Lists
Horror Movies Based on Fairytales Isn’t a New Thing: Here Are 7 From the Past
Thanks to director Rhys Frake and Disney’s classic fairytale characters falling into the public domain, movies based on cute and cuddly beloved creatures are becoming malevolent and vicious. We saw Winne the Pooh: Blood and Honey become a viral curiosity, and a sequel is already on the way. We have also got a horror adaptation of Bambi, Peter Pan, and Cinderella in the works.
But this trend isn’t entirely new, there have been plenty of titles that borrow from classic children’s tales dating back to the ’80s. For this list, we tried to include movies where the source material’s narrative isn’t particularly nasty. So the omission of Hansel & Gretel is warranted because that is already a story based in horror.
The Company of Wolves (1984)
When this movie first came out people thought it was strange to do a horror movie based on Little Red Riding Hood. Maybe the same way we think today about Winnie the Pooh. But with all due respect to Rhys Frake (Blood and Honey), this one went beyond the low-hanging fruit of a slasher and was an artistic masterpiece. Just look who directed it: Neil Jordan!
Yes the man who went on to make The Crying Game, Interview with the Vampire, and Greta, started out making a fairytale horror movie which is a must-see for fans of the genre.
Pinocchio’s Revenge (1996)
Low-budget horror films led to small lines around the theater from the mid to late 80s and into the early 90s. When I first saw Ghoulies (1985) the auditorium was packed and everyone had a great time. Then Trimark Pictures (an off-shoot of Vidmark) sort of changed the game, producing “higher quality” horror movies with elevated screenplays and special effects. Trimark eventually merged with Lionsgate in 2000.
But Vidmark did produce some memorable titles including 1996 Pinocchio’s Revenge, a straight-to-video attempt to cash in on Don Mancini’s Child’s Play. This twist on the classic fairytale admittedly isn’t that great, but it’s a nice reminder of when low-budget films used practical effects to tell stories and had to be innovative enough for them to look as good as they could on screen.
Rumpelstiltskin (1996)
Republic Pictures found their fairytale villain, Rumpelstiltskin, in this 1996 box office flop, but it sort of works as a horror movie. The team behind it, Mark Jones and Michael Prescott, had just achieved cult success with Leprechaun and were ready to jump on board its sequel, but the opportunity to direct this film opened up and they took it.
Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997)
This one might be cheating a little since it was released on Showtime and not in theaters. But the sheer star power of the production and how it drastically changes the Disney version’s relatively tame narrative into a truly horrific one should be noted. Directed by Michael Cohen (not to be confused with Q’s Larry Cohen), it stars Sigourney Weaver and Sam Neill.
Darkness Falls (2003)
People laughed at the concept of this movie when it was first announced. A killer tooth fairy? How laughable. But even though it’s not the best, it still packs a punch and since its release has gained a bit of a millennial cult following.
The Gingerbread Man (2005)
Of all the people who have produced and directed modern low-budget horror movies, Charles Band might be next only to legendary celluloid mastermind William Castle. Band is well known for his ’80s production house Empire Pictures which eventually folded. But the prolific director countered that by starting Full Moon Features which continues to release movies even today.
One could surmise that the idea behind this picture spawned from the popularity of Shrek (2001) which also featured an Anthropomorphic cookie that was tortured for information (not my gum drop buttons) by the prince. But that might just be a coincidence. In this film, eccentric actor and personality Gary Busey takes on the titular role which adds to the uniqueness of this Band favorite.
The Lure (2016)
The Little Mermaid has fangs. Yes, believe it or not, this 2016 film is based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale made famous by a red-haired Disney princess. However, this mermaid tale doesn’t end very well. Two sirens emerge from the sea in the ’80s and start performing at a nightclub as backup singers to a rock band. Complications ensue when one of the sirens named Silver falls for the lead singer.
It’s an interesting spin on the classic fairytale and it’s been pretty well received since its release.
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Lists
Thrills and Chills: Ranking ‘Radio Silence’ Films from Bloody Brilliant to Just Bloody
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and Chad Villella are all filmmakers under the collective label called Radio Silence. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett are the primary directors under that moniker while Villella produces.
They have gained popularity over the past 13 years and their films have become known as having a certain Radio Silence “signature.” They are bloody, usually contain monsters, and have breakneck action sequences. Their recent film Abigail exemplifies that signature and is perhaps their best film yet. They are currently working on a reboot of John Carpenter’s Escape From New York.
We thought we would go through the list of projects they have directed and rank them from high to low. None of the movies and shorts on this list are bad, they all have their merits. These rankings from top to bottom are just ones we felt showcased their talents the best.
We didn’t include movies they produced but didn’t direct.
#1. Abigail
An update to the second film on this list, Abagail is the natural progression of Radio Silence’s love of lockdown horror. It follows in pretty much the same footsteps of Ready or Not, but manages to go one better — make it about vampires.
#2. Ready or Not
This film put Radio Silence on the map. While not as successful at the box office as some of their other films, Ready or Not proved that the team could step outside their limited anthology space and create a fun, thrilling, and bloody adventure-length film.
#3. Scream (2022)
While Scream will always be a polarizing franchise, this prequel, sequel, reboot — however you want to label it showed just how much Radio Silence knew the source material. It wasn’t lazy or cash-grabby, just a good time with legendary characters we love and new ones who grew on us.
