Summary
Many of the best theatrical horror films utilize expensive special effects and set designs to achieve their biggest scares, but a few made-for-TV horror films have proven they’re able to do the same in a smaller medium. Horror films are known for their thrilling and bloody concepts with antagonists that range from murderous humans to supernatural monsters. Theslasher subgenreis quite popular with horror fans, butthe bloody and extreme methods of killing aren’t always fit for TV networks.
As a result, manymade-for-TV horror films take the extra step to find creative means of scaring fans of the genre while still appealing to general audiences. Other obstacles that come up are commercial breaks. Made-for-TV horror films need to have momentum in their plot and pacing, which discourages audiences from changing the channel. Plenty of legendary filmmakers known for their theatrical projects have dabbled in television films, including Tobe Hooper, John Carpenter, and Steven Spielberg. They are just some of the directors who’ve successfully created a made-for-TV horror film that holds up well against bigger Hollywood releases.
20 Best Horror Movies Of All Time
What are the best horror movies of all time? Every fan has their opinion, but these movies have stood the test of time to become certifiable icons.
10Dark Night Of The Scarecrow (1981)
Revenge Is Taken On A Group Of Murderers
Originally airing on CBS in 1981,Dark Night of the Scarecrowhas become one of the best examples of a made-for-TV film that has just as much suspense as a big-budget theatrical film. Set in the South,Dark Night of the Scarecrowcenters around the uneasy haunting of three mean-spirited individuals who killed Bubba, a man with an intellectual disability. Steering away from the bloody, vicious kills that usually occur in revenge-oriented horror films,Dark Night of the Scarecrowuses its rural setting and titular mannequin to scare audiences.
Scarecrows, which have become widely recognized asHalloween figures used to make people feel scared, appear throughoutDark Night of the Scarecrow.With every scarecrow’s sudden appearance on the properties of Bubba’s killers, audiences can’t help but tense up. Suspense is skillfully built up inDark Night of the Scarecrowas the person attacking Bubba’s killers remains a mystery until the end.
Disrupting the cozy atmosphere established the night of its Christmas Eve premiere is the British horror filmThe Woman in Black.Adapted from Susan Hill’s novel of the same name,The Woman in Blackis set within a coastal English town where its main character, a solicitor named Arthur (Adrian Rawlins), travels to settle a widow’s estate. While in the village, Arthur comes across a mysterious woman dressed in all-black clothing (Pauline Moran).
However, in 2020, the rights to the film were secured andThe Woman in Blackwas finally released on DVD.
The Woman in Blackhas an overall eerie atmosphere that was achieved due to its television medium, as opposed to the 2012 version of Hill’s story that sees Daniel Radcliffe playing Rawlins' part. For many years, a dispute over distribution rights preventedThe Woman in Blackfrom being re-aired on TV or released on VHS. However, in 2020, the rights to the film were secured andThe Woman in Blackwas finally released on DVD.
8The Night Stalker (1972)
A Serial Killer Is Suspected Of Being A Vampire
Following the investigation of a Las Vegas killer,The Night Stalkerblends crime and supernatural genres. In the film, Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin), an unprofessional investigative journalist, takes it upon himself to follow a lead on who the serial killer might be. The twist is thatCarl believes the killer is a vampire, as the victims have all been drained of their blood.
Audiences are sure to be engaged inThe Night Stalker’s story, following along as more clues point Carl in the right direction.During its release,The Night Stalkerhad the highest rating of any made-for-TV film.Its popularity prompted the release of the sequel filmThe Night Stranglerand a TV series revolving around Carl titledKolchak: The Night Stalker. Like the film, the series follows Carl’s investigations into crimes involving supernatural creatures.
Night Stalkerhad a 33.2 rating and a 54 share when it was released in 1972.
Body Bagsis an anthology horror film made up of an impressive castand is directed by horror icons John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper. Mark Hamill, Twiggy, and Robert Carradine are just a few notable actors to appear in the film’s three segments and directors Sam Raimi and Wes Craven make cameos. The stories inBody Bagsare told by a coroner who opens up the film and details how the deceased individuals in each body bag died. The segments — “The Gas Station,” “Hair,” and “Eye” — get increasingly weirder.
The stories in these segments, while terrifying, are based on comical concepts, including a hair transplant surgery that goes wrong and causes the patient to grow an uncontrollable amount of hair that resembles an alien-like creature. With as much talent asBody Bagshas, critics haven’t been blown away by the result. Still, if anything,Body Bagsis worth seeing because of the high number of celebrity cameos typically seen in larger Hollywood productions.
6Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark (1973)
Monster-Like Creatures Take Over An Old Home
Don’t Be Afraid of the Darkreceived a theatrical remake in 2011, but audiences and critics can agree that the original is better.The made-for-TV elements of the ‘70sDon’t Be Afraid of the Darkmade for a scarier, campier filmthat holds a special place in the hearts of those who’d grown up watching the film.Don’t Be Afraid of the Darktells a story about a married couple who move into an old mansion.
