This document provides an overview of the history and evolution of horror films. It discusses how horror films have been attempting to provoke primal fears in audiences for hundreds of years, starting with plays. Common horror film themes include ghosts, vampires, zombies, and serial killers. Some classic early horror films that helped develop the genre include 1920's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 1922's Nosferatu, and 1931's Frankenstein, all of which involved mad scientists or monsters creating chaos and mayhem.