Giallo films are a unique blend of murder mystery, horror, and eroticism—often filled with bloody killings, femme fatales, gloved killers, and a highly stylized visual flair. This Italian subgenre from the ’60s and ’70s laid the foundation for modern slasher films, yet remains a visual and narrative spectacle all its own. Here are 10 of the best and most influential Giallo films you need to see.
1. Deep Red (1975) – The ultimate Giallo
Dario Argento’s Deep Red (Profondo Rosso) is the definitive Giallo, featuring a brilliant murder mystery, hallucinatory cinematography, and a legendary Goblin soundtrack.
When a pianist witnesses a brutal murder, he gets caught in a dangerous game of hidden clues and sadistic killings.
With visually stunning murder scenes, ingenious camera work, and a chilling atmosphere, Deep Red is the greatest Giallo film ever made.
2. The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970) – Argento’s masterful debut
Dario Argento’s debut cemented his reputation as “the Italian Hitchcock” and set the blueprint for the Giallo formula.
An American writer in Rome witnesses an attempted murder and becomes entangled in a web of deception, bloody killings, and shocking twists.
Combining stylish cinematography, complex plotting, and intense suspense, this film is a must-watch.
3. Tenebrae (1982) – A hyper-stylized nightmare
Tenebrae is Argento’s most stylized and self-aware Giallo, in which a writer is stalked by a killer mimicking his novels.
With extremely violent death scenes, bizarre twists, and a hypnotic Goblin score, this is Argento at his most over-the-top and visually breathtaking.
4. Blood and Black Lace (1964) – The film that defined Giallo
Mario Bava’s Blood and Black Lace was the first true Giallo and set the visual and thematic standards for the genre.
Set in a fashion house, a masked killer brutally murders the models one by one.
With rich color palettes, expressionist cinematography, and intense murders, this film is the foundation upon which Giallo was built.
5. A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin (1971) – Psychedelic paranoia
Lucio Fulci’s A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin is a hypnotic mix of Giallo, paranoia, and psychological horror.
A woman dreams of a murder that later actually happens—but is she the killer or a pawn in a deeper conspiracy?
With trippy dream sequences, brutal deaths, and a brilliant Ennio Morricone score, this is a top-tier psychological mind-bender.
6. Don’t Torture a Duckling (1972) – Fulci’s shocking masterpiece
Lucio Fulci’s Don’t Torture a Duckling pushes Giallo boundaries with a chilling tale of child murders in a small Italian village.
Blending classic Giallo tropes with social commentary, this film contains some of the most brutal and intense murder scenes ever filmed.
An underrated masterpiece that shows just how creative and impactful Giallo can be.
7. The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) – The first Giallo?
This Mario Bava film is often considered the very first true Giallo, with a compelling murder mystery and classic noir elements.
A young woman in Rome witnesses a murder, but no one believes her—leading to a story filled with betrayal, chases, and shocking revelations.
The film laid the groundwork for the genre and is essential viewing for Giallo enthusiasts.
8. The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971) – Eroticism and murder in perfect balance
Sergio Martino’s The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is a sensual and bloody Giallo featuring Edwige Fenech as the ultimate femme fatale.
When she uncovers a series of murders linked to her past, a nightmare of betrayal, paranoia, and sadistic killings unfolds.
Martino’s use of eroticism, blood, and stylish camerawork makes this one of the most seductive Giallos ever made.
9. All the Colors of the Dark (1972) – Giallo meets satanic horror
This Sergio Martino film blends Giallo with occult horror, creating a psychological and visually trippy journey.
A woman is haunted by a mysterious cult and trapped between dream and reality.
With extreme colors, trippy editing, and an oppressive atmosphere, this Giallo dares to go further than the rest.
10. What Have You Done to Solange? (1972) – A shocking murder mystery
This cult classic tells the story of a sadistic killer targeting teenage girls, with a schoolteacher as the prime suspect.
The film features extremely violent murders, a disturbing twist, and an iconic Ennio Morricone score.
It’s one of the most intense and disturbing Giallo films ever made.
