Favorite Horror Anthologies
The Anthology, a form of storytelling, is three or more short stories within one film and contains a wraparound story, which connects all the stories into one. Legend says this form of film making was conceived in England during WW2 to save on production costs. At one time in cinema, it seemed anthologies had become old hat, that is until the horror anthology was born. Though there have been many genres that have used anthologies, the horror genre seems to have taken the anthology to another level. Here is my list of horror anthologies that have stood the test of time.
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- DirectorAlberto CavalcantiCharles CrichtonBasil DeardenStarsMervyn JohnsMichael RedgraveRoland CulverGuests invited to a weekend in the country share their supernatural stories, beginning with Walter Craig, who senses impending doom as his half-remembered recurring dream turns into reality.For many, Dead of Night is considered to be the first horror anthology in the sound era. This classic film's wraparound story is very intriguing because we learn later in the film its a recurring nightmare. Headed up by a stellar cast to include Michael Redgrave, this film is a must for fans of the horror anthology!
- DirectorRoy Ward BakerStarsBarbara ParkinsRichard ToddSylvia SymsIn order to secure a job at a mental institution, a young psychiatrist must interview four patients inside the asylum.One of the best horror films ever made, Asylum is so good not only because of the short stories it tells but mainly because of the wraparound story, which insulates itself into one of the short stories. Asylum combines mystery with the occult and horror. Top-notch cast is another reason to see Asylum, which includes Peter Cushing and Herbert Lom.
- DirectorFreddie FrancisStarsJoan CollinsPeter CushingRalph RichardsonFive strangers get lost in a crypt and, after meeting the mysterious Crypt Keeper, receive visions of how they will die.Tales from the Crypt, based on the E.C. Comics, starring a stellar cast including Joan Collins, Peter Cushing, and Sir Ralph Richardson, this film helped continue the standard of excellence expected in horror anthologies. Trivia, this was Cushing's first film after his wife died. In the segment he appears in, the photo he gazes upon is that of his real-life wife. While the first story of the maniac dressed as Santa is the most famous story here, my favorite stories are, "Poetic Justice", with Cushing and the last story, "Blind Alley."
- DirectorFreddie FrancisStarsJack PalanceBurgess MeredithBeverly AdamsAn anthology of four short horror stories about people who visit Dr. Diabolo's fairground haunted-house attraction show.A very intriguing film, Torture Garden takes place at a carnival. What makes Garden very intriguing is the actress that portrays the mannequin. She appears in all the stories in some fashion, and has no lines. While Garden has an impressive cast to include Jack Palance, and Peter Cushing, this film belongs to Burgess Meredith as the infamous, Dr. Diablo.
- DirectorRoy Ward BakerStarsCurd JürgensTerry-ThomasTom BakerAn anthology of five horror stories shared by five men trapped in the basement of an office building.Like Tales from the Crypt, this film has a top notch cast consisting of famous actors primarily known in British Cinema to include Terry-Thomas, Curt Jergens, Tom Baker. Based on E.C. Comics. Note, many fans consider this film to be a sequel to Tales from the Crypt despite it being made as a stand-alone film.
- DirectorKevin ConnorStarsPeter CushingIan BannenIan CarmichaelAn anthology of four short horror stories revolving around a mysterious antique shop owner and his antique pieces, each of which hides a deadly secret.Even though this film has a fine cast with intriguing stories throughout, the wraparound story line and the actor in it, Peter Cushing, is the reason to watch. Seeing Cushing's portion of this film is a treat to watch. In his career, Cushing was mainly a good guy but to see him here is a treat for those who are fans his work. Like in Dr. Terror's House of Horrors, Cushing owns this film. The story to watch here centers around a mirror with a taste for blood.
- DirectorMario BavaStarsMichèle MercierLidia AlfonsiBoris KarloffBoris Karloff hosts a trio of horror stories about a stalked call girl, a vampire-like monster who preys on his family, and a nurse who is haunted by her ring's rightful owner.No film involving horror can't be complete without Boris Karloff! In what is one of the most creepy horror anthologies ever made, Black Sabbath is a must-see film. Directed by Mario Bava, Sabbath is three tales of terror that are not connected in any way and there is no wraparound story. Instead, Karloff acts as a host and presents all three stories and appears in one. Despite this film being made in the 60's, the most terrifying story is the first one, "A Drop of Water." To this day, the image of that dead woman in the rocking chair still haunts me!!!!!!!! By the way, of the three stories that comprise this film, "A Drop of Water," is the most scary story in this film. Note, there are two versions of this film. In the version on this list, "A Drop of Water," is the first story. In both versions, the story order is not the same.
