Why is it that moviegoers flock to the horror genre? The once-cult following has seen a rapid spike in its fan base thanks to the ever-changing accessibility to reach diverse audiences all over the world. Followers of the horror genre love to immerse themselves in their favorite villains and heroes, whether it be on the big screen or at a local convention weekend. Another way to indulge is to watch the ever-growing list of horror documentaries that have been coming out over the last few years.
Shudder, for instance, the go-to horror streaming platform owned by AMC Networks, has loads of spooky content available for any type of horror fans, from classic scary movies to Shudder Original Movies. Yet, some of their most interesting content is their Shudder-exclusive documentaries. Films like In Search of Darkness and Horror Noire have emerged on the platform, allowing fans of the classics to be able to understand their favorites on an entirely elevated level. Here are 6 horror documentaries available to stream right now, and where you can find them.
6 Room 237
Room 237 is a documentary about Stanley Kubrick's The Shining that is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Kubrick's 1980 masterpiece was adapted from Stephen King's novel of the same name, and is notoriously noted as King's least favorite film adaptation. The Shining follows the Torrance family as they head to the Overlook Hotel where they will be the winter caretakers. Room 237 earns its name from the notably haunted room within the Overlook, and from the infamous scene with the woman in the bathtub. Room 237 explores the hidden thematic elements, and peels back the layers as to what makes The Shining the horror masterpiece it is regarded as today.
5 Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror is a Shudder original documentary detailing the roles of Black artists in horror. The film pays close attention to movies like Night of the Living Dead, Blacula, and Candyman, which all center around the exploitations of Black people in society and cinema. Horror Noire features Jordan Peele and the infamous Tony Todd, as well as many other notable actors and actresses from the genre. The documentary navigates through a historic timeline, depicting when these movies came out and the potential political messages within. Horror Noire notes the positive changes that have transpired in recent years, noting films that have Black protagonists, but also calls for the need for positive representation of Black characters in horror to continue to grow.
4 Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge starring Mark Patton was regarded by BuzzFeed as "the gayest horror films ever made." The queer subtext and homosexual puns were completely intentional, and the film became a literal nightmare for leading man, Mark Patton. Shudder's Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street details the events of the making of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 and gives exclusive interviews allowing Patton to tell his side of the story. Throughout the film, Patton explores the world of 1985 and notes the homophobia that came with being an out actor during that time.
3 Cursed Films
Cursed Films is a Shudder original series documenting film productions that have been considered cursed. The first season premiered in 2020 and consists of five episodes. Movies like Poltergeist, The Omen, and The Exorcist have been featured so far. Cast, crew, and movie critics alike are featured on the series, where they discuss the so-called curses that ensued during production. According to Bloody Disgusting, the second season is set to premiere on Shudder in April 2022.
2 Eli Roth's History of Horror
Eli Roth's History of Horror premiered on AMC in 2018. The show was hosted by director Eli Roth and each episode has a theme. Whether the theme is ghosts, vampires, or haunted houses, each episode features the most notable films of that sub-genre. Actors, directors, and other creatives of the specific films give their commentary as well. The series gives room for directors to give fun antidotes about their favorite horror films or who inspired them to make horror. The series ended in 2021, but is available to stream on Shudder and Amazon Prime Video.
1 In Search of Darkness
The 80s was the playground of horror (most recently paid tribute to by Stranger Things). Some of the best cult films and horror movie icons were born in the 80s, and laid the road map to some of the biggest franchises of today. Shudder's exclusive In Search of Darkness: Part 1 focuses on 80s horror and the legends that spawned from the era. The documentary features commentary from directors, writers, and special effects crews as they outline their favorites, as well as films they worked on. Some notable films mentioned are A Nightmare on Elm Street, Hellraiser, Friday the 13th, Fright Night and The Lost Boys, but the list is truly endless. Part 2 of the documentary was released in 2020 and focuses more on the special effects of the decade and how practical effect played a huge role in 80s horror.