Tom
An Old Friend
Some subgenres of horror include action horror, comedy horror, body horror, disaster horror, holiday horror, horror drama, psychological horror, science fiction horror, slasher horror, supernatural horror, gothic horror, natural horror, zombie horror, first-person horror and teen horror.
Action horror –
A subgenre combining the intrusion of an evil force, event, or personage of horror movies with the weapon fights and frenetic chases of the action genre. Themes or elements often prevalent in typical action-horror films include gore, demons, aliens, vicious animals, vampires and, most commonly, zombies. This category also fuses the fantasy genre.
EXAMPLE:
Aliens ( 1986 )
Aliens: The planet from Alien has been colonized, but contact is lost. This time, the rescue team has impressive firepower, but will it be enough?
https://images.{...}/thumbs/883_Aliens_1986.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 8.4/10 Metascore: 87% RT: 98%
Released: July 18, 1986
Runtime: 137 mins
Genres: Action Horror Sci-Fi Thriller
Countries: USA UK
Director: James Cameron
Actors: Al Matthews Alan Polonsky Alibe Parsons Bill Paxton Blain Fairman Daniel Kash Jenette Goldstein Lance Henriksen Mark Rolston Michael Biehn Paul Maxwell Paul Reiser Ricco Ross Sigourney Weaver Tip Tipping Valerie Colgan William Armstrong William Hope
Horror adventure -
A film that blends expeditions, exploration, exotic places and other adventure elements in a horror setting.
EXAMPLE:
The Descent ( 2005 )
The Descent: A caving expedition goes horribly wrong, as the explorers become trapped and ultimately pursued by a strange breed of predators.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1814_The_Descent_2005.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 7.3/10 Metascore: 71% RT: 85%
Released: March 11, 2005
Runtime: 99 mins
Genres: Drama Thriller Horror Adventure
Countries: UK
Director: Neil Marshall
Actors: Alex Reid Craig Conway MyAnna Buring Natalie Jackson Mendoza Nora-Jane Noone Oliver Milburn Saskia Mulder Shauna MacDonald
Comedy horror –
Combines elements of comedy and horror fiction. The comedy horror genre often crosses over with the black comedy genre and are occasionally also horror films with a lower rating aimed at a family audience. The short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving is cited as "the first great comedy-horror story".
EXAMPLE:
Slither ( 2006 )
Slither: A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1639_Slither_2006.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 6.5/10 Metascore: 69% RT: 86%
Released: March 31, 2006
Runtime: 95 mins
Genres: Comedy Sci-Fi Horror Zombies
Countries: Canada USA
Director: James Gunn
Actors: Bart Anderson Ben Cotton Brenda James Darren Shahlavi Dee Jay Jackson Don Thompson Dustin Milligan Elizabeth Banks Gregg Henry Haig Sutherland Iris Quinn James Gunn Jenna Fischer Jennifer Copping Kathryn Kirkpatrick Lloyd Kaufman Lorena Gale Malcolm Scott Mary Black Matreya Fedor Michael Cromien Michael Rooker Nathan Fillion Nicholas Podbrey Rob Zombie Robert Musnicki Stephen Park Tania Saulnier Tom Heaton William MacDonald Xantha Radley
Body horror –
In which the horror is principally derived from the graphic destruction or degeneration of the body. Other types of body horror include unnatural movements, or the anatomically incorrect placement of limbs to create 'monsters' out of human body parts. David Cronenberg is one of the notable directors of the genre.
EXAMPLE:
The Thing ( 1982 )
The Thing: Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/988_The_Thing_1982.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 8.2/10 Metascore: N/A RT: N/A
Released: June 25, 1982
Runtime: 109 mins
Genres: Thriller Sci-Fi Horror Mystery
Countries: USA
Director: John Carpenter
Actors: Adrienne Barbeau Charles Hallahan David Clennon Donald Moffat Joel Polis John Carpenter Keith David Kurt Russell Norbert Weisser Peter Maloney Richard Dysart Richard Masur Thomas G Waites TK Carter Wilford Brimley
Horror drama –
A film that focuses on imperiled characters dealing with realistic emotional struggles, often involving dysfunctional family relations, in a horror setting. The film's horror elements often serve as a backdrop to an unraveling dramatic plot.
