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Best Horror Anthology films ever made (10+1list)

Best Horror Anthology films ever made

written by Souranath Banerjee

Horror Anthology films are always a treat for the horror-genre fans!

For those who are new to the term ‘Anthology’ – an anthology film Horror-Anthology(also known as an omnibus film, package film, or portmanteau film) generally consists of several short films mostly linked by a common theme, premise or genre; can be made either by different directors for each segment or can entirely be the work of one single director.

And the most common Anthology film category is undoubtedly the ‘Horror’ genre. Numerous short horror films are produced from all over the world and they add up to such perfect anthology films!

And so, here is the collection of the Best Horror Anthology films ever made!

Feel free to be scared!

10. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTOHbEOLcCU

Horror-AnthologyThe backdrop being Halloween, five stories are seamlessly interwoven together into one devilishly scary movie!

Written and directed by Michael Dougherty, these tiny horror tales are all located around the same locality and occurs at the same night!

A cool and sleek horror flick that guarantees a superb Halloween experience for the entire family!

9. V/H/S (2012)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmLh4NUu6E4

Horror-AnthologyA team of petty burglars come across a collection of weird VHS tapes that eventually scared the hell out of them!

Typically based on the popular found-footage film-format (similar to The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield), this movie debuted at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Total 6 short films made by the directors – Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, David BrucknerTyler GillettJustin MartinezGlenn McQuaidRadio Silence, Joe SwanbergChad VillellaTi West and Adam Wingard.

Because of the film’s popularity two other installments of the V/H/S franchise were produced V/H/S/2 (2013), V/H/S Viral (2014) and also a spin-off called SiREN (2016)

8. Tales from the Crypt (1972)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3FpZEkaIS4

Horror-AnthologyFive strangers following a guide get lost inside a catacomb, soon trapped in a crypt meet the mysterious Crypt Keeper.

And finally the keeper tells them five stories and the tales are of the visions of how each of them will meet their death!

Directed by Freddie Francis, macabre, blood and gore, a very well executed movie – scary yet strict with justice and morals!

7. Cat’s Eye (1985)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqzTazrYx5M

Horror-AnthologyVery rarely are the horror suspense genre so well complemented by superb dark humor!

Directed by Lewis Teague and screenplay by none other than Stephen King, three thrilling stories, both scary and fun, all cleverly linked by a stray cat.

James Woods, Alan King and a young Drew Barrymore – superb performances and very much entertaining!

Another Stephen King written anthology to check out – Stephen King’s Golden Tales (1985).

6. Black Sabbath (1963)

I tre volti della paura (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvqT1D7qvrc

Horror-Anthology

Stories adopted from the works of Anton ChekhovAleksei Tolstoy and Guy de Maupassant, and perfectly executed into a frightening short films.

Hosted by acclaimed Boris Karloff (of Frankenstein fame) who also acted in one segment as a vampire; and directed by the Italian master of horror Mario Bava, this trio of scary tales are certainly a must for all horror anthology fans!

5. Tales of Terror (1962)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCB6IexwwtA

Horror-AnthologyBased on the work of Edgar Allan Poe, Morella, The Black Cat and The Case of M. Valdemar – the three unique horror stories that turned into fine examples of cinema.

Directed by Roger Corman, the films are scary with a potent doze of comedy in them.

Atmospheric and eerie, and great performances by Vincent PriceBasil Rathbone and Peter Lorre.

4. Dead of Night (1945)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UCJz617E8s

Horror-AnthologyA man stuck in his recurring nightmare as the characters in his dream narrates their own individual horror experiences!

Directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles CrichtonBasil Dearden and Robert Hamer.

This British movie is often regarded as the Best Horror Anthology film that has managed to stay scary enough through the test of time!

3. Kwaidan (1964)

Kaidan (original title)

film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG5mvupo9Wc

Horror-Anthology

A classic collection of Japanese folk tales – slow and visually beautiful, this movie consists of four separate and unrelated stories all based on supernatural elements.

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi – this is certainly the most popular Japanese Horror classic that won the ‘Special jury prize’ at 1965 Cannes Film Festival and also an Academy Award nomination!

2. Creepshow (1982)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owdnnaNs2RI

Horror-AnthologyBased on the E.C. horror comic books of the 1950s, this film narrates five gruesome tales of pure horror and terror!

Directed by none other than the acclaimed horror director George A. Romero, and screenplay by Stephen King – what a combo!

With lot of blood, violence and gory special effects, this movie is a pure ecstasy for every horror fan out there! 

The film’s popularity soon gave birth to Creepshow 2 (1987)

  1. Three… Extremes (2004)

Saam gaang yi (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqQHi1GYXpY

Horror-AnthologyDumplings“, “Cut” and “Box“, three individual South Korean horror films clubbed together into an anthology, directed by Fruit Chan, Takashi Miike and Chan-wook Park.

Not only they are horrifying and disturbing, they also have this amazing creep factor that makes them score ahead of any other films in this list. My personal favorite is Dumplings though it makes me sick every time I watch it!

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. Spirits of the Dead (1968)

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FJuSlLlmSk

Horror-AnthologyMetzengerstein, William Wilson and Toby Dammit, three Edgar Allan Poe stories narrated by acclaimed directors such as Roger VadimLouis Malle and Federico Fellini!

Starring an array of favorite actors Jane Fonda, Peter FondaBrigitte Bardot, Alain Delon and Terence Stamp – not entirely horror based but still pretty disturbing for sure. 

Obviously Fellini’s segment, the last one is the best!

