In recent years, horror fanatics have been treated to a plethora of engrossing and revealing documentaries focused on the spine-tingling genre. The dark and chilling storytelling style has seen constant changes and interpretations over the years, with revered directors like John Carpenter, Wes Craven, and George A. Romero trailblazing their way in the world of horror.
For devoted cinephiles, documentaries are a great way to learn even more about the movie magic behind some of their favorite horror hits. Alfred Hitchcock completely transformed the face of the horror genre with the iconic shower murder inPsycho, which was brilliantly dissected in78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene.Stanley Kubrick was the mastermind behind the ‘80s classicThe Shining,and the movieRoom 237delves intothe many fan theories aroundThe Shining. These are some of the best documentaries about horror films.
9Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow
Michael Felsher directed the 2007 documentaryJust Desserts: The Making of Creepshow, a unique look at the creation of theGeorge A. Romero ’80s hitthat features intimate behind-the-scenes footage with the film’s director and stars. The engrossing doc details the origins and conception ofCreepshow,which served as a homage to the polarizing EC Comics of the 1950s and consisted of a series of five short comedic horror stories.
The “King of Horror” himself, Stephen King, wrote the screenplay for the beloved classic, andJust Dessertsincludes interviews with cast members like Adrienne Barbeau and Tom Atkins as well as legendary creature and make-up effects artist Tom Savini.
8Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror
Cinema icons Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing narrate 1994’sFlesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror, an in-depth overview of the history of Hammer Film Productions, the famous British company responsible for unforgettable horror greats likeThe Curse of Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Plague of Zombies, and of courseDracula(starring the phenomenal Lee).
The documentary was Cushing’s last project before his death later that year, and he along with otherHammer Horror legendslike Lee, Raquel Welch, Anthony Hinds, and Veronica Carlson all recount their experiences working with the epic production company and the profound effect it had on both cinema and their careers.
778/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene
Alexandre O. Philippe delves into the notorious shower scene that has since become synonymous with Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 horror masterpiecePsychoin the critically-lauded 2017 film78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene, a fascinating look at the iconic murder moment that completely transformed the silver screen and the horror genre itself.
Related:Alfred Hitchcock Called This His Best Movie, and Here’s Why
Comprised of 72 setups and 52 cuts,the monumental shower scenefeatures Janet Leigh’s Marion Crane being brutally murdered by a mysterious figure while bathing, and the documentary brilliantly dissects how the terrifying death came to fruition. Fellow filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro, Peter Bogdanovich, and Eli Roth provide commentary on the epic movie murder, as well as Leigh’s daughter Jamie Lee Curtis and Hitchcock himself, via archival footage.
6The American Nightmare
Chronicling the enduring power and influence of celebrated horror hits of the ’60s and ’70s, Adam Simon’s 2000 documentaryThe American Nightmarehighlights the history and legacy of the many independent films that took the world by storm during the two decades, such asNight of the Living DeadandHalloween.Revered horror directors like George A. Romero, John Carpenter, and Wes Craven appear in the compelling movie, discussing their own personal creations and how they were connected to issues and events of the time period.
The American Nightmarehad its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it earned praise for its thought-provoking content and message. Simon was inspired to create the documentary after witnessing the success ofThe Blair Witch Project,with the director wanting to teach audiences about the roots of indie horror and its profound impact on cinema.
5More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead
Jam packed with lively appearances and behind-the-scenes exclusives with the 1985 cult classic’s director and stars, 2009’sMore Brains! A Return to the Living Deadrecounts the origins of the titular horror comedy, which follows a group of small town misfits who go up against an undead horde of indestructible zombies terrorizing its citizens. Cast members like Clu Gulager, Don Calfa, and Linnea Quigley reveal their own personal experiences and memories shooting the flick, and they also pay tribute to its director Dan O’Bannon, who passed away in 2009.
More Brains!delves into the making of the “mordant punk comedy” and how it was initially conceptualized to be a sequel to 1968’sNight of the Living Dead, while also acknowledging its impact on the zombie genre and the characterization of the undead creatures.
4Scream: The Inside Story
Celebrating the massive impact and success of Wes Craven’s sensational slasher franchiseScream,the 2011 horror docScream: The Inside Storyshowcasesthe groundbreaking impact ofScreamand its sequels in both pop culture and the cinema, with the 1996 film having been praised for revitalizing the then-waning slasher horror genre.
Countless cast members from the enduring franchise appear in the project, such as Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, in addition to the master of horror himself Craven;Screamhelped boost the esteemed director’s career and turned its talented ensemble cast into overnight sensations. The lucrative franchise currently consists of 6 films and has amassed over $880 million worldwide and remains one of the genre’s most buzzed about and culturally relevant series.
3In Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic ’80s Horror
David A. Weiner helmed 2019’sIn Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic ’80s Horror, an engrossing picture that analyzes the overwhelming impact of the countless horror hits that premiered during the revolutionary movie decade. The film is brimming with nostalgia for horror aficionados everywhere, with Weiner paying respects to the icons, actors, directors and talent who helped shape the face of the beloved genre with many of them making an appearance.
In Search of Darknessanalyzes some of the most note-worthy releases of the decade year by year and is the ultimate documentary for horror lovers; theDaily Deadraved in their review, “You would be hard-pressed to find a documentary that is so infatuated with its subject and is able to detail every facet to this degree.”
Serving as a retrospective insight into Stanley Kubick’s 1980 psychological horror greatThe Shining,Rodney Ascher’s 2012 filmRoom 237is a love letter to the genius that was Kubrick and analyzes his exceptional movie catalog and cinematic impact while primarily focusing on the laudedStephen King adaptation. Kubrick enthusiasts offer their own insight and thoughts onThe Shiningand its many potential messages, themes, and elements, doing so via voice-overs and captivating archival footage.
Related:The Shining: The True History at the Stanley Hotel
Ascher sheds a light on the many complex fan theories connected to the horror classic and its production, though he and his fellow crew members make no attempts of promoting such concepts and simply offer a platform for them to be heard.Room 237contains nine intriguing segments andsets out to potentially"reveal hidden clues and hint at a bigger thematic oeuvre."
1Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy
Offering horror fans a detailed look atthe groundbreakingNightmare on Elm Streetfranchiseand the fascinating origins of the iconic villain Freddy Krueger, the 2010 documentaryNever Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacycontains never-before-seen footage, storyboards, archival documents and photographs from the film while also exploring Wes Craven’s inspirations behind the hit series. Directors Daniel Farrands and Andrew Kasch interviewed Craven and lead star Robert Englund, in addition to other cast members for the project, andNever Sleep Againalso dives into the history of New Line Cinema.
The engaging documentary garnered rave reviews from both audiences and critics alike, nabbing a Saturn Award for Best DVD Release of the Year and a rare 100% Tomatometer Rotten Tomatoes score.Bloody Disgustingcalled it, “an expertly crafted film about a beloved horror franchise, it’s also a film about the legacy of New Line Cinema and ultimately, a film about the horror genre as a whole. Frankly, you won’t find a horror documentary better than this one.”
