Have you watched so many American horror films (alone or with friends) that they just seem so predictable and now somewhat boring? If you have, I feel you. I've been in that place a lot. I've watched so many American horror films that I know when somethings going to happen - and be right about it. I mean they are somewhat that predictable to me. Whether that would be with the classic "Halloween" films, the "Chucky" series, or even the gore fest of the "Saw" franchise - everyone knows them. They are so iconic - but at the same time what makes it iconic gets boring and overused.

But surprise! I found new horror to watch from across the sea - Japan. Now I'm not saying I love it as much as my favorite American movies - but dang they are for sure refreshing compared to what I usually watch.

Anyways, here is a list of popular horror films from Japan. I recommend not watching them alone (grab someone or something like a teddy bear) and try not to not watch them in the dead of night; unless you're a pro, then go straight ahead!

1. "Ju On" (The Grudge)

Now I'm starting off this list with one that people may know. If you don't know it by it's Japanese name, then you might know about it through it's american name (and adaptation) called "The Grudge". The summary of the movie is about a very evil curse (and some pretty angry spirits) that lingers in a house where a horrific murder of a woman and a child took place. If anyone ever steps foot inside the house - they are marked for a terrifying haunting which will never rest. Soon enough, one by one, those who have been caught in the curse begin to die, and nowhere is safe. So much for a homecoming.

Watch the original trailer here.

2. "Ringu" (The Ring)

Another popular horror film from Japan. this one also got an American adaptation with as an English title "The Ring". The beginning of this horror doesn't start on a happy note. After the death of her cousin Tomoko, reporter Reiko has heard stories of a videotape that will kill anyone who sees it, exactly one week after viewing it. At first she doesn't believe the rumors, but when she learns that Tomoko's friend died at the exact same time, she begins to investigate more into the tape. After viewing it herself, strange things begin to happen, and teams up with her ex-husband to try to stop the clock that has begun to tick once more. You know you shouldn't have watched a movie if someone died afterwards. It's just common sense buddy.

Watch the original trailer here.

3. "Suicide Club"

"Suicide Club" is a horror story that really hits home - especially with those who have experienced a death of this kind. The film is very known for the controversial subject matter and also for it's gory presentation. The film is based around a wave of seemingly unconnected suicides which strike Japan and follows efforts of the police to determine the reasons behind why the strange behavior is happening. Talk about eternal bonding.

Watch the original trailer here.

4. "Rinne" (Reincarnation)

How would you feel being an actor in a horror film? The story begins with Nagisa Sugiura - a young Japanese actress - who comes face to face with many ghosts. These restless spirits begin to appear when she stars in a horror film that tells the true story about a crazed, local professor whose murderous rampage at a hotel killed 11 guests, including his young son and daughter. And the stranger thing? The movie is being filmed at the very site where the killings took place. Creepy much? Heck yes.

Watch the original trailer here.

5. "Uzumaki" (Spiral)

Now this one is a bit special - especially because it is an adaptation of one of my favorite manga of all time (and created by Junji Ito). In the small town of Kurouzu, high school student Kirie's first glimpse that something doesn't seem right appeared when the father of her boyfriend began to film the corkscrew patterns on a snail; he is also in the process of making a video scrap book filled with the images of anything that has a spiral or vortex shape to it. After that point, you are following the lives of the citizens of the small city as they become increasingly obsessed with and tormented by spirals. Yeah - there's a phobia for you (And it's everywhere!).

Watch the original trailer here.

6. "Tomie"

This one (and the rest of the movies series) is also based off of it's manga counter part. Created by the same mangaka as Uzumaki, Junji Ito, it's considered one of the greatest horror manga icons. In this series, starting with the first film, it starts off with the police investigating the murder of high school girl Tomie Kawakami. In the months following the murder, they learn nine students and a teacher have either committed suicide or gone insane. The detective assigned to the case learns that three years prior, another Tomie Kawakami was murdered in rural Gifu prefecture. He soon found out that there were other slain Tomie Kawakamis stretching all the way back to the 1860s. As the story progresses, you start to figure out that she isn't who you thought she was in the beginning. Gotta be some creepy coincidence right?