A few other anthologies apart from the list: Twice-Told Tales (1963), Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965), Torture Garden (1967), The House That Dripped Blood (1971), Asylum (1972), The Vault of Horror (1973), From Beyond the Grave (1974), Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), From a Whisper to a Scream (1987), Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990), Two Evil Eyes (1990), Body Bags (1993), Darna Mana Hai (2003), 4bia (2008), Phobia 2 (2009), The Theatre Bizarre (2011), Horror Stories (2012), The ABCs of Death (2012), Southbound (2015), Holidays (2016), XX (2017), Galaxy of Horrors (2017).

Animated Horror Anthologies: Extraordinary Tales (2015), Fear(s) of the Dark (2007).

Similar Interest: Best Japanese Horror Films

Similar Interest: Best Horror Comedies

Similar Interest: Best Horror Films of recent times

Similar Interest: Best Asian Horror Films

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com.

Best Asian Horror Films (10+1list)

Best Asian Horror Films

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Asian Horror Films: One time a good friend of mine who claimed (probably still claims) to be a horror junky casually told me that she didn’t feel a bit scared while watching the much anticipated ‘the no. 1 film’ of today’s list!

I was surprised and curious but then she confessed, that actually she was watching the film on her Ipad without headphones, while traveling on a bus on her way to office, and that too in the early morning!

Now to really enjoy a good horror film and to get the desired kick out of it, one must follow the three simple rules while watching 1. preferably watch it alone in a dark/semi-dark room 2. with headphones or make sure there is no external sound disturbance and 3. absolute concentration.

I hope you will watch all the horror flicks following the above rules as these are indeed the Best Asian Horror Films till date.

Boo!

10. Memento Mori (1999)

Original title Yeogo goedam II

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYDOS73D-aU

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsA South Korean horror film directed by Tae-yong Kim and Kyu-dong Min.

A girl reads a mysterious dairy of her two senior fellow-students who seem to have an unusually close bond.

Supposed to be the second installment of the Whispering Corridors (1998) but it’s definitely a much better version. 

9. Rigor Mortis (2013)

original title Geung si

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd-GUUREFB8

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsThe dead are not allowed to die in a public housing tower!

A disturbing horror flick from Hong Kong that takes the vampire/zombie concept to a totally different realm.

Directed by Juno Mak, this is one film that stands out specially for it’s amazing visual effects among all other Asian horror movies released in the recent years.

8. Feng shui (2004)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWVd8rA1OMs

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsA Filipino horror film that revolves around a cursed Bagua mirror and whenever a person stares at it dies!

This is the story of how a wife desperately tries to save her family from the curse of this “bagwa” bound to them.

Directed by Chito S. Roño, this is one creepy film that really deserves to be in the list.

7. 4bia (2008)

Original title See prang

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy5YsWGYRoA

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsA of four short films directed by Banjong PisanthanakunPaween PurikitpanyaYongyoot Thongkongtoon and Parkpoom Wongpoom.

Each film has their own unique ability to scare you out of your wits and if you seem to be not getting enough, then make sure to watch Phobia 2, the second horror anthology following this one!

6. The Eye (2002)

Original title Gin gwai

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoA6dxLeWFo

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsThe story of a blind girl who after a successful cornea transplant can finally see, but then she realizes that she has the power to see the unseen as well!

Directed by Danny Pang and Oxide Chun Pang (as Pang Brothers), a terrifying Hong Kong-Singaporean horror film that boasts of superb editing and a chilling background score.  A must watch for the horror fans.

5. Three… Extremes (2004)

Original Title Saam gaang yi

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-lnf01j7kw

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsDumplings“, “Cut” and “Box“, three individual South Korean horror films clubbed together and rightly named as the ‘Three… Extremes’

Not only they are horrifying and disturbing, they also have this amazing creep factor that makes them score ahead of any other films in this genre.

My personal favorite is Dumplings though it makes me sick each time i watch it.

4. Ring (1998)

Original title Ringu

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Z-MOqAvtY

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsDon’t you dare watch it because if you cannot solve the mystery of this scary video – you have probably enlisted in the future dead list!

Directed by Hideo Nakata this film has bunch of sequels and remakes but none of them scares you as much as the original Japanese version.  

A terrifying film – I guess the poster says it all!

3. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anF5XiN8QY8

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsAs the title suggests, it’s the story of two sisters who returns home from the mental institution and desperately struggles to cope up with their lives.

A superbly intense film by Kim Jee-woon – suspense, horror or simply a nail-biting thriller, this one serves all your cravings.

This South Korean horror film will creep you out for sure.

2. The Grudge (2002)

Original title Ju-on

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVbWpwkCJRg

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsDirected by Takashi Shimizu who also directed the american version of the same The Grudge (2004), this unique film tells the story of a haunted house and a spirit with vengeance! 

Endless number of sequels and remakes made, this film is probably the most successful and scary Japanese Horror Film and it ended up scaring people from all around the world!

  1. Shutter (2004)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwy8QSQliGk

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsDirected by Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom – a Thai horror film takes the first spot!

A photographer notices peculiar shadows in his snapshots, and while trying to solve the mystery along with his girlfriend, he gets haunted by something/someone related to his past.

And no one can escape their past – can they?

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most disturbing one. A must watch)

+1. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)

Original title Loong Boonmee raleuk chat

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlPRe9peigI

Best-Asian-Horror-FilmsA Thai horror film directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul who won the Palme d’Or at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival!

 

Instead of being high on the fear-quificient, the film has more of a slow, creepy and philosophical touch that stays on with you much longer than expected.

A unique horror film that is more of a dream, a complete contrast to all those films with their quick snappy edit moments and music jumps to make you feel scared.

Similar Interest: Best Japanese Horror Films

Similar Interest: Horror Anthology films

Similar Interest: Best Horror Comedies

Similar Interest: Best Horror Films of recent times

Similar Interest: Best Japanese weird films

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comwww.fanpop.comwww.best-horror-movies.com