“Public Domain Horror Movies” provide an interesting and often times eerie look into the development of the horror genre. These films are open for anybody to watch and have made a massive influence in the given genre and have inspired many filmmakers and engaged viewers with their powerful and timeless stories alongside marvelous techniques.
**10 Public Domain Horror Movies**
Table of Contents
1. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” is one of the best Public Domain Horror Movies. Some people get together with a bunch of strange characters and run to an old abandoned house because the Walking Dead begins to rise from the grave to look for more people to eat.
It was a much darker take on horror than had been seen in other movies of the same genre. Though the film “Night of the Living Dead” had a low budget which was produced in 1968 it received tremendous accolades and was a box office hit and is one of the all-time great horror classics.
2. Nosferatu (1922)
“Nosferatu”, one of the public domain horror movies, is a German Expressionist film produced in 1922 by F. W. Murnau and based on the novel “Dracula” by Bram Stoker. This silent film is about a vampire Count Orlok, who dwells in a castle in Germany and fills a small town with evil.
Count Orlok played by Max Schreck is always great and creates horror so big that “Nosferatu” is now considered to be one of the greatest vampire movies ever made. Such films’ dark cinematography and suspense have earned a permanent place for them in the tradition of horror cinema.
3. Carnival of Souls (1962)
“Carnival of Souls” is a cult classic and was directed by Herk Harvey, A recent survivor of a car accident, the lady becomes mysteriously attracted to an abandoned carnival. Thus the movie gives a powerful feeling of confusion between reality and fantasy which makes the movie thrilling and mysterious.
At first, ‘Carnival of Souls’ was left forgotten, but the film development process and the unique feature of its plot and stellar acting made the picture rather popular among critics as well as viewers who appreciated its psychological aspect and impressive scenes.
Trending Movie: The Nature Of Love
4. Dementia 13 (1963)
Another film by Francis Ford Coppola that is worth mentioning is ‘’Dementia 13’’ – a psychological thriller shot in an eerie, gloomy family mansion. This is a movie that revolves around a woman who is struggling to conceal her husband’s death as disturbing incidents occur.
The movie “Dementia 13” reveals the director’s budding talent with interest in horror movies through the fine direction and suspense applied in the movie.
5. Horror Express (1972)
“Horror Express” featuring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing takes place on the Trans-Siberian Express and has the passengers running for their lives from a killer prehistoric creature. It fuses science fiction and supernatural horror as the chief plot mixing factors and although the overall story is quite imaginative and original, the individual elements of the plot could have been developed much more effectively.
The situation in “Horror Express” is set in a closed environment of a train and this regeneration contributes to the production of tension and oppressiveness of the movie, making Horror Express a hallmark in horror films.
6. The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Lon Chaney plays the role of the deformed Phantom in the film “The Phantom of the Opera.” Chaney remains one of the most memorable figures in horror film history, especially due to the peculiar appearance of his character.
The film has well-curated scenes and drama that have placed it among the most copied films ever, and in essence, has become a reference in film history.
7. The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
Another film by Roger Corman is ‘’The Little Shop of Horrors’’ which is a horror comedy film. It narrates the life of a clumsy florist who grows a plant that eats human blood.
This movie has become popular due to its unique plot and interesting characters. It left a legacy of a famous stage musical and a popular 1986 film adaptation which further proves and shows its impact.
8. The House on Haunted Hill (1959)
In “The House on Haunted Hill” Vincent Price is a millionaire who invites numerous guests into his creepy house for $ 10,000 for those who will agree to stay a night in the house peacefully.
Despite the entertaining plot, Price’s charismatic performance takes the picture to the realm of great haunted house movies. The blend of suspense, horror, and camp made this movie iconic and its unique script influences contemporary haunted house stories.
9. Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)
Starting with a brief about the background to the film, “Plan 9 from Outer Space” is another Ed Wood’s science fiction/ horror film, where the aliens attempt to prevent the humans from creating a destructive weapon by resurrecting the dead.
The movie’s surreal storyline and extremely limited funding result in it becoming a cult movie. Despite being referred to as the worst film ever made, when watched, audiences can enjoy a hilariously poor film with no pretensions.
10. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (1962)
A man tries to revive his fiancee’s decapitated head and look for a new body to attach it to it; the film is called “The Brain That Wouldn’t Die”.
The film delves into the mad scientist trope, featuring gruesome and shocking scenes that push the boundaries of its time. Known for its graphic content, it remains a fascinating piece of sci-fi horror history, exploring themes of identity and body horror.
Conclusion
Public Domain Horror Movies give you a glimpse into the beginnings of the genre. These films, from the greatest hits of all time to mind-bending horror flicks, still affect viewers to the point of horror. Thus, by watching these films, the audience will be able to see how this kind of movie has developed and how these cinematic masterpieces remain popular to this day.