The master of macabre and one of the most popularhorrorwriters of all time,Stephen Kinghas no issues speaking his mind on various topics, including his love of horror cinema. Praise from Stephen King is often a poster and social media hype-worthy, with recent horror films likeBarbarian(2022),No One Will Save You(2023), andInfested(2023) wearing his words like a badge of honor.
Yet, many of Stephen King’s most beloved horror and thriller films have not gotten the same spotlight, particularly those that existed before social media. These films have received the praise of the master of horror, but deserve more recognition from the fans.
10’Lady in a Cage' (1964)
Lady in a Cage
Physically challenged, Mrs. Cornelia Hilyard (Olivia de Havilland) finds herself trapped in her accessibility elevator in her home, left to deal with the sweltering heat and the few items she has on her for survival. Unfortunately, her cries for help end up attracting the wrong crowds, including a drunk and a prostitute who rob her, and a gang led by a ruthless young hoodlum, Randall (played by the late James Caan), who ransack her house and torture her for entertainment.
A Quintessential Entry in the Home Invasion Genre
Stephen King would praiseLady in a Cagefor its raw depiction of violence and social breakdown,and as a quintessential film in the home invasion sub-genre of horror. For a 1960s release, the film is rather shocking, with its themes of abuse and torture of a trapped, handicapped woman, a rather brutal concept for the time; the movie even faced bans in some countries. At the same time, a campiness came with many films of the era, which adds layers for fans to appreciate the it.
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9’Martin' (1978)
Martin (John Amplas) is a young man who believes he is an 84-year-old, while others view his opinion as an issue with mental health. When Martin moves in with his religious cousin, Tateh Cuda, he finds someone who believes his claims and is willing to help fight for his soul. As those around navigate Martin’s delusions, he begins a killing spree using blades to cut his victims so he can drain their blood.
Discussions around director George A. Romero’s brilliance are often relegated to (and deservedly so) his defining of the modern-day zombie through his phenomenal “Dead” films. However,1976’sMartinshowcases how immensely talented Romero was at challenging genre norms and creating wholly original concepts in horror, a fact that deeply inspired Stephen King. Thenon-traditional vampire movieplays with themes of mental health, alienation, and the duality between monster and victim that is not always so elegantly captured in the genre. Many fans consider Martin to be Romero’s most thought-provoking and intelligent work, though the general fandom often overlooks it.
8’Rabid' (1997)
After a motorcycle accident, Rose (Marilyn Chambers) decides to undergo experimental surgery to restore her beauty. However, the experiment results in a bizarre mutation, a stinger-like organ under her armpit that craves human blood. Unaware that the mutation is causing her to go into a trance, Rose begins infecting various people across Montreal, Canada, resulting in zombie-like killers.
Fear in the Face of an Outbreak
Much like the previously mentioned Martin,Rabidcomes from the mind of a highly revered horror director in David Cronenberg but is often less discussed compared to his other work.Rabidbrilliantly explores the paranoia around disease and the subsequent breakdown of society and morals when faced with an outbreak;the movie would prove pivotal to how the horror sub-genre would be depicted going forward. Its bleak views on humanity, its chaotic direction, and exploration of grander themes, make this one of Cronenberg’s most overlooked films.
7’Wait Until Dark' (1967)
Wait Until Dark
A recently blinded woman, Susy Hendrix (Audrey Hepburn), struggles to get used to her new life, but she becomes accustomed to her new situation and learns to adapt. Her perseverance is tested when her apartment is terrorized by three criminals who believe that she is in possession of a doll stuffed with heroin. At first confident in being able to dominate the women they see as disabled, when Susy is able to kill the lights and cast her apartment in the dark, she becomes the hunter.
‘Wait Until Dark’ Terrified Stephen King
Stephen King has repeatedly calledWait Until Darkone of the scariest movies ever made, with the final closing sequence being a masterclass in suspense and terror. Outside of King’s praise of the film, fans have applauded Audrey Hepburn’s performance in the film, tackling a challenging character with the skill and grace that made her the icon she is, and the unique plot. While the twist may seem somewhat contrived today,Wait Until Darkoffered a brilliant concept that influenced King and won over many horror fans.
6’Rituals' (1977)
Five doctors get together for a camping trip in the remote Canadian wilderness to get away from their hectic lives. However, shortly after their arrival, they find their boots and supplies stolen. Heading into the forest, they find it has been set with traps, and a disfigured war veteran is now hunting them.
