It is no secret that the best horror films stay with us, shaking the very foundations of our understanding of reality and the human experience. However, what is even more fascinating is their power to shape and influence society outside of the movie theatre. Some of the most impactful horror movies in history have transformed modern culture by shaping the social discourse and challenging our longstanding cultural beliefs, and their impact has been immensely powerful over time. In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the horror films that influenced society outside of cinema, and ultimately changed our world forever!
1. The Exorcist (1973)
Arguably the most iconic horror film of all time, The Exorcist had a dramatic impact on every single person who sat down to watch it. When this chilling film hit cinemas back in 1973, it led to a widespread moral panic and even received a response from the Catholic Church, thanks to its utterly terrifying depiction of demonic possession and exorcism. It marked the first time in history that a movie was able to cause mass hysteria around the world, and led to a highly charged and polarized debate about how far horror films should be allowed to go. Its depiction of fraught familial relationships also transformed public debates about psychology and mental health at the time of its release, thanks to the layered and more philosophical elements of the plot. At over 50 years old, The Exorcist lives on as one of the most controversial, petrifying moments in the history of cinema - if you haven’t seen this one before, we highly recommend watching it at least once to understand what all the fuss was about.
2. The Shining (1980)
When it comes to the overwhelming world of entertainment, sifting through the options to find the best online casino bonus or the perfect TV show can be a momentous task. Luckily, for fans of horror films, there are a few standout classics which are a cut above the rest. The Shining is one of those must-see films which offers something for everyone, and its impact on art, fashion and popular culture demonstrates the incredible impact of this absolutely classic movie. Stanley Kubrick’s disturbing and dramatic 1980 adaptation of the equally chilling Stephen King novel is a masterclass in psychological horror, and it has influenced almost every single horror film that came after it, thanks to its genre-defining use of trippy visuals and confusing narrative frameworks. The Shining marked a momentous moment for the horror genre, as it asserted itself as a form of high art, demonstrating that this thrilling style of cinema can also be sophisticated, cerebral and visually powerful. Its legacy is visible across modern cinema, and its classic scenes have been referenced in everything from Toy Story to The Simpsons.
3. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Even the most horror-averse cinephiles will know about The Blair Witch Project, as this revolutionary film represented an iconic, ground-breaking moment for global movie production. This ‘found footage’ pseudo-documentary is famous for blurring the lines between fiction and reality, with its use of shaky handheld camera footage creating an immersive and authentic viewing experience that feels truly real and utterly terrifying. The filmmakers also used early viral marketing techniques to enhance the authentic feel of the fictitious events, with missing persons posters and fake news reports used to generate hype before its release. When the film hit cinemas back in 1999, The Blair Witch Project changed modern cinema forever, by demonstrating the uniquely chilling effects of the found-footage technique. Its influence can be seen in films that use improvisation, handheld cameras and the mockumentary model to force viewers to believe the impossible and question reality. If you haven’t seen it before, brace yourself – this film is a stone-cold classic, which exposes the blurry lines between fact and fiction in modern media today.
4. Get Out (2017)
The psychological horror film that got everybody talking, 2017’s Get Out, stayed with its viewers long after they left the cinema. Jordan Peele’s directorial debut made waves around the world with its disturbing juxtaposition of horror and satire, making its audience confront challenging conversations about race relations in America and beyond. Get Out has arguably earned its place as one of the most talked-about and influential movies of the 21st century, thanks to its thought-provoking social commentary, and its masterfully terrifying use of the tropes of the horror genre. Its release rapidly sparked vital conversations around the world about racism in modern society, and the film won Best Original Screenplay at the 2018 Academy Awards, demonstrating its massive influence on the wider world outside the movie theatres. Get Out is undoubtedly a modern classic, and its enormous societal impact has deservedly lasted long after the credits rolled.
5. Midsommar (2019)
Directed by Ari Aster (who was also behind the chilling 2018 film Hereditary), Midsommar represented a highly influential moment for modern horror. This hugely popular addition to the genre transformed our understanding of what scary films can look like – in this case, the gory and horrifying events take place in broad daylight amongst flowers, pretty dresses and pastoral scenes. This bizarre and disturbing use of setting made Midsommar an instant classic, and its impact can be seen throughout the growing use of folklore motifs across modern popular culture today. Florence Pugh’s iconic performance as Dani led to the creation of endless online memes, and also sparked countless academic discussions about relationships, feminist theory and grief. This fantastic film undoubtedly made a lasting impression on modern social discourse, and clearly influenced the cultural world far beyond the cinema screen.
Ultimately, this is just a selection of the many revolutionary horror films out there today. This dramatic and unsettling genre clearly has the power to impact our society and shake us to the very core. Its scope knows no limits, and the horror films of the future are bound to be even more influential – we can’t wait for the next ground-breaking horrors to arrive!
