Summary
- Made-for-TV horror films find creative ways to scare viewers without relying on extreme violence or gore.
- Legendary filmmakers like John Carpenter and Steven Spielberg have successfully ventured into television horror.
- TV horror films like “Dark Night of the Scarecrow” and “The Night Stalker” showcase suspense and mystery over bloodshed.
Many of the best theatrical horror films utilize expensive special effects and set designs to achieve their biggest scares, but a few made-for-TV horror films have proven they’re able to do the same in a smaller medium. Horror films are known for their thrilling and bloody concepts with antagonists that range from murderous humans to supernatural monsters. The slasher subgenre is quite popular with horror fans, but the bloody and extreme methods of killing aren’t always fit for TV networks.
As a result, many made-for-TV horror films take the extra step to find creative means of scaring fans of the genre while still appealing to general audiences. Other obstacles that come up are commercial breaks. Made-for-TV horror films need to have momentum in their plot and pacing, which discourages audiences from changing the channel. Plenty of legendary filmmakers known for their theatrical projects have dabbled in television films, including Tobe Hooper, John Carpenter, and Steven Spielberg. They are just some of the directors who’ve successfully created a made-for-TV horror film that holds up well against bigger Hollywood releases.
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10 Dark Night Of The Scarecrow (1981)
Revenge Is Taken On A Group Of Murderers
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Originally airing on CBS in 1981, Dark Night of the Scarecrow has become one of the best examples of a made-for-TV film that has just as much suspense as a big-budget theatrical film. Set in the South, Dark Night of the Scarecrow centers around the uneasy haunting of three mean-spirited individuals who killed Bubba, a man with an intellectual disability. Steering away from the bloody, vicious kills that usually occur in revenge-oriented horror films, Dark Night of the Scarecrow uses its rural setting and titular mannequin to scare audiences.
Scarecrows, which have become widely recognized as Halloween figures used to make people feel scared, appear throughout Dark Night of the Scarecrow. With every scarecrow’s sudden appearance on the properties of Bubba’s killers, audiences can’t help but tense up. Suspense is skillfully built up in Dark Night of the Scarecrow as the person attacking Bubba’s killers remains a mystery until the end.
9 The Woman In Black (1989)
The Titular Figure Lurks Over An English Town
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The Woman In Black 
3.0 PG-13Horror
Director James Watkins Release Date February 3, 2012 Runtime 95 minutes Sequel(s) The Woman in Black: Angel of Death
Disrupting the cozy atmosphere established the night of its Christmas Eve premiere is the British horror film The Woman in Black. Adapted from Susan Hill’s novel of the same name,The Woman in Black is set within a coastal English town where its main character, a solicitor named Arthur (Adrian Rawlins), travels to settle a widow’s estate. While in the village, Arthur comes across a mysterious woman dressed in all-black clothing (Pauline Moran).
However, in 2020, the rights to the film were secured and
The Woman in Black
was finally released on DVD.
The Woman in Black has an overall eerie atmosphere that was achieved due to its television medium, as opposed to the 2012 version of Hill’s story that sees Daniel Radcliffe playing Rawlins’ part. For many years, a dispute over distribution rights prevented The Woman in Black from being re-aired on TV or released on VHS. However, in 2020, the rights to the film were secured and The Woman in Black was finally released on DVD.
8 The Night Stalker (1972)
A Serial Killer Is Suspected Of Being A Vampire
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Following the investigation of a Las Vegas killer, The Night Stalker blends crime and supernatural genres. In the film, Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin), an unprofessional investigative journalist, takes it upon himself to follow a lead on who the serial killer might be. The twist is that Carl believes the killer is a vampire, as the victims have all been drained of their blood.
Audiences are sure to be engaged in The Night Stalker‘s story, following along as more clues point Carl in the right direction. During its release, The Night Stalker had the highest rating of any made-for-TV film. Its popularity prompted the release of the sequel film The Night Strangler and a TV series revolving around Carl titled Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Like the film, the series follows Carl’s investigations into crimes involving supernatural creatures.
Night Stalker
had a 33.2 rating and a 54 share when it was released in 1972.
7 Body Bags (1993)
Iconic Horror Filmmakers Come Together For An Anthology Film
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Body Bags
Director John Carpenter , Tobe Hooper Release Date August 8, 1993 Cast Stacy Keach , David Warner , Sheena Easton , Debbie Harry , Mark Hamill , Twiggy , Robert Carradine Runtime 91 Minutes
Body Bags is an anthology horror film made up of an impressive cast and is directed by horror icons John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper. Mark Hamill, Twiggy, and Robert Carradine are just a few notable actors to appear in the film’s three segments and directors Sam Raimi and Wes Craven make cameos. The stories in Body Bags are told by a coroner who opens up the film and details how the deceased individuals in each body bag died. The segments — “The Gas Station,” “Hair,” and “Eye” — get increasingly weirder.
The stories in these segments, while terrifying, are based on comical concepts, including a hair transplant surgery that goes wrong and causes the patient to grow an uncontrollable amount of hair that resembles an alien-like creature. With as much talent as Body Bags has, critics haven’t been blown away by the result. Still, if anything, Body Bags is worth seeing because of the high number of celebrity cameos typically seen in larger Hollywood productions.
