20 Best Movies Set in Hell, Ranked

Screen adaptations of hell come in various forms, encompassing legendary netherworlds, bizarre mazes, and flaming anima-tions. Filmmakers utilize these backdrops to delve into themes like justice, retribution, and salvation, frequently blending religious, literary, and folkloric elements with original ideas about the mechanics of the afterlife. This diverse landscape gives rise to a rich exploration of styles and categories, such as horror, animation, humor, avant-garde cinema, and more experimental art forms.

This collection features movies that revolve around stories or settings centered on Hell, the underworld, or hellish realms. These range from traditional circles of Hell described in classic literature, to modern depictions of demon dimensions and underground pits hidden within cities. You’ll find mainstream productions as well as indie favorites, all sharing a common theme: they delve beneath the surface, exploring the unknown challenges that await characters there.

‘Little Nicky’ (2000)

In a creative twist, Adam Sandler portrays the innocent offspring of Satan, venturing out of the underworld on a mission to reclaim his siblings who have fled to our world. The movie showcases an active infernal court headed by a monarch, complete with torment rituals and a system of demons and souls in various ranks. It boasts live-action visual effects featuring fiery pits, torture chambers, and a palace constructed from dark stone, accompanied by a recurring joke involving a character adorned with a talking face.

The Happy Madison Productions oversaw the staging of this production, with Steven Brill at the helm as director. Patricia Arquette, Harvey Keitel, and Rhys Ifans joined the cast in supporting roles. For the throne room and cavern scenes, a blend of real-life locations and stage sets were used. The soundtrack predominantly featured hard rock and metal tunes, which accentuated the setting’s intensity and disorder.

‘Hell and Back’ (2015)

In this stop-motion animation, we follow the adventure of three companions who accidentally find themselves in the underworld. They engage in talks with demons to save one of their comrades. The movie constructs miniature environments to depict sulfuric plains, molten rivers, and administrative offices where the souls of the deceased are managed. This portrayal of the afterlife shows it as a workplace with clerks, guards, and supervisors.

As a film enthusiast, I’m captivated by the ingenious use of traditional puppetry techniques, reminiscent of TV sketch animation, artfully expanded to create a full-length feature by directors Tom Gianas and Ross Shuman. They’ve crafted intricate dioramas and armature rigs for fire and smoke effects that leave me in awe. The talented voice cast includes Nick Swardson, Mila Kunis, Bob Odenkirk, and Susan Sarandon. The script is richly textured with folklore elements such as contracts, blood signatures, and trials set by ruling demons, adding depth to the storyline.

‘Baskin’ (2015)

A team of Turkish police explores a run-down building and descends into an underground world filled with rituals and suffering. This representation of Hell emphasizes pain, religious practices, and a cult leader giving speeches about rising above and obeying, creating an atmosphere that feels like both a temple and a jail.

I can’t help but express my admiration for Director Can Evrenol’s transformative work on his own titled adaptation. By extending the mythology, he masterfully blends practical makeup effects with meticulously designed interior settings that create a palpable sense of confinement as the team is pushed further downwards. The film was primarily shot at night with low-light cinematography, which brilliantly accentuates the blood textures and stone corridors, adding an eerie atmosphere to every frame. Moreover, it garnered considerable attention for casting Mehmet Cerrahoğlu as the enigmatic cult figure whose presence sets the tone for the underworld’s regulations.

‘Southbound’ (2015)

In this chilling anthology, we follow five tales unfolding on an ominous desert road where travelers unwittingly breach unseen boundaries into retribution and recurrence. The infernal realm manifests through temporal loops, spectral beings with bones showing, and a town that ensnares voyagers, painting a picture of a penitential system reacting to remorse and confession.

In this project, various segments were overseen by filmmakers belonging to the Radio Silence cooperative, alongside Roxanne Benjamin, David Bruckner, and Patrick Horvath. By using common props and road signs, the production cleverly blended different filming locations into a cohesive whole. The music and transitions seamlessly connected the narratives, leading viewers on a continuous voyage through motels, diners, and other settings that gradually revealed eerie underworlds.