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It is no secret that the best horror films stay with us, shaking the very foundations of our understanding of reality and the human experience. However, what is even more fascinating is their power to shape and influence society outside of the movie theatre. Some of the most impactful horror movies in history have transformed modern culture by shaping the social discourse and challenging our longstanding cultural beliefs, and their impact has been immensely powerful over time. In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the horror films that influenced society outside of cinema, and ultimately changed our world forever!
1. The Exorcist (1973)
Arguably the most iconic horror film of all time, The Exorcist had a dramatic impact on every single person who sat down to watch it. When this chilling film hit cinemas back in 1973, it led to a widespread moral panic and even received a response from the Catholic Church, thanks to its utterly terrifying depiction of demonic possession and exorcism. It marked the first time in history that a movie was able to cause mass hysteria around the world, and led to a highly charged and polarized debate about how far horror films should be allowed to go. Its depiction of fraught familial relationships also transformed public debates about psychology and mental health at the time of its release, thanks to the layered and more philosophical elements of the plot. At over 50 years old, The Exorcist lives on as one of the most controversial, petrifying moments in the history of cinema - if you haven’t seen this one before, we highly recommend watching it at least once to understand what all the fuss was about.
2. The Shining (1980)
When it comes to the overwhelming world of entertainment, sifting through the options to find the best online casino bonus or the perfect TV show can be a momentous task. Luckily, for fans of horror films, there are a few standout classics which are a cut above the rest. The Shining is one of those must-see films which offers something for everyone, and its impact on art, fashion and popular culture demonstrates the incredible impact of this absolutely classic movie. Stanley Kubrick’s disturbing and dramatic 1980 adaptation of the equally chilling Stephen King novel is a masterclass in psychological horror, and it has influenced almost every single horror film that came after it, thanks to its genre-defining use of trippy visuals and confusing narrative frameworks. The Shining marked a momentous moment for the horror genre, as it asserted itself as a form of high art, demonstrating that this thrilling style of cinema can also be sophisticated, cerebral and visually powerful. Its legacy is visible across modern cinema, and its classic scenes have been referenced in everything from Toy Story to The Simpsons.
3. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Even the most horror-averse cinephiles will know about The Blair Witch Project, as this revolutionary film represented an iconic, ground-breaking moment for global movie production. This ‘found footage’ pseudo-documentary is famous for blurring the lines between fiction and reality, with its use of shaky handheld camera footage creating an immersive and authentic viewing experience that feels truly real and utterly terrifying. The filmmakers also used early viral marketing techniques to enhance the authentic feel of the fictitious events, with missing persons posters and fake news reports used to generate hype before its release. When the film hit cinemas back in 1999, The Blair Witch Project changed modern cinema forever, by demonstrating the uniquely chilling effects of the found-footage technique. Its influence can be seen in films that use improvisation, handheld cameras and the mockumentary model to force viewers to believe the impossible and question reality. If you haven’t seen it before, brace yourself – this film is a stone-cold classic, which exposes the blurry lines between fact and fiction in modern media today.
4. Get Out (2017)
The psychological horror film that got everybody talking, 2017’s Get Out, stayed with its viewers long after they left the cinema. Jordan Peele’s directorial debut made waves around the world with its disturbing juxtaposition of horror and satire, making its audience confront challenging conversations about race relations in America and beyond. Get Out has arguably earned its place as one of the most talked-about and influential movies of the 21st century, thanks to its thought-provoking social commentary, and its masterfully terrifying use of the tropes of the horror genre. Its release rapidly sparked vital conversations around the world about racism in modern society, and the film won Best Original Screenplay at the 2018 Academy Awards, demonstrating its massive influence on the wider world outside the movie theatres. Get Out is undoubtedly a modern classic, and its enormous societal impact has deservedly lasted long after the credits rolled.
5. Midsommar (2019)
Directed by Ari Aster (who was also behind the chilling 2018 film Hereditary), Midsommar represented a highly influential moment for modern horror. This hugely popular addition to the genre transformed our understanding of what scary films can look like – in this case, the gory and horrifying events take place in broad daylight amongst flowers, pretty dresses and pastoral scenes. This bizarre and disturbing use of setting made Midsommar an instant classic, and its impact can be seen throughout the growing use of folklore motifs across modern popular culture today. Florence Pugh’s iconic performance as Dani led to the creation of endless online memes, and also sparked countless academic discussions about relationships, feminist theory and grief. This fantastic film undoubtedly made a lasting impression on modern social discourse, and clearly influenced the cultural world far beyond the cinema screen.
Ultimately, this is just a selection of the many revolutionary horror films out there today. This dramatic and unsettling genre clearly has the power to impact our society and shake us to the very core. Its scope knows no limits, and the horror films of the future are bound to be even more influential – we can’t wait for the next ground-breaking horrors to arrive!