The Evolution of Horror Films: A Look a Horror Movies from the 19th to 21st Century

By Emily Walsh

When you think of horror movies, what comes to mind? Horror films try to evoke the viewer’s worst nightmares as a form of entertainment. The ghosts, demons, murderers, and supernatural beings combined with some gore, torture, and jump-scares manipulate the audience into experiencing psychological thrills and fun. For a film to be included in the horror genre, it must incorporate incidents of physical violence and psychological terror. These acts of violence and terror can express themselves differently from film to film and create sub-genres within horror itself.

Although films produced today boast the newest technology to make the theatrical elements more lifelike and realistic to their audiences, the genre of horror predates the film industry. In fact, it’s been around for centuries. Since the genre’s conception, the horror industry has always found ways to incorporate new technology and themes.

In 1896 filmmaker Georges Méliès, who is best known for his 1902 film A Trip to the Moon, created what is now called the first horror film by film scholars. Released 6 years before A Trip to the Moon, Méliès’s three-minute movie, Le Manoir du Diable (released in the U.S. as The Haunted Castle) showcased new and cutting-edge special effects, like a fake flying bat and realistic ghosts, which made it terrifying for viewers at the time. Méliès’s movie tells the short story of a bat that turns into the demon Mephistopheles, a plot that may not resonate with viewers now but surely spooked 19th-century audiences.

Thanks to Méliès’s influence, the horror genre entered what is now known as the “Golden Age of Horror” in the 1920s and 1930s. During this period films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), Nosferatu (1922), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), and the first color adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) scared audiences worldwide. According to the New York Film Academy, this period also marked the first time in the industry that the word “horror” was used to describe the genre. With this “new” genre having a name, many horror stars were born. The 1940s and 50s saw the rise of directors like Alfred Hitchcock and actors such as Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, and Edith Barrett. These creators helped redefine the horror genre. Films of this time are best known for their melodrama, stage-like and over the top acting, and attempts at comic relief.

Instead of using the hallmarks of the 1920s and 30s horror film, Hitchcock’s films Dial M for Murder (1954), Rear Window (1954), Psycho (1960), The Birds (1963), and Frenzy (1972), focused on amplifying the audience’s psychological thrill and opened doors for many classics that came out of the 1970s and ‘80s. Hitchcock added elements of suspense to his movies, separating him from the Golden Age of Horror in a way that deserves its own category. Thanks to Hitchcock, the plot lines of future horror films deepened, and themes became darker.

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, many horror films involved ideas of the “occult,” particularly when it came to demonic possession of homes and children. The fascination with the occult determined this period of horror films and created, according to some critics, the best period of horror ever. Two incredible films that arguably defined horror for the rest of time came out of this period: The Exorcist (1973) and The Omen (1976).

These films incited a rediscovered obsession with supernatural horror that complimented the rise of author Stephen King and led to many slasher films that continue to redefine the genre. The film adaptations of Carrie (1976) and The Shining (1980) made way for films like Poltergeist (1982), The Thing (1982), the Halloween franchise (1978- present), The Blair Witch Project (1999), and even the genre parody Scream (1996).

However, as new technology develops and monsters, ghosts, and gore get more realistic on-screen, the current state of horror is widely contested amongst film critics. Although remakes and reboots are the new normal (how many Halloweens can they actually produce?), the 2000s have seen some fantastic new films that may create a new type of horror genre as we know it. Films like The Cabin in the Woods (2012), Hereditary (2018), Midsommar (2019), and Us (2019) have given a new meaning to the genre and set the bar high for what’s next to come because of their more modern plotlines that reflect every-day life and society in more subtle ways, creating a bigger commentary on the intersection between horror and reality.

Life has changed drastically for people all over the world due to the pandemic and we are faced with new horrors every day. When film production can once again safely resume, who’s to say a new era of horror won’t begin that’s even more terrifying than the last?

