Edgar Allan Poe is often considered the catalyst of American horror and the godfather of the modern detective story, so it makes sense the master of terror would be the inspiration for many feature films and screen adaptations — here are the best Edgar Allen Poe movies. With his tales of premature burials, ominous birds, and haunted masquerades, Poe's work is a treasure trove of horrifying inspiration. While The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven are probably his most famous works, nearly all of his stories and poems have been adapted to the screen in some capacity.

In fact, Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most adapted authors in film history, next to horror author Stephen King. Although he never lived to see his stories and poems brought to life on the big screen, the realm of cinema has no shortage of features and short films dedicated to his work. One thing noteworthy about Poe's filmography is certainly how diverse it is when it comes to horror. From black comedies to slasher flicks, it seems that his work is pretty open to interpretation. Good, bad, gruesome, or gory, there are plenty of Poe pictures to choose from, and here are the best Edgar Allen Poe movies.

15 Terroir (2014)

One of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies is 2014's Terroir, an adaptation of his work The Cask of Amontillado. Actor Keith Carradine stars as wealthy winemaker and vineyard owner Jonathan Bragg, who hires a Tuscan inspector to investigate a mysterious bottle that he finds in his wine cellar. As Victor Borgo investigates, he soon finds himself in the Tuscan underworld of wine-worshiping cults. The movie has been praised for its sprawling shots of Tuscan scenery and authenticity in its depiction of winemaking traditions. It's a creepy indie thriller full of luscious drama and well worth the watch for lovers of this intriguing Poe tale.

14 Stonehearst Asylum (2014)

Stonehearst Asylum might be hard for some audiences to swallow, but those who read The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether will no doubt catch the familiar motifs, namely inmates running the asylum. Aside from the loose adaptation of Poe's short story, it is a Victorian drama with a heavy gothic atmosphere, and one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies. Featuring a breakout cast including Kate Beckinsale, Ben Kingsley, Michael Caine (in one of his best horror movies), and Jim Sturgess, Stonehearst Asylum is worth the watch for the cast alone, as Oxford graduate Edward soon finds out there's more to Stonehearst than initially meets the eye.

13 The Black Cat (1934)

For a film released in the 1930s, The Black Cat is one of the darkest, eeriest, and most unsettling productions of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff's respective careers, and it's equally one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies. While loosely based on Poe's short story of the same name, the film is much more of a psychological horror film than an adaptation of the author's work. With scenes of torture, black magic, and unholy rituals, it definitely made use of the lack of Hayes Code and rating system. Despite its age, there is plenty of suspense and practical effects to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

12 Tales Of Terror (1962)

Tales of Terror is a fine example of his work and one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies. This film is more of an amalgamation of Poe's works than one full narrative but was made into one of the best horror anthology films of all time, featuring pieces from The Black Cat, Morella, and The Case of M. Valdemar. It's a cheesy flick, but definitely fun. Viewers will see the incomparable Vincent Price playing catch with the severed head of Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone as an evil hypnotist, and some psychedelic effects that gave Roger Corman his directorial reputation. All in all, it's a perfect introduction to those who are unfamiliar with Poe's work.

11 The Raven (1935)

Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and Edgar Allan Poe seem to be a trio of horror icons that work exceptionally well together. 1935's The Raven has little to do with an ominous evil bird, but rather with a mad doctor who commits murders inspired by the author's work. Either way, it's one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies of all time and features the immeasurable talents of classic horror icons as Lugosi plays the unstable Dr. Vollin. It's a twisted tale of obsession and madness that's eerily played out by some of the horror genre's most famous faces. Perhaps John Cusack's 2012 version should've taken notes.

10 The Tomb Of Ligeia (1964)

Vincent Price is to Poe what Depp is to Burton. His performances might not always be incredibly horrifying, but he never fails to be entertaining. The Tomb of Ligeia toes the line between shocking horror film and grotesque love story, and is one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies. Haunted by the memory of his dead wife, a man's sanity and relationship with his new beloved are ripped apart in this adaptation of Poe's short story. It's certainly a must-watch for fans of gothic cinema, and seeing Price bring Verden Fell's madness to the screen is a sight to behold.

9 An Evening With Edgar Allan Poe (1970)

For those seeking more of Vincent Price's over-the-top acting and Poe's grim and gruesome writing style, there's no better example of this than An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe, one of the very best Edgar Allen Poe movies. This TV movie is essentially a one-man show featuring Price performing various stories from Poe's work, but it's more entertaining than it sounds. Price dons a variety of disguises for different characters, and it comes off as goofy as it is creepy. The movie is a testament to both Price's prolific abilities and Poe's tragic figure writing, and perfect viewing for those who need a brush-up on Poe's most famous works.

