Summary
Every year, around the world, hundreds ofhorror moviesare produced. While most go unnoticed by the larger cinema-going public, a select few enjoy full theatrical releases. Horror movies have been an integral part of cinema since its beginning. They dare audiences to watch scenes of deranged killers, terrifying monsters, and unnatural beings; horror is confrontational cinema.
While a few great horror movies are released each season, some years stand out more than others. Sometimes, a single film is released that shakes up the industry. Other years producemultiple classics. Horror is one of the most effective movie genres around, from delving into important issues to confronting social fears or giving audiences a powerful jump scare. Horror is pure cinema and continues to attract legions of fans every year.
81922
Setting The Standard For Years To Come
1922saw the release of a powerful German Expressionist movie that would set the standard for every horror movie that came after. Directed by F. W. Murnau,Nosferatumay not have been the first horror film, but it was the most influential in the early days of cinema.
In this unofficial reimagining ofBram Stoker’s Dracula, the iconic vampire Count Orlock, played by Max Schreck, terrorizes a small town, bringing a mysterious plague to the population. Like many German Expressionist pieces,Nosferatuwas a reaction to the First World War. Many of the actors and crew served on the front lines and experienced horrors difficult to describe. This darkness seeps into every frame of the film, makingNosferatua timeless classic thatcontinues to impact modern cinema today.
71973
Controversy Comes To Cinema
1973would be a standout year for horror movies.Don’t Look Now, starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie, tackled themes of grief and guilt. The film depicts two parents mourning the loss of their daughter after a tragic accident. The film would garner controversy, though not due to its subject matter. The explicit sex scene shown in the film caused a stir in the industry and with censors.
Meanwhile, in a career-best performance, Edward Woodward’s Sergeant Howie searches for a missing girl inThe Wicker Man. This leads to one of the mostshocking endings in film history. However, the movie that caused the biggest outrage in 1973 wasThe Exorcist. This bonafide horror classic would see widespread protest over its depiction of a young girl possessed by a demon. The film featured several controversial scenes — most notably the notorious crucifix scene — that would lead to a national conversation on censorship and taste.
61990
Horror Goes Mainstream
While horror movies have always been a major part of the Hollywood machine,1990saw a string of successful mainstream films embrace the horror genre. Kathy Bates terrified audiences with her portrayal of an obsessed fan inMisery, while Tim Curry traumatized a generation as the killer clown inIt.
Meanwhile, Patrick Swayze starred in the box-office smashGhost. This classic romance movie featured scenes of tormented spirits dragging the damned to hell in classic horror fashion.The Witchesgave us anall-time classic performancefrom Anjelica Huston as The Grand High Witch, whileArachnophobiareminded everyone why they should be scared of spiders.
51996
Horror Returns Stronger Than Ever
The start of the 1990s saw a decline in horror movie popularity.1996would change this with the release of the box office hit,Scream. This self-aware movie was a love letter to slasher movies of the 80s and revitalized the waning genre. It kickstarted a trend of popular teen horror movies, such asI Know What You Did Last Summer,Urban Legend, andThe Faculty.
In 1996, indie cinema was on the rise, with Quentin Tarantino at the top of Hollywood’s A-list. Written by and starring Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez’sFrom Dusk Till Dawnblended the gritty crime thrillers of the era with low-budget horror gore in a fun, over-the-top vampire film that oozes as much cool as it does blood.
41999
Horror Takes Over Hollywood
The end of the decade saw the beginning of the found footage trend with the overnight success ofThe Blair Witch Project. This ultra-low-budget blockbuster follows a group of friends who become lost in the woods while investigating the local legend of the Blair Witch.
Meanwhile, theimpending turn of the millenniumbrought several judgment-day-style films to cinemas. Most notable were the big-budget Hollywood horrorStigmata,andEnd of Daysstarring Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, the year’s biggest breakout was almost certainlyThe Sixth Sense, which announced the arrival of film director M. Night Shyamalan and child actor Haley Joel Osment.
32002
J-Horror Reins Supreme
2002was a major year in horror movie history. Japanese horror was at the forefront with the Hollywood remake ofThe Ring. Meanwhile, J-Horror classicsDark WaterandThe Grudgechilled horror fans around the world. These brilliant Asian horror movies were a welcome change for Western audiences. Steeped in Japanese folklore, they depict frightening spirits that are genuinely unnerving.
Meanwhile, Danny Boyle breathed new life into the long-dead zombie genre with his original take,28 Days Later. The film follows Cillian Murphy after waking from a coma to find the population has been infected with a devastating rage virus.28 Days Laterfurther cemented Boyle as one of Britain’s greatest modern directors.
22013
The Beginnings Of Major Horror Franchises
2013saw horror movies dominate the box office.The Conjuringintroduced new horror icons Annabelle and The Nun to the movie-going public. Based on true stories,The Conjuringseries firmly made its mark on horror history. Meanwhile, production company Blumhouse wastaking over the horror genrewith the release ofThe PurgeandInsidious: Chapter 2.
This standout year also saw the release of the incredible remake ofEvil Dead, which introduced the world to a new master of horror, Fede Alvarez. Meanwhile, in the indie scene, Jim Jarmusch releasedOnly Lovers Left Alive, a stylish gothic vampire story that oozes cool from every frame. Scarlett Johansson also wowed audiences with her revealing portrayal of a predatory alien in Jonathan Glazer’s experimentalUnder The Skin.
12018
Horror Remains On Top
2018continued horror’s domination of the box office with some standout releases.Ari Aster announced himselfto the world withHereditary, an unflinching horror masterclass that became an instant classic.A Quiet Placemade a loud splash with its tense, nail-biting scenes, where Emily Blunt attempts to protect her children from monsters who hunt by sound.
Meanwhile, the arthouse moviePossumproved that experimental horror was still alive. Alex Garland returned with his surreal cosmic horror nightmare,Annihilation. This stunning movie saw Natalie Portman lead an investigation into a strange region known as The Shimmer, where something unnatural is mutating the plants and animals. This standout year also saw the return of a major franchise withHalloween, where Jamie Lee Curtis reprised her iconic role as Laurie Strode.
