There are so, so, so many scary movies out there, but only a few are regarded as “classics”. These well-known and celebrated films have iconic scenes and stars, and their most popular moments are referenced and recognized all the time. From the retro Universal monster mash ups to slasher films to psychological mind-benders, horror comes in many classic forms.
Since the Halloween season is finally upon us, we decided to make a list of 10 classic horror flicks that we feel everyone should own. These DVDs are all available on Amazon, they would all make great gifts, and they can all be enjoyed during this spooky month and beyond.
Universal Classic Monsters Collection
Universal Pictures is known for their classic horror films, and this DVD set includes six movies all starring classic monsters. The makeup, cinematography, stories and effects seen in these oldies but goodies helped set the stage for many more scary flicks, making them foundational parts of the genre.
Plus, there are more than 10 hours of bonus features included in this set, as well, for even more goodness to watch. So to own, watch and rewatch Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Mummy and The Invisible Man, consider this collection.
Friday The 13th The Ultimate Collection
There are a couple of well-known bad guys in a couple of very popular films that all belong on this list, and first up is Jason Voorhees of the Friday The 13th franchise. The setting of Camp Crystal Lake, the hockey mask and the thrills that kept on being released, long after the first installment… All of that and more can be enjoyed in this ultimate collection.
It comes with eight different Friday The 13th, allowing fans to watch their favorites, compare the varying stories and/or settle in for a long but exciting marathon.
Alfred Hitchcock: The Essentials Collection
Alfred Hitchcock is a legend, especially when it comes to this genre; he directed some of the most beloved thriller and horror films, and the most popular ones can all be purchased through this essential collection.
There are five stories here: Psycho (with Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates and Janet Leigh as Marion Crane), The Birds (with Tippi Hedren as Melanie Daniels), Rear Window (with James Stewart as L.B. “Jeff” Jefferies and Grace Kelly as Lisa Carol Fremont), Vertigo (with James Stewart as John “Scottie” Ferguson) and North by Northwest (with Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill).
Halloween
Another one of those classic villains is Michael Myers from Halloween. This John Carpenter movie starred Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and this was her debut role. Now, she is considered a true scream queen, thanks to this story with Dr. Loomis, in Haddonfield, Illinois, with little Kyle Richards and with so many iconic scenes.
There have been many more installments to this franchise over the years, with more to come, but the first one, from the year 1978, is one to own for sure.
The Nightmare on Elm Street Collection
And, of course, there is Freddy Krueger, the bad guy in A Nightmare on Elm Street. He has that striped sweater and brown hat, he has razors for fingers, and he gets to people when they are asleep.
This eight-pack box set includes stories from this franchise that span from 1984 to 2003: A Nightmare on Elm Street, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare and Freddy Vs. Jason.
Scream / Scream 2 / Scream 3
Wes Craven directed Scream, which starred Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, and over the years, three more films were added to this story. This box set includes the first three parts, which feature actors and actresses like Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Drew Barrymore, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Liev Schreiber and which all feature Ghostface, the hooded and masked figure who wreaks havoc in Woodsboro.
This is another great collection for fans to own since it comes with several entertaining and iconic movies!
Saw 1-7 Movie Collection
Another popular franchise is the one that began in 2004, with Saw. These movies are about Jigsaw putting people into scary situations, in order to test them and teach them a lesson.
These films were released every October, right before Halloween, which was very fitting. The seventh installment, Saw 3D, was said to be the last, but Jigsaw came out in 2017. The traps, the games, Billy the puppet on his trike, the soundtrack… All of that and more can be enjoyed in this seven-movie collection.
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Horror
TCM is another brand that is known for its legendary films, and this collection is full of classic horror stories. There is House of Wax from 1953, which stars Vincent Price. There is The Haunting from 1963, which was the first screen version of The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
There is Freaks, about sideshow performers and from the year 1932. And there is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a popular tale by Robert Louis Stevenson, which stars Spencer Tracy and came out in 1941.
Hannibal Lecter Triple Feature
Everyone knows Hannibal Lecter, and this next DVD suggestion is a triple feature all about him! First up is The Silence of the Lambs, about FBI trainee Clarice Starling and Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who was a cannibalistic serial killer but who also helped the FBI while locked up.
Their story continued in Hannibal, which came out in 2001. There was also Manhunter, which was about a former FBI agent who was a profiler and who was named Will Graham. Starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, these are some true horror classics.
Triple Terror Collection
And, of course, a DVD collection surrounding Stephen King has to be included here. He is the, well, king of this genre, and three of his most well-known stories can be owned here and now: IT, about a clown that can turn into everyone’s deepest and darkest fears; The Shining, about what goes wrong after Jack Torrance and his family move into the Overlook Hotel; and Salem's Lot, about a journalist who goes back to his hometown, due to strange memories that have haunted him.
This is another item that fans of this author and of this genre must have!
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