Horror

Horror films are unsettling movies that strive to elicit the emotions of fear, disgust and horror from viewers

First Notable Horror Films

Nosferatu (1922) Frankenstein (1910) Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1925)

Sub Genre

Horror has many sub genres all of which have spawned their own cult and financially successful films.

Sci-fi (Alien) Slasher (Halloween)Docu-horror (Blair

Witch Project)

Success or Failure?

Horror is one of the only genres that can enjoy financial success and achieve cult status despite negative reviews

Saw, many of its sequels received mixed reviews but it is the most

successful horror franchise

Hellraiser franchise has seen many of it films released straight to DVD yet has

gained many fans.

Inspiration

Many horror films have been inspired by real events or people. This is one of the most

influential storiesEd Gein robbed graves and murdered two people. He used the corpses to create furniture and did other experiments on them. He was the basis for the following characters,

Norman Bates (Psycho), Buffalo Bill (Silence of the lambs) and Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Masscare).

Recurring Themes

Death is the most recurring theme in a horror film. It is hard to find a horror film in which nobody dies.

Horror Era: The 70s

This Era truly solidified and defined the horror genre. Its influence is undeniable and proven by its much demand for sequels and the current fashionable re-makes. This decade saw many slasher, splatter and occult releases. Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the Exorcist being the most successful or notable films respectively from each sub-genre. However the 70s saw the release of Jaws and Alien. Two successful franchises yet indefinable by sub-genre at the time.

70s Horror

Horror Era: The 80s

The 80s saw some continuation of the lasher movement with the Hellraiser, Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th and Child’s Play franchises being born in this decade. However more psychological horror films were released with the poltergeist and The Shining being huge successes. Stephen King saw many films released based on his novels such as The Shining, Children of the corn, Christine and Pet Semetary, all of which were successful. Many critical 3D horrors were also released such as Amityville 3D, Friday the 13th 3D and Jaws 3D

80s

Horror Era: 90s

This era Saw many psychological horrors being released. With Silence Of The Lambs, Copycat, Natural Born Killers, Sixth Sense, Blair Witch Project and Se7en being hugely popular. Wes Craven also brought revived the slasher genre by releasing Scream which has also spawned successful sequels.

90s

Horror Era 00s

This decade featured many remakes and adaptations of both famous and unknown horror movies. Classic films such as Texas chainsaw massacre, Halloween, Nightmare On Elm Street, Dawn Of The Dead, Amityville Horror and Friday the 13th and My bloody valentine all remade. English adaptations of successful Japanese films The Ring, The Grudge and one missed call were also released. His decade also saw very successful docu-horror franchise paranormal activity born influencing the film the last exorcist. The saw franchise was released In this decade and has become the most successful horror franchise of all time also starting a new torture and gore craze seeing the successful and infamous Hostel series released.

00s