1. 1890-1920
Le Manoir du diable credited as the first horror movie created by Georges Melies
who also created another horror film called La Caverne. Possibly credited as one
of the first horror directors.
1920-1930
The treaty of Versailles – oppressed Germany, which led to films of the time
being dark in their imagery and context, Metropolis was a Nazi film which was
around the time of the Munich putz which then was the perfect time to create an
atmosphere that would create monsters like vampires who symbolized the
horror of post world war 1. The chiaroscuro lightning was a trademark for
expressionism in Germany. A key director who influenced this was Murnau.
1930-1940
American Movie Studio Universal Pictures began a successful Gothic horror film series.
Examples of this were Frankenstein (1935) and Dracula (1931) were created to go against
the German made films during the stock market crash, which created widespread misery and
hardship both in the states and throughout the world.
1940-1950
Popular monarchy during this time –George VI, films was displaced to a time
when kings were more hedonistic. Films such as Kind Hearts and Coronets
(1949) fell under this.
1950-1960
With advances in technology, the tone of horror films shifted from gothic
towards contemporary concerns. Two sub-genres emerged: the horror of
Armageddon (Outer space aliens attacking humans) – Godzilla set in Japan
(1954). The horror of the demonic (the idea of vengeance - the haunted
palace) Producer – William Castle – made the pseudo-electric-shock
technique used for the film the tingler.
1970 -1980s
The corruption of innocence shown in The Exorcist (1973). Evil children and
reincarnation became popular subjects. Director – Steven Spielberg created
Jaws (1975). This started a wave of killer animal films such as Orca (1977)
and Up from the Depths.
1990s
During the first half of the 1990s the genres from the 1980s continued.
Slasher films then became popular. Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13 th,
Childs play (Chucky). Some touched upon real-world horror and fictional
horror – Candyman example of invented character and real-world horror
2000s
Beginning of 2000s quiet period for the genre. Start in Teen centred horrors
such as Final Destination and Jeepers Creepers Major return of zombie
genres such as Residant Evil. Remakes.
Most popular horror movie – The exorcist (1973)
Most popular horror directors – George Romero (created the zombie)

2. Ed Gein - Leatherface TCM, Psycho- Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill Killer, Hannibal
Lecter – Silence of the lambs.