For a horror movie to be frightening is a challenge for those who make them. However, to create a horror film that is not only frightening but also able to influence the entire genre itself… that is a rare feat to be sure.
While some films are influential because they were the first of their kind, others introduced new and innovative ways of serving up nightmare fuel. Either way, it cannot be denied that without these 13 films the horror genre might not be what it is today, and they forever serve as a reminder to those who make horror that there is always room for something new and fresh.
What follows are 13 of the most influential horror films ever made, in no particular order. (After all, how can I possibly put one above the other?)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920):
In 1920 Robert Wiene made horror history when he directed what is known as the first ever horror movie. This silent foreign film is part horror and part German expressionist cinema… and even today it successfully serves up the scares through its utterly creepy film noir style. It tells the story of a seriously deranged hypnotist who uses his sleepwalking patient to commit murders. To say that this movie influenced the horror genre would be an understatement. It was the first of its kind and ushered in this new genre with epic style. Anyone who is avoiding this movie because it is old, silent, and black and white is truly missing out.
Phantasm (1979):
Don Coscarelli directed what is easily one of the most innovative horror films of all time. Incorporating elements of science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and… a big heaping dose of strange, this horror classic has become a favorite of nearly every fan of the genre. It tells the story of an evil undertaker whose supernatural powers allow him to turn his victims into dwarf-like zombies that mindlessly do his bidding. However, his intentions to take over the world are interrupted by a meddling teenager, and all sorts of otherworldly chaos ensues. This movie is as much surrealist art as it is horror and is often cited as an inspiration to many horror directors that came after.
The Blair Witch Project (1999):
In 1999 Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez were responsible for what is generally regarded as the first found footage horror movie and forever influenced the genre in good – and awful – ways. What followed its release was a deluge of found footage that hoped to mirror the success of Blair Witch. As expected, horror movie fans cringed while the general public showed up in droves for each and every one. On its own, The Blair Witch Project was an innovative and impressive movie for the small budget it was created on. In addition to ushering in a completely new sub-genre, it changed how movies can be marketed. Using the internet to create a viral marketing campaign, they were able to convince the general public that the kids featured in the movie were, in fact, missing and the movie featured their last terrifying moments on earth.
Nosferatu (1922):
Another German expressionist film that influenced the horror genre is Nosferatu. Directed by F. W. Murnau and starring the unforgettable Max Schreck as the vampire Count Orlok, this film was intended to be an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Before the story of Dracula became a caricature of itself by presenting the titular character as a brooding, tragic bloodsucker in a black cape… there was Nosferatu, whose portrayal was easily the most haunting of the multiple iterations done over the years. Done before the age of jump scares, CGI, or even advanced special-effects magic, this movie has managed to hold its own over the ages.
The Evil Dead (1981):
One movie that most horror fans seem to agree on is The Evil Dead… one part comedy, one part horror, one hundred parts awesomeness. Director Sam Raimi and star Bruce Campbell produced this fan favorite that went on to inspire sequels, video games, and most recently a TV show (not to mention the endless references that can be found in other projects). The movie focuses on a group of friends who manage to release all sorts of supernatural havoc while camping in a cabin in the woods. Without Evil Dead there would be no Ash, no Army of Darkness, no Boomstick from S-Mart… life just wouldn’t have meaning.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974):
Before he directed Poltergeist, Tobe Hooper produced and directed this jaw-dropping flick. It is often credited for kick-starting many of the elements that are common to the slasher sub-genre and frequently cited as an all-time favorite for fans of the genre. Rumored to be based on a true story, the movie introduces Leatherface, a chainsaw-wielding menace who dons the skin of his victims. The low budget special effects and film style only serve to enhance the overall creepiness of this classic horror film.
Frankenstein (1931):
Arguably the best of Universal’s monster movies, Frankenstein tells the story of a mad scientist who uses the parts from dead corpses to create his very own monster. Directed by James Whale and starring the iconic Boris Karloff, Frankenstein was unique in that it humanized the titular monster, making him a sympathetic character. The movie was so iconic that it made it into the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
The Exorcist (1973):
William Friedkin’s supernatural horror based on the novel of the same name continues to shock audiences to this day. It tells the story of a young girl suffering from demonic possession and definitely pulls no punches. Winning two Academy Awards and inspiring multiple child possession movies, The Exorcist was the first of its kind in its no holds barred approach to violence against children. With an iconic soundtrack and incredible special effects, especially for the time, this movie tops many “best of” lists.
Psycho (1960):
Including an Alfred Hitchcock movie on this list was a no-brainer; however, choosing which one was a little more challenging. Known for his use of “the twist,” Hitchcock was one of the most iconic contributors to the horror genre. This movie tells the story of a murderous hotel owner with significant mommy issues and is home to one of the most legendary movie scenes of all time… the shower scene. One of the very first examples of the slasher sub-genre, Psycho and its famous director inspired many that came after it.
Night of the Living Dead (1968):
Whether you love it or hate it, nobody can deny the impact that George Romero had on the horror genre. The first zombie film of its kind, Night of the Living Dead, was responsible for much of the iconic zombie imagery that we know today, from the mindless drones that move in packs to the flesh-eating monsters that crave brains. While the movie itself could be considered “campy,” its subtext shouldn’t be underestimated. Romero often used his films as vehicles for powerful statements about society at large.
Halloween (1978):
While John Carpenter may not have been the first director to make a slasher flick, he certainly was responsible for inspiring a great majority of the classic slasher films that the 80’s became famous for. The movie focuses on Michael Myers, an escaped mental patient who terrorizes a neighborhood on Halloween night. Wearing a painted white Captain Kirk mask and some nondescript fall weather clothing, this antagonist was frightening in his simplicity. The great news is that this was not the first or the last of Carpenter’s genre-changing films.
Carrie (1976):
When Carrie White’s hand erupts out of her grave at the end of this film, it changed what audiences would expect from horror movies from that moment on. Before Brian De Palma executed his iconic “final jump scare,” horror movies often ended with some type of resolution. Instead, Carrie ended with audiences jumping out of their seats and forever wondering… is she really gone? Often cited by horror fanatics as the movie that introduced them to the genre, this classic film was based on a novel by Stephen King, an equally influential horror author responsible for inspiring many in the genre.
The Last House on the Left (1972):
Wes Craven’s wonderfully delicious revenge horror is exploitation cinema at its finest. Turning horror conventions on their head, Craven successfully turned protagonist into antagonist in this graphic and shocking movie about a gang of criminals who terrorize, rape, and murder two young girls. It could have ended there, but the gang members find themselves at the home of one of their victims, and a heady revenge ensues when the family figures it out. Its low budget, almost shakey-cam-like cinematography gives it a found footage feel, and Craven set the bar for how far a horror film must go to be considered “shocking.”