Horror's Greatest is a documentary series that delves deep into the world of horror movies, celebrating their cultural influence and enduring appeal. This unprecedented five-part series unpacks the legacy of horror like no one has ever done, from the team behind The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time and produced by Marwar Junction Productions.
It traces, from the iconically classical The Shining, The Exorcist, and Halloween to some of its stranger sub-genres—Japanese horror and comic horror, among others—and focuses a light on some of Stephen King's most legendary adaptations. It shows viewers more of what has made the stories unforgettable over time.
Premiered on August 27, 2024, Horror's Greatest is available on Shudder and AMC+, featuring in-depth interviews with genre legends, including Child's Play director Tom Holland, Locke & Key author Joe Hill, and many other luminaries. Their stories, coupled with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, add a new dimension of comprehension to the very art of horror filmmaking.
Horror's Greatest treads the perfect line between storytelling and analysis to satisfy both dedicated and casual viewers. Standing with an impressive 8.5/10 IMDb rating, this series is being praised for its really reflective approach and catchy content.
What is Horror's Greatest about?
Shudder's Horror's Greatest is a documentary series that goes in-depth into the world of horror, showing its evolution, key moments, and impact on culture. The series, five episodes in total, further breaks down different aspects of horror cinema, with some great insights from directors, actors, and experts in the field.
One of the episodes deals with tropes and clichés that have become inherent in horror films. This segment covers the recurring themes of the "final girl" or the "haunted house," how those conventions shaped audience expectations and filmmaking techniques, and delivers a fresh take on the evolution of such tropes, from early horror classics to their modern interpretations.
One episode discusses the giant monster movies' bigger-than-life monsters that have haunted audiences, from Godzilla down to Cloverfield. Japanese horror is another area this series looked into: J-horror and how such films as Ringu and Ju-on have reimagined the genre and its results on filmmakers of horror movies globally.
There is also a special spotlight on Stephen King adaptations discussing the iconic film versions of It and Carrie and their eventual effect on both horror and mainstream cinema.
Each episode runs anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes, giving one a chance for quite a detailed and at once digestible insight into such important aspects of the genre.
Who is interviewed in Shudder's Horror's Greatest?
Shudder's Horror's Greatest features interviews with a diverse array of filmmakers, actors, and experts who give insight into the horror genre. Contributors of note include:
- David Dastmalchian: Having appeared in films like Ant-Man and The Suicide Squad, among others, Dastmalchian shares his thoughts on horror cinema.
- Kate Siegel: An actress celebrated for her performances in The Haunting of Hill House and Hush, Siegel shares experiences within the horror genre.
- Joe Hill: Acclaimed author of Locke & Key and NOS4A2, Hill provides insight into the literary aspects of horror.
- Tom Holland: Director of Fright Night and Child's Play, Holland shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes from his filmmaking career.
- Kurt Sayenga: The showrunner of Horror's Greatest, Sayenga discusses the creation of this series and the selection of topics and participants.
These interviews give an in-depth understanding of the whole horror genre from many perspectives for the viewers.
Viewing options for the Horror's Greatest!
Shudder’s Horror’s Greatest is available for streaming on Shudder, a platform dedicated to horror, thriller, and supernatural content. Shudder offers a 7-day free trial, after which the subscription costs $6.99 per month or $71.88 annually.
In addition to Shudder, Horror’s Greatest is accessible through AMC+, which bundles Shudder with other AMC content. AMC+ subscriptions start at $4.99 per month, providing access to a variety of content, including Shudder's offerings.
Both platforms are available internationally, with Shudder expanding its services to countries like Australia and New Zealand. Horror’s Greatest is also available on various devices, including Android and Apple mobile devices, Amazon Fire devices, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Chromecast.
Please note that pricing and availability may vary by region.
Stay tuned for more updates.