Prop knives. Fake blood. Pounds and pounds of latex. These are examples of key ingredients used in the making of horror films. It’s not all chaos and carnage. Creating a good horror film full of effective scares requires organization, planning, and perfect timing. From the actors to the gore, every element must come together in ways that move the audience. Making horror movies, it turns out, is hard work.
While some of the documentaries on this list highlight overlooked horror movies, others dig deep into behind-the-scenes facts about some beloved titles. They all prove that memorable and lasting genre gems require impressive special effects, a dedicated crew, and intimidating adversaries.
Nightmares in Red, White, and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film (2009)
Based on the book by Joseph Maddrey, this documentary is devoted to the development of American horror films. Interviewing genre icons like John Carpenter and George Romero, it seeks to show the connections between American political history and the subject matter of important horror movies.
The documentary traces the various branches of American horror, from mainstream successes like Jaws to slasher favorites like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. With each decade since the rise of horror, the filmmakers link themes in movies with the tones of society at large, from the upheaval brought on by protesting racial injustice in the 1960s to the consumerism that surged under President Reagan in the 1980s.
In Search of Darkness (2019)
In Search of Darkness narrows in on an important decade in horror movies: the 1980s. Director David A. Weiner showcases his exhaustive research and knowledge of the era, supplementing his narrative with extensive interviews from well-known actors, producers, writers, and directors.
Weiner interviews people like Joe Dante, Stuart Gordon, Lloyd Kaufman, and Bill Moseley, paying tribute to the various subgenres that came into prominence during the decade. From the gross-out vibes of Troma to the slow, atmospheric pacing of the Halloween franchise, Weiner tries to be as comprehensive as possible. Even though this epic is four hours long, it never gets boring.
Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II (2015)
A love letter to Clive Barker’s 1987 Hellraiser and its 1988 follow-up Hellbound: Hellraiser II, this documentary provides a straight-forward chronology of the making of Pinhead and the Cenobites.
The Hellraiser films are known for their intense displays of torture and gore, and Barker’s artistic approach to body horror remains unparalleled. Leviathan is full of firsthand accounts from the masterful special effects artists who made the movies’ iconic scenes possible. It also includes interviews and insights from nearly everyone involved in the making of the movies, from screenwriters to actors to producers. This is a must-watch for fans of special effects in horror.
The American Nightmare (2000)
Another documentary about American horror, this one focuses specifically on the 1960s and 1970s. After the success of 1999’s The Blair Witch Project, filmmaker Adam Simon wanted to ride the mainstream’s renewed interest in horror out by releasing a documentary paying homage to early masters of the genre.
Simon’s documentary centers around important directors like George Romero, John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, and Wes Craven, whose careers all began in the decades covered by the movie. These innovative and socially conscious minds set the tone for American horror, inspiring legions of genre nerds to pick up cameras and try their hand at movie-making.
Best Worst Movie (2009)
Best Worst Movie aims its lens at a cult B-movie from 1990: Troll 2. Directed by Italian Claudio Fragasso, this English-language feature tells the story of vegetarian goblins intent upon transforming a family into plants so they can consume them. Marketed as a sequel to 1986’s Troll, Troll 2 has no plot connection to the other film, and it doesn’t even feature trolls.
A man who acted in the film as a child, Michael Stephenson, is responsible for the documentary. At first embarrassed by how badly Troll 2 turned out, Stephenson eventually came to understand how much of a following it developed over the years, inspiring him to make this movie.
Room 237 (2012)
One of the most respected and psychologically unnerving horror films of all time is Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining. Room 237 is dedicated not just to the classic horror movie but to unpacking various easter eggs believed to be spread throughout the feature.
Using fan theories and first-hand interview footage with folks obsessed with The Shining, filmmaker Rodney Ascher shows how much myth and mystery exists in the movie and in its making. While much of what the documentary discusses is speculative, it’s still a testament to the lasting impact of the Torrances on popular culture.
Horror Noire: A History Of Black Horror (2019)
This documentary is necessary watching for any horror fan. The genre is rightfully criticized for being too white and for perpetuating stereotypes about people of color by villainizing them, and Horror Noire shines a light on the black filmmakers, actors, and writers who have subverted the norms with their movies.
Through footage, interviews, and linear storytelling, this documentary traces the history of black horror, discussing both problematic and uplighting representations. Respected names in the genre like Jordan Peele, Keith David, Tony Todd, and Tananarive Due share their stories, beliefs, and opinions about contributing to a genre often overrun by white voices.
The 50 Best Horror Movies You’ve Never Seen (2014)
Any genre nerd will appreciate this survey of underappreciated and unknown movies. Instead of providing further perspectives on well-known genre classics, filmmaker Anthony Masi gives brief glimpses into some horror deep cuts.
Each film on the list is enriched through interviews with horror icons or critics. The movies chosen for the film span decades, styles, and themes. From slashers to creature features to haunted house tales, there’s something for everyone represented in the documentary.
Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010)
Video nasties is a label designated by the UK government to violent horror films that were banned in the country during the 1980s. After a campaign against these movies was brought into the limelight, Parliament passed the Video Recordings Act in 1984, which essentially censored many films.
The moral panic caused by these movies is examined in the documentary through interviews with academics and directors, as well as archival footage featuring government officials. Director Jake West shows how hyperbolic press campaigns made it possible for such draconian laws to be passed.
Wolfman’s Got Nards (2018)
Despite its silly title, this is an important documentary that pays tribute to Universal Classic Monsters by digging into the making of 1987’s comedy horror gem The Monster Squad. Directed by Fred Dekker, The Monster Squad was not a box office success, but it went on to become a cult classic.
Dekker’s movie brings vintage monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolfman, The Mummy, and The Creature From The Black Lagoon back to life, using 80s-era special effects to reimagine these ghouls from the early days of cinema.