EXAMPLE:
The Babadook ( 2014 )
The Babadook: A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/2753304_The_Babadook.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 6.9/10 Metascore: 86% RT: 98%
Released: November 28, 2014
Runtime: 93 mins
Genres: Drama Horror Thriller
Director: Jennifer Kent
Actors: Adam Morgan Essie Davis Tiffany Lyndall-Knight
Holiday horror –
Involves a psychopathic killer stalking a sequence of victims in a violent manner during Christmas. The murders are often committed by someone dressed as Santa Claus, a snowman, an elf, or other Christmas character.
EXAMPLE:
Black Christmas ( 1974 )
Black Christmas: A sorority house is terrorized by a stranger who makes frightening phone calls and then murders the sorority sisters during Christmas break.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/17511_Black_Christmas_1974.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 7.2/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 63%
Released: October 11, 1974
Runtime: 98 mins
Genres: Thriller Horror Mystery
Countries: Canada
Director: Bob Clark
Actors: Andrea Martin Art Hindle Bob Clark David Clement Doug McGrath Jack Van Evera John Rutter John Saxon John Stoneham Sr Julian Reed Keir Dullea Les Rubie Leslie Carlson Lynne Griffin Marcia Diamond Margot Kidder Martha Gibson Nick Mancuso Olivia Hussey Robert Hawkins Robert Warner
Psychological horror –
Relies on characters' fears, guilt, beliefs, eerie sound effects, relevant music, emotional instability and at times, the supernatural and ghosts, to build tension, scare and further the plot.
EXAMPLE:
The Shining ( 1980 )
The Shining: A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/878_The_Shining_1980.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 8.5/10 Metascore: 61% RT: 92%
Released: May 23, 1980
Runtime: 142 mins
Genres: Horror Thriller
Countries: UK USA
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Actors: Anne Jackson Barry Dennen Barry Nelson Burnell Tucker David Baxt Derek Lyons Jack Nicholson Jana Shelden Joe Turkel Manning Redwood Philip Stone Scatman Crothers Shelley Duvall Tony Burton
Science fiction horror –
Often revolves around subjects that include but are not limited to killer aliens, mad scientists, and/or experiments gone wrong.
EXAMPLE:
Frankenstein ( 1931 )
Frankenstein: Horror classic in which an obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1129_Frankenstein_1931.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 8.0/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 100%
Released: November 21, 1931
Runtime: 70 mins
Genres: Thriller Sci-Fi Horror
Countries: USA
Director: James Whale
Actors: Arletta Duncan Boris Karloff Carmencita Johnson Cecilia Parker Colin Clive Dwight Frye Edward Van Sloan Ellinor Vanderveer Francis Ford Frederick Kerr Inez Palange Jack Curtis John Boles Lionel Belmore Mae Clarke Marilyn Harris Mary Gordon Michael Mark Paul Panzer Pauline Moore Rose Plumer Seessel Anne Johnson Soledad Jimenez Ted Billings William Dyer
Slasher film –
Often revolves around a serial killer who systematically murders people through violent means.
EXAMPLE:
Psycho ( 1960 )
Psycho: A young woman steals $40,000 from her employer's client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/833_Psycho_1960.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 8.6/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 96%
Released: June 16, 1960
Runtime: 109 mins
Genres: Horror Mystery Thriller
Countries: USA
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: Alfred Hitchcock Anthony Perkins Chief Tahachee Fletcher Allen Francis De Sales Frank Albertson Frank Killmond Fred Scheiwiller George Dockstader George Eldredge Helen Wallace Janet Leigh Jeanette Nolan John Anderson John Gavin John McIntire Kit Carson Lillian O'Malley Lurene Tuttle Martin Balsam Mort Mills Pat McCaffrie Patricia Hitchcock Sam Flint Simon Oakland Ted Knight Vaughn Taylor Vera Miles Virginia Gregg
Splatter film –
These films deliberately focus on graphic portrayals of gore and graphic violence. Through the use of special effects and excessive blood and guts, they tend to display an overt interest in the vulnerability of the human body and the theatricality of its mutilation.
