Lonesome Thing
A man tries to convince a spirit to leave his house.
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?
Fresh Ink
A man finds a mysterious warning note tucked away inside of an old book. He soon finds out he's not alone.
Ding Dong
Someone-- or something-- plays Ding Dong Ditch with a girl who's home alone.
5-10 Minute Shorts (36 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.
In A Nutshell
A miniature artist is commissioned to recreate a gruesome crime scene for the local police departments homicide department, unknowingly opening the doors for an evil entity.
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.
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.
The House Between
One last chance for redemption.
Curve
Clinging to a curved surface high above a sentient abyss, a girl has to cover the few feet back to safety before she loses grip.
Lucid
With a unique power to Lucid Dream, a widower must find his dead wife before she is consumed by a nightmarish entity.
VIDEO 4
A woman finds an old video camera with a mysterious tape labeled VIDEO 4.
Special Day
On the night of her 18th birthday, Emily's family gather together to reveal a secret to her - a secret that will shape the rest of her life.
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.
10-15 Minute Shorts (16 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.
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.
TRICK or TREAT!
During their first Halloween in their new home, Travis and Beth encounter an unexpected trick or treater.
The Door
A mother grieving over her daughter's disappearance struggles to move on after she becomes obsessed with a mysterious door that appears in her house.
Disguise
A woman encounters a malevolent presence in her house that can disguise itself as anything.
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.
Glaistig
A young woman is haunted by visions of a demon-like creature—visions she’s convinced are real, stemming from one terrifying night deep in the woods with her boyfriend and their roommate. Brushed off as drunken delusion, her warnings go unheeded… until it’s far too late.
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...
MORA
A struggling artist searches for a mysterious woman that shows up in gruesome AI-generated images.
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.
Christmas Eve
Welcome to West Manor. The halls are decked, the lights are twinkling, and the atmosphere is to die for.
15-20 Minute Shorts (4 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.
Other Side of the Box
A couple receives a mysterious package from an old friend.
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.
Psychological Horror (33 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.
Special Day
On the night of her 18th birthday, Emily's family gather together to reveal a secret to her - a secret that will shape the rest of her life.
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.
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.
The Backrooms
An analog horror series revolving around a mysterious alternate dimension known as the Backrooms.
The Door
A mother grieving over her daughter's disappearance struggles to move on after she becomes obsessed with a mysterious door that appears in her house.
$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?
Portrait of God
A religious girl prepares a presentation about a painting titled "Portrait of God". What she sees challenges her beliefs.
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.
Other Side of the Box
A couple receives a mysterious package from an old friend.
Beast of Prey
A woman finds herself locked in an isolated cabin with something sinister on the other side of the door.
Supernatural (45 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.
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."
The Changing Room
A woman finds herself in a nightmarish trap after sneaking into a closed off changing room.
Other Side of the Box
A couple receives a mysterious package from an old friend.
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.
2 Players Required
When a troubled young woman begins playing a strange board game, she unwittingly allows a sinister presence to enter her apartment.
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.
Late Fees
A video store clerk collects the souls of patrons who forget to return their movies on time.
Static
Charlotte, a sleep-deprived new mother grappling with postpartum depression, begins to hear unsettling interference noises emanating from her baby monitor.
Every Night I See Them
A man does everything in his power to not fall asleep in an attempt to escape certain death.
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.
Creature (29 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.
Polaroid
What's LURKING in the POLAROID??
MORA
A struggling artist searches for a mysterious woman that shows up in gruesome AI-generated images.
Disinfectant
The janitor loves his job. The demon loves its food. Submission for the Jakob Owens Horror Short Film Contest 2023.
Don’t Peek
A young woman discovers a frightening video game character intent on crossing into the real world.
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.
After Dark
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.
After Hours
Sequel to After Dark. Vinny realizes something's wrong when a trail of blood leads inside a cabin with his friends nowhere to be found. After coming face to face with a mysterious creature, he must fight to escape the creatures that lurk at night.
Glaistig
A young woman is haunted by visions of a demon-like creature—visions she’s convinced are real, stemming from one terrifying night deep in the woods with her boyfriend and their roommate. Brushed off as drunken delusion, her warnings go unheeded… until it’s far too late.
Be Quiet
A young girl is woken in the night by her brother, who believes something is in the house with them.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Slasher (9 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.
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!
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?
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.
Hobby Night
A man conceals his double life.
The Jester: Chapter 2
The Jester returns in this sequel short film to continue to spread his Halloween cheer.
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.
TRICK or TREAT!
During their first Halloween in their new home, Travis and Beth encounter an unexpected trick or treater.
Sugar Tits
A teeth-obsessed serial killer kidnaps a new victim to complete his deranged masterpiece.
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.
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.
All Films (87 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.
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.
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.
Late Fees
A video store clerk collects the souls of patrons who forget to return their movies on time.
Glaistig
A young woman is haunted by visions of a demon-like creature—visions she’s convinced are real, stemming from one terrifying night deep in the woods with her boyfriend and their roommate. Brushed off as drunken delusion, her warnings go unheeded… until it’s far too late.
Larry
A man. A parking lot. A friendship.
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 Maiden
A real estate agent tries to sell a haunted house.
TRICK or TREAT!
During their first Halloween in their new home, Travis and Beth encounter an unexpected trick or treater.
The Jester: Chapter 2
The Jester returns in this sequel short film to continue to spread his Halloween cheer.
Catch Your Breath
A shy teenager (Andrew) is peer pressured by his older brother (Mike) into playing a game that is said to summon the ghost of the town legend, 'The Lady Beneath'. To disprove his brother and impress a girl at school he reluctantly agrees. The rules of the game are simple, as long as Andrew holds his breath, he is safe from The Lady Beneath. But how long can Andrew hold his breath?