Ever since I was a kid watching horror films on television with my dad, I have loved horror media. From trashy low budget films to AAA blockbusters to television shows, I have seen many great, and also awful, horror media entries. Without wasting too much time on long winded introductions, the following is a list I recommend you watch for Spooky Season.
The Thing
Released to poor critical reviews and poor box office returns, The Thing is now considered one of the best horror films, as well as films in general, ever made. Blending science fiction and Lovecraftian horror, John Carpenter provided the world this masterpiece in 1982. Set in an isolated Antarctic research outpost, the all-male crew discover the body of a gruesome shapeshifting alien creature, one with a Lovecraftian “indescribable” countenance. Starring legendary actors such as Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, and Keith David alongside a perfect cast, this grave, bleak film contains a perfectly suited soundtrack and excellent special effects. It is best watched without knowing any spoilers and is one of my personal favorite films I have ever seen.
The Return of the Living Dead
This film is a pseudo-sequel to Night of the Living Dead. Taking a comedy horror approach instead of the typically dreary atmosphere of most zombie films, the film is pure entertainment. George Romero’s first two forays into the genre established the precedent of what is typically thought of as standard zombie tropes, but Return of the Living Dead created the “zombies eating brains” stereotype. Additionally, its punk rock soundtrack and 1980s punk themes give it a rebellious edge not seen in most other films of the genre. Excellently acted and filled with notably creepy scenes despite its more comedic nature, The Return of the Living Dead is one of the best zombie films out there.
The Evil Dead
The Evil Dead, released in 1981, kicked off Sam Raimi’s directorial career, being both successful and his first full length film. It was arguably the first true film to cement the “cabin in the woods” style of horror films, and it is easy to see why. Made on a shoestring budget, it follows a group of five friends as they intend to stay in an isolated Appalachian cabin they rented who then later unwittingly unleash evil on themselves and the woods around them. A notoriously gory film, this splatter flick carried a more serious tone than the comedic sequels which followed after. If you are a fan of old school, low budget movies, this one is definitely a treat.
Pumpkinhead
This Southern Gothic gem is a bit underrated. Flying under the radar in 1988, Pumpkinhead served as the directorial debut of talented special effects artist Stan Winston. Taking place deep within the Appalachian mountains, this film maintains a consistently dark tone throughout. It tackles themes of grief, loss, revenge, fatherly love, and remorse. The film uniquely blends the supernatural, revenge, and slasher genres into one grim story about a father wishing to impose retribution on some troublesome urban youths. Featuring noteworthy special effects work and a memorable setting and story, this is a must watch for those seeking an old-time gothic horror tale.
Alien/Aliens
Another entry in science fiction horror, this is a twofer. The first film, Alien, was directed by Ridley Scott, was released in 1979, and is a slow Lovecraftian horror. The second film, Aliens, was directed by James Cameron and features a bit more action as well as a better cast and is more quotable as well. Aliens is also one of the few moments in filmography where the sequel arguably surpasses the original and is another one of my favorite films. Both films are masterpieces and are must watches for anyone interested in horror.
The Beyond
Yet another Southern Gothic entry to be featured here. The Beyond was released in 1981 during the height of the Italian horror film craze of the 1970s and 1980s. Directed by Lucio Fulci, it is often considered his masterpiece. The story revolves around a woman who inherits an old family-owned hotel in New Orleans and decides to renovate and reopen it. During the process, supernatural forces spread across the city and primarily the hotel location. A gory Lovecraftian film, it has an uncut version which I would recommend.
Zombie
As with the above entry, this is an Italian made film. Zombie was released in 1979, had multiple names, and was also directed by Lucio Fulci. Meant as a cash grab to piggyback off the success of George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, Zombie takes a more old-school approach to the origins of its living dead, preferring to imply voodoo as opposed to disease. The film follows a young woman who travels to an isolated island in the Caribbean in search of her father after his boat appears in the New York Harbor abandoned. Gory even by zombie genre standards, there is both a theatrical cut and uncut version of this film available.
Hellraiser
This film gave the world the horror icon Pinhead in 1987. Clive Barker’s directorial debut, he adapted it from his book The Hellbound Heart. A surreal, supernatural horror film, it focuses more on the evils and depravity of man and simply used the Cenobites as an otherworldly plot device, giving Pinhead and company a few measly minutes of screen time. It casts the Cenobites as paranormal humanoids without much background as opposed to simple demonic beings which they became known for, adding a layer of mystique not seen in every succeeding entry in the series. Hellraiser is the only film in the franchise I would recommend.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Directed by Tobe Hooper and released in 1974, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the last film on this list to be of the Southern Gothic genre. This film features a group of friends that encounter a sadistic family while on their way to visit an old homestead. Featuring a dry, hot, and disturbing style as well as a cast of largely unknown local actors, Hooper worked diligently to give the film a genuine Texas feel and make it as terrifying as possible on a shoestring budget. This is a macabre film and a true Southern Gothic masterwork, being yet another one of my favorite films.
Dawn of the Dead
Dawn of the Dead stands as arguably the best zombie film ever made. Directed by George Romero and released in 1978, this film is his masterpiece. It follows survivors of a zombie apocalypse holding out in a mall. That is pretty much it. It is a simple film with a simple premise and an in-your-face anti-consumerism message. Filled to the brim with gruesome zombie violence, there are three official releases of the film; I would recommend the extended cut.
Re-Animator
Another horror comedy, this zombie film was directed by Stuart Gordon and is a loose adaptation of the short story “Herbert West: Reanimator.” This 1985 gem follows scientist Herbert West as he attempts to create an agent which can bring the dead back to life, to gruesome success. A fun film from beginning to end with little else to say about it outside of a simple recommendation, I would recommend purchasing the uncut version.
Halloween/Halloween II
Keeping with the purpose of this post, a list such as this cannot be made without including at least one Halloween entry. This list includes two. The first two films are both worthy of this list. The 1978 original is another John Carpenter masterpiece to be featured on this list. While preceded by other slasher films such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Black Christmas (1974), and The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976), Halloween popularized the genre within the mainstream and kicked off the slasher film craze of 1978 to 1984. The first film focuses more on suspense, pacing, and tone as opposed to gore, the latter of which became quite a commonplace characterization of slasher films afterward. It follows “The Shape” as he escapes a mental asylum, becomes oddly obsessed with her, eerily stalks her, and murders her friends. The second film, Halloween II, was released in 1981 and picks up immediately after the first one ends, with “The Shape” stalking the babysitter to the hospital she is taken to. Featuring more blood than the original and giving the killer a motive, it was panned by critics upon release and disliked by Carpenter himself who did write the film’s story and even directed a few scenes. However, it would eventually go on to be viewed as one of the best of the slasher genre and pairs well alongside the first film
That is my list, hope y’all enjoyed it. Happy Halloween!!
“The White people of the South are the greatest minority in this nation. They deserve consideration and understanding instead of the persecution of twisted propaganda.” –Strom Thurmond
Thanks Joe, nice list. I really enjoyed the Alien prequels as well as the originals. Going to go share this on Gab now, I like to include a link to the author’s Gab page when I repost from here, do you have one? You should. If you do mention it here and I will include it when I repost on Gab. We really do need a list of Southerners socials, we are so scattered. We all should also be on Gab, it is the only pro-Southern pro-Christian social media site. If anyone would like to add me its @TheRougarou on Gab, just put it in the search bar.