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson gets James Cameron to fix a scientific inaccuracy for the 3D version of Titanic

SlashFilm recently posted a great article about how Neil deGrasse Tyson noticed that the sky in the scene were Rose (Kate Winslet) is floating on a plank and gazing at the sky. According to Neil deGrasse Tyson, the sky is completely inaccurate for the time of night on that particular date (April 15, 1912 at … Continue reading “Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson gets James Cameron to fix a scientific inaccuracy for the 3D version of Titanic”


SlashFilm recently posted a great article about how Neil deGrasse Tyson noticed that the sky in the scene were Rose (Kate Winslet) is floating on a plank and gazing at the sky. According to Neil deGrasse Tyson, the sky is completely inaccurate for the time of night on that particular date (April 15, 1912 at 4:20 AM).

Below is an interesting video in which Neil deGrasse Tyson describes the mini saga which finally resulted in a phone call from a guy who works post production for James Cameron. The call was requesting his assistance on a sky upgrade for the 10 year anniversary release of the film. This sky grade is also used in the 3D version of Titanic. Skip ahead to 26:00 or 26:10 for the bit about Titanic. Neil deGrasse Tyson is quite a funny guy.

The Real Georges Méliès: Friday, November 18 from 4:30pm – 5:30pm Lower Level of the Library

The Real Georges Méliès Friday, November 18, at 4:30 pm American University Library Media Classroom Lower Level Discover the films of George Méliès, whose life and work structure the story of Martin Scorsese’s HUGO. Professor Despina Kakoudaki will present an overview of early cinema, show and discuss some of Méliès most beloved films, and screen … Continue reading “The Real Georges Méliès: Friday, November 18 from 4:30pm – 5:30pm Lower Level of the Library”

The Real Georges Méliès
Friday, November 18, at 4:30 pm

American University Library

Media Classroom
Lower Level

Discover the films of George Méliès, whose life and work structure the story of Martin Scorsese’s HUGO. Professor Despina Kakoudaki will present an overview of early cinema, show and discuss some of Méliès most beloved films, and screen Trip to the Moon (1902).

The Media Classroom is located in Media Services, on the lower level of the American University Library. Inquire at the Media Services desk and we’ll direct you to the screening room.

More Georges Méliès can be found here in Media Services:

Méliès le cinémagicien – DVD 540

The great train robbery and other primary works – DVD 551
A Trip to the Moon

The Magic of Méliès – DVD 554

Georges Méliès̀: first wizard of cinema (1896-1913) – DVD 4141

Landmarks of early film: Vol. 1 – DVD 6116
A Trip to the Moon

Saved from the flames: 54 rare and restored films – DVD 7271
Excelsior! Prince of Magicians

75th Anniversary of Gone with the Wind

Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the novel by Margaret Mitchell. Gone With the Wind was published in June 1936. Mitchell was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her sweeping novel the following May. It was made into an equally famous motion picture starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. The movie had its world premiere at … Continue reading “75th Anniversary of Gone with the Wind”

Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the novel by Margaret Mitchell. Gone With the Wind was published in June 1936. Mitchell was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her sweeping novel the following May. It was made into an equally famous motion picture starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. The movie had its world premiere at the Loew’s Grand Theater in Atlanta December 15, 1939.

Check out this little video about Margaret Mitchell.

Of course, Gone with the Wind is part of the Media Services Home Use Collection. Check it out this month!

Gone with the Wind – HU DVD 9

300+ Free movies Online: Classics, Indies, Noir, Westerns…

Where to watch free movies online? This may be too good to be true, but it appears to be a site attempting to be a gateway to legitimate streams of feature films online. OpenCulture.com has put together a list of 300+ quality films that you can watch online. The collection is divided into the following … Continue reading “300+ Free movies Online: Classics, Indies, Noir, Westerns…”


Where to watch free movies online? This may be too good to be true, but it appears to be a site attempting to be a gateway to legitimate streams of feature films online.

OpenCulture.com has put together a list of 300+ quality films that you can watch online. The collection is divided into the following categories: Comedy & Drama; Film Noir, Horror & Hitchcock; Westerns & John Wayne; Silent Films; Documentaries, and Animation.

Here are a few titles:

COMEDY & DRAMA
A Farewell to Arms FreeBuy DVDGary Cooper and Helen Hayes star in film based on famous novel by Ernest Hemingway. (1932)

Alexander NevskyFreeBuy DVDA historical drama film directed by the great Russian filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein. (1938)

All Quiet on the Western FrontFreeBuy DVD This is a classic based on a novel by German author Erich Maria Remarque. (1930)

Angel on My ShoulderFreeBuy DVDA gangster comedy starring Claude Rains and Paul Muni. (1946)

To see the full list, go here.

