Lucio Fulci - The Maestro's Top 25 Films Ranked
A ranking of "The Godfather of Gore's" best movies.
Lucio Fulci is arguably the most underrated and under-appreciated director of all-time. As an Italian filmmaker for hire, Fulci took low budget exploitation scripts and churned out artistic genre films. The man was truly a mad genius.
Fulci Lives!
Lucio Fulci is arguably the most underrated and under-appreciated director of all-time. As an Italian filmmaker for hire, Fulci took low budget exploitation scripts and churned out artistic genre films. The man was truly a mad genius.
Fulci Lives!
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- DirectorLucio FulciStarsTisa FarrowIan McCullochRichard JohnsonStrangers searching for a young woman's missing father arrive at a tropical island where a doctor desperately seeks the cause and cure of a recent epidemic of the undead.The film that defines Fulci and earned him the title of the 'Godfather of Gore'. Shocking and visceral, Fulci's unofficial, unauthorized and unconnected sequel to George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead" (was known in Italy as "Zombi 2”), the film is a relentless ride. Featuring incredible cinematography, a pulse-pounding score by the incomparable Fabio Frizzi and a scene so infamous you can just say the words 'eyeball' and 'splinter'. "Zombie" isn't just Fulci's most notable film, it's one of the best horror films of its day. And if that wasn't enough, there's a fight scene between a zombie and an actual live shark...and no, I’m not even slightly kidding.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsFlorinda BolkanBarbara BouchetTomas MilianWhen a southern Italian town is rocked by a string of child murders, the police and two urban outcasts search for the culprit amid scapegoating within the superstitious community.A top-of-the-line giallo and a standout of the genre. Arguably the best film Fulci ever made, with a highlight score by the great Riz Ortolani. Taking place in a small Italian village and revolving around the disappearance and death of several of the town's children, the film exudes an eerie, uncomfortable feeling. Disturbing and different, "Don't Torture a Duckling" digs deep into your subconscious for an unforgettable cinematic experience.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsCatriona MacCollDavid WarbeckCinzia MonrealeA young woman inherits an old hotel in Louisiana where, following a series of supernatural "accidents", she learns that the building was built over one of the entrances to Hell.One of the most bizarre, supernatural gore-fests ever made. The middle film in the unconnected "Gates of Hell" trilogy, "The Beyond" is a haunted house nightmare set in an old Louisiana hotel and can be summed up as pure cinematic doom. Alongside a career best score by Fabio Frizzi, this is easily the most 'Fulci film' that Fulci ever made, so to speak, featuring his every cinematic trademark. While light on plot, the film is the pinnacle of graphic on-screen terror and ends with one of the most haunting conclusions in horror film history.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsFabio TestiLynne FrederickMichael J. PollardIn 1873, four petty criminals - three men and a pregnant woman - wander through the trackless terrain of Utah, where they are hounded by a sadistic bandit.Undoubtedly the most strange and unconventional spaghetti western ever filmed and you'd expect nothing less from Fulci. A poetic, personal film that is just as violent and depressing as it is moving. Featuring expressive music and picturesque camerawork, this was Fulci at the very top of his cinematic game.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsJennifer O'NeillGabriele FerzettiMarc PorelA clairvoyant woman discovers a skeleton in a wall in her husband's house, and seeks to find the truth about what happened to the victim.The most elegant film Fulci directed. A classy, dark giallo thriller with superb cinematography and a beautiful, haunting score by Fabio Frizzi. More commonly known by its American title, "The Psychic".
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsFlorinda BolkanStanley BakerJean SorelThe potentially unhinged daughter of a British politician is accused of killing her hedonistic neighbor after she witnesses the murder in a dream.An acid-washed, swinging 70’s hippy giallo, set in London. This energetic, hyper-sexual murder mystery features several scenes of gore, disorientating camerawork and an unhinged score by the legendary Ennio Morricone.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsChristopher GeorgeCatriona MacCollCarlo De MejoA reporter and a psychic race to close the Gates of Hell after the suicide of a clergyman caused them to open, allowing the dead to rise from their graves.Equally known by its American title and the trilogy it would initiate, "The Gates of Hell" is a Lovecraftian-inspired horror film that changed the game when it comes to gore. While loose on narrative continuity similar to "The Beyond", Fulci instead unleashes non-stop terror on the screen, while Fabio Frizzi provides a pulse-pounding score that immediately sets the spine-chilling mood.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsJack HedleyAlmanta SuskaHoward RossA burned-out New York police detective teams up with a college psychoanalyst to track down a vicious serial killer randomly stalking and killing various young women around the city.Easily the sleaziest film on this list and perhaps the sleaziest slasher ever put on celluloid. A graphic, ultra-violent giallo about a duck-voiced serial killer who preys on young women throughout the seedy streets of pre-Giuliani Manhattan.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsJean SorelMarisa MellElsa MartinelliAn unscrupulous doctor is accused of killing his asthmatic wife as part of an insurance scam, despite discovering that she has a doppelgänger who works as a stripper and call girl.Fulci does an erotic take on Hitchcock's "Vertigo". An expertly crafted sexual thriller with excellent editing, dazzling cinematography and a smooth, jazzy score by the great Riz Ortolani. Also commonly known as “Perversion Story”.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsFabio TestiIvana MontiMarcel BozzuffiSomeone is muscling in on the two brothers' cigarette smuggling into Italy at Naples. The police is tipped off, then Mickey's stable burns down, then the killing etc. starts. Luca responds.Fulci's lone poliziotteschi and it's a wild, graphically violent ride through the shores and streets of Naples. Shootouts, sulfur pit knife fights and Bunsen burner face meltings ensue. Seek out the Italian audio when watching this film, as the English dub is quite poor.