10 Classic Horror Movies That Almost Had Very Different Titles
Josh Korngut
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We are living in the metaverse and I just have to accept that. While I might not totally understand what the metaverse is or how to access it, I sure know a thing or two about alternative horror movie history. I actually happen to host a podcast right here on the DREAD Podcast Network on the topic, so when it comes to revisionist horror history, I’m your guy.
Today I’ve assembled a list of the most classic alternate horror movie titles of all time. Some of these alternate reality titles are well known, such as The Babysitter Murders, but have you ever heard of Monster Flick? Because I sure hadn’t.
Below are the top ten alternate reality horror movie titles that almost happened. Think of what the world would look like if Alien had really been title Star Beast. That’s not a world Im sure I would want to live in.
1. Alien / Star Beast
Originally titled Star Beast to benefit from Star Wars-mania of the late 80s, Alien could have gone down a very different path. Star Beast: Resurrection sounds very SYFY, so it’s probably for the best that this title change took place.
2. Halloween / The Babysitter Murders
In terms of other-dimension movie titles, this one is a stone-cold classic. While Halloween is the perfect title, The Babysitter Murders gets the job done. The film was originally intended to be shot over several nights, but when budget restrictions put an end to that, Halloween night took center focus.
3. The Mutilator / Fall Break
If you’ve seen The Mutilator, you’ll undoubtedly remember the opening original song Fall Break. These kids were going on a fall break, and didn’t care who knew! Well, they should have cared because now they’re dead as hell. 5 stars.
4. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre / Headcheese
While Leatherface was another title in contention, headcheese was a major contender that almost won. Hard to imagine a long-lasting franchise titled Headcheese, but what do I know. For the uninitiated, Headcheese is the jelly made from an animal’s head meat. Gross.
5. Scream / Scary Movie
It’s wild how merely four years after the release of Scream, a parody was released under its originally intended title. What a goddamn world. I think both franchises ended up with the appropriate titles at the end of the day.
6. Child’s Play / Blood Buddy
For any horror fans out there who have yet to check out Behind the Monsters on Shudder, I highly recommend it. The episode featuring Child’s Play unearths the original title Don Mancini was selling the script under Blood Buddy. It’s cute, but it’s creepy in all the wrong ways.
7. Friday the 13th / A Long Night At Camp Blood
Star-crossed lovers Victor Miller and Sean S. Cunningham have been battling over the Friday the 13th rights for half a century, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great collaborators. Miller had originally titled the slasher juggernaut A Long Night At Camp Blood, but Cunningham stepped in with the catchier Friday the 13th.
9. The Evil Dead / The Book of the Dead
While horror hero Sam Raimi had originally intended on titling his debut The Book of the Dead, producer Irvin Shapiro had some notes. According to lore, Shaprio warned Raimi away from using the word “book” because younger audiences don’t want to read. Where’s the lie?
10. Hellraiser / Sadomasochists from Beyond the Grave
Clive Barker shot Hellraiser under the much longer, totally outrageous title Sadomasochists from Beyond the Grave. Hard to know if this title was ever intended for use. However, Barker has stated he wanted to call the film Hellbound. While Hellhound ended up the subtitle for the sequel, producer Christopher Figg convinced him to go with Hellraiser in lieu.
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