When it comes to horror authors, there’s one name which strikes terror in the hearts and minds of readers. That name is Clive Barker.
British-born Barker is the author behind such works as The Hellbound Heart and The Last Illusion, and with his ability to really get under the skin of the genre, he has produced some truly terrifying tales. Tales which have not only appeared on the printed page, but have also been adapted for film.
Want to know what those films are? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Below is a list of movies based on Clive Barker books. The list includes projects directly adapted from Barker stories, as well as a few films connected to Barker’s works (i.e various Hellraiser sequels), and even one project where Barker co-wrote the screenplay, rather than wrote a book.
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Clive Barker movies
Underworld (1985)
First up, is director George Pavlou’s 1985 British horror, Underworld (aka Transmutations). The movie focuses on a biochemist who has created a subhuman species, who live in the London Underground.
Now, unlike many of the movies on this list (Hellraiser sequels aside), Underworld is not adapted from a book by Clive Barker. However, Barker co-wrote the screenplay with James Caplin, so this film is very much a Barker project. (88 mins)
Rawhead Rex (1986)
Up next, is the British fantasy horror, Rawhead Rex. Based on a story from Barker’s Books of Blood series (he also wrote the film’s screenplay), Rawhead Rex focuses on a pagan deity who goes on a rampage through the Irish countryside.
George Pavlou is back on director duties, while the cast includes David Dukes, Kelly Piper, Niall Tóibín, Cora Venus Lunny, and Donal McCann. (89 mins)
Hellraiser (1987)
Next up, is arguably one of the most famous Barker adaptations: 1987’s Hellraiser. And this film is not only adapted from a Barker book, but also written and directed by the man himself.
Based on The Hellbound Heart, Hellraiser centres its tale around a mysterious puzzle box which can summon the Cenobites – a terrifying group of sadomasochistic beings. Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, and Doug Bradley star. (94 mins)
Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
The Cenobites return for yet more hellraising antics in 1988’s Hellbound: Hellraiser II. As with all the Hellraiser movies on this list, Hellbound: Hellraiser II draws inspiration from Barker’s novella, The Hellbound Heart. (97 mins)
Nightbreed (1990)
In Nightbreed, an unstable mental patient is led to believe he is a serial killer. Based on Barker’s book Cabal, and brought to the big screen by Barker himself, Nightbreed stars Craig Sheffer, Anne Bobby, David Cronenberg, Charles Haid, Hugh Quarshie, and Doug Bradley. (102 mins)
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
The demonic Pinhead (who appeared in the previous Hellraiser movies) is resurrected and goes on a rampage in this third Hellraiser picture. Anthony Hickox directs, while Terry Farrell, Paula Marshall, and Doug Bradley star. (97 mins)
Candyman (1992)
Bernard Rose directs this next movie, which stars Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, and Xander Berkeley. Based on Barker’s book, The Forbidden, Candyman follows the story of a graduate student who crosses paths with a sinister urban legend. (99 mins)
Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)
Picking up shortly after the events of Candyman, Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh tells the story of a New Orleans schoolteacher who becomes the latest target of the Candyman. Bill Condon directs, while Tony Todd reprises the role of the titular horror character. (95 mins)
Lord of Illusions (1995)
Based on Barker’s book, The Last Illusion, and brought to the screen by Barker himself, Lord of Illusions focuses on a private investigator and a supernatural cult. (109 mins)
Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)
Back to the Hellraiser movie series for the fourth entry, which this time focuses on the descendants of a toymaker responsible for creating the puzzle box. Kevin Yagher directs. (85 mins)
Quicksilver Highway (1997)
Up next is Mick Garris’ made-for-television horror anthology film, Quicksilver Highway. This film is based on the work of two authors: Stephen King (Chattery Teeth), and Clive Barker (The Body Politic). (90 mins)
Candyman 3: Day of the Dead (1999)
The Candyman returns for this third offering from 1999. Turi Meyer directs, while the story focuses on a descendant of the Candyman. (93 mins)
Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)
Back to the Hellraiser series for the next few films, beginning with the direct-to-video title, Hellraiser: Inferno. Scott Derrickson directs, while the story centres around a corrupt detective. (99 mins)
Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)
Rick Bota directs this next straight-to-video Hellraiser sequel, about a stockbroker. Dean Winters, Ashley Laurence, and Doug Bradley star. (88 mins)
Hellraiser: Deader (2005)
Rick Bota returns to the director’s chair for this seventh Hellraiser movie, Hellraiser: Deader. The story follows a journalist who becomes aware of an underground group who can revive the dead. (88 mins)
Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
Another Rick Bota directed Hellraiser movie. Entry number eight, Hellworld, tells a story about a group of gamers playing a game based on the Hellraiser films. (91 mins)
The Midnight Meat Train (2008)
Based on Barker’s book of the same name, The Midnight Meat Train is a horror about a photographer who attempts to track down a serial killer on a subway train. Bradley Cooper, Leslie Bibb, and Vinnie Jones star, while Ryuhei Kitamura directs. (98 mins)
Dread (2009)
In Anthony DiBlasi’s Dread, three college students set out to document what other people dread. However, one of the students is not quite who he seems to be, and uses his knowledge to torture his subjects. (98 mins)
Book of Blood (2009)
John Harrison directs this next movie, the supernatural horror, Book of Blood. The film focuses on a paranormal expert who discovers a house which transports souls to the afterlife. (100 mins)
Hellraiser: Revelations (2011)
More Hellraiser shenanigans as two college friends unleash Pinhead and his fellow cenobites. Victor Garcia directs. (75 mins)
Hellraiser: Judgment (2018)
Tenth instalment in the Hellraiser series, this time with Gary J. Tunnicliffe on board as director. In this film, three detectives on a case involving a serial killer find themselves delving into the horrific nature of the cenobites. (81 mins)
Books of Blood (2009)
Brannon Braga directs this horror TV movie, which adapts two Barker stories: The Book of Blood and On Jerusalem Street. (107 mins)
Candyman (2021)
Remake/re-imagining of 1992’s Candyman, updating the story for a (then) contemporary audience. Nia DaCosta directs. (91 mins)
Hellraiser (2022)
Reboot of the Hellraiser series from director David Bruckner. In this entry, a young woman struggling with addiction comes into the possession of the puzzle box. (121 mins)
Night of the Zoopocalypse (2025)
Animated comedy-horror, loosely based on Barker’s unpublished short story, ZOOmbies. The movie follows a group of animals attempting to survive a zombie outbreak. (91 mins)
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Recap
To save you from having to scroll back up, here are the movies adapted from, or inspired by, the works of Clive Barker:
- Underworld (1985)
- Rawhead Rex (1986)
- Hellraiser (1987)
- Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
- Nightbreed (1990)
- Hellraider III: Hell on Earth (1992)
- Candyman (1992)
- Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)
- Lord of Illusions (1995)
- Hellraider: Bloodline (1996)
- Quicksilver Highway (1997)
- Candyman 3: Day of the Dead (1999)
- Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)
- Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)
- Hellraiser: Deader (2005)
- Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
- The Midnight Meat Train (2008)
- Dread (2009)
- Book of Blood (2009)
- Hellraiser: Revelations (2011)
- Hellraiser: Judgment (2018)
- Books of Blood (2009)
- Candyman (2021)
- Hellraiser (2022)
- Night of the Zoopocalypse (2025)
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I hope this information about Clive Barker movies has proved useful. Should you wish to learn about other movie series on It’s A Stampede!, please check out one of the recommended reads below.
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