Lucio Fulci - The Maestro's Top 25 Films Ranked

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The final theatrical release for Fulci. Light on gore, story and acting, but heavy on mood and atmosphere.

A creative musical giallo where the dance numbers are unfortunately far more interesting than the actual murder mystery.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".