3 Must-Watch Horror Anthology Movies With No Weak Links

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Horror anthologies are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. The best ones are like getting a collection of great short stories – each segment stands on its own and often explores a different type of horror.

Classic horror anthologies like Mario Bava’s spooky Black Sabbath and the British film Tales from the Crypt (1972) remain popular. For a long time, filmmakers thought audiences didn’t enjoy anthology movies, but recent years have shown that isn’t true.

The V/H/S series has become a yearly favorite for horror fans, and films like 2019’s The Mortuary Collection and the ABCs of Death have also been popular. It’s common for horror anthologies to have a few segments that don’t quite land, but many feature consistently scary short films.

Dead Of Night (1945)

A true pioneer of horror anthologies, the British film Dead of Night remains genuinely creepy. It follows the classic anthology structure, presenting several separate stories – like ‘The Hearse Driver’ and ‘The Christmas Party’ – each directed by a different filmmaker, all tied together by a central framing narrative.

Look, everyone talks about “The Ventriloquist’s Dummy” – and for good reason, it’s a classic. But honestly, the whole collection delivers a real chill. What I love is how these stories build atmosphere and suggest horrors, rather than relying on cheap jump scares or gore. It’s a fantastic example of classic British horror done right. Don’t get me wrong, though, there are still a couple of moments that will genuinely make you jump!

Creepshow (1982)

Stephen King’s stories have inspired several movie anthologies, including Cat’s Eye and Tales from the Darkside: The Movie. But Creepshow stands out as the best – it’s a perfect example of how to create one. The film brought together King and horror master George A. Romero in a loving tribute to the shocking EC comics they enjoyed as kids.

George A. Romero brings a vibrant and energetic feel to Creepshow, while still managing to be truly scary. Each story is excellent, and “Something to Tide You Over” is often considered the most memorable. The film is a great value, offering five chilling stories wrapped around a clever central narrative.

Trick ‘R Treat (2009)

I absolutely adore Trick ‘r Treat! It had a famously long and troubled production, finally seeing the light of day in 2009, but it’s become a yearly Halloween tradition for me ever since. It’s a fantastic anthology film directed by Michael Dougherty, and it follows a bunch of different monsters – some truly terrifying demons, and others who are just… people – all on one wild Halloween night.

As a horror fan, I’d put Trick ‘r Treat right up there with Creepshow. It nails that perfect balance of funny and scary – the humor actually enhances the horror, and vice versa. Honestly, going in blind is the best way to enjoy it, but know that it’s an anthology film, and even the story that ties everything together is really strong. Plus, it’s impressively concise; the whole thing wraps up nicely in under 80 minutes. It doesn’t overstay its welcome at all.

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2025-11-16 01:33