IT (2017)
Just in time to gear up for all the fall horror fixtures, Shudder is closing out the summer with a bang. Following a strong run of impressive documentary series—from Cursed Films to 100 Scariest Movie Moments—Shudder’s latest installment, Horror’s Greatest: Movies to Die For, continues this trend. This hand-curated collection dives into different subgenres within horror that we all love, from Japanese horror to werewolf films, Stephen King adaptations to forgotten horror-comedy classics. Here are our thoughts on the five episodes, each offering something for every horror fan.
House on Haunted Hill (1959)
S1 E1: Troupes and Clichés
The first episode revisits familiar territory with critics and filmmakers from previous Shudder series dissecting some of the most common tropes in horror. You know them, you love them, and this episode does a great job introducing them to new audiences. A fun surprise: realizing that murderous rednecks have evolved into their own subgenre. This episode has something for everyone.
Kong : Skull Island (2017)
S1 E2: Giant Monsters
We were thrilled with the second episode focusing on giant monsters. From Kaijus like Godzilla and King Kong to classics like Them! and The Blob, this episode celebrates the impact of these creatures on horror history. While we wished for a mention of figures like William Castle, who contributed to the post-nuke era of fear, the episode still shines. Notably, the works of Stephen King become a recurring theme, starting here with The Mist, a standout monster film. However, we missed seeing some of the more feral monsters like wolves, bears, or even more dogs beyond Cujo. Despite these omissions, it’s a solid episode with just a few missed opportunities.
Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
S1 E3: Japanese Horror
Episode three, focused on Japanese horror—or "J-horror"—had a wealth of material to cover. Given J-horror's deep impact on the genre, it might have made sense to broaden the scope to include all of Southeast Asia. Hopefully, a future season will explore Korean horror, which is just as influential. While J-horror lives on through American remakes, this episode still delivers, especially with highlights from Audition, behind-the-scenes clips of Takashi Miike, and nods to Battle Royale. Overall, a great episode.
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
S1 E4: Horror Comedies
Horror comedies were one of the season’s surprises but also one of our least favorites. The episode felt scattered, covering a wide range of films with varying definitions of "funny." The most surprising aspect wasn’t the attention to films like Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein but rather the omission of parodies like Scary Movie. Instead, we got glimpses of films like What We Do in the Shadows. The episode wavers between classic, retro, and modern-day films, leaving us wondering if the omissions were due to rights issues or if Shudder is saving material for a potential second season. We hope it’s the latter.
Misery (1990)
S1 E5: Stephen King Adaptations
By the third episode, you can’t help but notice the heavy presence of Stephen King. It’s understandable, given his influence, that the season finale focuses on his book-to-film adaptations. Whether good or bad, they cover a wide range of his work. With King’s son, Joe Hill, involved in the project, we get insightful takes on his father’s work. While much of the content is familiar—King’s disdain for The Shining or the broad appeal of The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption—it’s still an engaging episode. It leaves us hoping the series will spotlight other prolific writers and filmmakers in the future.
Overall, Horror’s Greatest is another stellar addition to Shudder’s lineup, perfect for a weekend binge. While there were some notable omissions, the series excels at showcasing the best of the genre, offering both education and entertainment for new horror fans. Here’s hoping for a season two with themes like Italian or French horror, zombie films, home invasions, alien abduction, or deep dives into filmmakers like Joe Dante, Tom Holland, John Carpenter, Mario Bava, or Dario Argento.
4/5
HORROR’S GREATEST
PREMIERING AUGUST 27
Featuring Interviews with David Dastmalchian, Joe Hill, Tom Holland, Jenn Wexler, Dewayne Perkins, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Alex Winter, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Tananarive Due, Swanthula and Dracmorda Boulet, and More!
Comments