Best Giallos of All Time
While making My Favorite Scary Movies' list I noticed a lot of Giallos and since I couldn't put them all in that list I decided to make one for Giallos exclusively. Again I haven't seen all of them...yet. The ones listed here are just the ones I've seen.
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- DirectorSergio MartinoStarsEdwige FenechAnita StrindbergLuigi PistilliA series of murders are committed near the estate of a degenerate author and his mistreated wife.Sergio Martino, one of the most prominent giallo directors, combines classic Giallo with Edgar Allan Poe.
- 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.One of the trippier giallos out there. Definitely one of Fulci's best.
- DirectorDario ArgentoStarsDavid HemmingsDaria NicolodiGabriele LaviaA jazz pianist and a wisecracking journalist are pulled into a complex web of mystery after the former witnesses the brutal murder of a psychic.The movie that made me love the genre. Not only is it my favorite giallo, but it's also my favorite Argento film.
- DirectorMario BavaStarsClaudine AugerLuigi PistilliClaudio CamasoThe murder of a wealthy countess triggers a chain reaction of brutal killings in the surrounding bay area, as several unscrupulous characters try to seize her large estate.Though it plays out more like a traditional slasher flick, it still has all the symptoms of a regular giallo.
- DirectorDario ArgentoStarsTony MusanteSuzy KendallEnrico Maria SalernoAn American expatriate in Rome attempts to unmask a serial killer he witnessed in the act of an attempted murder - and is now hunting him and his girlfriend.Argento's first giallo and one of his best.
- 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.There's something about kids being the victims in this film that really gets to me.
- DirectorLuciano ErcoliStarsFrank WolffNieves NavarroSimón AndreuAfter a French stripper is harassed by a man who wants a cache of diamonds stolen by her late father, she flees to England in the company of a doctor, but danger follows.This movie has a lot of twists and turns and it keeps you guessing up until the end.
- DirectorMario BavaStarsCameron MitchellEva BartokThomas ReinerA masked, shadowy killer brutally murders the models of a scandalous fashion house in Rome.The prototype for every giallo that followed.
- DirectorMassimo DallamanoStarsFabio TestiKarin BaalCristina GalbóA teacher who is having an affair with one of his students is reluctant to present an alibi when his lover witnesses the first in a series of murders connected to their school.This movie is one of the more emotional giallos I've seen.
- DirectorMassimo DallamanoStarsGiovanna RalliClaudio CassinelliMario AdorfPolice investigate apparent suicide of teen girl and uncover details of a teenage prostitution racket. They go on the hunt for a motorcycle riding killer.What Have You Done To Your Daughters? is made by Massimo Dallamano, the same guy who made What Have You Done to Solange? which I guess it's pretty obvious by it's similar titles.
- DirectorDario ArgentoStarsJames FranciscusKarl MaldenCatherine SpaakTwo journalists try to solve a series of murders connected to a pharmaceutical company's secret experiments, becoming targets of the killer themselves.Not one of Argento's best, but it's still a very good
- DirectorSergio MartinoStarsGeorge HiltonAnita StrindbergAlberto de MendozaAn insurance investigator tries to determine any irregularities in the policy of a heiress' dead husband, but soon finds himself suspected of her murder.Another Sergio Martino gem.
- DirectorDario ArgentoStarsMichael BrandonMimsy FarmerJean-Pierre MarielleA musician is stalked by an unknown homicidal maniac, who blackmails him for the accidental killing of another stalker.It's not Argento's best Giallo, or his best film in general, but it's actually one of my favorite of the genre.
- DirectorDario ArgentoStarsCristina MarsillachIan CharlesonUrbano BarberiniA young opera singer is stalked by a deranged fan bent on killing the people associated with her to claim her for himself.Argento's last true giallo.
- DirectorGiuliano CarnimeoStarsEdwige FenechGeorge HiltonPaola QuattriniHaving recently escaped the clutches of a hippie sex cult, a beautiful model is pursued by a serial killer whose previous victims include former occupants of her new apartment.The ending didn't really surprise me very much, but I still liked it.
- DirectorSergio MartinoStarsSuzy KendallTina AumontLuc MerendaA string of appalling lust murders shocks the University of Perugia as a sadistic serial killer strangles to death beautiful college girls with a red and black scarf.Again, more of a typical slasher than a giallo, but still it has a surprise killer like most of the genre.
- 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.Try and ignore the ridiculous duck voice.
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsMichael CaineAngie DickinsonNancy AllenA mysterious blonde woman kills one of a psychiatrist's patients, and then goes after the high-class call girl who witnessed the murder.An American giallo. Brian De Palma does what he does best in this film.
- DirectorNicolas RoegStarsJulie ChristieDonald SutherlandHilary MasonA married couple grieving the recent death of their young daughter are in Venice when they encounter two elderly sisters, one of whom is psychic and brings a warning from beyond.And if I put an American giallo on this list I might as well put a British giallo as well.
- DirectorDario ArgentoStarsAnthony FranciosaGiuliano GemmaJohn SaxonAn American novelist visiting Rome to promote his latest book is stalked and harassed by an obsessed fan who is committing a string of murders that appear to be tributes to his work.One of Argento's bloodiest and best well made films.
- 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.A film that combines both the aspects of a typical giallo with a supernatural undertone. As far as giallos go, this is probably one of the least violent ones. There's only three(?) victims in total, so the body count is low, but it's still a very well made film. The movie is relatively bloodless compared to Fulci's other films, but still I think this is one of his finer works.
- DirectorGiulio QuestiStarsGina LollobrigidaJean-Louis TrintignantEwa AulinThe depraved manager of a high-tech poultry factory - which is genetically engineering boneless chickens - is pulled into a love triangle with his domineering wife and her sexually-liberated cousin, leading to double-crosses and murder.This is a very strange giallo because it doesn't follow the rules most giallos follow, and it doesn't really play out like a typical giallo. It would be more accurate to call this film a thriller, still it's a very well made film.
- DirectorCarlos AuredStarsPaul NaschyDiana LorysEduardo CalvoAn ex-convict, troubled by dreams that he strangles women, is hired as the caretaker on an estate owned by three very strange sisters. Soon after his arrival, a serial killer begins slaughtering blonde, blue-eyed women and leaving their eyeballs in a bowl of water.A Spanish giallo that delivers. On par with Italian giallos of the decade.
- DirectorLuigi CozziStarsGeorge HiltonAntoine Saint-JohnFemi BenussiGiorgio is a greedy adulterer who makes a deal with a serial killer to dispose of his wealthy wife, Nora. Unfortunately, a thrill-seeking young couple steal the killer's car with Nora's corpse in the trunk, ending up at a run-down seaside villa.A very unusual giallo considering we know who the killer is from the very start. Still this is a very good film with unsettling scenes.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsFaye DunawayTommy Lee JonesBrad DourifA famous fashion photographer develops a disturbing ability to see through the eyes of a killer.Another example of the American giallo. Director Irvin Kershner seems to be channeling his inner Dario Argento in certain scenes. Even though it was made in the States it has all the familiar symptoms of a giallo. We never see the killer until the big reveal at the end, there's beautiful women, the main character witnesses the murders, and there's of course a twist ending.