‘As Above, So Below’ (2014)

A group of urban adventurers and scholars journey deep into the Paris Catacombs, seeking an alchemical fortune hidden within. They stumble upon a world shrouded in mirrors, reflecting their own transgressions. The deeper they delve, the more this realm resembles a selective version of Hell, where past deeds transform into structures, and the ultimate barrier requires acknowledgement of wrongdoing before permitting an escape.

Director John Erick Dowdle employed a documentary-style technique using handheld cameras and authentic subterranean passages to convey a sense of confined spaces and disorientation. The filmmakers were granted permission to explore areas beneath Paris, and they also utilized soundstage tunnels that could be made smaller or flooded at will. Additionally, the narrative incorporates alchemical emblems and Latin inscriptions that help clarify the guidelines for venturing underground.

‘Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey’ (1991)

Following the robots’ lethal attacks on the heroes, their spirits descend into Hell, a realm where they must confront personalized nightmares and negotiate with Death for redemption. The movie portrays the underworld using grandiose expressionist stages that distort childhood anxieties into warped spaces with skewed dimensions and harsh shadows.

In a humorous twist, Director Peter Hewitt constructs the afterlife sequence using slapstick humor, dramatic lighting reminiscent of theater, and a lively musical confrontation to settle disputes. The character Death, played by William Sadler, blends elements from Bergman with comedic flair. The production cleverly employs matte paintings and stagecraft to depict vast emptiness, cliffs, and labyrinthine doors that serve as judgment halls.

‘Legend’ (1985)

As a movie connoisseur, I’d say this captivating fantasy unfolds with a hero venturing into the gloomy domain of the Dark Overlord to free a imprisoned princess and retrieve a stolen treasure. The subterranean landscape echoes an ominous vision of Hell, where the villain rules from a fiery throne room teeming with goblins and minotaurs, and endless darkness is the final ambition.

Ridley Scott filmed on soundstages at Pinewood using extensive real sets designed by Assheton Gorton, with makeup that brought the iconic horned villain to life. The production is recognized for its smoky atmosphere, soft lighting, and extravagant costumes. Its score has two versions, which shape the mood of the hellish scenes through a mix of orchestral and electronic tunes.

‘The Devil’s Carnival’ (2012)

Visitors find themselves at a carnival managed by sinister circus masters, where amusement rides retell moral tales for fresh spirits. This seemingly enjoyable setting serves as a veiled bureaucracy of Hell, with carnival barkers and performers leading souls through trials mimicking parables, presenting temptations and penalties reminiscent of fables.

Director Darren Lynn Bousman chose a roadshow presentation, complete with live events and discussions, to mirror the movie’s theatrical origins and musical style. Costumes and makeup for each carnival ring serve as distinct identifiers, while the music by Terrance Zdunich and Saar Hendelman establishes the laws of this underworld by employing repeated themes and choruses linked to specific vices.

‘Hellbound: Hellraiser II’ (1988)

In this follow-up, we delve deeper into the realm previously established by the Cenobites, and step into their maze – a dimension governed by Leviathan known for its torment. The story unfolds around a youthful survivor and a doctor who ventures too far, revealing the structure of this world with its intricate hallways, enigmatic puzzle rooms, and transformation chambers.

In this rephrased version, the movie, directed by Tony Randel, utilizes elaborate makeup effects and innovative creature designs courtesy of Bob Keen and his team. Production designer Mike Buchanan crafts sharp-edged corridors that mirror the Lament Configuration. The film makes it clear who’s in charge among the Cenobites and shows us ceremonies for converting humans, which illustrate how their desires and pain sustain the realm’s structure.

