The document traces the history of horror films from 1896 to 2000. It discusses some of the earliest horror films from the late 19th century and highlights seminal titles from each subsequent decade that helped establish genres like vampire, werewolf and slasher films. Key directors and films mentioned include Georges Melies' 1896 "Le Manoir du Diable," Tod Browning's 1931 "Dracula," Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 "Psycho," William Friedkin's 1973 "The Exorcist," and the popular franchises that emerged in the 2000s like "Saw" and "Paranormal Activity."

1. The History Of Horror
1890-2000

2. The first ever horror film
The first ever horror movie made was called “Le
Manoir du Diable” or “The House of The Devil”
which was filmed by Georges Melies of France in
1896. The film lasts for about 3 minutes and was
completely silent. The film contained pantomime
features used to entertain people including hanging
skeletons and a bat that turns into a man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPmKaz3Quzo
However, although this was the first ever horror
movie to be made, some say the first ever horror film
seen was made by Thomas Edison, the inventor of
the light bulb. In 1895 he called his movie “The
Execution of Mary Stuart” which was based on a true
story. This film lasted for 15 seconds exactly, but can
sometimes be failed to be mentioned as one of the
first ever horror films as it Is so short.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpNQJV8KblQ

3. 1910’s-1920’s
In 1910, the film “Frankenstein” came
out, written and directed by J. Searle Dawley.
It is a 16 minute film, which was the first
motion picture adaptation of the book, by
Mary Shelley.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfM9meqfQ4
In 1922, a German expressionist horror film
was relased directed by F. W. Murnau called
“Nosferatu.” It was an adaptation of Bram
Stokers “Dracula” with names and other
details changed as the studio did not have the
rights to the novel The makers were then sued
and all of the copies of the movie were
supposed to be destroyed. However, one was
never destroyed and has been kept now as a
masterpiece of cinema.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDrKgjit4I

4. 1930’s
Horror movies were reborn in the 1930’s with the
introduction of sound.
In 1931, “Dracula” was released which has influenced
modern day films suh as “Twilight” and TV shows like
“Vampire Diaries” This film increased the likeability of
vampire movies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UehobGtSnOk
Also the 30’s saw the first ever werewolf film called “The
Werewolf in London” and the first ever zombie movie called
“White Zombie” both of which are now modern day horror
sub-genres.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuGsKOQPdIQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOzgz1Ddmz8
A controversial film was also released in 1932, called “Freaks”
which was a fictional film based on the true life experiences
of a group of circus people. However, this film used real
people with deformities to star in the movie, and did not use
make up or any costumes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJVXTKkjsxA

5. 1940’s
The 1940’s saw an uprising of
sequels, trying to recreate the
original classics and revive old
monsters such as “The Ghost of
Frankenstein” and films using a
mixture of sub genres such as
“Frankenstein Meets the Wolf
Man”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Jxtn5mwnMiM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=_Kaa88LIwJo
Comedy horrors became more
popular during the 40’s and made
films like “Abbott and Costello
meet Frankenstein”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=j6l8auIACyc

6. 1950’s
The 1950’s saw an uprising of 3D movies due to
the improvement in technology. 1952-1954 was
known as the “golden era" with the release of the
first 3D horror film, “House of Wax”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj54KNVNP4o
Due to this advance in technology, two sub genres
began to emerge. These were the horror-ofarmageddon film and the horror-of-the-demonic
films. Horror films shifted from Gothic generesto
more contemporary concerns such as humanity
overcoming threats from the “outside” like
aliens, and deadly mutations to people and plants.
An example of this is ‘Godzilla” released in 1954
were mutation from the effects of nuclear
radiation were featured.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKrj1ymJzmo
Also in the 1950’s, Alfred Hitchcock became even
more famous for his classic movies including
“Vertigo” “Stage Fright” and “Rear Window.”

7. 1960’s
The 1960’s was dominated by Alfred Hitchcock’s terrifying
psychological horrors. He produced classics such as “Psycho”
which brought in a box office of $50, 000, 000. It was also
the first ever movie to kill off the protagonist within the first
half of the movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz719b9QUqY
Another of Hitchcock's classics was “The Birds” another
believable horror.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrN_U830_Gc
The 1960’s saw a change in what people perceived as
horrible and a rethink occurred in everything from
homosexuality to censorship. Underground cinemas were
now being more open to nudity and onscreen violence.
People wanted horror that was rooted in reality, which was
more believable and more sophisticated. The monsters of
the 1950’s now looked silly, no one wanted aliens or a
nuclear holocaust. The 1960’s brought in the thinking of the
social psyche. Going to the cinema to be scared in the 1960s
was like gazing in the mirror and noticing for the first time
that there was something strange going on in the shadows.

8. 1970’s
The 1970’s pushed boundaries even further
than the 1960’s. Exploitation movies
reached their peak in the 70’s, breaking all
moral convention with graphic sex and
violence especially in zombie and cannibal
films.
The best selling horror movie in the 70’s
was “The Exorcist” which reached a bx
office of $441,071,011. Slasher movies also
advanced with “Black Christmas” and
“Halloween”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iS59iV
2Ffs
Also, films like “Jaws” were released, which
were seen as “Culturally, historically or
aesthetically significant.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucMLF
O6TsFM

9. 1980’s
The 80’s were still famous for the generation of
slasher movies like “Friday the 13th”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S8YFTcED
ME
An adaptation of one of Stephen Kings
book, “The Shining” became one of the most
famous film in horror history.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cb3ik6zP2I
A mix of horror and comedy was also present in
the 80’s with movies like “Evil Dead.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtsK7skqk9
U
More controversy in the 80’s as “Childs Play”
was released, causing an uproar as many people
believed this film could influence young children
and many people tried to ban the film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2ienmZuRe
o

10. 1990’s
The 1990’s had two big hit movies. They were “The Sixth
Sense” which was famous for its legendary twit plot at the
end and “The Blair Witch Project” which was a low budget
film. It was filmed with handheld cameras, and caused
suspense and horror without showing the witch which is a
popular technique horror movies have started to use.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG9AGf66tXM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D51QgOHrCj0
The 90’s also showed an uprising in psychological thrillers
and serial killer movies such as “Silence of the Lambs” and
“Candyman.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQKs169Sl0I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rcKtxMDYPo
Finally, in the late 90’s slasher films were broight back such
as “Scream” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRQa3NnHfK8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcWK0M4VMjA

11. 2000’s
The 2000’s brought in many sequel films such as
“Scary Movie” “Paranormal Activity” and “Final
Destination.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_UxLEqd074
Also, the 2000’s have remade may older horror
movies such as “Evil Dead” and “Nightmare on Elm
Street.” Some people believe thi sis because people
are running out of ideas for any new, innovative
horror movies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKFDkpHCQz4
Films on exorcism and possession have become
increasingly popular such as “The Last Exorcism”
and “The Rite.” These movies are seen as being
quite controversial due to the movies being set in
American towns which are very Christian based.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQF-RHJedZ8
A new sub genre of horror has appeared in the
200’s, the torture porn and splatter films. These are
movies such as “Saw” and “Hostel.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKPy5RWuqNA