11 Must-Watch Horror Films From The 1940s
Creature features, psychological horror, and a hidden painting.
1. Dr. Cyclops (1940)
Basic Plot: Peruvian jungle + Mad scientist + Miniaturization = Dr. Cyclops.
Fun Fact: This film was nominated for Best Visual/Special Effects at the Academy Awards.
2. The Wolf Man (1941)
Basic Plot: Lycanthropy + Gypsy + Silver walking stick = The Wolf Man.
Fun Fact: Bela Lugosi, best known for playing Dracula, plays the gypsy's son.
3. Cat People (1942)
Basic Plot: Serbian immigrant + Cats + Sexual arousal = Cat People
Fun Fact: Producer Val Lewton preferred using psychological horror in his films, rather than physical horror.
4. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)
Basic Plot: Trapped in ice + Ensemble of monsters + Fighting = Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man.
Fun Fact: This film marks the fifth installment in the Frankenstein series for Universal Studios.
5. I Walked with a Zombie (1943)
Basic Plot: Sugar plantation + Fever + Voodoo = I Walked with a Zombie.
Fun Fact: Edith Barrett was only three years older than James Ellison, even though they were supposed to be mother and son.
6. Son of Dracula (1943)
Basic Plot: Count Alucard + Vampirism + Fire = Son of Dracula.
Fun Fact: This film marks the first time a vampire changes into a bat onscreen.
8. The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
Basic Plot: Eternal beauty + Hidden Painting + Murder = The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Fun Fact: Dorian Gray's painting is the only thing shown in color. This occurs four different times throughout the film.
9. House of Horrors (1946)
Basic Plot: Sculpting + "The Creeper" + Death to critics = House of Horrors.
Fun Fact: This film was supposed to spark a series of "Creeper" films, but only managed to produce two after star Rondo Hatton died.
10. Scared to Death (1947)
Basic Plot: Death by fear + Magicians + Nazis = Scared to Death.
Fun Fact: This film is the only color film Bela Lugosi starred in.
11. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
OKAY, it's more of a comedy, but we're including it anyway.
Basic Plot: Comedy duo + A gaggle of monsters + Confusion = Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Fun Fact: This film is considered by organizations such as the American Film Institute and Reader's Digest Magazine as one of the funniest movies in cinema history.