There are dozens upon dozens of conventions each year for fans to gather and celebrate their love of horror. Featuring autograph signings, celebrity panels, and merchandise galore, conventions like these seem to be unique to the genre, as you don't see any drama or comedy movie conventions popping up. Horror fans are one of a kind, and they clamor for more and more information about what went into making some of their favorite films.
That's why it's no surprise that documentaries about horror movies are so popular. These allow fans to go behind-the-scenes and get a glimpse of what it took to create such iconic moments without leaving the comfort of their homes. As such, here's a list of horror documentaries that are available to stream right now so you, too, can see just what goes into making a memorable horror flick.
11 Living with Chucky (Screambox)
When Child's Play hit theaters in 1988, no one could have guessed that a movie about a killer doll would go on to spawn an entire franchise. That's what happened though, and 35 years later after six sequels and a TV show, Chucky has become part of our pop culture.
Living with Chucky takes an in-depth look at the entire franchise from the perspective of someone who grew up engrossed in it. Written and directed by Kyra Elise Gardner, it features interviews with Tom Holland, Brad and Fiona Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, creator Don Mancini, and a slew of others. With a runtime of 100 minutes, there's plenty to see into if you want to learn all about the doll that scared a generation of moviegoers.
10 The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time (Shudder)
Having just won the award for Best Non-Fiction Series or Miniseries at the 2023 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time is a docuseries comprised of eight episodes that break down the very best scares in horror movie history.
Featuring scenes from the likes of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Sinister, and Train to Busan, as well as interviews with a plethora of actors, actresses, and creators, this series is a must-watch for horror fans who would like to add any movies to their list that they haven't seen yet.
9 Wolfman's Got Nards (Tubi)
Fresh off directing Night of the Creeps, Fred Dekker brought The Monster Squad to the big screen in 1987. Since then, it has become a beloved cult favorite that gets better with age, filled with the monsters of yesteryear that we know and love.
What makes director André Gower's Wolfman's Got Nards such fun to watch is that it takes an inside look at not only the making of the film, but the fanbase surrounding it. People who generally love The Monster Squad and do their best to keep its legacy alive. You can tell he had a lot of fun making this documentary, and re-living some of the moments from the film he starred in as a child. It's a treat to watch for any horror fan who would like to be taken back to a simpler time when monsters were monsters.
8 Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 (Screambox)
Broken up into two parts on Screambox, Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 is director Kevin McDonagh's definitive look at the first two films in the Hellraiser franchise that put all other retrospectives to shame.
With tales from the movie set, as well as everything that went into making Clive Barker's classic creation including musical scores and special effects, Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 leaves nothing wanting in this excellent documentary that takes a look at the beginnings of a franchise that now features 11 films sprawled across 35 years.
7 Growing Up with I Spit on Your Grave (Tubi)
Originally titled Day of the Woman, I Spit on Your Grave was unleashed on audiences in 1978 and has gone on to become one of the most controversial horror films ever made. Directed by Terry Zarchi, son of Meir Zarchi who directed the film, Growing Up with I Spit on Your Grave takes us inside the making of the notorious movie.
With never-before-seen footage and new cast interviews, Growing Up with I Spit on Your Grave is the first in-depth analysis of one of the films that helped kickstart the video nasty craze of the 1980s. Not only does it do a good job examining the creation of the film, but it finally answers the question once and for all: just whose butt was that on the box cover?
6 Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th (Shudder)
With a runtime of over six hours, Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th pretty much dwarfs any previous documentaries about the popular franchise featuring one of horror's most iconic characters, Jason Voorhees.
Directed by Daniel Farrands and narrated by Corey Feldman, this documentary traces the humble beginnings of the franchise all the way up to the 2009 reboot. With so much information being offered, it's easy to get overwhelmed watching this beast of a documentary, but luckily it's broken down by film, so you can enjoy it in bite-sized pieces if you so desire. With a prequel series titled Crystal Lake in the works over on Peacock, now is the perfect time to get caught up on the history of this beloved slasher series.
5 Nightmares in Red, White and Blue (Tubi)
Directed by Andrew Monument, Nightmares in Red, White and Blue is a 2009 documentary that focuses on the genre itself, examining how horror films have evolved over the years while at the same time staying relevant.
Featuring a cornucopia of film clips dating back to the 1920s, as well as interviews with such horror heavyweights as John Carpenter, George Romero, and Mick Garris, Nightmares in Red, White and Blue focuses primarily on American horror, but that's okay; there's plenty of history to track on our own soil without going into international films. This comprehensive look at the past is a must-watch for horror fans who have fun predicting where the genre might take us in the future.
4 You're So Cool, Brewster!: The Story of Fright Night (Screambox)
Another Screambox offering that's broken up into two parts to examine Fright Night, and Fright Night 2, You're So Cool, Brewster!: The Story of Fright Night takes an epic look at the making of Tom Holland's vampire classic, as well as the sequel which was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace.
With images from Tom Holland's personal archives and in-depth interviews with the cast and creators, You're So Cool, Brewster!: The Story of Fright Night has a runtime of over three hours, and there's plenty of information for horror buffs to sink their teeth into. While serving as a love letter to the fans, it's also a touching tribute to the late Roddy McDowall, who played Peter Vincent in both films.
3 Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (Tubi)
Like the extensive look at the Friday the 13th series that Crystal Lake Memories offered us, Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy is a massive, comprehensive examination about the making of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, as well as the impact it's had on society.
Narrated by Heather Langenkamp, who portrayed Nancy Thompson in the series, this documentary has everything an Elm Street fanatic will love. Interviews with cast and crew, the origins of Freddy's glove, and a no holds barred look behind-the-scenes of production, featuring stories and opinions you've ever heard before. It's an amazing look back at one of the most beloved horror franchises created by the late Wes Craven.
2 Pennywise: The Story of IT (Screambox)
Before director Andy Muschietti adapted the Stephen King novel for the big screen in 2017, IT was a two-part miniseries that horrified television viewers back in 1990, and Pennywise: The Story of IT (winner of the 2023 Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Documentary Feature) takes an exhaustive look back at what went into making it a success back in the day.
At just over two hours, this documentary features an examination of the key players responsible for bringing King's dense novel to life. Digging deep into what scared viewers, it has behind-the-scenes photos seldom seen, interviews with cast and crew including Tim Curry himself, and a brief examination of coulrophobia, the fear of clowns experienced by so many thanks in part to Curry's excellent portrayal of Pennywise. For fans of the film, and Stephen King, it's an excellent retrospective into the often overlooked made-for-TV subgenre of horror.
1 In Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic '80s Horror (Shudder)
If you're a fan of 80s horror movies, you'll do none better than checking out the In Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic '80s Horror series of documentaries available to watch on Shudder. With a completed runtime of over 14 hours when put together, it's broken down into three, smaller parts, but even those are pretty lengthy at over four hours each. Still, it's well worth it for fans of the genre who want a look back at a decade like no other.
Featuring a gargantuan amount of clips and interviews with directors, stars, and horror influencers, In Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic '80s Horror is pretty much the definitive oral history about horror movies from the 1980s. It takes a look at such classics as The Shining, and Poltergeist, to B-movie greats like The Children, and Ghoulies. With anecdotes galore, this series has everything a horror lover could want, and then some. Put it on in the background, or grab some popcorn and settle in, because In Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic '80s Horror is going to take you on a wild ride down memory lane.
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