1990s Horror

The 1990s were marred by a recession of ideas headed by a series of failed sequels and dying franchises. The proliferation of sanguinary pics that flooded the shelves of video stores in the 80s crossed with a young audience spoiled by advancements in computer-generated effects resulted in horror losing its place as a juggernaut at the box office. In an effort to reconnect with audiences, filmmakers resorted to a self-reflexive style of storytelling (Wes Craven’s New Nightmare), often to the point of parody (Dead Alive). Thus, Neve Campbell in Scream says of horror films, “they're all the same, some stupid killer stalking some big-breasted girl who can't act who is always running up the stairs when she should be running out the front door,” just before she herself flees up the steps. More straight-ahead attempts at horror throughout the decade dwelled more within the realm of thriller than terror. Still, while the voice of horror seemed to want to utter, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” (my favorite 90s catch phrase), a few titles did manage to fear and delight. Here’s a list of what I feel was the best horror had to offer in the 1990s.

1. The Blair Witch Project
2. The Silence of the Lambs
3. Scream
4. Candyman
5. The Sixth Sense
6. Kalifornia
7. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare
8. Dead Alive
9. Seven
10. In the Mouth of Madness