‘Dante’s Inferno: An Animated Epic’ (2010)

In simpler terms, this animated movie, structured like an anthology, reimagines a video game version of a well-known poem about a knight embarking on a journey. His mission is to save his love by traversing circles symbolizing various sins. Each circle presents unique visual rules for the penalties and protectors, employing distinct animation styles for wrath, greed, and deceit.

In my critique, I must say that a multitude of studios, such as Film Roman and Production I.G, have skillfully woven unique character designs into this cinematic tapestry. Despite their individual styles, they’ve maintained a coherent narrative and consistent props like the cross and scythe. The voice talents of Graham McTavish and Vanessa Branch beautifully tie together these separate chapters. Moreover, the film cleverly employs inscriptions and guides that echo the poem’s structure and guide us through the infernal zones, providing a travelogue of sorts.

‘All Dogs Go to Heaven’ (1989)

A doggy outlaw comes back from the dead and faces a potential descent into the netherworld while dealing with his past transgressions. The underworld is depicted in a disturbing dreamscape with flames flowing like rivers, spectral sea monsters, and a colossal demonic judge who symbolizes the penalties for straying off course.

In a collaborative effort with an animated team, Don Bluth oversaw the production, which featured detailed backdrops and sophisticated multi-layered camera arrangements. The movie’s music reinforces the ethical compass that steers its characters, while the portrayal of punishment employs smooth animation and color transitions to progressively shift from cheerful carnival hues to somber reds and blacks in depicting a hellish vision.

‘Jigoku’ (1960)

In this chilling Japanese horror movie, the main character undergoes a profound ethical examination that ultimately leads them on a prolonged journey through what appears to be Hell. The climactic scene unfolds with torments corresponding to earthly transgressions, such as cauldrons of boiling liquid, fields filled with needles, and perilous river crossings supervised by demons.

In a unique blend of crime drama and spiritual symbolism, Director Nobuo Nakagawa incorporates Buddhist and folklore motifs to illustrate the nature of judgment. The movie’s production design includes elaborate stages, striking lighting, and exaggerated blood effects, resulting in an ethereal setting that exudes both solemnity and retribution. This cinematic approach played a significant role in shaping the depiction of the afterlife in future Japanese films.

‘The Beyond’ (1981)

A female character gains ownership of a Louisiana hotel that stands atop one of the entrances to the Underworld. The revelation of this gateway summons strange beings and occurrences that swiftly engulf the nearby community. The underworld is depicted as a barren, white landscape littered with decaying bodies and ash, accessible via submerged basements and collapsing corridors.

In simpler terms, Director Lucio Fulci uses graphic violence, visual tricks, and unsettling soundscapes to create a sense of moving between different realms. The recurring Book of Eibon acts as a sort of rulebook for the gateway, and in the end, the characters are trapped in a perpetual limbo from which they can no longer escape – a never-ending inferno.

‘Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny’ (2006)

A pair of rock musicians embarks on a quest to find an iconic guitar pick said to be legendary, leading them to conjure the Devil for a musical contest that dictates their destiny. The infernal landscape is portrayed onstage with a tormented adversary sporting horns, blazing backdrops, and terms set by ancient rules of wagering between humans and demons.

In simpler terms, Director Liam Lynch blends concert-style performances with humorous storytelling and uses realistic makeup for the Devil character and fire effects on stage to create a hellish atmosphere. The movie’s soundtrack features the fight as a separate track, while props like guitars and guitar equipment serve as links between earthly concerts and a spiritual contract in the afterlife.

‘Hellraiser’ (1987)

Unlocking the mystery box triggers a fissure in our world, linking a common suburban residence to a realm of feeling and agony. The Cenobites function as agents of this dimension, appearing when invoked to enforce contracts and retrieve owed payments, presenting a system that merges pleasure with pain as a form of retribution.

Clive Barker took his short novel and not only wrote but also directed it, focusing on tangible special effects like hooks attached to rigs and skin-like prosthetics costumes. The Lament Configuration is used as a tool that deciphers the rules for entry and command, and the set design transforms a typical house into a boundary where floorboards, closets, and attic transform into doorways leading to the hellish dimension.