Watch the original trailer here.

7. "Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman"

This one is considered a bit of a classic - mostly because of the famous Japanese urban legend of Kuchisake-onna or Slit-Mouthed Woman. The movie starts of in a suburban Japanese town in which the victim of what is supposedly just an urban legend. A woman's spirit with a horribly disfigured face is intent on kidnapping children for unknown reasons. Better protect your young ones after a movie like this.

Watch the original trailer here.

8. "Kwaiden"

For a horror movie made back in the '60s, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Film, it's gotta be good, right?. This collection of four ghost stories will surely get you get with its stories from a blind musician, a husband who couldn't decide, a Yuki-onna (a ghost in snowy areas), and even a man who thinks he sees ghosts in his tea.

Watch the original trailer here.

9. "Dark Water"

This one doesn't really have any gore in it, but it's an exceptional psychological horror accented by a storyline of vivid cinematography. On top of that, this film also has an American adaptation (Wow Japanese horror films get adapted a lot). The story is about a divorced mother and her 6-year-old daughter who move into a creepy apartment, whose every surface is permeated by water. It's as simple as that, so dive right on in.

Watch the original trailer here.

10. "Audition"

Another very popular horror film classic is "Audition". It follows a widower named Shigeharu Aoyama as he takes an offer to screen girls at a special audition, arranged for him by a friend to find him a new wife. The one he fancies is not who she appears to be after all. One thing is for sure - this is a movie not for the faint of heart (especially with the gore in a couple scenes). So please, don't eat while watching this movie - trust me on this one.

Watch the original trailer here.

11. "Teketeke"

Alright, another great horror movie based off of another urban legend. Now, the urban legend states that it is a ghost of a young woman, or school girl, who fell on a rail way line and was cut in half by the oncoming train. Now a vengeful spirit (because why wouldn't you be), she travels on her hand or elbows, with her torso making a scratching or 'teke teke' sound as she drags herself across the ground. If she encounters anyone at night and the victim is not fast enough, she will slice them in half at the torso. Now, in the movie, a young girl learns of the urban legend of Teketeke after her friend is killed in a gruesome way. The girl knows about the legend and yet when she visits the spot where her friend died she comes into contact with it. It's for sure scary if you aren't careful where you're going - so bring a buddy.

Watch the original trailer here.

12. "Noroi: The Curse"

Lastly, the final horror film on this list is shot like a documentary. The film focuses on Masafumi Kobayashi, a paranormal expert who produced a series of books and documentaries on supernatural activity around Japan. He disappeared in the process of making his most disturbing documentary, "The Curse". After his house burns down, his wife Keiko was found dead in the ruins. The actual movie begins to unfold, shown mostly through the recordings of Kobayashi's cameraman, Miyajima. This is a great pick movie for fans of "Blair Witch Project", "Paranormal Activity", and possibly the "VHS" series. Definitely one that really makes you think that something like this could never happen - or could it?

Watch the original trailer here.

And an added Bonus!

13. "Riaru Onnigokko" (Tag)

This movie was just recently released from Japan on July 11, 2015. It is a Japanese suspense action horror film directed by Sion Sono and inspired by title of the novel "Riaru Onigokko" by Yusuke Yamada. A quiet high school girl named Mitsuko's life is thrown into chaos as everyone around her suffers a gruesome fate. As the story progresses, she herself becomes less and less certain of who she is and what kind of a world she lives in. It's certainly one to wrap your head around.

Watch the original trailer here (and the movie here)

There are so many good horror films from Japan - I mean I couldn't believe how many! But I only listed these to show you the humongous range Japanese horror can encompass. I hope this list encourages you to explore Japans many horror films (and maybe some other countries). If you know any that should be put onto this list, please comment down and share (come to the dark side).