Anthologies are my absolute favorite sub-genre within the world of horror films. And as a community, we’re so lucky to have so many good ones to choose from! Whether you’re looking for multiple scares within one viewing, or a good mix of comedy and horror, here are 10 horror anthologies you absolutely must watch this Halloween:
1. TRICK R’ TREAT
Rule #1: It’s not about the rules of horror movies — it’s about the rules of Halloween! Trick r’ Treat is a brilliant anthology of four intertwined stories, all happening on Halloween night, and designed to give the rules of the evening a new dimension.
2. CREEPSHOW
This is a comic book-inspired anthology was my gateway into horror — it includes stories directed by George Romero and written by Stephen King – already an instant classic! Not to mention, the ensemble cast is something to openly drool over.
3. CREEPSHOW 2
This is the follow-up to the above, Creepshow, and brings us some of the most memorable horror stories of all-time straight from the ink and mind of King again — Thanks for the ride, lady!
4. TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE
Oh my gosh, in this anthology, a child tells stories of horror to postpone a witch, played by Deborah Harry, that plans to serve him as the main course for a dinner party. Christian Slater, Steve Buscemi and Julianne Moore — yet another ensemble cast to get uber excited about!
5. V/H/S
Ahh… this one starts out with a group of misfits hired to burglarize a rundown house and retrieve a VHS collection, that end up discovering more found footage than they bargained for — of course this list is going to include 2012’s little darling of a film, it’s an absolute must watch.
6. CAMPFIRE TALES
This is one of those films that nobody likes, but me, but it’s also a really fun and modern anthology about classic urban legends — campy at times, goosebumps for the other ones. Also, Ron Livingston is in this, you guys!
7. TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE
This is a timeless classic that includes four horror/sci-fi segments, taken from the original TV show, Twilight Zone. and directed by four famous directors: John Landis, Joe Dante, Steven Spielberg and George Miller. Extra points for all of the urban legends surround the making of this film — it was haunted from the very beginning.
8. THREE… EXTREMES
Some of today’s hottest indie horror Asian directors; Takaski Miike, Fruit Chan and Park Chan-wook, came together for this trilogy of terror — the cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, balancing out the absolutely horrifying stories. This is not one for those with a weak stomach.
9. TRILOGY OF TERROR
In this anthology, originally written by Richard Matheson, horror darling Karen Black stars in three bizarre stories about three different tormented women. This originally a movie made for TV, but then that creepy little doll took its cult status and ran with it.
10. STEPHEN KING’S CAT’S EYE
A stray cat links together three different stories in this suspenseful anthology. And although we’re dealing with another top-notch ensemble cast; Drew Barrymore and James Woods to name a few, I guarantee you’ll appreciate the movie more if you read the short stories first in Stephen King’s ‘Night Shift’.
I thought Campfire Tales was great too! So you are not alone. But agreed that Trick R Treat is NUMBER ONE!
Have seen all except VH/S. An excellent list. I’ll assume that if you were to add an 11th movie, it would have to be Vault of Horror.
I’m a sucker for horror anthologies. Hey. . . . you wanna see something really scary?
There a lot better horroranthologys: the offspring, scary or die, tales from the crypt, the theatre bizzare, body bags, little deaths, terror tract…
Hi, there. Liked the list, but regarding the “urban legends” surrounding Twilight Zone the movie, those aren’t legends — three people were killed during the making of that film — actor Vic Morrow, and two little kids (who shouldn’t have been working that night). Director John Landis went on trial, and was found not guilty, but it definitely stopped his career.
Tales from the Hood was surprisingly good.
Nice list Stacy. I always enjoy a good anthology!