[As seen on OpenCulture.com]

Hollywood star Jane Russell dies at 89

Former Hollywood actress and sex symbol, Jane Russell has died at the age of 89. Read more.Obituary: Jane Russell Come to Media Services and check out the following Jane Russell classics from our Home Use Collection.Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – HU DVD 244His Kind of Woman – HU DVD 2409

Former Hollywood actress and sex symbol, Jane Russell has died at the age of 89. Read more.

Obituary: Jane Russell

Come to Media Services and check out the following Jane Russell classics from our Home Use Collection.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – HU DVD 244
His Kind of Woman
– HU DVD 2409

Recent Acquisitions in Film Noir at Media Services!

Here at Media Services our film noir collection has grown considerably. Over the summer we included tons of classic film noir titles to our collection like Armored Car Robbery – HU DVD 7323 and Human Desire – HU DVD 7296. See a list of all our recently acquired film noir titles below. Scarlet Street – … Continue reading “Recent Acquisitions in Film Noir at Media Services!”

Here at Media Services our film noir collection has grown considerably. Over the summer we included tons of classic film noir titles to our collection like Armored Car Robbery – HU DVD 7323 and Human Desire – HU DVD 7296. See a list of all our recently acquired film noir titles below.

Scarlet Street – HU DVD7275
The Hitch-Hiker – HU DVD 7276
Contraband – HU DVD 7277
They Made Me a Fugitive – HU DVD 7278
Strange Impersonation – HU DVD 7279
Born to Kill – HU DVD 7301
Clash by Night – HU DVD 7302
Crossfire – HU DVD 7303
Dillinger – HU DVD 7304
The Narrow Margin – HU DVD 7305
Act of Violence/Mystery Street – HU DVD 7306
Crime Wave/Decoy – HU DVD 7307
Illegal/The Big Steal – HU DVD 7308
They Live by Night/Side Street – HU DVD 7309
Where Danger Lives/Tension – HU DVD 7310
14 Hours – HU DVD 7315
The Sniper – HU DVD 7291
The Big Heat – HU DVD 7292
5 Against the House – HU DVD 7293
The Lineup – HU DVD 7294
Murder by Contract – HU DVD 7295
Human Desire – HU DVD 7296
Pushover – HU DVD 7297
The Brothers Rico – HU DVD 7298
Nightfall – HU DVD 7299
City of Fear – HU DVD 7300
The Killer that Stalked New York/Two of a Kind – HU DVD 7311
Bad for Each Other/The Glass Wall – HU DVD 7312
Night Editor/One Girl’s Confession – HU 7313
Women’s Prison/Over-Exposed – HU DVD 7314
Twilight Women/The Slasher – HU DVD 7316
Desperate/Cornered – HU DVD 7321
The Phenix City Story/Dial 1119 – HU DVD 7322
Armored Car Robbery/Crime in the Streets – HU DVD 7323
Backfire/Deadline at Dawn – HU DVD 7324

Happy Friday the 13th!

We’ve got hundreds of scary movies here in Media Services to satisfy your urge to get spooked today or any day. Here are just a few: Friday the 13th – HU DVD 859The Orphanage – HU DVD 639Chronos – HU DVD 6087Hellboy – HU DVD 5311Hellboy II: The Golden Army – HU DVD 5312Nightmare on … Continue reading “Happy Friday the 13th!”

We’ve got hundreds of scary movies here in Media Services to satisfy your urge to get spooked today or any day. Here are just a few:

Friday the 13th – HU DVD 859
The Orphanage – HU DVD 639
Chronos – HU DVD 6087
Hellboy – HU DVD 5311
Hellboy II: The Golden Army – HU DVD 5312
Nightmare on Elm St – HU DVD 864
The Ring – HU DVD 1547
Bug – HU DVD 6119
Scream – HU DVD 6
Scream 2 – HU DVD 7
The American Nightmare – HU DVD 998