For many modern audiences, the minute they see that a film is black and white, they turn away. Where this stigma against older or black-and-white films comes from is a mystery because many of these films are as good if not far better than many contemporary ones.
One of the best genre examples of this would be the contrast between black-and-white and color horror films. There is something aesthetically more unnerving when a horror film utilizes black and white. Looking over the history of the genre, here are ten examples of fantastic black-and-white horror films.
Nosferatu (1922)
F. W. Murnau was a legend when it came to silent filmmaking. His impact both on the medium, as well as the German Expressionist movement, can’t be understated. Without a doubt, though, Murnau’s most iconic and beloved film was his take on Bram Stoker’s classic vampire: Nosferatu.
German actor Max Schreck brought the monstrous Count Orlok to life, and for many, became the definitive version of Dracula. The striking makeup holds up today as one of the most unnerving vampire designs in the film. Embodying the demonic and animalistic nature of the character, this is a far throw away from Bela Lugosi’s dapper gentlemen vampire.
The Lighthouse (2019)
Perhaps including this film is recency bias, but The Lighthouse already feels like it will be a revisited film for years to come. This sophomore outing from director Robert Eggers is a substantial creative leap and risk in comparison to 2015’s The Witch.
Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe give what might be the most bombastic (in the best way possible) performances of their careers. This manic dive into insanity, guilt, and slight homoeroticism is a horrifying and weirdly hilarious experience. A Field in England walked so The Lighthouse could run.
The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)
When it comes to black-and-white horror, it is almost impossible to discuss it without a mention of the massive legacy left behind by the Universal Monsters boom. This series of loosely connected films was the groundwork of an entire studio, combining fantastic cast ensembles, directors with big ideas, and a huge hardworking crew to create some of the first tentpole features
Considered by many to be the last of the great monster films from Universal, Creature from the Black Lagoon remains one of the most influential monster movies of all time. You can see its design inspirations all over the films of massively influential artists and directors, such as Mike Mignola and Guillermo del Toro.
The Wolf Man (1941)
Perhaps lying at the peak of the Universal Monsters boom, The Wolfman remains the quintessential werewolf movie. It established all the classic tropes that every other property has riffed off, from the sleepy English village to the full moon to the silver bullets.
The makeup used to create the nightmarish beast has influenced iconic makeup artists such as Rick Baker, who went on to win the Oscar for An American Werewolf in London. This film utilized a prestige cast, with the likes of Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, and Bela Lugosi to craft a classic horror film for the ages.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Horror has hundreds of sub-genres within it, from slasher to satanic panic. Each of them has a definitive genesis point, with a film marking the start of an entire generic movement. For zombie movies, there’s no better origin point than George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.
This revolutionary horror film was the first to define the classic idea of a zombie for Hollywood, and became a perfect allegory for its time. Not only that, but its revolutionary and unapologetic use of a black male hero in the lead role undoubtedly pushed representation in the genre and medium forward.
Psycho (1960)
Many regard Alfred Hitchcock as more of a thriller and suspense storyteller than horror. With Psycho, however, Hitchcock’s revolutionary style of suspense was paired with the macabre story of a deluded murderer and his deceased mother.
This film remains one of the most controversial in the history of Hollywood for its unabashed graphic nature, with many horrified for even sillier reasons such as the first-ever shot of a toilet on-screen. The film is a classic for a reason and is a must-see for any cinephile, let alone horror fan.
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
While some might not consider The Night of the Hunter a traditional horror film, there are undoubtedly many moments of terror within it, and its impact on horror filmmakers can’t be understated. Just look at the shot above compared to the final shot of Ari Aster’s Hereditary.
The film remains the single directing outing from actor Charles Laughton, failing miserably among critics and the box office. As time has gone on, though, the film’s legacy has been fully realized as a masterstroke and one of the most underrated films of the 20th century. The hulking Harry Powell, played by icon Robert Mitchum, remains one of the scariest movie villains of all time.
The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari (1920)
While Nosferatu is an icon of both vampire fiction and the silent film era, few films embody the German Expressionist movement more than The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. This nightmarish vision from director Robert Wiene is a fantastical trip into nightmares, with some of the strangest images ever put to screen.
The art direction is all its own, combining drastically exaggerated lines and archways. The lighting and makeup are purposefully contrasted and jarring to match the surreal direction of the environments.
Cat People (1942)
Cat People remains a bit of a forgotten gem among most film viewers, but it stands as a groundbreaking achievement in editing and tension. Legendary producer Val Lewton paired with noir director Jacques Tourneur to craft this moody supernatural thriller.
Every cinephile praises Steven Spielberg for the brilliant decision not to show the shark in Jaws. Still, farbefore Bruce terrorized Amity Bay, Tourneur used an even more restrictive technique in Cat People, employing the power of editing, atmosphere, and sound design to craft the anxiety behind his feline foe.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
The king, or perhaps queen, of all the Universal Monster Movies, is undoubtedly James Whale’s The Bride of Frankenstein. While the first Frankenstein was an unabashed hit, this sequel allowed Whale to show off his signature wit and depth of feeling in both directorial choices.
This far funnier and tragic take on Frankenstein and his monster is the single greatest performance of Boris Karloff’s tenure as the reanimated monster. Everything about this film works and remains one of the greatest sequels ever made.