A Shocking Fight for Survival in the Wilderness
Despite gaining comparisons toDeliverance, a film Stephen King also liked,Ritualshas a distinct, tense atmosphere and tone that makes it a highly engrossing deconstruction of slashers. Notably, Rituals went for a more gritty, realistic tone to create a constant sense of unease as opposed to relying on gore and shock. The Canadian Wilderness never looked so foreboding, andRitualsremainsone of the best horror movies of the ‘70sthat is seldom given the praise it deserves.
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5’Dementia 13’ (1963)
Dementia 13
After the death of her husband, Louise Haloran (Luana Anders) hides his passing to attempt to scheme a way to become the sole heir to his fortune. When she is invited to the wake of another family member (a young girl who died while drowning) at a remote mansion, she sees this as her opportunity to win favor. However, a masked killer in the mansion turns her plans awry when bodies start showing up.
A Gothic Masterpiece That Stephen King Adores
Stephen King had this to say when talking aboutDementia 13: “For mood, atmosphere, and plain old gut-churning horror, (Dementia) 13 makesPsychoandNight of the Living Deadlook tame.” High praise indeed, but outside of King’s hype, the early film from Francis Ford Coppola is praised for its foreboding gothic atmosphere, and for crafting a highly stylized horror film on a small budget.
4’Black Sunday' (1960)
Black Sunday
In 17th-century Moldavia, Princess Asa Vajda has been accused of Satanism by her own brothers and set to be burned alive. Before her death, the princess casts a curse on the family line that it will be ended after two generations. Decades later, Princess Vajda is resurrected, and she targets the beautiful Katia in order to possess her and end the family line.
Black Sunday Set a New Standard in Horror
The plot aroundBlack Sundayis rather superfluous.Italian director Mario Bava is one of the greatest horror directors of all time, a precursor to the Italian dominance of horror cinema in the ’70s with names like Lucio Fulci and Dario Argento, creating dark, atmospheric, stylish, gothic horror masterpieces which redefined the genre.
Among all his work,Black Sundayis often revered as Bava’s best. Time is not always kind to older films, especially as trends change and certain aspects, like black and white, fall out of style. Yet,Black Sundayis timeless in its brilliance, and remains one of the most perfect visions of horror ever crafted; Stephen King’s admiration for the work is unsurprising.
3’The Ruins' (2008)
A young group of friends vacationing in Mexico ignore warning signs to avoid certain ruins. When they scale one temple, one of them is attacked by deadly, flesh-eating vines. While they attempt to escape, they soon find the indigenous people of the region have surrounded the temple and refuse to allow them to leave. The friends slowly face the gravity of their situation and their fate.
Nature Fights Back
Stephen King would call the original novel written by Scott Smith “the best Stephen King novel that Stephen King never wrote.” This admiration extended to the film, whichcaptured the sense of impending doom, paranoia, and a ghastly tale of survival. For horror fans, a predatory plant offered up unique scares and uncertainty that was often amiss in horror features of the 2000s.
2’The Thing From Another World' (1951)
The Thing from Another World
A U.S. Air Force crew and scientists stationed at an Arctic research outpost discover a flying saucer in the ice with a humanoid alien creature on board. When the creature thaws, it turns on the people, killing them one by one. Proving to be an unstoppable force, the scientists have to rush to figure out what “The Thing” is to destroy it and save their lives.
An Early Success in Blending Sci-fi and Horror
If the plot forThe Thing from Another Worldsounds familiar, the reason is thatJohn Carpenter’s masterpieceThe Thingis technically a remake. While the two movies could not be any more different beyond their alien inspirations and Arctic setting,The Thing From Another Worldwas an early success at blending sci-fi and horror on the screen. The movie would influence King, whose foray into sci-fi horror touched on similar themes of camaraderie challenged by paranoia when faced with an otherworldly threat.
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1’Let’s Scare Jessica to Death' (1971)
Let’s Scare Jessica to Death
After recently being released from a mental institution, Jessica goes with her friends and partner to a remote farmhouse to recoup. When they arrive, they find a squatter named Emily living there. After talking it over, they agree to let Emily stay due to her kind nature and need for shelter. As Jessica begins to experience hallucinations and learns of the house’s dark past, she becomes suspicious of Emily, believing her to be the cause of her visions.
Let’s Scare Jessica to Deathwas a movie ahead of its time, dealing with feminist themes and challenging the familiar tropes of the era in horror. Despite this, the movie flew under the radar, with a few championing it, including Stephen King, but ultimately sank into obscurity. The movie is a complex tale of the supernatural and paranoia, steeped in an oppressive atmosphere perfectly reflective of the societal pressures put on Jessica.Let’s Scare Jessicato Death is a must-watch for horror fans.
