There are manygreat horror movies based on books, often reaching an even larger audience than the source material. So many of these adaptations are based onStephen King’s work that it feels like the master of horror should have a genre just to himself. While there have also been plenty ofgood horror movies based on King’s short stories, there are plenty of other quality horror movies based on short stories by other authors.
Some of thegreatest horror movies of all timewere based on short stories, with some being faithful to the source material while others used the story as a base to create their own tale of terror. While these horror movies vary in sub-genre, from slashers to body horror, they all share the common trait of bringing the nightmares on the page to life.
10’The Midnight Meat Train' (2008)
Photographer Leon (Bradley Cooper) roams the subways of New York looking for inspiration. When he comes across the strange Mahogany (Vinnie Jones), he follows the man around, only to discover he harbors a dark secret. As the bodies pile up and the mystery deepens, Leon finds himself on a one-way train to hell.
Based on a short story byClive Barker,The Midnight Meat Trainfeatures his trademark weirdness as he delves into the dark underworld. DirectorRyuhei Kitamurapiles on the gore in this ultra-violent slasher, while it is interesting to see Cooper headline a horror movie before he became an A-lister.
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9’Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ (2019)
When a group of teens explores their town’s resident abandoned, seemingly haunted house, they discover a book containing horror stories written by the deceased owner. As the friends begin to be haunted by monsters like the ones in the book, they realize they have become trapped in their own horror story.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Darkis based on the series of children’s books of the same name, with the movie combining several of the books' short stories into one narrative. It feels like a darker version ofGoosebumps, serving as aperfect gateway horror movie for younger audiencesto be eased into the genre while still being enjoyable and dark enough for more seasoned viewers.
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8’Candyman' (1992)
After grad student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) learns of an urban legend about a hooked man that kills people in a run-down neighborhood in Chicago, she goes there to investigate. Discovering the specter is apparently summoned by saying his name fives times in front of a mirror; she soon brings Candyman to life to kill once more.
Candymanis one of thebest slasher movies of the ’90s, withTony Todd’s portrayal of the title character making for one ofhorror’s most iconic villains. Based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden,” the movie explores America’s dark history of slavery and racism while still creating a compelling slasher movie.
7’Hellraiser’ (1987)
A disturbing examination of the fine line between pleasure and pain,Hellraiserrevolves around a puzzle box capable of summoning demons that will drag those who open to it to their realm for torture. After Frank escapes from their dimension, he finds himself needing to sacrifice others to save himself and soon sets his sights on his niece Kirsty (Ashley Laurence).
Hellraiseris the rare case where an adaptation was directed by its creator, with Clive Barker adapting his own novella “The Hellbound Heart.” This resulted in a horror classic that is faithful to the source material as it brings Barker’s nightmarish imagination to the screen, withDoug Bradley’s portrayal of the Hell Priest Pinhead resulting in one of horror’s most recognizable characters.
6’Don’t Look Now' (1973)
After losing their young daughter in an accident, grieving couple Laura (Julie Christie) and John (Donald Sutherland) head to Venice for John’s work. As they try to come to terms with their tragic loss, Laura meets a pair of sisters who claim that further tragedy is coming, while John begins to see strange glimpses of his daughter in the city.
An adaptation of the short story byDaphne du Maurier,Don’t Look Now,is one of thebest horror movies of the ’70s. It favors exploring themes of grief rather than focusing on cheap scares and makes for one of the most unsettling horror movies as it creeps toward its shocking conclusion.
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5’Re-Animator' (1985)
When medical student Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) discovers a serum that can bring the dead back to life, he begins conducting experiments on human corpses. Joined by his new roommate and fellow student Dan (Bruce Abbott), the pair soon have a problem on their hands as the undead begin to cause havoc.
Re-Animatoris loosely based on a short story byH.P. Lovecraftand brings the plot into modern times at an American university. Amassing a cult following,Re-Animatorhas remained one of the most popular adaptations of Lovecraft’s work as it combines comedy with body horror.
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4’Sleepy Hollow' (1999)
After the town of Sleepy Hollow begins to be plagued by a mysterious killer who beheads his victims, Detective Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) is sent to investigate. All signs point to the culprit being a headless horseman that has risen from the grave, and soon Crane will have to put his own life on the line to solve the case.
One of thebest collaborations betweenTim Burtonand Depp,Sleepy Hollowfeatures Burton’s trademark gothic style while creating an engaging supernatural slasher. The movie is based on the classic ghost story of the same name and is the definitive adaptation of the tale.
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3’The Birds' (1963)
When rich socialite Melanie (Tippi Hedren) becomes smitten with lawyer Mitch (Rod Taylor), she follows him to his hometown. Rather than romance, Melanie finds terror as the birds in the area become crazed for no apparent reason, viciously attacking anyone they come into contact with.
Directed by the master of suspense,Alfred Hitchcock,The Birdsis regarded as one ofHitchcock’s best moviesalongsidePsycho. While it is quite cheesy today, its effects were seen as terrifying at the time as it adapts the short story by Daphne du Maurier.
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2’The Fly' (1986)
Brilliant scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) is obsessed with creating a device that can teleport an object between two portals. When Brundle decides to test the experiment on himself, it is seemingly successful, but when it is revealed a fly was also in the device, Brundle begins to horrifically morph into a fly-like creature.
The Flywas directed by body horror masterDavid Cronenbergand is one of the best examples of that genre. The second adaptation of the short story of the same name, this version is the definitive version thanks to horrific but brilliant practical effects, Cronenberg’s direction, and a terrific performance from Goldblum.
1’The Thing' (1982)
When the workers at a remote research base in Antarctica take in a runaway dog from a nearby camp, they soon discover the canine is merely a creature in disguise. As the monster takes them one by one and disguises itself as its victims, the survivors must fight off both the alien and paranoia as they struggle to survive in the unforgiving blizzard.
One of the greatest horror movies ever made,The Thingis a masterpiece of suspense and practical effects.John Carpenter’s second all-time classic afterHalloween,The Thingis based on the novella “Who Goes There?” and puts its own spin on the source material to create a suffocating nightmare of dread and death.
