As ahorrorfan, there is a literal gore-met of options brought to the table when seeking out thrills and chills. An abundance of streaming platforms, horror’s continued dominance at the box office, and the genre’s continued evolution have led many to look back to the distant past and appreciate the classics. Titles likeNight of the Living DeadorPsychohave become embedded in pop culture, but they represent a select few horror films that emerged before the 1980s, deserving of fanfare.
As there are many films to choose from when discussing underappreciated classics, we set a timeline of 50 years or older. These ten films present some of the best classic horror movies you may not have seen and are worth checking out.
10’Blind Beast' (1969)
Blind Beast
A young model, Aki Shima, becomes the object of fascination of a blind sculptor named Michio Sofu. With the help of his mother, Michio kidnaps the young model and immerses her in darkness in his studio adorned with sculptures of various body parts. Aki begins to plan an escape, trying to play nice with her captors, but after failed attempts, she slowly succumbs to the duo’s dark manipulation of her.
A Masterfully Told Macabre Film from Japan
Based on the work of revered Japanese horror and mystery writer Edogawa Rampo (a play on Edgar Allan Poe),Blind Beastwas a rare foray into horror by one of themost prominent directors of the Japanese New Wave, Yasuzō Masumura.The result is a dark, psychological horror film with an artistic flair, as large sculptures of eyes, noses, and ears decorate the walls of a young woman’s prison. The ending here is particularly macabre, bound to leave a lasting impact on anyone who watches it.
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9’The Mask' (1961)
Psychiatrist Allan Barnes receives an ominous package from an archaeologist who committed suicide after claiming the mask caused him to murder others. After Barnes decides to try on the mask for himself, he begins to experience a series of hallucinations and turns violent towards those around him. Barne’s fiancée and friends rush to try to save him from madness, but it may be too late.
A Surreal Nightmare in 3D
The Maskwas a first in many ways: the first Canadian theatrical horror movie, and one of the first to utilize 3D technology. Despite this, the production was short-lived and soon sank into obscurity, only to be rediscovered decades later by classic 3D film enthusiasts.The Maskis more than just its 3D gimmick, as it offers a surreal landscape and abstract storytelling that stood out among its contemporaries of the 1960s.
8’At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul' (1964)
At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul
A sinister undertaker known as Coffin Joe is an outcast in his community due to his ghastly appearance and cruel, blasphemous nature. Despite his scorn for the other villagers, whom he sees as below him, Joe’s desire to carry on his bloodline causes him to obsess over his only friend’s girlfriend, Terezinha. To gain his bounty, Joe murders his friend and begins to manipulate Terezinha to be his own.
Introducing Horror to an Entire Country
Director José Mojica Marins is credited with bringing horror to Brazilin a big way with his alter ego, Coffin Joe.Heavily censored and with a dark, memorable persona, Coffin Joe would become a minor international star, appearing on TV in America and adored by figures like Rob Zombie. Yet, time has not been as kind to Joe, with his films being slightly too niche for a wider audience; much of the appeal is in his challenging of traditional values in the region. Still, as a moody, atmospheric horror piece with a wholly original character, Coffin Joe continues to live on through a small, dedicated fanbase.
7’Black Sabbath' (1963)
An anthology film hosted by Boris Karloff,Black Sabbathpresents three different tales of terror. ‘The Telephone’ follows a woman receiving a series of threatening calls, reaching out to a friend for help only to discover she is playing a role in the harassment. “The Wurdulak' follows the exploits of a vampire hunter whose whole family has succumbed to the ancient, evil creature. The final segment, ‘The Drop of Water,’ follows a woman afflicted by a curse after stealing an expensive ring from a corpse.
Three Dark Tales from Two Masters of Horror
Director Mario Bava and actor Boris Karloff are a perfect pairing, but as far as horror anthology films go,Black Sabbathinfamy mostly rests on its namesake, inspiring Ozzy and co. to adapt it for their band. However,Black Sabbathoffers three tales from one of the best Italian directors of all time with his signature atmospheric and visual flair seen across each segment. Mario Bava is one of those directors that you are either in the know or are completely unfamiliar with his work.Black Sabbathis a good introduction to a rich filmography of macabre classics.
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6’The Vampire Doll' (1971)
After returning to his family mansion after a business trip, Kazuhiko Sagawa is devastated to learn that while he was gone, his fiancée had died in a car crash. Distraught, Kazuhiko stays in the family home, reflecting on the past, before being drawn by a mysterious call into the night, where he is met by a supernatural being outside the grave of his wife. This encounter acts as a catalyst, which also brings in Kazuhiko sister Keiko and her fiancé Hiroshi to address the strange events occurring at the family mansion.