#4 Southbound (The Way Out)
Radio Silence tosses their found footage modus operandi for this anthology film. Responsible for the bookend stories, they create a terrifying world in their segment titled The Way Out, which involves strange floating beings and some sort of time loop. It’s kind of the first time we see their work without a shaky cam. If we were to rank this entire film, it would remain at this position on the list.
#5. V/H/S (10/31/98)
The film that started it all for Radio Silence. Or should we say the segment that started it all. Even though this isn’t feature-length what they managed to do with the time they had was very good. Their chapter was titled 10/31/98, a found-footage short involving a group of friends who crash what they think is a staged exorcism only to learn not to assume things on Halloween night.
#6. Scream VI
Cranking up the action, moving to the big city and letting Ghostface use a shotgun, Scream VI turned the franchise on its head. Like their first one, this film played with canon and managed to win over a lot of fans in its direction, but alienated others for coloring too far outside the lines of Wes Craven’s beloved series. If any sequel was showing how the trope was going stale it was Scream VI, but it managed to squeeze some fresh blood out of this nearly three-decade mainstay.
#7. Devil’s Due
Fairly underrated, this, Radio Silence’s first feature-length film, is a sampler of things they took from V/H/S. It was filmed in an omnipresent found footage style, showcasing a form of possession, and features clueless men. Since this was their first bonafide major studio job it’s a wonderful touchstone to see how far they have come with their storytelling.
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Editorial
7 Great ‘Scream’ Fan Films & Shorts Worth a Watch
The Scream franchise is such an iconic series, that many budding filmmakers take inspiration from it and make their own sequels or, at least, build upon the original universe created by screenwriter Kevin Williamson. YouTube is the perfect medium to showcase these talents (and budgets) with fan-made homages with their own personal twists.
The great thing about Ghostface is that he can appear anywhere, in any town, he just needs the signature mask, knife, and unhinged motive. Thanks to Fair Use laws it’s possible to expand upon Wes Craven’s creation by simply getting a group of young adults together and killing them off one by one. Oh, and don’t forget the twist. You’ll notice that Roger Jackson’s famous Ghostface voice is uncanny valley, but you get the gist.
We have gathered five fan films/shorts related to Scream that we thought were pretty good. Although they can’t possibly match the beats of a $33 million blockbuster, they get by on what they have. But who needs money? If you’re talented and motivated anything is possible as proven by these filmmakers who are well on their way to the big leagues.
Take a look at the below films and let us know what you think. And while you’re at it, leave these young filmmakers a thumbs up, or leave them a comment to encourage them to create more films. Besides, where else are you going to see Ghostface vs. a Katana all set to a hip-hop soundtrack?
Scream Live (2023)
Ghostface (2021)
Ghost Face (2023)
Don’t Scream (2022)
Scream: A Fan Film (2023)
The Scream (2023)
A Scream Fan Film (2023)
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Lists
Horror Movies Releasing This Month – April 2024 [Trailers]
With only six months until Halloween, it is surprising how many horror movies will be released in April. People are still scratching their heads as to why Late Night With the Devil wasn’t an October release since it has that theme already built in. But who’s complaining? Certainly not us.
In fact, we are elated because we are getting a vampire movie from Radio Silence, a prequel to an honored franchise, not one, but two monster spider movies, and a film directed by David Cronenberg’s other child.
It’s a lot. So we have provided you with a list of movies with help from the internet, their synopsis from IMDb, and when and where they will drop. The rest is up to your scrolling finger. Enjoy!
The First Omen: In theaters April 5
A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.
Monkey Man: In theaters April 5
An anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.
Sting: In theaters April 12
After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet-and fight for her family’s survival-when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.
In Flames: In theaters April 12
After the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.
Abigail: In Theaters April 19
After a group of criminals kidnap the ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, they retreat to an isolated mansion, unaware that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.
The Night of the Harvest: In theaters April 19
Aubrey and her friends go geocaching in the woods behind an old cornfield where they are trapped and hunted by a masked woman in white.
Humane: In theaters April 26
In the wake of an environmental collapse that is forcing humanity to shed 20% of its population, a family dinner erupts into chaos when a father’s plan to enlist in the government’s new euthanasia program goes horribly awry.
Civil War: In theaters April 12
A journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.
Cinderella’s Revenge: In select theaters April 26
Cinderella summons her fairy godmother from an ancient flesh-bound book to get revenge on her evil stepsisters and stepmother who abuse her daily.
Other horror movies on streaming:
Bag of Lies VOD April 2
Desperate to save his dying wife, Matt turns to The Bag, an ancient relic with dark magic. The cure demands a chilling ritual and strict rules. As his wife heals, Matt’s sanity unravels, facing terrifying consequences.
Black Out VOD April 12
A Fine Arts painter is convinced that he is a werewolf wreaking havoc on a small American town under the full moon.
Baghead on Shudder and AMC+ on April 5
A young woman inherits a run-down pub and discovers a dark secret within its basement – Baghead – a shape-shifting creature that will let you speak to lost loved ones, but not without consequence.
Infested: on Shudder April 26
Residents of a rundown French apartment building battle against an army of deadly, rapidly reproducing spiders.
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