The 70’s changed movies forever. In particular the horror genre. Advancements in makeup effects, special effects, and reduction of most creative restrictions brought about a consecutive outpouring of great horror movies begining in 1973 and ended on or about 1986. I consider this the “Golden Age of Modern Horror”. A few movies that anticipate this great age are Rosemary's Baby (1968), Night of the Living Dead (1968) and the TV movie Duel (1971).
Here is a chronological list of the greatest horror films form the "Golden Age" of modern horror (1973 - 1986)
The Exorcist (The Version You've Never Seen) (1973) - This is the greatest horror film of all time and, if not, it certainly is the scariest film of all time. This in my opinion changed horror films forever and opens the door for what I see as the golden age of modern horror.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) - I really do not like this film myself, but I DO realize its importance in the horror film genre. Just look a the date! If you are a fan of very graphic violent films with very little else to offer, this movie is an indispensable classic by Tobe Hooper.
Jaws (30th Anniversary Edition) (1975) - This film drove a whole planet to be frightened of the its own oceans! This is Spielberg's best directed movie in my opinion. I really see it more as an adventure film than horror.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Widescreen Edition) (1975) - Not scary at all. Its a weird-o, rock music fantasy-comedy with some very good and bad tunes in it. But, it is one of the most unique and visionary films ever made. It anticipates MTV by almost a decade.
The Omen (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) (1976) - One of the finest horror films ever made. Eloquently directed by the great Richard Donner.
Carrie (Special Edition) (1976) - The first great film based on Stephen King. Virtuoso performance by Sissy Spacek and trademark direction by Brian De Palma!
Helter Skelter (1976) - Yes, TV was a prime medium in those days and sometimes delivered greatness. The scariest thing is that it all REALLY happened!
Halloween (Divimax 25th Anniversary Edition) (1978) - The greatest slasher film of all time and is the ONLY slasher film that scares me. It actually invented the genre of the "teen slasher flick" for better or for worse. Amazingly directed by John Carpenter!
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) - A great Sci-fi horror movie. This critically acclaimed classic produces a sense of complete paranoia.
Magic (1978) - This is one of the best horror/psycological character plays ever put on film.
The Amityville Horror (1979) - When this movie came out it created an national hysteria and started an urban legend surrounding a certain house in Long Island that endures to this day! Try and say that about its recent remake.
Dawn of the Dead (Divimax Edition) (1979) - The inventor of the modern zombie mythos George A. Romero creates what many feel is his greatest effort. I never found it scary or frightening like the first one "Night". But, it is ingeniously funny!
Salem's Lot (1979) - The scariest most frightening film ever made for TV, period! Tobe Hooper’s greatest achievement, in my opinion.
The Brood (1979) - Cronenberg's very visionary effort and is the first kind of mess-with-your-head type of movie that will become more and more common later on.
When a Stranger Calls (1979) - Suspense, suspense, suspense. More drama than pure horror.
Alien - The Director's Cut (Collector's Edition) (1979) - I think this is more a Sci-fi movie, really. Incredibly suspenseful! Made by one of my favorite directors, Ridley Scott.
The Shining (1980) - This is probably the most beautifully photographed horror film ever made and among the greatest masterpieces of true horror. Directed by the late great Stanley Kubrick.
Altered States (1980) - This is one of those mess-with-your head "mental" type of movies that really disturbs the phsyce.
The Fog (Special Edition) (1980) - Great, imaginative, suspenseful horror film in the John Carpenter line.
Dressed to Kill (1980) - Brian De Palma's next great horror/drama. Not a pure horror film, its much more of a drama actually.
Friday the 13th (1980) - The next great teen slasher flick. It is very "dumb", yes, but it is also very good and scary in places.
Scanners (1981) - One of the most disturbing films I ever saw. This is another mess-with-your-head "mental" kind of movie and one of the most graphically gory films ever by Cronenberg.
Ghost Story (1981) - An underrated, very gothic classic. "Spooky" is the word. I noticed elements of J-horror in this movie almost two decades before J-horror became popular.
The Funhouse (1981) - A very good effort by Tobe Hooper, though often dips into the teen "gimmicky" horror style that was going to become popular years later.
The Howling (Special Edition) (1981) - 1981 is the year of the werewolf since the two greatest werewolf movies ever made come from that year. First is The Howling which is one of the scariest movies I've ever seen.
An American Werewolf in London (1981) - This is probably the most original werewolf movie ever and is a two-sided coin of sorts. Its one of the best comedies and its also incredibly scary when it wants to be.
The Hand (1981) - Hope it comes out on DVD soon. Starring Michael Caine, its Oliver Stone's best movie, LOL!!
Creepshow (1982) - A classic horror comedy from Steven King and George A. Romero
The Thing (Collector's Edition) (1982) - One of the greatest sci-fi horror movies ever made! John Carpenter's originality is mind-boggling, almost as mind-boggling as how truly scary this movie is.
Poltergeist (1982) - At last a horror movie for the whole family! Tobe Hooper directs this family-friendly but scary special effects extravaganza!
Cujo (1983) - This Steven King movie delivers a raging, angry tension that matches the fury of its canine antagonist.
The Dead Zone (1983) - A true classic Steven King offering directed by David Cronenberg.
The Evil Dead (1983) - A viscerally impressive horror classic that shows what talent can do with a smaller budget.
Twilight Zone - The Movie (1983) - A mix of fantasy stories with one great horror story that steals the whole movie.
Videodrome (1983) - One of the most original mess-with-your-brain kind of movies ever made by Cronenberg.
Christine (Special Edition) (1983) - John Carpenter and Steven King create this mesmerizing horror movie.
Firestarter (1984) - Steven King is back with this emotional and involving horror drama.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) - This is a love and hate type of movie for me. It is a truly excellent teen "gimmicky" horror classic but it inadvertently created the stupid teen "gimmicky" horror craze that would dominate for more than a decade after.
Day of the Dead (Divimax Edition) (1985) - This is my favorite George Romero "Dead" movie and I'll tell you why. Its funny and up to date, unlike "Night", and unlike "Dawn" its scary!
The Hitcher (1986)- I usually don't find serial killers scary or frightening, just sick, but Rutger Hauer is just so sly, menacing and evil he creeps me out.
The Fly (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) (1986) - A Sci-fi Horror classic. The summation of my "golden age" of modern horror cinema! This Cronenberg horror masterpiece is also extremely tragic.
Thus ends the "golden Age". There were other great horror films made later on but they would be few and far between with years in between them. Never again would so many great horror films come out so consecutively.
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