Horror movie timeline

1800-1910During this era horror films were just

beginning to emerge, they were typically silent, short films, with new moving images.

The common theme within these films were supernatural, doppelgangers, fear of the unknown, good vs. evil and grand buildings.

1800-1910-Key text from the era

La Menoir du diable (1896) Dir. George Melies

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1908) Dir. Otis Turner

1930s/40sDuring this era, sound was added to horror

films to add to the terror experience. During this time common themes were violence, revenge, transgression of border, grand buildings, women as a threat and the supernatural.

1930s/40s- key text from the era

Dracula (1931) Dir. Tod Browning

Frankenstein (1931) Dir. James Whale

1950sThe 50s saw the development of sub-genres,

this included more apocalyptical/end of the world films linking in with social fears from threats from abroad. The frequent themes included, threats from the ‘other’, mutations/disfigurement and threat from science to the natural world.

1950s- key text from the era

Godzilla (1954) Dir. Ishiro Honda

The curse of Frankenstein (1957) Dir. Terence Fishers

invasion of the body snatches (1956) Dir. Don Siegal

1960sSlasher and psychological horrors came about

during the 60s, this stemmed from fears within developed understanding of the psyche and certain triggers led to more focus on inner horror. Demonic horror begins to come about from growing religious fears surrounding a future of ‘ungodliness’ The themes in the films include, fears of the devil, good vs. evil, violence, hidden evil and inhuman beings.

1960s- key text from the era

Peeping Tom(1960) Dir. Michael Powell

Psycho(1960) Dir. Hitchcock

The haunting (1963) Dir. Robert Wise

Rosemary’s baby (1968) Dir. Polanski

Night of the living dead (1968) Dir. George A Romero

1970sThere a more occult and possession films

during this time and teenage characters begin to develop, this led to some films portraying young people in demonic ways, playing in a social fear of young people and their attitudes. Demonic, anti-religious violence, the grotesque, dangers from the other and unknown are reoccurring themes during this time.

1970s- key text from the era

The wicker man(1973) Dir. Hardy

Texas chainsaw massacre (1974) Dir. Tobe Hooper

Carrie (1976) Dir. Brian De Palnarl

The hills have eyes (1977) Dir. Wes Craven

Jaws (1977) Dir. Steven Speilberg

Alien (1979) Dir. Ridley Scott

1980sThe 80s meant an increase in violent movies as movie

goers become more demanding for scarier films. The development of special effects meant more ease in making gory scenes that look realistic.

Many films during this time focus on paranoia within society from other beings and the government.

Common themes in horror films during the 80s include, fear of the ‘other’ and the effects of the decline of religious beliefs in real life. Danger of the unknown, threats from science and technological development.

1980s- key text from the era

Friday the 13th(1980) Dir. Sean cunningham

Evil Dead(1981) Dir. Sam Raimi

The thing(1982) Dir. John Caepenter

The poltergeist (1982) Dir. Tobe Hooper

Gremlins (1984) Dir. Joe Dante

The lost boys (1987) Dir. Joel Schumacher

1990sMadness and psychology featured in many films from the

90s. Paranoia from the government was replaced by distrust of friends and colleagues. Vampire films strengthen in popularity emphasising the fear of what happens beyond death. Links to real-world horrors such as racism feature in the themes of many 90s horror films (Candyman(1992). Development in technology means, new, more accessible methods of promotion and distribution led to a riser in self-made movies. A new genre of horror develops, post-modern and self-aware, known as parody.

The main themes in 90s horror were, the fear of the unknown, vampires, madness, large buildings representing threat, the view through the lens of the victim.

1990s- key text from the era

Silence of the Lambs (1991) Dir. Jonathon Demmel

Candyman (1992) Dir. Bernard Rose

Interview with a vampire (1994) Dir. Neil Jordan

Scream (1996) Dir. Wes Craven

Blade (1998) Dir. Stephen Norrington

Blair witch project (1999) Dir. Eduardo sanchez & Daniel Myrick

2000sThe 2000s saw a return to the past, many films used

traditional conventions and narratives. The 2000s have also seen remakes of classic horror films, usually with more gore. Many themes reflected concerns of non-western lifestyles as well as threats from those around us such as paedophiles, serial killers and the mentally unstable. The loss of communication in films is also used to make the audiences uncomfortable, for example, the loss of a mobile, no signal or battery dying.

The 2000s saw the use of themes such as, fear of the other, isolation and being trapped, vulnerability from a hidden being/power, vampires and monsters and found footage as evidence of evil.

2000s- key text from the era

Final destination (2000) Dir. James Wong

Jeepers creepers (2001) Dir. James Salva

Cabin fever (2002) Dir. Eli Roth

28 days later(2002) Dir. Danny Boyle

The ring(2002) Dir. Gore Verbinskil

Saw(2004) Dir. James wan

Shaun of the dead(2004) Dir. Edgard Wright

Let the right one in(2008) Dir. Tomas Alfredson

Paranormal Activity (2009) Dir. Oren Pelli