When it comes to iconic horror films, there are a number of natural and supernatural threats a host of characters might come into contact with. From maniacs in masks to zombie hordes, the genre has no shortage of monsters and mayhem. But as much as we enjoy original creations, sometimes we need look no farther than our own culture for cinematic scares.
Though they aren't as common in the genre as we would like, horror films based in folklore and mythology can be just as scary as the monsters of the mind. Here we'll look at some of these terrifying titles that take inspiration from legends, lore, and history.
Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages
You don't need sound or color for a serious scare factor and Haxan proves it to a T. This slice of the silent era as more than enough monsters, witches, and graphic imagery that the MPAA would deem positively horrific. With demonic orgies, satanic rites, and wicked rituals, we're shocked this actually made it out to 1929 audiences.
The film itself has no definite plot, but it's a series of sequences and vignettes depicting witchcraft, demonology, and a slew of frightening images. The visuals and sayings draw inspiration from European customs and folklore regarding witches and warlocks. Talk about your old black magic.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
This magnificent monsterpiece by legendary director Guillermo del Toro takes the myth of the tooth fairy and turns it into something straight out of a nightmare. Del Toro's fairies don't have wings and magic wands, they prefer sharp teeth and metal instruments to pursue their prey.
In many cultures, fairies and fae can be beguiling and benevolent but they can also be mischievous and malicious as well. The little creatures in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark definitely have more in common with fairies of ancient lore then they do with someone like Tinkerbell. They're getting back to their roots in more ways than one.
Urban Legend
Urban Legend is a slasher film that takes a more modern approach to legends and lore. Though there are no creatures of the night in this teen-scream, the plot itself pays tribute to several famous urban legends that have been in our culture since the 1940s.
Anyone who's ever heard a classic campfire story will be able to identify several key elements the killer uses in his crimes. Things like a stranger in the backseat of a moving car, Bloody Mary, and a Hatchet-Man are all part of the slasher's MO. It's not the most conventional method, but it's one we can appreciate.
The Mothman Prophecies
Based on the book of the same name, The Mothman Prophecies draws its monstrous inspirations from the cryptozoological phenomenon that plagued the citizens of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Since 1966, the Mothman has been regarded as an omen of ill-fortune long before this film ever hit theaters.
Along with the likes of Bigfoot and the Jersey Devil, the Mothman sightings are definitely worthy of the term legend. Whether they are speculation or science fiction is anyone's guess. Is there really something that lives near the Point Pleasant Bridge, or is it a matter of wrong place and wrong time?
The Wicker Man
Both a horror classic and one of the most terrifying films in Christopher Lee's career, The Wicker Man takes the themes of Witchcraft and magick and blends them beautifully with ancient Pagan beliefs to create one of the scariest films ever put to the silver screen. When a young girl goes missing on a mysterious island, it's up to a religious inspector to find her before she's used for a cult ritual.
Similar to Haxan, The Wicker Man calls forth the ancient spirits of European folklore to bring the horrors of ancient magic to life. Every horror buff knows about the infamous burning in the final act, and surprisingly it draws from real ancient sacrificial practices.
Krampus
Definitely a more stylized treatment of a mythological figure, Krampus takes the myth of the Christmas demon and turns it into a horror-comedy that could stand alongside Gremlins and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Thanks to this film by director Michael Dougherty, Krampus has come out of the dark ages and into the modern era.
Krampus has everything its traditional inspiration has and more. From the long goat horns to the serpentine tongue, the shadow of Saint Nicholas is a naughty kid's nightmare. He's a merry monster that gives new meaning to the term "you better watch out."
Trick r' Treat
Of course, we can't talk about Michael Doughtery without talking about his claim to cult film fame, Trick r' Treat. Drawing from the darker side of the Halloween holiday, this film is a love letter to the celebration, complete with vampires, werewolves, zombies, and lots and lots of jack-o'-lanterns.
The film uses its traditions (and Samhain-worship) as a driving force to establish the rules of its world. Stealing treats from other kids? You get axed by a serial killer next door. Don't hand out candy? Get a visit from a zombie trick or treater. And Heaven help you if you blow out a Jack-o-Lantern before midnight...
Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark
Once again we are visited by the genius of Guillermo del Toro with this representation of one of the most iconic horror book series ever. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is what Urban Legend would have been if it went all the way with its inspiration. The stories might be old, but the scares are fresh and juicy.
Anyone who's read the books knows that the stories come from folklore, urban legends, and all those spooky tales we've heard at summer camp. Throw that in with a good old-fashioned haunted house story, and you've got this macabre masterpiece.
The Witch
This slow-burn scarefest essentially gets its entire narrative from an eclectic blend of various witch-related folk stories and legends from primitive America. Combining both European and American Puritan beliefs, this terrifying account of a witch in the woods is by no means a fairy tale.
From the imagery of goats, broomsticks, and witch's familiars, this film creates a frightening and isolated world where what you don't know can, in fact, kill you. Whether it's fear of an elderly conjurer a simple fear of the unknown, this film definitely has an unmistakably evil essence.
Sleepy Hollow
How can we have a list of folklore-based horror films without talking about the most iconic and well-known ghost story ever put the paper, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? Although the Disney animation of the story is arguably the most book-accurate, it's this version from visionary director Tim Burton that earns our top spot.
Sleepy Hollow has been compared to a classic Hammer Horror film with its use of ghosts, witches, and gothic imagery. Though it lacks certain elements from Washington Irving's original book, its interpretation of the Headless Horseman is one modern specter wish they could be.