The horror film genre has seen a revival in recent years, although horror films have never been away for to long. (Thank god!) I guess people like getting scared!
Horror films can be divided into two categories chillers or ‘scary’ movies and the gory horror movies. Some like one some the other I personally like all horror. Not only do I also watch the straight to video horror movies I watch all the sequels even though i know they're going to be crap!
(I cant help it!)
I’m going to list some of the most famous and influential horror movies of the last four decades. As you are probably aware horror films spawn many sequels most of which are crap. There are a few exceptions though and I’ll list some of the good sequels.
I think there are a few countries, which have been significant in horror productions over the years. There were the British horrors and the Hammer house of Horror productions then there were the Italian horrors followed by the American horrors and now it’s the Japanese. The horror crown now goes to the Japanese if you haven’t seen Japanese horror you’re in for a treat and a shock!
1960s
Night of the living dead, Rosemary’s Baby, Psycho.
1970s
Exorcist, Amityville Horror, Suspiria, Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Omen, Phantasm, Zombie Flesh Eaters, Carrie, Alien, Dawn of the Dead, The Fog, Carrie, Rabid, Shivers.
1980s
Evil Dead, Friday the 13th, Poltergeist, A Nightmare On Elm Street, Children of the Corn, Aliens, Evil Dead 2, Near Dark, American Werewolf in London, Lost Boys, Howling, City of the Living Dead, the Beyond, Hellraiser, Hellraiser 2, Maniac Cop, Cannibal Holocaust, Shining, Pet Cemetery, House, Demons, Demons 2, Basket Case, The Thing, The Brood.
1990s
Scream, Childs Play, Re-animator, Re-animator 2, The Ring, The Ring 2, Blair Witch Project, Bad Taste, Brain Dead, Tremors.
I know I must have missed out a few.
I’ll expand on a few of these.
Night of the Living Dead. Night of the Living Dead (Millennium Edition) Night of the Living Dead
The definitive zombie movie by George Romero, still a classic if you don’t want to watch the original black and white version watch the remake by Tom Savini the special effects wizard that is a shot by shot remake.
Exorcist The Exorcist (The Version You've Never Seen)
This film will probably be the first horror film mentioned when asking anyone to name a horror movie. One of the best horror movies ever made if you haven’t seen it where have you been! Watch the version with the omitted scenes, which include the legendary spider scene.
Be careful of the sequel Exorcist is one of the best movies ever made Exorcist 2 is one of the worst!
Suspiria Suspiria (3 Disc Limited Edition)
A masterpiece!
I don’t know anyone who does not like this movie. Very influential. Argentos got the mix of scares, suspense and gore just right. Also contains music from Goblins.
Omen Trilogy The Omen Collection
Scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. (Ok I was just a kid and shouldn’t have been watching it in the first place!) No other horror film has scared me apart from this one. Concerning the devil himself, with the music and the ending of particularly the first. Although watching it now you probably think what was the big deal.
Evil Dead Trilogy Evil Dead (Special Edition) Evil Dead II Army of Darkness
One of my favourite horror movies, very influential I strongly recommend these. Some of you may not like the first, which was a video nasty, but the second and third are also really funny. Some great one-liners by Ash (Bruce Campbell) the only horror film where I am actuallywaiting for another sequel!
Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Along with Driller Killer and I spit on your Grave the most notorious of the video nasties. Starring the infamous Leather Face character. Despite the name not gory but some crazy scenes including the hook scene. The sequels are crap.
Hellraiser Hellraiser
Based on the novella by Clive Barker this is a classic and the Hellraiser movies are very gory. This film introduces us to some great characters including Pinhead. Watch the region one versions as they are uncut. Some of the sequels are not bad. (All are gory!)
The Beyond/City of the living Dead City Of The Living Dead The Beyond
Awesome!
I cannot choose between these two although most people say that Beyond is Fulci’s best. These are very gory and up until now were banned in some countries. These two movies contain some scenes that you won’t forget in a hurry!
Poltergeist Poltergeist
Steven Spielberg’s influential ghost story spawned two sequels the second is also good avoid the third one!
The Ring 1 & 2
Most of you have probably seen the American version but the original Japanese version is better. Arguably the scariest films ever, need I say more!
The third is ok, it explains the reason and origin of the curse it’s more like, but not as good as Carrie.
Watch these movies and you’ll recognise the names of Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Norman Bates, Freddy Krueger, leather face, Tall man and Pinhead to mention but a few.
You’ll recognise the names of directors such as John Carpenter, Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, David Cronenberg, Mario Bava, Ruggero Deodato, Wes Craven, Hideo Nakata, George Romero and Tobe Hooper
Recognise the names of actors such as Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Donald Pleasance, Kane Hodder, Bruce Campbell, Robert England and Doug Bradley.
Intoduce you to the works of Stephen King, Clive Barker and Anne Rice.
(Yes I am horror crazy!)
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