Choosing Horror DVDs and Blu-ray Discs
There's just something magical about watching a scary movie and being completely immersed in a world of terror, while at the same time knowing you're safe inside your own home (though you may check for Pennywise in the closet before you go to bed; we won't tell). Watching top horror movies from past and present lets you engage in one of the most fun, creepy, hilarious, and terrifying genres available, and studies have even shown that the adrenaline produced when you're scared can boost your mood; many horror fans claim that the horror movie category is great for reducing anxiety.
What Are Some Classic Movies to Consider?
Any horror fan worth his or her salt will tell you that starting with the classics is the perfect way to fall in love with horror as a whole. Not only are these movies genuinely terrifying, but the practical effects of the 70s, 80s, and 90s are still impressive to this day, and a lot more fun than CGI.
- When you're looking for vintage scares that still make you tremble with chilling storylines and creepy characters, look no further than 60s and 70s horror. Some movies in this section include gems like George Romero's zombie classic "Night of the Living Dead," "Carrie," which is based on a Stephen King book, "The Exorcist," which earned 10 Oscar nominations, or of course, "Halloween," which made Michael Myers a household name when it was released in 1978. "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is lauded as a classic that's also funny and horrifying at the same time.
- The 80s are considered the slasher genre, with monsters like Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Pinhead, and Chucky taking over the theaters. These movies are full of fake blood and practical effects that made artists like Rick Baker and Tom Savini superstars, and scared theaters full of people from ever going camping again or buying a toy doll.
- As horror progressed, the 90s gave us instant classics, like the "Scream" series with the ominously creepy mask-wearing Ghostface, the Oscar-winning "Silence of the Lambs," and "The Blair Witch Project," which started an entirely new genre in horror, combining a terrifying story with a realistic documentary feel.
What Horror Sub-Genres Can You Watch?
As with many other movies, there are about a million categories of films you can watch. Though you may recognize broad categories like slashers, there are some more specialized styles you can enjoy.
- Demon possession movies are horrifying to watch, and there are so many made that they are now considered a sub-genre. A few examples include "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," released in 2005; "The Evil Dead," released in 1981; and "The Conjuring," which came out in 2013.
- You wouldn't think combining horror and comedy would be such a win, but this sub-genre keeps the action going as it alternates jokes with terror that can please fans of both categories. A few of these include "Deathgasm," "Tucker and Dale vs. Evil," and "What We Do in the Shadows."
- Found footage films look like they were made with a regular camcorder, so they look super realistic. "The Blair Witch Project" was the first, and then others followed, including the "Paranormal Activity" series.
How Do You Purchase Horror Movies?
There's a few ways to buy movies.
- Select Blu-rays or DVDs individually. There are also limited editions, special editions, and rereleases of vintage films.
- A collection may include an entire trilogy or series, such as all of the "Nightmare on Elm Street" films in one box.
- Compilations features a few different movies that may be of the same category or sub-genre for an affordable price.
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