13 of the Most Influential Horror Films
Erin Hoyles
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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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs3981DoINw
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.”
