5 of the Most Insanely Original Films in Horror History
Slasher Savior
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1979’s Phantasm (#2)
Don Coscarelli’s ‘Phantasm’ -Courtesy of New Breed Productions Inc.
“The ice cream is gonna be flyin’ fast and furious.” – Reggie
Weaving a twisted tale of bizarre dimensions, fallen family turmoil, and the mysterious one known simple as “The Tall Man,” Phantasm is creeping out our list at number 2.
Directed by Don Coscarelli, who would later go on to helm the cult classic Bubba Ho-Tep starring genre favorite, groovy Bruce Campbell, Phantasm is a work of originality most can only dream of. With its insane story of two brothers, and their ice-cream truck driving amigo, fighting the forces of terror from another dimension, 1979’s Phantasm is one of the most respected and hailed horror films in history.
If you’ve seen the classic, and BOOOOOY!! you better have, you’ll no doubt know the film is unlike anything else in our amazing genre. Spawning four sequels, including the highly anticipated Phantasm V: Ravager, which is set for release this October, Coscarelli’s original classic is about as imaginative as one could hope for when crafting a creepy narrative.
Though the film isn’t without its flaws, each often adding unique intricacies to the Phantasm experience, Coscareilli’s original is a truly remarkable work of art. One that packs a more powerful punch than The Tall Man’s deadly sphere.
1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street (#1)
Wes Craven’s ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’- Courtesy of New Line Cinema
“I’m your boyfriend now Nancy” – Fred Krueger
Opening November 9th in the blissful wonder of 1984, the horror genre saw itself welcoming A Nightmare on Elm Street. The most original film in the phenomenal history of horror, Elm Street is a true work of powerful imagination. A dreary dream of a tale, director Wes Craven, whom we still miss dearly, used Elm as a mechanism for blending imagination with unimaginable terror when debuting his most respected piece of film in ’84.
While it could be argued other films on this loony list are more unique conceptually, with Phantasm and Hellraiser arguing the toughest case, A Nightmare on Elm Street is truly unlike any other fright film in history. Originally dismissed by almost every producer with deep pockets, Elm Street is a true masterpiece of macabre. With Bob Shaye of New Line Cinema only seeing the script’s brilliance, Craven’s classic is still standing the test of time.
Starring Robert Englund as the infamous dream demon Freddy Krueger and Heather Langenkamp as the object of his disturbing desires, A Nightmare on Elm Street’s nightmare narrative is in league all its own. With its ingenious story of sleep and slaughter, Elm Street is truly unparalleled. You knew the deal: Die in the dream, and you die for real. Too bad for us, Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street is so damn dreamy.
