This week is full to the brim with grim! That’s right ladies and germs, it’s time again to take a look back at what happened this week in Horror History. Let’s knock the dust off of this black cat.
July 18th
Through the years, studios have released movies on key dates based on the the success of their predecessors. On this date in 1980, some real memorable movies were dropped in our laps. Prom Night was the original, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” flick. A serial killer, stalks four teenagers that were responsible for the accidental death of a little girl, six years prior.
Fast forward this date to the year of sweet 1986, where the sequel, Aliens, hit theaters and scared the crap out of all of us. This time around, the Xenomorph’s had to go up against some trigger happy space marines! GAME OVER MAN, GAME OVER!
On this date in 1990, the movie Arachnophobia either reminded you that you were scared of spiders, or you came down with the phobia right there in your movie seat. If you were like me, you could NOT shake the feeling of things crawling all over your skin after leaving the theater. I was. I still am…
Prom Night
released theatrically in 1980
Aliens
released theatrically in 1986
Arachnophobia
released theatrically in 1990
July 19
Back in 1996, we were treated to a funny and spooky movie when audiences saw The Frighteners in theaters. Michael J. Fox’s character gets into a terrible car accident which causes the death of his wife. Ever since then, he’s able to see and communicate with the dead. This awesome movie also inspired a cool trick guys can do with their sacks. Google it.
In 2013, Ed and Lorraine Warren were introduced to a new generation of horror lovers. The husband and wife paranormal investigation team take to the screen to help save a family from dark forces. Based on actual events, this movie not only had a successful sequel, but also sparked some spin offs.
The Frighteners
released theatrically in 1996
The Conjuring
released in 2013
July 20
I love me some Christopher Lee! Who doesn’t, right? If you’re a fan, you will dig this flick. Let’s say you have a really good friend you haven’t seen in awhile, so you schedule a visit. Upon your arrival, you notice your friend throwing a party of some sort, with exactly 13 guests. Nothing too strange right? Maybe more RSVP’d on the facebook invite, but this who actually showed. Wait a minute, did I just find live chickens in the closet at this party?! IT MUST BE SATAN! I’m not giving too much away, but let’s just say I probably gave too much away. Watch this one.
The Devil Rides Out
released theatrically in 1968
July 21
On this day back in 1978, all it took to make a horror movie was a little toxic waste, and BOOM. Instant scare. But let’s be honest, folks… did we really care about a monster eating 1978 hippie? Nope. That Slithis was doin the lords work.
Spawn Of The Slithis
released theatrically in 1978
July 22
Animals LOVE to take their revenge out on us humans. Especially the ones that live in the ocean. I mean, look how many times Jaw’s attacked! I swear, all that time in the sea and you still this salty. Thanks 1977, Orca the Killer Whale!
1977 also brought us Wes Craven’s, The Hills Have Eyes! Of course it’s been remade, sequeled, fried, broiled, etc… but nothing beats the original. Cruel and brutal, a family is terrorized by a bunch of inbred freaks after their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
Oh, Jaws 3-D. I was just talking about how disappointing you were with my friend, Keith, the other day. It’s just sad. So sad, that the studio who made you refuse to call you the “third movie in the franchise.”
The Devil’s Reject’s. Thank you Rob Z. for this. It had been some time since we had a good old, American, psycho family we could all relate with. When the heat is on your serial killing family, you decide to hit the road, and go to Wally World! Okay, scratch that last part, but you get the idea.
Orca
released theatrically in 1977
The Hills Have Eyes
released theatrically in 1977
Jaws 3-D
released theatrically in 1983
The Devil’s Rejects
released theatrically in 2005
July 23
In this 1999 release of the Haunting, ghosts kidnap Liam Neeson’s daughter and he has to use a particular set of skills to get her back. Liam’s character transverses the world, killing already dead ghosts deader in the attempt to track down his only child, before she’s sold into ghost sex slavery.
The Haunting
Released theatrically in 1999
July 24
Happy Birthday, Chris Sarandon. We love you for all your many roles in amazing horror pictures! Read this guy’s IMDB, and you’ll be bombarded with great titles like Fright Night, Child’s play, all the way to, The Princess Bride. Pop some bottles, sir.
Chris Sarandon
(actor in Fright Night and Bordello of Blood) born in 1942
