Have you ever wondered about the fascinating history of horror films? The horror genre in the film industry has been around for over a century, dating back to the 1890s and continuing to the present day. Over the course of those years, horror films have undergone numerous ups and downs, subgenres, and variations that contribute to what you see on your TV screen today.
The Beginning
Going back in time to 1896, the first horror film was made by “special effects genius Georges Méliès,” and it came out to be a three-minute-plus short, acquiring many names such as Le Manoir du Diablo, or The Haunted Castle, and even The House of the Devil (Jones). Although it wasn’t intended to be a scary film, people associate it with horror films due to its supernatural aspects (cauldrons, animated skeletons, ghosts).
After Georges’s short film, the horror genre sparked up throughout the industry, creating a new kind of entertainment.
The Classic Literature Takeaways
When the idea of horror films began to spread throughout the world, many filmmakers decided to hop on the wagon. Although there was one issue: filmmakers didn’t know how to create this idea of a supernatural type film, or any horror aspect for that matter, so they turned to classic gothic literature. Early adaptations of books like Frankenstein and Mr. Hyde sprouted in filmmaking (NYFA and NYFA).
In the 1920s-30s, filmmakers decided to take a twist on what they knew as “horror films”.
The Golden Years of Horror Films
After Das Cabinet Des Dr. Caligari, a silent horror film made to unsettle its audience, more silent and unsettling horror films emerged. Like Nosferatu (1922, otherwise known as the best vampire movie of all time). In the 1930s, people began to refer to horror films as horror. More remakes of literature, like the second go of Frankenstein, were made.
While unnerving viewers was an idea for horror films, many citizens began to cause a public outcry because films were losing control of the horror aspect. An example of this is Freaks (1932); many parts of the film were cut, and Freaks was removed from all platforms (Freaks).
The Disaster Years
A company by the name of Hammer Horror Company, founded in 1934, expanded in the 50s and adapted even more horror films, as well as a psychological TV series. They created the third go-around of literature adaptations.
Alfred Hitchcock, a renowned director, was known for his creative use of suspense themes in his movies and is often credited with inventing the genre of suspense.
As the 1940s and 1950s rolled in, nuclear war themes were extremely popular due to the ongoing war in the areas around that time. Fewer supernatural films and more radioactive mutation films were produced, otherwise known as the “disaster” horror genre (NYFA and NYFA).
The Money Hungr(ies)
As the late 1950s and early 1960s arrived, the horror movie genre began to become gimmicky. In hopes of scaring people even more, cinemas/theaters created immersive experiences where scare actors would come and spook people during the movie. Not only scare actors, but also 3D glasses. As good as the idea was, it became too expensive, and the development decayed.
Not only were people hungry for money, but they were also hungry for the gore slasher films that became popular in the late 1960s. Unfortunately, budgets for films got out of hand, so low-budget films were produced and put on the screens.
Fun Fact: George A. Romero kick-started the zombie movie genre after making Night of the Living Dead!
The Iconic Years
In the 1970s and 1980s, the religious and supernatural genre skyrocketed like never before, especially with kids being possessed by the devil. The Exorcist and The Omen were two major films that revived the “supernatural” genre.
In the 80s, slasher films were a popular hit. Being kicked off by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, people loved the idea of groups of people being killed off one by one. A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th were phenomenal hits in this area, spanning multiple movies over time (and being some of the first horror movies to do so). Some argue that the 1970s and 1980s were the best years for horror films.
Technological Years
In the 90s, CGI took the reins over the horror films. The zombie genre, as well as more slasher films, continued to be made. A popular movie that is referenced in many films today is Scream, first released in 1996.
Present Day Films
Spanning from the 2000s to the present day, people have argued that horror films have been taken over by endless reboots/remakes, as well as unnecessary sequels. People also say that many horror films are inappropriate when it comes to torture, more scandalous, and overall unnecessary. Despite complaints, there are many chances for the future. Let’s make horror good again!
Works Cited:
nyfa, and nyfa. “The First Horror Movie & the History of the Horror Genre.” NYFA, 21 July 2022, www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/how-horror-movies-have-changed-since-their-beginning/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Ambassadors, Gale. “Exploring the Evolution of the Horror Genre.” Gale.com, 2 Feb. 2023, review.gale.com/2023/02/02/the-evolution-of-the-horror-genre/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Jones, Josh. “The First Horror Film, Georges Méliès’ the Haunted Castle (1896).” Open Culture, 2015, www.openculture.com/2015/10/the-first-horror-film-george-melies-the-manor-of-the-devil-1896.html#:~:text=1896%2C%20when%20French%20special%2Deffects%20genius%20Georges%20M%C3%A9li%C3%A8s,Castle%2C%20or%20the%20Manor%20of%20the%20Devil). Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
