Before the days of Freddy, Jason, or even Leatherface, the true titans of terror were monsters of the mind and wretches of the written word. Although a true-to-form horror movie wouldn't exist till around the 1920s, audiences and fans of the genre have been delighted and terrified by stories, books and novels for centuries.
The fact that most classic horror stories have transferred so easily from page to screen is certainly a bonus for fans of the genre. But many of the biggest, best, and brightest wouldn't exist if it wasn't for those creepy tales and lethal legends people originally heard around the campfire or read on stormy nights.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Granted, most adaptations of the king of vampires feature references to Bram Stoker's original novel, but this version is one that certainly tries to pull all stops when sticking to the source material. Although it's a tad more extravagant than stoker himself might have imagined, it does follow the book fairly accurately.
Bram Stoker's Dracula is exactly what the title suggests -- it has to be, with the author's name attached. While Coppola did take one or two liberties in the count's backstory, it's as classic as a vampire movie can be.
The Mummy (1932)
While most might think that Karloff's defining role was that of Frankenstein's Monster, a better argument can certainly be made for Imhotep/Ardeth Bey. While the idea of carrying a torch for one's lover beyond the grave is nothing particularly new, Imhotep's obsession with his reincarnated princess comes directly from a semi-forgotten story from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
If the part about the reanimated corpses and the mummy's curse is removed, the plot is remarkably similar to The Ring of Thoth. An ancient Egyptian trapped in another century longing to be reunited with his dead beloved, it certainly sounds more than a little familiar.
Depraved (2019)
A common tactic of many modern horror films is taking a traditional story but giving it a modern flair. While Mary Shelley's Frankenstein revolutionized both the horror and sci-fi genres, it has been remade and redone dozens of times over.
With that in mind, Depraved takes a more thorough and thought-out approach to corpse reanimation. And Henry, the film's stand-in for Victor Frankenstein, doesn't work alone. His process is treated much more like a shady act of medical science than science-fiction, and the effects on the film's "creature" have unforeseen consequences.
Edge Of Sanity (1989)
This twisted take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tries to blend fiction with fact as it mixes the s of Jekyll's alter-ego with that of the notorious Jack the Ripper. It's a bit hit and miss at times, but there's no denying that there isn't at least some originality here.
While it's true that the film only uses the original story as a framing device, the use of hard drugs in the place of Jekyll's potion is a great way to interpret some of the narrative's themes. Years after the events at the Bates Motel, it's fun to know Anthony Perkins could still go a little mad sometimes.
The Shining (1980)
Stephen King might have originated the idea of Jack Torrance and the haunted happenings that took place in the infamous Overlook Hotel, but the idea of a group of people trapped in a secluded place in the mountains while a deadly party rages on in the ballroom wasn't his original thought. That honor goes to Mr. Edgar Allan Poe.
The Shining is one of the most analyzed horror movies in the business, but many who have read the book have compared it to Edgar Allan Poe's Masque of the Red Death. The heavy imagery of blood, a masquerade ball, and a series of rooms with strange secrets all come from the original Master of Horror.
Candyman - (1992 & 2021)
Whether it's the original film from the '90s, the new 2021 remake, or the original story, The Forbidden, by Clive Barker, Candyman does not owe its existence to the author alone. In fact, there are multiple urban legends and folktales that bear a striking resemblance to the mirror-dwelling murderer.
Bloody Mary, Bandy Eyes, and spirits like them have existed for decades. Even characters like Beetlejuice bear a striking resemblance. Still, there are even some seasoned horror veterans that won't dare utter the name "Candyman."
Urban Legend (1998)
Candyman isn't the only figure in the genre that takes from urban legends, as this slasher film takes the idea to a whole new level. Although it takes a heap from the amount of American folklore that goes into many common urban legends is quite remarkable.
The murderer in the back seat, the hook-handed man, and Pop Rocks and soda are all stories people have heard from friends of friends that spiral through modern culture, so it's almost impossible for them not to find their way into some form of horror media.
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark (2019)
Similar to Urban Legend, Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark relies heavily on traditional folklore and stories to bring its monsters to life, accompanied by Guillermo Del Toro's creatures, of course. All of the stories featured in Alvin Schwartz's grotesque children's books bear similarities to other variations on other urban legends, campfire stories, and other things ed down through oral tradition.
Even creatures like the Jangly Man come from a multitude of sources, but it's the familiarity that makes both the movie and the book series a success. As the saying goes, if it works it works.
The Raven (2012)
Although it features John Cusack in the lead as a highly-romanticized Poe, there's no denying that the filmmakers did their homework in bringing many of his favorite stories to life. Every gruesome and gory detail from Poe's tales of mystery and imagination makes an appearance in this murder mystery.
There's a bladed pendulum, a masquerade ball with an unwanted guest, and a beautiful woman buried alive, all trademarks of Poe's terrifying tales. It's definitely a movie that made fans glad they paid attention in English class.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Tim Burton's reimagining of Washington Irving's classic tale of the Headless Horseman is a Halloween tradition for many fans. While Ichabod might be a strange candidate for a homicide detective, his trip to Sleepy Hollow is the story of an absolutely thrilling gothic horror masterpiece.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has captivated readers for centuries, and even the animated Disney version had its hand in shaping this film. With its ghosts, witches, and flaming pumpkins, it's a practically perfect choice to cap off one's Halloween binging.