6 Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark (1973)
Monster-Like Creatures Take Over An Old Home
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Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark received a theatrical remake in 2011, but audiences and critics can agree that the original is better. The made-for-TV elements of the ’70s Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark made for a scarier, campier film that holds a special place in the hearts of those who’d grown up watching the film. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark tells a story about a married couple who move into an old mansion.
The wife, Sally (Kim Darby), accidentally releases three creatures that were trapped within the home’s fireplace. The unique design of the creatures — dark, sunken eyes placed on a raisin-shaped and textured head — and the hushed whisper they speak in throughout the film are enough to send chills up the spine of its most fearful viewers. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark‘s ending is also highly memorable and surprisingly grim.
5 Someone’s Watching Me! (1978)
After Moving Into A New Apartment, A Woman Is Stalked
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John Carpenter’s Halloween was released a few weeks before his lesser-known television film Someone’s Watching Me!. The latter horror film wrapped a month before filming began on Halloween and Carpenter says many of the techniques used in the popular film were thought of on the set of Someone’s Watching Me!. Starring Lauren Hutton as Leigh Michaels, one of the strongest female characters in Carpenter’s films, Someone’s Watching Me! chronicles the increasingly worrisome behavior of Leigh’s mystery stalker.
Carpenter’s camera work and script build up an agonizing suspense as Leigh’s panic increases when she realizes the situation she’s in. Additionally, there are many shots in Someone’s Watching Me! that are from her stalker’s perspective as he peers into Leigh’s apartment through a telescope. Someone’s Watching Me! may not be Carpenter’s best film, but it helped establish much of the framing techniques and visual style seen in his later work.
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4 Salem’s Lot (1979)
A Vampire Tale Adapted From Stephen King
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Salem’s Lot PGHorror
Director Tobe Hooper Release Date November 17, 1979 Distributor(s) CBS Cast David Soul , James Mason , Lance Kerwin , Bonnie Bedelia , Lew Ayres Runtime 200 Minutes
Throughout the years, many of Stephen King’s novels have been adapted into films, but not every attempt to bring the author’s words to the screen has been successful or enjoyed by King. However, one adaptation that is favored by critics and fans is Salem’s Lot. Airing as a two-part miniseries on CBS, Salem’s Lot is based on King’s novel of the same name and follows an author who returns home only to find out the community is transforming into vampires.
Even within the limitations that come with the television medium, the signature touch of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre director is apparent and helped bring King’s fictional world to life. Throughout Salem’s Lot‘s episodes, the pace never feels rushed or dragged down and is complimented by an appreciated amount of scares. Additionally, James Mason gives an unforgettable performance as the film’s antagonist.
3 Ghostwatch (1992)
A Fake Broadcast Investigating Local Supernatural Activity
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A mockumentary television film, BBC One’s Ghostwatch had quite the impact on viewers who were tuned into its premiere on Halloween night. Ghostwatch, a film that investigates supernatural occurrences in a local home, was presented as a live program. Due to the impressive special effects and performances by the film’s cast — including famous British TV personalities Michael Parkinson and Sarah Greene — viewers at home believed the events in Ghostwatch were real.
A slight upset followed Ghostwatch‘s premiere, as citizens were concerned for their safety and then angry at the film’s creators for causing people to panic. Knowing Ghostwatch is fictional, the power of its illusion is slightly diluted, but the mockumentary film is still entertaining. Ghostwatch is full of committed performances and realistic paranormal activity, such as dishware moving on its own and falsified, dramatic temperature changes in rooms.
2 Trilogy Of Terror (1975)
An Anthology Film Based On Richard Matheson’s Stories
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Inspired by stories by horror author Richard Matheson, Trilogy of Terror is a made-for-TV anthology film starring Karen Black. Trilogy of Terror is divided into three segments, each named after its main characters: “Julie,” “Millicent and Therese,” and “Amelia.” Each story is more disturbing than the one before, but “Amelia” remains the most memorable as it includes a possessed wooden doll that threatens the life of its titular owner.
Trilogy of Terror
is divided into three segments, each named after its main characters: “Julie,” “Millicent and Therese,” and “Amelia.”
While critical praise has been given to the various stories in the anthology film, a majority of Trilogy of Terror‘s positive reviews are about Karen Black’s performance. Black plays the main character in each segment, and she takes on the role of both twin characters in “Millicent and Therese.” Black’s performances are exciting to watch, as she’s fully committed to each part, believably transforming into a completely different person when needed.
1 Duel (1971)
Tension Builds Between Two Drivers
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Duel (1971) PGActionThrillerTV Movie
Director Steven Spielberg Release Date November 13, 1971 Writers Richard Matheson Runtime 89 Minutes Main Genre Action
Known best for his theatrical releases, Steven Spielberg’s horror filmDuel expertly introduces tension and a threatening figure on the television screen with a simple premise. Duel did eventually have a theatrical release with a few extra minutes added, but the film originally premiered on ABC and earned high levels of praise from critics. Duel‘s unseen antagonist torments the film’s main character David (Dennis Weaver) whilst driving alone on a long drive.
Spielberg understands that one of the scariest things a horror film can do is leave things up to the audience’s imagination. With Duel, audiences make up the identity of the truck driver themselves. Has the long drive brought the antagonist to a boredom that can only be cured by taunting the driver of a smaller car, or are they a killer looking to take another life with few witnesses around?