A collection of proto slasher movies that premiered before the 1980s starting with Psycho, which is the starting point for the evolving genre until it found its textbook definition with Halloween in 1978.
Definition: "A slasher movie is characterized by a villain who is skilled at killing and uses weapons other than firearms to stalk and target a group of young individuals, resulting in a significant number of victims. This villain may be either human or formerly human."
This list specifically focuses on the evolution of the Slasher genre and thus excludes pre-1960 films, generic serial killer flics, exploitation movies, giallos, krimis, and psychological horror films. While a few films from these categories have been included as they were influential in introducing certain tropes, such as the final girl, to the Slasher genre.
If I missed any movie you think that should be on this list or if you find some obvious mistakes please let me know and I'll make the appropriate adjustments.
Missing on Trakt:
- Aur Kaun? (1979)
The decade of slow burners, atmosphere and maybe even a little bit of the occult.
Prior to the establishment of UK state censorship implemented in the Video Recordings Act of 1984, censorship was in the realms of the courts and the Obscene Publications Act. This required the courts to apply the test of whether videos were likely to "deprave and corrupt" the viewer. The Director Of Public Prosecutions (DPP) maintained a list of those videos that were felt likely to be found obscene by the courts and hence worthwhile prosecuting.
Of course, the real drivers behind the moral panic were the UK press led by the ever obnoxious Daily Mail. Not to mention a few politicians who felt they could make a name for themselves.
Several versions of the video nasty list were published with videos added and removed over the period 1983-1985. 72 videos were listed at least for a while. Another couple of films can stake a claim via a shared name with listed films. 39 made it through to the end, and these became known as the DPP39s. These 39 titles became the most sought after collectibles.
A collection of 80s slashers from 88 Films
In his Guide for the Film Fanatic (1986), Danny Peary provides short reviews for over 1600 “Must See” films.
104 movies missing. Imported from external source.
B Horror. Updated weekly.
Night Flight is your flight.
Horror
Guide for the Film Fanatic A-E
Danny Perry
1986
A list originally mirrored from Letterboxd.
In his Guide for the Film Fanatic (1986), Danny Peary provides short reviews for over 1600 “Must See” films.
104 movies missing. Imported from external source.
70s Horror Cult
by Marcelo Castanheira (Rexx)