There is no denying that John Carpenter is one of the true living masters of horror. His contributions to the world of film have been enormous and have completely changed the game. Since I’ve already profiled the late Wes Craven, I’ve decided to go and showcase some other of the greats. Use these lists as a tool to either walk down memory lane and revisit some great films that you haven’t seen in a while, or check out some that you have missed and should consider watching! So, here we go: The 8 Best John Carpenter Films.

Prince of Darkness (1987) [youtube id=”PKI2kI6Flw0″ align=”right”] A John Carpenter film that includes Donald Pleasance and Alice Cooper? Sign me up! While not the most successful of Carpenter’s films, this one has become a little-known cult classic thanks to home video prior to the film’s release. Donald Pleasance plays a character named “Father Loomis,” which comes from another little-known horror movie called Halloween. You can probably find that Halloween movie if you are lucky in a thrift store somewhere in Ohio; besides that, I’m not sure there is any way to watch such a forgotten film.

In The Mouth of Madness (1994) [youtube id=”fitU66jq6GQ” align=”right”] This is the final movie in what Carpenter calls his “Apocalypse Trilogy.” In order, the films contained in this trilogy are The Thing, Prince of Darkness, and finally In The Mouth of Madness. The film borrows many influences from classic horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, focusing on insanity, which is a recurring theme in much of Lovecraft’s work. There are references to other works of the writer throughout the film; I won’t give them away, though. You’ll have to watch it to find them! It’ll be more fun this way, trust me!

The Fog (1980) [youtube id=”Y2o1-_E4PRA” align=”right”] Carpenter has a habit of finding actors or actresses that he enjoys working with and keeping them around. Such is the case with The Fog, starring Jamie Lee Curtis. She is also from that little-known Halloween movie we were talking about before, in case you didn’t know. The Fog is a film that does not rely on gore and instead takes a more atmospheric approach to get you in a creepy mood. The movie is a pure classic, and I’ve watched it so many times that I’ve lost track, as with most films by Carpenter. However, stay away from the remake! The 2005 version is probably one of the worst movies that’s ever been made in my opinion. Ugh. Sometimes things are just better left alone!

Big Trouble in Little China (1986) [youtube id=”592EiTD2Hgo” align=”right”] Although not a horror film, this one is still definitely worth checking out. Kurt Russell plays an ass-kicking badass in a humorous action romp. Fans of the ultra-violent fighting game Mortal Kombat will get a kick out of this one; the character of Raiden was inspired from the film, straw hat and lightning God powers included. Carpenter has always done great so ith Carpenter, the film did not do so well at the box-office but has once again gone on to be a cult classic. The critics have just never understood the man. It’s a sin, really.

Escape from New York (1981) [youtube id=”8-LDW7tWwAI” align=”right”] Kurt Russell stars yet again in an action film by John Carpenter. Snake Plisskin is a take no prisoners kind of guy, who is given the task of saving the president (Hey, is that Donald Pleasance? Yes it is!) in 22 hours from the prison that is New York City in 1997. This film was actually well-received by critics, unlike the other action film starring Kurt Russell and directed by John Carpenter that would be released five years later.

They Live (1988)[youtube id=”KLRafyWhzG4″ align=”right”] “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass… and I’m all out of bubblegum.” Man, what a movie. The late Roddy Piper absolutely kills it in this one! They Live is a movie about fighting authority, and the fact that things may not always be as they seem. A pair of sunglasses gives the main character a view into the secret world of the aliens that live all around us, disguised as normal humans. I still put on sunglasses with apprehension because of this film. You never know who is an alien and who is not, these days.

The Thing (1982)[youtube id=”p35JDJLa9ec” align=”right”] This is one film on this list that is surefire nightmare fuel. A scientific expedition in the frigid arctic yields the discovery of an ancient alien race that is downright horrifying above anything else. This film has been stated by John Carpenter himself as being his favorite of all the movies that he has done. Carpenter did not score this movie himself, which is an anomaly for his films; instead, it was done by Ennio Morricone. Rob Bottin’s incredible make-up work is what really pulls you into the movie. It’s gory, it’s scary, it’s great. When I’m done with this list, I actually think I’m going to pull it out of my VHS collection and pop it in.

Halloween (1978)[youtube id=”xHuOtLTQ_1I” align=”right”] Ah, that little tiny silly movie we were discussing before! All joking aside, Halloween is one of the greatest horror films of all time. It has spawned  an incredibly successful franchise and was able to put horror into pop culture forever, along with Michael Myer’s killer brethren Jason and Freddy. What is there to say about this movie that has already not been said? Truthfully, not much. There have been many imitators, but there is ony one original. The score is perfect. The villain is perfect. An undisputed classic. John Carpenter, Donald Pleasance, Jamie Lee Curtis, and also writer Debra Hill make an unstoppable team.

 

John Carpenter has become disillusioned with big budget films and Hollywood in recent times, and it’s a damn shame because we could use more Carpenter films. His movies have always been awesome in my book, and his soundtracks have been as well, which made me incredibly happy when I found out that he had released an album of original music called Lost Themes in 2014. Long live John Carpenter, and long live Michael Myers!