The wife, Sally (Kim Darby), accidentally releases three creatures that were trapped within the home’s fireplace.The unique design of the creatures— dark, sunken eyes placed on a raisin-shaped and textured head — and the hushed whisper they speak in throughout the film are enough to send chills up the spine of its most fearful viewers.Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark’s ending is also highly memorable and surprisingly grim.
5Someone’s Watching Me! (1978)
After Moving Into A New Apartment, A Woman Is Stalked
John Carpenter’sHalloweenwas released a few weeks before his lesser-known television filmSomeone’s Watching Me!. The latter horror film wrapped a month before filming began onHalloweenand Carpenter says many of the techniques used in the popular film were thought of on the set ofSomeone’s Watching Me!. Starring Lauren Hutton as Leigh Michaels, one of thestrongest female characters in Carpenter’s films,Someone’s Watching Me!chronicles the increasingly worrisome behavior of Leigh’s mystery stalker.
Carpenter’s camera work and scriptbuild up an agonizing suspense as Leigh’s panic increases when she realizes the situation she’s in.Additionally, there are many shots inSomeone’s Watching Me!that are from her stalker’s perspective as he peers into Leigh’s apartment through a telescope.Someone’s Watching Me!may not be Carpenter’s best film, but it helped establish much of the framing techniques and visual style seen in his later work.
10 Scariest John Carpenter Movies, Ranked
John Carpenter has directed almost 20 movies during his career, some of which are considered to be among the scariest ever made.
Throughout the years, many ofStephen King’s novels have been adapted into films, but not every attempt to bring the author’s words to the screen has been successful or enjoyed by King. However, one adaptation that is favored by critics and fans isSalem’s Lot. Airing as a two-part miniseries on CBS,Salem’s Lotis based on King’s novel of the same nameand follows an author who returns home only to find out the community is transforming into vampires.
Even within the limitations that come with the television medium, the signature touch ofThe Texas Chainsaw Massacredirector is apparent and helped bring King’s fictional world to life. ThroughoutSalem’s Lot’s episodes,the pace never feels rushed or dragged down and is complimented by an appreciated amount of scares.Additionally, James Mason gives an unforgettable performance as the film’s antagonist.
3Ghostwatch (1992)
A Fake Broadcast Investigating Local Supernatural Activity
A mockumentary television film, BBC One’sGhostwatchhad quite the impact on viewers who were tuned into its premiere on Halloween night.Ghostwatch, a film that investigates supernatural occurrences in a local home, was presented as a live program. Due to the impressive special effects and performances by the film’s cast — including famous British TV personalities Michael Parkinson and Sarah Greene —viewers at home believed the events inGhostwatchwere real.
A slight upset followedGhostwatch’s premiere, as citizens were concerned for their safety and then angry at the film’s creators for causing people to panic. KnowingGhostwatchis fictional, the power of its illusion is slightly diluted, but the mockumentary film is still entertaining.Ghostwatchis full of committed performances and realistic paranormal activity, such asdishware moving on its own and falsified, dramatic temperature changes in rooms.
2Trilogy Of Terror (1975)
An Anthology Film Based On Richard Matheson’s Stories
Inspired by stories by horror author Richard Matheson,Trilogy of Terroris a made-for-TV anthology film starring Karen Black.Trilogy of Terroris divided into three segments, each named after its main characters: “Julie,” “Millicent and Therese,” and “Amelia.” Each story is more disturbing than the one before, but"Amelia" remains the most memorable as it includes a possessed wooden doll that threatens the life of its titular owner.
Trilogy of Terroris divided into three segments, each named after its main characters: “Julie,” “Millicent and Therese,” and “Amelia.”
While critical praise has been given to the various stories in the anthology film, a majority ofTrilogy of Terror’s positive reviews are about Karen Black’s performance.Black plays the main character in each segment, and she takes on the role of both twin characters in “Millicent and Therese.” Black’s performances are exciting to watch, as she’s fully committed to each part, believably transforming into a completely different person when needed.
Known best for his theatrical releases,Steven Spielberg’s horror filmDuelexpertly introduces tension and a threatening figure on the television screenwith a simple premise.Dueldid eventually have a theatrical release with a few extra minutes added, but the film originally premiered on ABC and earned high levels of praise from critics.Duel’s unseen antagonisttorments the film’s main character David (Dennis Weaver) whilst driving alone on a long drive.
Spielberg understands thatone of the scariest things a horror film can do is leave things up to the audience’s imagination. WithDuel, audiences make up the identity of the truck driver themselves. Has the long drive brought the antagonist to a boredom that can only be cured by taunting the driver of a smaller car, or are they a killer looking to take another life with few witnesses around?