EXAMPLE:
Saw ( 2004 )
Saw: With a dead body laying between them, two men (Whannell and Elwes) wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw" by the police because of his unusual calling card.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/2187_Saw_2004_14.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 7.7/10 Metascore: 46% RT: 48%
Released: January 19, 2004
Runtime: 103 mins
Genres: Horror Mystery Thriller
Countries: USA Australia
Director: James Wan
Actors: Alexandra Bokyun Chun Avner Garbi Benito Martinez Cary Elwes Danny Glover Dina Meyer Hans Raith Ken Leung Leigh Whannell Makenzie Vega Michael Emerson Mike Butters Monica Potter Ned Bellamy Paul Gutrecht Shawnee Smith Tobin Bell
Supernatural horror –
Includes menacing ghosts, demons, or other depictions of supernatural occurrences. Supernatural horror films often combine elements of religion into the plot. Common themes include vengeful ghosts, witches, the devil, and demonic possession.
EXAMPLE:
The Exorcist ( 1973 )
The Exorcist: When a teenager is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1055_The_Exorcist_1973.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 8.0/10 Metascore: 82% RT: 87%
Released: December 26, 1973
Runtime: 122 mins
Genres: Drama Thriller Horror
Countries: USA
Director: William Friedkin
Actors: Arthur Storch Barton Heyman Dick Callinan Donna Mitchell Eileen Dietz Ellen Burstyn Jack MacGowran Jason Miller John Mahon Kitty Winn Lee J Cobb Linda Blair Mary Boylan Mason Curry Max von Sydow Mercedes McCambridge Peter Masterson Robert Gerringer Robert Symonds Ron Faber Roy Cooper Rudolf Schündler Titos Vandis Wallace Rooney
Gothic horror –
Gothic horror is a type of story that contains elements of goth and horror. At times it may have romance that unfolds in the setting of a horror tale, usually suspenseful. Some of the earliest horror movies were of this subgenre.
EXAMPLE:
Dracula: The ancient vampire Count Dracula arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/4235_Dracula_1931_56.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 7.6/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 91%
Released: February 14, 1931
Runtime: 75 mins
Genres: Horror
Countries: USA
Director: Tod Browning
Actors: Bela Lugosi Carla Laemmle Charles K Gerrard Daisy Belmore David Manners Donald Murphy Dorothy Tree Dwight Frye Edward Van Sloan Frances Dade Geraldine Dvorak Helen Chandler Herbert Bunston Joan Standing John George Michael Visaroff Nicholas Bela Tod Browning Wyndham Standing
Natural horror –
A subgenre of horror films "featuring nature running amok in the form of mutated beasts, carnivorous insects, and normally harmless animals or plants turned into cold-blooded killers." This genre may sometimes overlap with the science fiction and action and adventure genres.
EXAMPLE:
Jaws ( 1975 )
Jaws: When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/923_Jaws_1975.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 8.1/10 Metascore: 79% RT: 98%
Released: June 20, 1975
Runtime: 124 mins
Genres: Thriller Adventure
Countries: USA
Director: Steven Spielberg
Actors: Allison Caine Ayn Ruymen Carl Gottlieb Chris Anastasio Denise Cheshire Duncan Inches Jeffrey Kramer Lorraine Gary Murray Hamilton Richard Dreyfuss Robert Shaw Roy Scheider Steven Spielberg Susan Backlinie Ted Grossman
Zombie film –
Zombie films feature creatures who are usually portrayed as either reanimated corpses or mindless human beings. Distinct subgenres have evolved, such as the zombie comedy, which may or may not retain a significant horror theme, and often crosses into black comedy.
EXAMPLE:
Night of the Living Dead ( 1968 )
Night of the Living Dead: A group of people hide from bloodthirsty zombies in a farmhouse.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/920_Night_of_the_Living_Dead_1968.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 8.0/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 96%
Released: October 01, 1968
Runtime: 96 mins
Genres: Thriller Sci-Fi Horror Zombies
Countries: USA
Director: George A. Romero
Actors: Charles Craig Debbie Rochon Duane Jones George A Romero Grant Cramer John A Russo John Simpson Robert Harvey Russell Streiner S William Hinzman
Found footage horror:
A film "technique" sometimes referred to as a subgenre which involves giving the audience a first person view of the story that is discovered from an original recording source within the plot. Recording film in this way merges the audience with the character’s experiences inducing suspense, shock, and bafflement.