Japan’s Answer to the Hammer House of Horror
For many classic horror fans, the “Hammer House of Horror” is seen as the peak of the genre. Yet,The Vampire Doll,which bears all the hallmarks of the most moody and atmospheric Hammer productions, matches the same dark, gothic vibes. At the same time, the movie brings a unique twist on a familiar vampire genre, giving a bit of extra bite to its finely polished macabre tale. The movie would prove successful enough to warrant two sequels, being followed byEvil of DraculaandLake of Dracula, both of which are also worth checking out.
5’Viy' (1967)
Khoma Brut, a young seminary student from Kyiv, finds himself lost and having to take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse with two friends while traveling. It is here that a witch takes an interest in corrupting the young Brut, and begins to attempt to deceive him with various disguises for him to abandon his faith. When he is summoned to pray over the corpse of a recently deceased girl, Khoma finds himself locked in a battle with the witch who torments him over three nights before summoning the grotesque spirit known asViy.
One of the Best Folk Horror Movies from the ’60s
Folklore rooted in Ukrainian and Slavic traditions is scarce in horror films, makingViya fascinating prospect already for fans of the genre. Yet, the movie is far from being a novelty, as it is a meticulously crafted gothic, dark fantasy tale that rivalsthe best folk horror you will find. Based on the work of Nikolai Gogol,Viyalso delves deeply into exploring themes of evil versus good, lending greater moral depth to its chilling environment and haunting imagery.
4’Images' (1972)
Wealthy children’s author Cathryn (Susannah York) begins to experience a series of intense hallucinations while staying at a remote country house with her husband. As her condition starts to worsen, she receives calls from someone warning her of her husband’s infidelity, and starts seeing visions of dead figures from her past.
Alone with the Spirits of the Past
Firstly, the score from John Williams for Images is vastly underrated among the maestro’s rich history of film scores; experimental and jarring, it perfectly compliments the film’s eerie atmosphere. The cinematography is also top-notch, when combined with the score, making for a deeply immersive experience of horror and madness.Those who love claustrophobic horror, focused on a single protagonist, will findImagesto be a forgotten hidden gem.
3’The Snow Woman' (1968)
Based on the classic folktale surrounding the Yuki-onna,The Snow Womanopens with the apprentice of a sculptor, Yosaku, witnessing the death of his master at the hands of the icy ghost. Yosaku is spared the same fate under the promise of the spirit that he never tells another about what he witnessed. Returning home, the young sculptor continues his work, but soon finds himself falling madly in love with a woman hiding a dark secret.
A Chilling Japanese Folktale
Fans of international horror movies are likely familiar with the Japanese anthologyKwaidan, which adapts several stories from the book of the same name, a collection of dark Japanese folk tales. In the anthology, the story of Yuki-onna is a favorite segment of many.The feature film expands the story, capturing the beauty and terror of the classic folktale through idyllic visuals and a cautionary tale that has stood the test of time. The plot may be predictable, but that does not take away from the dramatic elements and impending dread.
2’Dementia' (1955)
An experimental horror film with no dialogue,Dementiafollows a young woman’s nightmarish journey through the seedy streets of Los Angeles' Skid Row. Waking in a dirty hotel with no recollection of how she got there, the silent protagonist bounces between figures looking to hurt or exploit her. As she navigates the darkened streets, she slowly begins to recall the sins she committed that led to her being in this predicament.
There is no other ’50s horror movie likeDementia, offering a surreal blend of horror, film noir, and expressionist cinema.At the same time, the movie was thematically ahead of its time, with a feminist subtext that gave a macabre vision of objectification and violence towards women.Dementiais truly a one-of-a-kind gem for its era. While it may be a bit more dated in the modern cinema landscape, at under an hour, it should be essential viewing for fans of classic horror films.
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1’Paranoiac' (1963)
Simon Ashby,played by British madman Oliver Reed, is one of the few remaining family members of the wealthy Ashby family, but wastes it away drinking. When the fortune comes up for grabs, Simon decides to try to drive his sister, Elanore (Janette Scott), crazy and get her committed so he can gain complete control of the money. Things become complicated when another man appears, claiming to be the ‘real Simon, ‘and a man in a mask is attacking the Ashbys and those around them.
Family Secrets Unearthed
A performance by Oliver Reed is always a reason to tune in. Yet, beyond the eccentric actor delivering one of his best earlier performances,Paranoiacis full of intrigue and suspense, relying on the paranoia of its characters to tell a haunting story of greed and deceit. The movie also has a dark psychological edge, as it teases unspeakable family history and continued abuse throughout. Great atmosphere and suspense that builds throughout,Paranoiacis an underrated British gem.
