One of the Best 1970s Horror Movies Is Hiding on Peacock (And All the Sequels Are There Too)

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If you’re looking for scary movies this Halloween, Peacock is a great choice. They have a huge selection, including classic monster movies from Universal made in the 30s and 40s – like *The Wolf Man* – alongside 80s favorites such as *The Thing*. You’ll find iconic horror films like *Psycho*, *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, and *Night of the Living Dead*, as well as more recent hits like the 2020 version of *The Invisible Man* and *M3GAN*. Plus, if you like a long series, they have several movie franchises to choose from.

If you’re looking for horror on Peacock, you might think of the *Chucky* movies or newer series like *Terrifier*. But Peacock also has the complete *Phantasm* franchise, and it’s a hidden gem! The original 1979 film is a truly unique and unsettling horror movie, relying on dreamlike logic and genuinely original scares. Best of all, you can stream every movie in the series right now on Peacock.

Phantasm Remains an Underrated Horror Masterpiece

The movie *Phantasm* centers around Mike (A. Michael Baldwin), a young boy struggling after losing his parents. He’s being raised by his older brother, Jody (Bill Thornbury), and Jody’s friend, Reggie (Reggie Bannister). While Mike looks up to Jody, they’re drifting apart because Jody feels burdened by the responsibility of caring for him. Their already tense relationship becomes even more complicated when Mike becomes fixated on a strange mystery unfolding in their town – specifically, the identity of a menacing figure known as The Tall Man and his activities at the cemetery.

Angus Scrim delivers a chilling performance as the Tall Man in *Phantasm*, a character who seems ordinary at first but quickly proves to be anything but. Strange occurrences quickly pile up – he single-handedly carries a coffin, oozes green slime instead of blood when injured, and a flying, spiked sphere drills into someone’s head. These events drive Mike and his brother to uncover the terrifying truth. *Phantasm* is full of unexpected turns and is visually stunning, with dreamlike and nightmarish imagery that surpasses even other well-known horror franchises built around nightmares, thanks to director Coscarelli’s creativity.

Despite being made for just $300,000, the 1979 horror film *Phantasm* earned over $22 million at the box office – it was a big success when it came out. So, why isn’t it as well-known today? Part of the reason is that the *Phantasm* series was largely made independently. Unlike franchises like *Halloween* or *Friday the 13th*, there wasn’t a major studio pushing it for quick profits. This means newer fans might not be as familiar with it, as it hasn’t become a constant presence in popular culture. You won’t find *Phantasm*’s iconic silver spheres at Halloween stores, but they really should be there.

Phantasm’s Storytelling Isn’t For Everyone

I often hear people, especially new to the film, say that *Phantasm* doesn’t really *make* sense, and I get why they might think that if you try to follow everything logically. But honestly, that’s missing the point! *Phantasm* isn’t *supposed* to be logical. It’s a film that deliberately throws logic out the window, and that’s a big part of what makes it so unique and unsettling.

The movie immediately establishes its strange nature when The Tall Man transforms into a beautiful woman to lure his first victim. It doesn’t explain *how* he does this, or why he reverted to his usual form during a meeting in a graveyard. *Phantasm* isn’t a movie that offers clear answers. Instead, you need to embrace its bizarre logic and experience the horror alongside the confused main characters, just as they’re experiencing it.

As the movie progresses, the villain’s evil plan becomes more apparent, but the film intentionally avoids giving clear answers. This might frustrate some viewers, but if you understand that *Phantasm* prioritizes emotional impact and a unique atmosphere over complete explanations, it’s easier to accept the ambiguity. You might still not enjoy it, or you might find the film as bizarre and captivating as it is.

The Entire Phantasm Franchise Is Worth Watching

The original *Phantasm* film was a hit in 1979, and a sequel soon followed. Similar to the *Halloween* franchise, the second *Phantasm* film, released in 1988, moved from independent production to a major studio – Universal Pictures. While *Phantasm II* wasn’t a box office success, it didn’t stop the series from continuing with three more films released over the years. Ultimately, Coscarelli wrote and directed the first four *Phantasm* movies, and co-wrote and produced the fifth.

If you enjoy the original *Phantasm* and its unusual style, you’ll be happy to know all five movies are now streaming on Peacock. It’s not often all the *Phantasm* films are available in one place, which is great news for horror fans. This franchise is known for being both incredibly strange and remarkably consistent, maintaining a similar creative vision and bringing back familiar actors throughout the series, even after many years.

There’s truly nothing else like the *Phantasm* series. It stands out with its incredibly original story, which expands and gets more complex with each film, and a villain unlike any other in the horror genre. *Phantasm* doesn’t rely on clever ways to kill people; it’s a product of one person’s unique vision, and it’s a journey well worth experiencing.

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2025-10-14 22:17