Blood, gore, and killer clowns — the 80s offers it all. From B-films to critically acclaimed hits, the decade shines as the Golden Age of horror. Universal made history throughout the 1930s and 1940s, bringing to life some of the greatest monsters of all time.

When was horror at its peak?

While Universal created its icons of horror during the era of black-and-white film, the peak of horror movies in the '80s gave us new icons that to this day live on in popular culture.

Why the 80s was the best decade for horror movies?

The 1980s neglected the '60s and '70s preference for building tension. They chose to expose everything instead. The days when much of the horror happened out of shot were over. Now, audiences screamed at buckets of gore, over-eccentric villains and cheesy yet disturbing events.

Are we in a golden age of horror?

Perhaps, but we think the more accurate answer is that we're in a horrorwave that lasts all year round. Horror is going – dare we say it – mainstream. The number of horror movies made each year has been growing steadily, but in the past two decades or so, there's been a notable shift.

What is the best era of horror?

The Golden Age of Horror Comics - Part 2

What year was the best year for horror?

It was 1978, however, that changed horror. That was the year an icon was birthed that would change the trajectory of an entire decade. It was the year a remake somehow improved on its classic original. It was the year a directing legend gave us not one but two masterpieces.

Why was horror popular in the 50s?

The world was still reeling from the effects and aftermath of World War II, and the Cold War was well underway. As a result, the horror and thriller films of the decade reflected the mood of the times and introduced plots with atomic beings and monster movies filled with all sorts of plot twists.

What age group likes horror?

Gen Z is a complex group, but they're very clear about one thing: They like to be scared. In a recent survey of Americans between the ages of 13 and 25, Gen Zers said horror ranks as their second favorite genre of entertainment, narrowly behind only comedy.

How old is horror genre?

18th century

It drew on the written and material heritage of the Late Middle Ages, finding its form with Horace Walpole's seminal and controversial 1764 novel, The Castle of Otranto.

What kind of horror is 1899?

'1899' has been listed under the genres 'science fiction' and 'supernatural horror'. But in '1899', the horror does not come through the expected, run of the mill stunts but via a steady trickle of despair that is all-pervading.

What old horror movie was banned?

11 The Exorcist (1973)

The film was banned upon release in different cities in the United States as well as the United Kingdom and remains one of the scariest horror movies of all time and an influential classic.

Why was the 70s so good for horror?

In many ways, it exemplifies how horror films of the 1970s mirrored societal anxiety over family and religion, and, as such, how the newfound popularity of the genre stemmed from its representation of societal fears and the trauma that arose from them.

Why are old horror movies not scary anymore?

Desire for Legitimacy. The most salient reason that horror likely transitioned to be less scary is due to the politics of the film industry, and the desire to become more respected within the community.

What is the oldest horror story?

In Western literature the literary cultivation of fear and curiosity for its own sake began to emerge in the 18th-century pre-Romantic era with the Gothic novel. The genre was invented by Horace Walpole, whose The Castle of Otranto (1765) may be said to have founded the horror story as a legitimate literary form.

Who was the first slasher killer?

There's no consensus on when slasher movies actually began, since the development of the subgenre is a continuum of sorts, but Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is the first movie to introduce a long-running slasher character (chainsaw-wielding hillbilly killer Leatherface).

Why were there so many slashers in the 80s?

The success of Halloween inspired endless new slashers throughout the '80s. Many of these films had similar traits, such as masked killers, stalking victims, and a somewhat definite resolution open to new entries. Many franchises, such as Friday the 13th, Hellraiser, and other properties, succeeded in this landscape.

What are the 3 genres of horror?

According to the acclaimed author, there are three levels of horror: The Gross-Out, Horror, and Terror. It is these elements that allow the genre to be diversely shocking and hypnotizing in not only literature but in cinema as well.

What are the five elements of horror?

What was the first Gore movie?

In 1963, he directed Blood Feast, widely considered the first splatter film. In the 15 years following its release, Blood Feast took in an estimated $7 million. It was made for an estimated $24,500. Blood Feast was followed by two more gore films by Herschell Gordon Lewis, Two Thousand Maniacs!

Why does Gen Z like horror?

The reason why the horror genre is growing popular amongst this generation is that it accurately anticipates and showcases themes that these young adults are interested in.

What is the least popular movie genre?

Favorite film genres in the U.S. 2018

The findings reveal that 90 percent of respondents said that they had a very or somewhat favorable impression of comedy and adventure movies, making these genres the most popular among responding U.S. adults. The least favorable genres were horror and musicals.

Do people with anxiety watch horror?

Anxiety and Escapism: Why They Go Hand in Hand

It is for this reason that many with anxiety turn to movies. This is especially true regarding films with a higher level of intensity, such as horror movies. Horror movies can be a form of escapism for those struggling with anxiety.

What was the first horror genre?

The best known of these early supernatural-based works is the 3-minute short film Le Manoir du Diable (1896), known in English as both "The Haunted Castle" or "The House of the Devil". The film is sometimes credited as being the first ever horror film.

Who started horror?

Although Méliès is credited with the first narrative horror film, his most prominent work to date is A Trip to the Moon (1902). In this film, Méliès showed off his prowess for visual as well as practical effects which he would continue to use throughout his career.

Why are most horror movies set in the 80s?

Ultimately, the 1980s is a popular setting for contemporary horror movies for various reasons that include the ability to challenge stale tropes, reinvent sub-genres, create nostalgia driven fondness, and use historical events to better amplify a story's horror elements with real-life roots.