- DirectorPeter DuffellStarsJohn BryansJohn BennettDenholm ElliottAn anthology of four horror stories revolving around a mysterious rental house in the U.K.House is another classic and must-see for all horror film fans. The main reason alone is to see two of the horror masters at work, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Only downside to this film is both actors don't share screen time but still a must-see all the same. The wraparound story involves a detective trying to solve a missing person case and the house is the crime scene. One of the reasons this makes my list is how this film utilizes and connects the wraparound story, the fate of the detective, and a mystery man.
- DirectorDan CurtisStarsRobert BurtonJohn KarlenGeorge GaynesThree bizarre horror stories, all of which star Karen Black in four different roles playing four tormented women.One of two films on my list made by one of the best directors of TV films, Dan Curtis.Trilogy is the best horror anthology film ever made for TV. What makes this film work is the solid acting of Karen Black. While this film has no wraparound story, it centers around several characters portrayed by Black. Of the three stories told here, the most terrorizing story is the final story that makes this film legendary; a woman being tormented by a murderous doll.
- DirectorFreddie FrancisStarsChristopher LeePeter CushingNeil McCallumAboard a British train, mysterious fortune teller Dr. Schreck uses tarot cards to read the futures of five fellow passengers.In what I believe is one of the most underrated horror films from England, Dr. Terror's House of Horrors is one of the best horror anthologies from the 60's. It has one of the best casts ever assembled on film; Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and Donald Sutherland. Solid direction and creepy stories add to the reasons why this film deserves so much recognition. Despite the amazing cast, Cushing owns this film as Dr. Terror.
- DirectorJeff BurrStarsVincent PriceClu GulagerTerry KiserIn a small Tennessee town, a historian relates four horror stories to a reporter.The last film of horror icon, Vincent Price, who appears in the wraparound segment. While this film is not the best film in the career of Mr. Price, its stories are very weird and strange and its a treat for fans of Mr. Price. The strangest story in this film is the first one, which inspired the original title of the this film called, "The Offspring." Along with Mr. Price, the fine cast of the film consists of Roselind Cash, Terry Kiser, and Susan Tyrell.
- DirectorDan CurtisStarsEd Begley Jr.E.J. AndréAnn DoranThree horror stories about a vintage car that transports its driver back to 1926, the mistress of an old Victorian mansion who is scared of a vampire and a mother tormented by her dead son who she has brought back to life.Dan Curtis strikes again! This film can be considered a cross between a remake and a sequel of sorts to the original film by the same name. A stellar cast to include Ed Begley, Jr., Joan Hackett, and Patrick Macnee. This film makes the list due to the excellent direction of Dan Curtis and the well-written script of one of the best horror writers of screen and literature, the legendary Richard Matheson.
- DirectorJulien DuvivierStarsEdward G. RobinsonCharles BoyerBarbara StanwyckAn anthology of three loosely connected occult tales, with ironic and romantic twists.While this film is not considered to be a horror film, I put this film on the list because it contains many themes found in horror films and its one of the best fantasy films made from the 40's. It contains an all-star cast of actors that normally would not appear in films of this genre to include Edward G. Robinson, Barbara Stanwyck, Charles Boyer. Note, made by Universal Pictures, this film was produced by one of its lead stars, Charles Boyer.
- DirectorMatt Bettinelli-OlpinDavid BrucknerTyler GillettStarsCalvin Lee ReederLane HughesAdam WingardWhen a group of misfits are hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS tape, they discover more found footage than they bargained for.This film hit like a thunderbolt when it came out in 2012. V/H/S is what you get when you combine the Horror Anthology with the sub-genre of Found Footage. The wraparound story is very interesting. Note, we never discover the reason for the plot in the wraparound story, which is regarding a group of men who are hired to steal a videotape. The story here to watch is what happens when four guys save the wrong girl.
- DirectorSimon BarrettJason EisenerGareth EvansStarsLawrence Michael LevineKelsy AbbottAdam WingardSearching for a missing student, two private investigators break into his house and find a collection of VHS tapes. Viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be dark motives behind the student's disappearance.This maybe the first time in cinematic history that a horror anthology gets a sequel. This sequel is proof that lighting can strike twice. While it copied itself by using the same wraparound story and style of storytelling, it does weave some new short stories. The best story in this film is, "Safe Haven." The wraparound story here helps us understand the wraparound story in the first film.
- DirectorChristophe GansShûsuke KanekoBrian YuznaStarsJeffrey CombsTony AzitoJuan FernándezLovecraft visualizes 3 stories in Necronomicon: The Drowned, The Cold and Whispers, about bringing a dead wife and child back to life, extending life and aliens.The Necronomicon is the only anthology using stories based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft. While the the film can be corny at times and the acting is overwrought in some spots, it makes this list because very seldom do filmmakers tackle Lovecraft, especially in a horror anthology. Among the Lovecraft stories here include Cool Air.