EXAMPLE:
The Blair Witch Project ( 1999 )
The Blair Witch Project: In October of 1994, three student film makers disappeared in the woods near Burkittesville, Maryland. One year later, their footage was found.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1571_The_Blair_Witch_Project_1999.jpg
Ratings: IMDB: 6.4/10 Metascore: 81% RT: 87%
Released: January 25, 1999
Runtime: 81 mins
Genres: Thriller Horror Mystery
Countries: USA
Director: Daniel Myrick
Actors: Heather Donahue Joshua Leonard Mark Mason Michael C Williams
Teen horror –
A horror subgenre that victimizes teenagers while usually promoting strong, anti-conformity teenage leads, appealing to young generations. This subgenre often depicts themes of sex, under-aged drinking, and gore.
EXAMPLE:
Scream ( 1996 )
Scream: A psychopathic serial killer is stalking a group of teens just like in the movies!
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1268_Scream_1996.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
Ratings: IMDB: 7.2/10 Metascore: 65% RT: 78%
Released: December 18, 1996
Runtime: 111 mins
Genres: Crime Horror Mystery Thriller
Countries: USA
Director: Wes Craven
Actors: Courteney Cox David Arquette David Booth Drew Barrymore Frances Lee McCain Henry Winkler Jamie Kennedy Joseph Whipp Kevin Patrick Walls Liev Schreiber Linda Blair Matthew Lillard Neve Campbell Roger Jackson Rose McGowan Ryan Kennedy Skeet Ulrich W Earl Brown Wes Craven
Action horror –
A subgenre combining the intrusion of an evil force, event, or personage of horror movies with the weapon fights and frenetic chases of the action genre. Themes or elements often prevalent in typical action-horror films include gore, demons, aliens, vicious animals, vampires and, most commonly, zombies. This category also fuses the fantasy genre.
EXAMPLE:
Aliens ( 1986 )
Aliens: The planet from Alien has been colonized, but contact is lost. This time, the rescue team has impressive firepower, but will it be enough?
https://images.{...}/thumbs/883_Aliens_1986.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 3.88/5
Ratings: IMDB: 8.4/10 Metascore: 87% RT: 98%
Released: July 18, 1986
Runtime: 137 mins
Genres: Action Horror Sci-Fi Thriller
Countries: USA UK
Director: James Cameron
Actors: Al Matthews Alan Polonsky Alibe Parsons Bill Paxton Blain Fairman Daniel Kash Jenette Goldstein Lance Henriksen Mark Rolston Michael Biehn Paul Maxwell Paul Reiser Ricco Ross Sigourney Weaver Tip Tipping Valerie Colgan William Armstrong William Hope
Horror adventure -
A film that blends expeditions, exploration, exotic places and other adventure elements in a horror setting.
EXAMPLE:
The Descent ( 2005 )
The Descent: A caving expedition goes horribly wrong, as the explorers become trapped and ultimately pursued by a strange breed of predators.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1814_The_Descent_2005.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 4.02/5
Ratings: IMDB: 7.3/10 Metascore: 71% RT: 85%
Released: March 11, 2005
Runtime: 99 mins
Genres: Drama Thriller Horror Adventure
Countries: UK
Director: Neil Marshall
Actors: Alex Reid Craig Conway MyAnna Buring Natalie Jackson Mendoza Nora-Jane Noone Oliver Milburn Saskia Mulder Shauna MacDonald
Comedy horror –
Combines elements of comedy and horror fiction. The comedy horror genre often crosses over with the black comedy genre and are occasionally also horror films with a lower rating aimed at a family audience. The short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving is cited as "the first great comedy-horror story".
EXAMPLE:
Slither ( 2006 )
Slither: A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1639_Slither_2006.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 3.76/5
Ratings: IMDB: 6.5/10 Metascore: 69% RT: 86%
Released: March 31, 2006
Runtime: 95 mins
Genres: Comedy Sci-Fi Horror Zombies
Countries: Canada USA
Director: James Gunn
Actors: Bart Anderson Ben Cotton Brenda James Darren Shahlavi Dee Jay Jackson Don Thompson Dustin Milligan Elizabeth Banks Gregg Henry Haig Sutherland Iris Quinn James Gunn Jenna Fischer Jennifer Copping Kathryn Kirkpatrick Lloyd Kaufman Lorena Gale Malcolm Scott Mary Black Matreya Fedor Michael Cromien Michael Rooker Nathan Fillion Nicholas Podbrey Rob Zombie Robert Musnicki Stephen Park Tania Saulnier Tom Heaton William MacDonald Xantha Radley
Body horror –
In which the horror is principally derived from the graphic destruction or degeneration of the body. Other types of body horror include unnatural movements, or the anatomically incorrect placement of limbs to create 'monsters' out of human body parts. David Cronenberg is one of the notable directors of the genre.
