The earliest horror films were Gothic in style and featured supernatural elements like vampires, ghosts, monsters, and demons. Horror films developed from folktales, myths, ghost stories, and Gothic novels. Some influential supernatural horror films that exemplify the genre include The Exorcist (1973) about a girl possessed by a mysterious entity, The Poltergeist (1982) about a family haunted by playful ghosts that turn menacing, and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) about a serial killer who kills his victims in their dreams.

1. INFLUENTIAL FILM
EXAMPLES OF
SUPERNATURAL HORROR

2. The earliest horror films were Gothic - meaning that they were usually set in spooky old
mansions, castles, dark and shadowy locales. Their main characters have included: the
“unknown,” supernatural or grotesque creatures, vampires, demented madmen, devils,
unfriendly ghosts, monsters, demons, zombies, evil spirits, the “possessed,” werewolves
and diabolical presence of evil.
Horror films developed out of a number of sources such as: folktales with devil characters,
witch craft, fables, myths, ghost stories, Grand Guignol/melodramas, and Gothic or
Victorian novels.

3. The Exorcist (1973)
When a teenage girl is
possessed by a
mysterious entity, her
mother seeks the help
of two priests to save
her daughter.
The Poltergeist (1982)
Strange and creepy
happenings beset an average
California family, when
ghosts commune to them
through the television set.
Initially friendly and playful,
the spirits turn unexpectedly
menacing. The daughter
goes missing, so the family
turns to a parapsychologist
and eventually an exorcist
for help.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
(1984)
Several people are hunted
by a cruel serial killer who
kills his victims in their
dreams. While the
survivors are trying to find
the reason for being
chosen, the murderer
won't lose any chance to
kill them as soon as they
fall asleep.
Paranormal Activity
(2013)
Soon after moving
into a suburban
home, Katie and
Micah become
increasingly disturbed
by what appears to be
a supernatural
presence. Hoping to
capture evidence of it
on film, they set up
video cameras in the
house.
Orphan (2009)
Devastated by the loss of
their unborn baby, Kate and
John decide to adopt a child.
At the orphanage, both feel
drawn to a little girl, and
soon the couple take their
new daughter home. But
when a dangerous series of
events unfolds, Kate begins
to suspect that there is
something evil lurking
behind the child's angelic
exterior.
The Omen (1976)
American diplomat
adopts Damien
when his wife
delivers a stillborn
child. They
investigate
Damien’s
background and
realise his adopted
son may be the
Antichrist.