‘L’Inferno’ (1911)

As a movie buff delving into the realm of silent cinema, I found myself immersed in an Italian masterpiece that breathes life into the opening canticle of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Instead of mere scenes, it uses tableaux and clever photography tricks to depict the circles of sin. The film is adorned with elaborate gate inscriptions, overseen by guardians like Minos and Cerberus, and parades of the tormented souls traversing through landscapes meticulously designed according to the epic poem’s structure.

As a cinephile, I’d say it like this: Back in the day, along with my fellow film enthusiasts Francesco Bertolini, Adolfo Padovan, and Giuseppe de Liguoro, we crafted something truly remarkable. We poured our hearts into every scene, using grand sets, hand-painted frames for a touch of artistry in certain prints, and clever tricks like double exposure to bring life to the bustling crowds and terrifying monsters. Our work was more than just a movie; it set a new standard for feature-length storytelling, carving out a cinematic dialect specifically tailored for the underworld. We filled our frames with wide compositions that not only captured the sheer scale and depth of pits and bridges but also conveyed the vastness and mystery of this hidden realm.

‘What Dreams May Come’ (1998)

A person passes away and encounters an intense afterlife that reflects their memories. He embarks on a trek through the netherworld to save his spouse. This underworld is depicted as a decaying reflection of reality where melancholy hardens into landscape, and the path necessitates a guide who reveals the price of prolonged dwelling.

Vincent Ward, as director, skillfully merged real-world locations with innovative visual effects to transform artwork and recollections into tangible environments. During filming, they employed enormous water tanks and genuine debris fields for the descent sequence. The score by Michael Kamen and Ennio Morricone seamlessly connects the celestial and infernal scenes, creating a unified cosmology where love and remorse have real-world repercussions.

‘Constantine’ (2005)

A demon-perceiving occult specialist journeys to a post-apocalyptic version of Los Angeles in the underworld, now known as Hell. His mission is to collect proof and negotiate deals. This forsaken city is characterized by intense winds and radioactivity, with once lively landmarks now devoid of life. The guidelines for navigation are communicated through water signs, symbols, and religious artifacts.

Francis Lawrence skillfully blended real-world elements like fans and debris cannons with digital backdrops to construct an alternate cityscape. Keanu Reeves heads an ensemble featuring Rachel Weisz, Tilda Swinton, and Peter Stormare. The movie establishes a complex legal system of half-breeds, approvals, and prohibitions that regulate travel among different realms.

‘The House That Jack Built’ (2018)

A notorious murderer shares his grisly tales with a guide called Verge, and the narrative reaches its end with a tour through an underground setting reminiscent of traditional depictions of Hell. The trek involves crossing bridges, teetering on ledges, and ultimately facing a deep chasm where decisions made determine if the wanderer plunges in or manages to elude fate.

Lars von Trier constructs the film around a dialogue exploring themes of art, morality, and retribution. The climax of the movie references visual elements from ancient medieval texts and artworks. To enhance the setting, the filmmakers employ visual effects to enlarge caves and pits while maintaining authentic, natural lighting. Additionally, the score includes choral music that links the ending to religious portrayals of the afterlife.

‘South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut’ (1999)

A global conflict, coupled with a prohibition on swearing, inadvertently leads to the summoning of Satan and the creation of a portal to Hell directly on a battlefield. As the story reaches its peak, Hell serves as a crucial setting. The film’s depiction of Hell features a throne room, blazing fiery lakes, and a political coalition that pushes the narrative towards an impending invasion.

Trey Parker used computer-aided cutout animation to maintain the appearance of the television show while incorporating expansive musical performances. The music combines character melodies with Broadway-style harmonies, and many jokes rely on the intricacies of resurrection, spirit transference, and demonic control that define the underworld’s structure in this narrative.

Please share your preferred selections from the infernal world, and let us know which journey into the depths you believe should be included in this compilation.

2025-08-17 10:52