EXAMPLE:
The Thing ( 1982 )
The Thing: Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/988_The_Thing_1982.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 4.18/5
Ratings: IMDB: 8.2/10 Metascore: N/A RT: N/A
Released: June 25, 1982
Runtime: 109 mins
Genres: Thriller Sci-Fi Horror Mystery
Countries: USA
Director: John Carpenter
Actors: Adrienne Barbeau Charles Hallahan David Clennon Donald Moffat Joel Polis John Carpenter Keith David Kurt Russell Norbert Weisser Peter Maloney Richard Dysart Richard Masur Thomas G Waites TK Carter Wilford Brimley
Horror drama –
A film that focuses on imperiled characters dealing with realistic emotional struggles, often involving dysfunctional family relations, in a horror setting. The film's horror elements often serve as a backdrop to an unraveling dramatic plot.
EXAMPLE:
The Babadook ( 2014 )
The Babadook: A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/2753304_The_Babadook.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 3.71/5
Ratings: IMDB: 6.9/10 Metascore: 86% RT: 98%
Released: November 28, 2014
Runtime: 93 mins
Genres: Drama Horror Thriller
Director: Jennifer Kent
Actors: Adam Morgan Essie Davis Tiffany Lyndall-Knight
Holiday horror –
Involves a psychopathic killer stalking a sequence of victims in a violent manner during Christmas. The murders are often committed by someone dressed as Santa Claus, a snowman, an elf, or other Christmas character.
EXAMPLE:
Black Christmas ( 1974 )
Black Christmas: A sorority house is terrorized by a stranger who makes frightening phone calls and then murders the sorority sisters during Christmas break.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/17511_Black_Christmas_1974.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 3.61/5
Ratings: IMDB: 7.2/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 63%
Released: October 11, 1974
Runtime: 98 mins
Genres: Thriller Horror Mystery
Countries: Canada
Director: Bob Clark
Actors: Andrea Martin Art Hindle Bob Clark David Clement Doug McGrath Jack Van Evera John Rutter John Saxon John Stoneham Sr Julian Reed Keir Dullea Les Rubie Leslie Carlson Lynne Griffin Marcia Diamond Margot Kidder Martha Gibson Nick Mancuso Olivia Hussey Robert Hawkins Robert Warner
Psychological horror –
Relies on characters' fears, guilt, beliefs, eerie sound effects, relevant music, emotional instability and at times, the supernatural and ghosts, to build tension, scare and further the plot.
EXAMPLE:
The Shining ( 1980 )
The Shining: A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/878_The_Shining_1980.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 4.18/5
Ratings: IMDB: 8.5/10 Metascore: 61% RT: 92%
Released: May 23, 1980
Runtime: 142 mins
Genres: Horror Thriller
Countries: UK USA
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Actors: Anne Jackson Barry Dennen Barry Nelson Burnell Tucker David Baxt Derek Lyons Jack Nicholson Jana Shelden Joe Turkel Manning Redwood Philip Stone Scatman Crothers Shelley Duvall Tony Burton
Science fiction horror –
Often revolves around subjects that include but are not limited to killer aliens, mad scientists, and/or experiments gone wrong.
EXAMPLE:
Frankenstein ( 1931 )
Frankenstein: Horror classic in which an obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1129_Frankenstein_1931.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 3.41/5
Ratings: IMDB: 8.0/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 100%
Released: November 21, 1931
Runtime: 70 mins
Genres: Thriller Sci-Fi Horror
Countries: USA
Director: James Whale
Actors: Arletta Duncan Boris Karloff Carmencita Johnson Cecilia Parker Colin Clive Dwight Frye Edward Van Sloan Ellinor Vanderveer Francis Ford Frederick Kerr Inez Palange Jack Curtis John Boles Lionel Belmore Mae Clarke Marilyn Harris Mary Gordon Michael Mark Paul Panzer Pauline Moore Rose Plumer Seessel Anne Johnson Soledad Jimenez Ted Billings William Dyer
Slasher film –
Often revolves around a serial killer who systematically murders people through violent means.