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsCatriona MacCollPaolo MalcoAnia PieroniA New England home is terrorized by a series of murders, unbeknownst to the guests that a gruesome secret is hiding in the basement.A solid haunted house film, filled to the brim with over-the-top gore. While Fulci includes plenty of terrifying moments, it's not quite as polished as the other two flicks in the "Gates of Hell" trilogy, as the film is marred by poor dubbing (sorry Bob), uneven editing and a punchy, yet disjointed score by Walter Rizzati.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsTomas MilianAdrienne LarussaGeorges WilsonIn 16th century Italy, a young noblewoman plots with her lover and her family to murder her abusive father, leading to an uproar in the community and the Catholic Church.This historical period-piece drama is passionately made and features the classic violence that Fulci would later become familiar for. More commonly known as "Beatrice Cenci", this is easily Fulci's most under-seen and wrongly neglected film.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsPatrick MageeMimsy FarmerDavid WarbeckA professor with the psychic ability to communicate with the dead uses his powers on his pet cat in order to take vengeance upon his enemies.Two mad geniuses collide when Fulci adapts Edgar Allan Poe, but with Lucio's own blend of twists and turns. A fun, gothic horror film with solid performances and a expert score by Pino Donaggio.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsJorge RiveroAndrea OcchipintiConrado San MartínA young man, armed with a magical bow and arrows, embarks on a mystical journey through a mystical land to rid it of all evil and joins forces with an outlaw to take down an evil witch bent on claiming the magic bow for evil.A low-budget, sword and sandal flick on acid. With a topless sorceress, drug-snorting werewolves and a magical bow and arrow, Fulci's insane take on "Conan the Barbarian" is a must-see.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsFranco NeroGeorge HiltonLinda SiniA prospector and his drunkard half-brother must fight a rancher and his sadistic son after they seize control of his farm.Fulci’s first spaghetti western features a rare double bill from genre stars Franco Nero and George Hilton. Otherwise known as "The Brute and the Beast", this early Fulci film is quite campy at times but also violent, well shot and filled with great music.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsLucio FulciBrett HalseyRia De SimoneA horror film director is stalked by a mad psychiatrist/serial killer bent on killing people to model the killings after the director's gory death scenes from his movies.Fulci goes meta, starring in and directing his own gore-soaked version of Fellini's "8 1/2". Uneven, but essential for Fulci fans. Watch this one last, as its a fitting goodbye to close out the maestro’s filmography.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsChristopher ConnellyLaura LenziBrigitta BoccoliAn archaeologist opens an Egyptian tomb and accidentally releases an evil spirit. His young daughter becomes possessed by the freed entity and, upon arrival back in New York, the gory murders begin.Excellent cinematography, but the film suffers from an incoherent plot (well, more here than usual for Fulci) and the choice to re-use Fabio Frizzi’s score from “The Beyond” is a constant distraction. Ultimately, it's just the right amount of eerie to draw you in and has those gory moments of craziness you'd come to expect from Fulci.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsFranco NeroVirna LisiFernando ReyThe wolf dog, White Fang, aids a reporter, a fur trapper, a nun, a young Eskimo boy and his father of ridding a gold mining town of a sleazy crime lord in 1896 Yukon, Canada.Fulci does family, but not exactly. A conventional adventure film, but still a decent watch with crisp cinematography, solid acting and a fair amount of violence.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsDuilio Del PreteKarina HuffPascal PersianoWhen a family man is poisoned to death, it's covered up as a stomach hemorrhage and his spirit returns to aid his daughter in finding his killers.The final theatrical release for Fulci. Light on gore, story and acting, but heavy on mood and atmosphere.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsOlga KarlatosRay LovelockClaudio CassinelliThe owner of a prestigious New York ballet school teams up with a male model to solve a series of bizarre murders of a few of the students.A creative musical giallo where the dance numbers are unfortunately far more interesting than the actual murder mystery.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsGiuliano GemmaSven ValsecchiEttore ManniA young boy who sees his father gunned down kills the assassin. Years later, he has grown up to be a successful bounty hunter who is feared by many. And then one day he discovers secrets to his past...The third and final western for Fulci and one of the final spaghetti westerns to be filmed. Well-made, but ultimately toothless, with a predictable story and a repetitive soundtrack.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsFranco NeroVirna LisiJohn SteinerSequel to Lucio Fulci's first 'White Fang' has the wolf-dog once again trying to stop the villainous Beauty Smith from claiming a recently discovered gold mine in 1899 Yukon, Canada.A direct sequel to Fulci’s first 'family adventure', expect with murder, dead nuns and even an amputation. You know, fun for the whole family.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsJared MartinLara LambertiUlli ReinthalerThe spirit of a comatose teenage girl possesses the body of a newcomer to her girls boarding school to enact bloody revenge against the elitist, lingerie-clad coeds responsible for her condition.Fulci's version of "Carrie" but nowhere close to as good. The film is pure 80’s craziness, including hordes of evil snails, a deviant gym teacher who seduces his sorority students and even a "Top Gun" movie poster cameo.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsBrett HalseyCorinne CléryBlanca MarsillachA young woman abducts and subjects a doctor whom she holds responsible for the death of her boyfriend to acts of sexual torture.Think Takashi Miike's "Audition" but make it 80’s cheesy, while also part softcore erotica and filled with saxophones. Definitely a curious watch, but not much in terms of replay value.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsJared MartinFred WilliamsonHoward RossIn 2072 Rome, Italy, the ruthless CEO of a TV network plots to stage a modern series of gladiator games for ratings while one 'contenstant' learns of a conspiracy behind the true nature of the results.An over-the-top, low-budget mess, but not for lack of trying. Fulci's attempt to capitalize on the successes of "Mad Max" and "Rollerball". Otherwise known as "Warriors of the Year 2072".