8 The Pit And The Pendulum (1961)

Iconic horror actor Vincent Price's The Pit and the Pendulum is a slightly looser adaptation of Poe's short story, but one that doesn't skimp on the gruesome and grim. The film makes more than adequate use of its Spanish Inquisition-inspired motifs, as well as a dual performance from Price. It might not resemble the original story identically, but it certainly captures the mood and essence that Poe conveyed. As one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies, it takes one of his more underrated tales and showcases the true depravity of the human spirit. The film received positive reviews upon its release and was praised for its imaginative style.

7 The Crow (1994)

Not all adaptations need to be 100% accurate, but they do need to be inspired by one of Poe's famous works. There is perhaps no gothic film more iconic than The Crow, and the cult classic is one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies. Based on the comic book of the same name, which in turn was inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven, the movie has all the dark atmosphere and ambiance one would expect from the classic author. The alternative superhero film has joined the annals of other '90s cult classics, using Poe's darkness and a grungy aesthetic to create something truly unique.

6 The Masque Of The Red Death (1964)

Easily one of the goriest and most frightening of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies has to be Vincent Price's Masque of the Red Death, based on the short story of the same name. If there was one actor perfect for Poe, it was Price. His performance as the sinister Satanist Prince Prospero is as cold and cruel as they come. The film is a dark and twisted adaptation that the author would absolutely love. With murder, dark rituals, and a dance macabre finale, it's often considered the perfect Poe film. In addition, this is one of seven of Hollywood director Roger Corman and Vincent Price's Edgar Allen Poe adaptations.

5 House Of Usher (1960)

Based on Poe's Fall of the House of Usher, the film sees the story given a darkly romantic twist by having the twisted Rodrick Usher be the protagonist's brother-in-law who buries his fiancée alive. It's the greatest Poe film in Price and Corman's catalog, and one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies. It has creepy mansions, premature burials, and an uber-creepy Price performance that completes the checklist for '60s horror cinema. Price once again masterfully takes over the role of Roderick Usher, a particular highlight of the film, and it's definitively one of Corman's most famous horror movies.

4 Fool’s Fire (1992)

There are many words one might use to describe Julie Taymor's Fool's Fire. Words like dark, disturbing, nightmarish, and hallucinogenic come to mind. These are all perfect descriptors of Edgar Allan Poe's short story Hop-Frog. Fool's Fire is an artsy adaptation of Poe's work, and one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies, that uses puppetry, animation, and disturbing visuals to tell the tale of a deformed jester's revenge plot against a castle full of grotesque royals. Those that are afraid of creepy clown movies should stay far away from this tale, as Julie Taymor guides audiences through a surrealistic nightmare that must be seen to be believed.

3 Vincent (1982)

The Tim Burton stop-animation film Vincent uses elements from Poe's works as well as classic horror tropes to explore the mind of a strangely imaginative young boy, who happens to be obsessed with the author's works. As one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies, it's dark, twisted, and visually impressive in a way only Tim Burton can bring. It even features Vincent Price narrating the affair. The marriage of Tim Buton and Edgar Allen Poe proves to be a triumphant affair in the animated short, as Burton is able to accurately capture the gothic and creepy atmosphere that Poe weaves through all of his tales.

2 The Mansion Of Madness (1973)

Another adaptation of The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether was masterfully crafted by Mexican horror director Juan López Moctezuma, and it's one of the best Edgar Allen Poe movies of all time. As the story goes, the inmates end up running the asylum, imprisoning the doctors and staff while putting forth a plan of action for how they believe the institution should be run. It's a visually stunning work that weaves a sense of melancholy that lingers with viewers long after watching. The Mansion of Madness won the Laceno d'oro prize at the XIV Avellino Neorealist and Avant-garde Film Festival, and two other accolades.

1 The Lighthouse (2019)

While this film definitely has elements of Lovecraft present, in reality, it is a very loose adaptation of Poe's final piece of the same title. In fact, The Lighthouse adapted one of Poe's unfinished works of a similar title. The film concerns the dwindling sanity of two lighthouse keepers isolated at their titular charge. Visions of horrifying monsters and tensions rise as the two begin to lose grip on reality. It's definitely one of the most emotionally intense films on the list, and the best Edgar Allen Poe movie. Robert Eggers' masterpiece won 7 awards in total including several Independent Spirit Awards, Sattelite Awards, and at the Cannes Film Festival.