EXAMPLE:
Psycho ( 1960 )
Psycho: A young woman steals $40,000 from her employer's client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/833_Psycho_1960.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 3.97/5
Ratings: IMDB: 8.6/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 96%
Released: June 16, 1960
Runtime: 109 mins
Genres: Horror Mystery Thriller
Countries: USA
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: Alfred Hitchcock Anthony Perkins Chief Tahachee Fletcher Allen Francis De Sales Frank Albertson Frank Killmond Fred Scheiwiller George Dockstader George Eldredge Helen Wallace Janet Leigh Jeanette Nolan John Anderson John Gavin John McIntire Kit Carson Lillian O'Malley Lurene Tuttle Martin Balsam Mort Mills Pat McCaffrie Patricia Hitchcock Sam Flint Simon Oakland Ted Knight Vaughn Taylor Vera Miles Virginia Gregg
Splatter film –
These films deliberately focus on graphic portrayals of gore and graphic violence. Through the use of special effects and excessive blood and guts, they tend to display an overt interest in the vulnerability of the human body and the theatricality of its mutilation.
EXAMPLE:
Saw ( 2004 )
Saw: With a dead body laying between them, two men (Whannell and Elwes) wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw" by the police because of his unusual calling card.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/2187_Saw_2004_14.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 4.05/5
Ratings: IMDB: 7.7/10 Metascore: 46% RT: 48%
Released: January 19, 2004
Runtime: 103 mins
Genres: Horror Mystery Thriller
Countries: USA Australia
Director: James Wan
Actors: Alexandra Bokyun Chun Avner Garbi Benito Martinez Cary Elwes Danny Glover Dina Meyer Hans Raith Ken Leung Leigh Whannell Makenzie Vega Michael Emerson Mike Butters Monica Potter Ned Bellamy Paul Gutrecht Shawnee Smith Tobin Bell
Supernatural horror –
Includes menacing ghosts, demons, or other depictions of supernatural occurrences. Supernatural horror films often combine elements of religion into the plot. Common themes include vengeful ghosts, witches, the devil, and demonic possession.
EXAMPLE:
The Exorcist ( 1973 )
The Exorcist: When a teenager is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1055_The_Exorcist_1973.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 4.14/5
Ratings: IMDB: 8.0/10 Metascore: 82% RT: 87%
Released: December 26, 1973
Runtime: 122 mins
Genres: Drama Thriller Horror
Countries: USA
Director: William Friedkin
Actors: Arthur Storch Barton Heyman Dick Callinan Donna Mitchell Eileen Dietz Ellen Burstyn Jack MacGowran Jason Miller John Mahon Kitty Winn Lee J Cobb Linda Blair Mary Boylan Mason Curry Max von Sydow Mercedes McCambridge Peter Masterson Robert Gerringer Robert Symonds Ron Faber Roy Cooper Rudolf Schündler Titos Vandis Wallace Rooney
Gothic horror –
Gothic horror is a type of story that contains elements of goth and horror. At times it may have romance that unfolds in the setting of a horror tale, usually suspenseful. Some of the earliest horror movies were of this subgenre.
EXAMPLE:
Dracula: The ancient vampire Count Dracula arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/4235_Dracula_1931_56.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 3.25/5
Ratings: IMDB: 7.6/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 91%
Released: February 14, 1931
Runtime: 75 mins
Genres: Horror
Countries: USA
Director: Tod Browning
Actors: Bela Lugosi Carla Laemmle Charles K Gerrard Daisy Belmore David Manners Donald Murphy Dorothy Tree Dwight Frye Edward Van Sloan Frances Dade Geraldine Dvorak Helen Chandler Herbert Bunston Joan Standing John George Michael Visaroff Nicholas Bela Tod Browning Wyndham Standing
Natural horror –
A subgenre of horror films "featuring nature running amok in the form of mutated beasts, carnivorous insects, and normally harmless animals or plants turned into cold-blooded killers." This genre may sometimes overlap with the science fiction and action and adventure genres.
EXAMPLE:
Jaws ( 1975 )
Jaws: When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/923_Jaws_1975.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 3.98/5
Ratings: IMDB: 8.1/10 Metascore: 79% RT: 98%
Released: June 20, 1975
Runtime: 124 mins
Genres: Thriller Adventure
Countries: USA
Director: Steven Spielberg
Actors: Allison Caine Ayn Ruymen Carl Gottlieb Chris Anastasio Denise Cheshire Duncan Inches Jeffrey Kramer Lorraine Gary Murray Hamilton Richard Dreyfuss Robert Shaw Roy Scheider Steven Spielberg Susan Backlinie Ted Grossman
Zombie film –
Zombie films feature creatures who are usually portrayed as either reanimated corpses or mindless human beings. Distinct subgenres have evolved, such as the zombie comedy, which may or may not retain a significant horror theme, and often crosses into black comedy.
