The horror film has been around for almost as long as film itself. The first horror film, “Le Manoir du Diable” (The House of the Devil), was released in 1896. A three-minute silent film, by early adopter of special effects Georges Méliès.
From then, horror films have come a long way. The 1930s saw the release of some of the most iconic horror movies of all time. Films such as “Dracula,” “Frankenstein,” and “The Mummy” all set the tone for the genre, and introduced horror to a mass audience.
The 1940s saw the introduction of some of the most beloved horror icons. Bela Lugosi’s portrayal of Count Dracula in “Dracula” was a defining moment in horror cinema, as was Boris Karloff’s portrayal of the Monster in “Frankenstein.” These and other horror films, mostly products of Universal Pictures, set the tone for the genre for years to come.
In the 1950s, horror shifted as filmmakers incorporated science fiction and the supernatural. Films such as “The Creature from the Black Lagoon,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” and “Them!” all combined horror with science fiction elements, creating a new breed of horror film. It was a sign of the times, as the nuclear age inspired those films’ scientific elements.
The 1960s saw the emergence of a new style of horror. Hammer Films released a series of horror films, such as “The Curse of Frankenstein” and “The Mummy,” that featured a darker, more Gothic style.
The next shift occurred in a similar fashion to other genres of films in the market. A new generation of filmmakers, inspired by those of previous generations, pushed boundaries.
Movies such as “The Exorcist,” “Halloween,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” all featured intense suspense and gore, and walked the line of what was considered acceptable in horror films.
These films set the standard for horror films that followed, and paved the way for an entirely new genre of movie. The success of these films showed Hollywood that there was an audience for horror films that continues to be explored even now.
Michael's Musings 