3 Must-Watch Horror Anthology Movies With No Weak Links

Horror movie anthologies have grown in popularity for a good reason, and here are three films where each story is a banger. The best horror anthology movies are like variety packs where each short works on its own merits, often dipping into different subgenres.

Some classic anthologies include Mario Bava’s chilling Black Sabbath or British chiller Tales from the Crypt (1972). While there used to be a belief amongst producers that audiences don’t like anthologies, the last decade has proven that old adage wrong.

The V/H/S movie franchise has become an annual tradition amongst horror fans, while 2019’s The Mortuary Collection or the ABCs of Death collections have also been well-received. Invariably, horror anthologies have one or two sections that don’t fully click with audiences, but there are many where each short is a genuine chiller.

Dead Of Night (1945)

One of the granddaddies of the horror anthology format, the British classic Dead of Night still holds the power to unnerve. It follows the formula of the genre to a T, featuring multiple tales like “The Hearse Driver” or “The Christmas Party,” with each section having its own director. It also comes with a wraparound storyline,

“The Ventriloquist’s Dummy” is easily the most famous part (and rightly so), but each story has chills of its own. It’s a perfect example of what old-school British horror can do; it’s all about mood and implication, instead of jump scares and splatter. That said, newcomers should expect a couple of genuine shocks too.

Creepshow (1982)

There are many Stephen King movie anthologies, from Cat’s Eye to Tales from the Darkside: The Movie. However, Creepshow is the best of the bunch and a textbook example of how to make one. This saw King team up with horror icon George A. Romero to pay feature length tribute to the gory EC comics they grew up on.

In addition to writing Creepshow’s screenplay, Stephen King also played the doomed title character in “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill.”

Romero infuses Creepshow with wild, colorful energy, but it’s often genuinely frightening too. Each section is a gem, with the disturbing “Something to Tide You Over” arguably being the highlight. Audiences get value for money too, as it features five creepy tales and a fun framing device.

Trick ‘R Treat (2009)

A movie that was famously delayed for years and finally dumped in 2009, Trick ‘r Treat has nevertheless found itself on heavy rotation around the spooky season ever since. This Michael Dougherty-helmed anthology follows various monsters on Halloween night; some of them are straight-up demonic, and others are all too human.

Like Creepshow, Trick ‘r Treat finds that sweet spot between laughs and horror, and they never cancel each other out. It’s best to experience the film without spoilers, but it’s an anthology where even the framing story is fantastic. This horror anthology is tight as a drum too, wrapping up before the 80-minute mark.