EXAMPLE:
Night of the Living Dead ( 1968 )
Night of the Living Dead: A group of people hide from bloodthirsty zombies in a farmhouse.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/920_Night_of_the_Living_Dead_1968.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 3.81/5
Ratings: IMDB: 8.0/10 Metascore: N/A RT: 96%
Released: October 01, 1968
Runtime: 96 mins
Genres: Thriller Sci-Fi Horror Zombies
Countries: USA
Director: George A. Romero
Actors: Charles Craig Debbie Rochon Duane Jones George A Romero Grant Cramer John A Russo John Simpson Robert Harvey Russell Streiner S William Hinzman
Found footage horror:
A film "technique" sometimes referred to as a subgenre which involves giving the audience a first person view of the story that is discovered from an original recording source within the plot. Recording film in this way merges the audience with the character’s experiences inducing suspense, shock, and bafflement.
EXAMPLE:
The Blair Witch Project ( 1999 )
The Blair Witch Project: In October of 1994, three student film makers disappeared in the woods near Burkittesville, Maryland. One year later, their footage was found.
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1571_The_Blair_Witch_Project_1999.jpg
- Currently 3.39/5
Ratings: IMDB: 6.4/10 Metascore: 81% RT: 87%
Released: January 25, 1999
Runtime: 81 mins
Genres: Thriller Horror Mystery
Countries: USA
Director: Daniel Myrick
Actors: Heather Donahue Joshua Leonard Mark Mason Michael C Williams
Teen horror –
A horror subgenre that victimizes teenagers while usually promoting strong, anti-conformity teenage leads, appealing to young generations. This subgenre often depicts themes of sex, under-aged drinking, and gore.
EXAMPLE:
Scream ( 1996 )
Scream: A psychopathic serial killer is stalking a group of teens just like in the movies!
https://images.{...}/thumbs/1268_Scream_1996.jpg https://www.{...}/images/ribbon_watched.png
- Currently 4.01/5
Ratings: IMDB: 7.2/10 Metascore: 65% RT: 78%
Released: December 18, 1996
Runtime: 111 mins
Genres: Crime Horror Mystery Thriller
Countries: USA
Director: Wes Craven
Actors: Courteney Cox David Arquette David Booth Drew Barrymore Frances Lee McCain Henry Winkler Jamie Kennedy Joseph Whipp Kevin Patrick Walls Liev Schreiber Linda Blair Matthew Lillard Neve Campbell Roger Jackson Rose McGowan Ryan Kennedy Skeet Ulrich W Earl Brown Wes Craven
HORROR
A horror film is a movie that seeks to elicit a physiological reaction, such as an elevated heartbeat, through the use of fear and shocking one’s audiences. Inspired by literature from authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley, the horror genre has existed for more than a century. The macabre and the supernatural are frequent themes. Horror may also overlap with the fantasy, supernatural fiction and thriller genres.
Horror films often deal with viewers' nightmares, fears, revulsions and terror of the unknown. Plots within the horror genre often involve the intrusion of an evil force, event, or personage into the everyday world. Prevalent elements include ghosts, aliens, vampires, werewolves, demons, satanism, gore, torture, vicious animals, evil witches, monsters, zombies, cannibals, psychopaths, natural or man-made disasters, and serial killers.
A horror film is a movie that seeks to elicit a physiological reaction, such as an elevated heartbeat, through the use of fear and shocking one’s audiences. Inspired by literature from authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley, the horror genre has existed for more than a century. The macabre and the supernatural are frequent themes. Horror may also overlap with the fantasy, supernatural fiction and thriller genres.
Horror films often deal with viewers' nightmares, fears, revulsions and terror of the unknown. Plots within the horror genre often involve the intrusion of an evil force, event, or personage into the everyday world. Prevalent elements include ghosts, aliens, vampires, werewolves, demons, satanism, gore, torture, vicious animals, evil witches, monsters, zombies, cannibals, psychopaths, natural or man-made disasters, and serial killers.