- DirectorFreddie FrancisStarsJack HawkinsDonald PleasenceGeorgia BrownA psychiatrist tells stories of four special cases to a colleague.This strange film, like Asylum, takes place in a mental hospital. While its not the best film on this list, it does have a great cast, including Joan Collins and Kim Novack. Some of the stories are somewhat corny, it still has an interesting wraparound story.
- DirectorJohn HarrisonStarsDebbie HarryMatthew LawrenceChristian SlaterTo stall a witch plotting to eat him, a boy reads her horror tales dealing with a collegian's resurrection of a mummy, a murderous cat, and an artist's pact with a gargoyle.Released after the TV show baring the same name went off the air, this horror anthology is strange mainly due to the wraparound story, which is regarding a little boy being held prisoner by a witch who plans to cook him. To distract her, he tells her scary stories that include a deadly black cat, an artist with a deadly secret, and an ancient mummy killing students on a college campus.
- DirectorGeorge A. RomeroStarsHal HolbrookLeslie NielsenAdrienne BarbeauFive grisly tales from a kid's comic book about a murdered father rising from his grave, a bizarre meteor, a vengeful husband, a mysterious crate's occupant, and a plague of cockroaches.Stephen King's tribute to the horror anthology was Creepshow, which also honored the horror comic books the author read as a boy. While this anthology has no wraparound story, the short stories here, which are all written by King, include a wealthy woman who grows tired of her elderly father on his birthday, a man being terrorized by cockroaches, and a "Thing" in a box. While the stories are well-told, what makes Creepshow worth the price of admission is the all-star cast, which includes E.G Marshall, Hal Holbrook, Leslie Nielsen, and Ted Danson.
- DirectorMichael DoughertyStarsAnna PaquinBrian CoxDylan BakerFive Halloween stories: An principal has a secret life, a virgin is looking for her first time, a group of kids pull a prank, a woman who loathes Halloween does not respect the rules and a mean old man meets a demonic trick-or-treater.This horror anthology contains five stories that are interwoven around a common theme, Halloween. As a result, the film is very tight and moves very seamlessly. Among the stories told include a young woman who learns what happens when you don't celebrate Halloween, a school administrator lives a double life as a serial killer, and an elderly man is about to come face-to-face with a real-life Jack O' Lantern.
- DirectorDenis HérouxStarsPeter CushingRay MillandJoan GreenwoodWilbur Gray, a horror writer, has stumbled upon a terrible secret, that cats are supernatural creatures who really call the shots. In a desperate attempt to get others to believe him, Wilbur spews three tales of feline horror.The Uncanny is a silly little film I had to include on this list due to the cast, which includes Peter Cushing and Oscar winner, Ray Milland. The wraparound story may seem a bit silly but to see these two titans on the screen makes it worthwhile. Trivia...Cushing made this film in the same year he did Star Wars!
- DirectorJoe DanteJohn LandisGeorge MillerStarsDan AykroydAlbert BrooksVic MorrowFour horror and science fiction segments, directed by four famous directors, each of them being a new version of a classic story from Rod Serling's landmark television series.Another horror anthology based on a popular TV show. While this film is not really scary, what makes this film worth watching is the big-screen talent that appears in the film; not to mention the big name talents behind the camera to include directors such as John Landis and Joe Dante. In addition, another reason to see this film is the re-telling of the story, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet with John Lilthgow, which appeared in the original show.
- DirectorRoger CormanStarsVincent PriceMaggie PierceLeona GageThree tales of terror involve a grieving widower and the daughter he abandoned; a drunkard and his wife's black cat; and a hypnotist who prolongs the moment of a man's death.This horror anthology is based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe. What makes this film is its cast, headed by Vincent Price, who appears in all three stories as different characters. Along with Price includes Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone. Of all the three stories here, my favorite is the final story, The Case of M. Valdemar.
- DirectorSidney SalkowStarsVincent PriceSebastian CabotBrett HalseyThree horror stories based on the writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne. In the first story titled "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment", Heidegger attempts to restore the youth of himself, his fiancee and his best friend. In "Rappaccini's Daughter", Vincent Price plays a demented father inoculating his daughter with poison so she may never leave her garden of poisonous plants. In the final story "The House of the Seven Gables", the Pyncheon family suffers from a hundred year old curse and the Pyncheon brother returns to his home to search for a hidden vault.In Hollywood, not many horror anthologies are based on the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne, which is a pity. This film proves it can be done. Vincent Price shines here in The House of the Seven Gables, a story he appeared in as a stand alone film in the 40's. The film has a good cast and solid acting.