Best Decades for Horror

[Lazerus]

We had this discussion going in the daily chat but I decided to create this poll and bring the discussion here.
Which decades do you feel were the best for Horror films?

For me the 1980's is the undisputed champion but the earlier decades had their moments. We had the Universal Monsters come out in the 1930's and to a lesser extent in the 40's and 50's. As Zombie brought up in the other chat, the 1960's had some memorable films and the 70's certainly has a few heavyweights to it's credit.

What do you guys think?

[zombie]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

[Jigsaw]

I don't know about "best," but I went with the 1930's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, and 2000's.

I'd also have voted for the 1920's, but also, my love for silent cinema makes me an outcast among men.

[Jason]

70s and 80s baby. 80s takes the cake with its massive production of films from various subgenres ranging from serious to cheesy. 70s gets a lot of points for heaviness on the fright factor and the dozen or so heavy hitters.

[Lazerus]

I'd like to mention that the 70's and 80's films had a generation of awesome talent behind many of them. Great directors, cast, special effects gurus etc. Those decades had the privilege of stuff that wasn't doable on film in the decades prior due to lack of effects technology.

Also, these films were made before CGI really took off so they focused on practical effects instead of the early (and ugly) CGI we began seeing in the 90's and beyond.

[zombie]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

[Lazerus]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

[zombie]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

i could list out my favorites and you list out the ones you hate and detest... but it seems like i'm not going to change your mind. oh well.

[Jigsaw]

The 1950's didn't really start in earnest until 1954 or so.

Between 1950 and 1953, there weren't many horror films whatsoever. I know of about 51, of which I've only seen 11.

Certainly in the mid-to-late 1950's, though, there were plenty of bangers.

[Jigsaw]

Here's an underrated film from the 1950's I highly suggest: The Strange Door (1951).

Charles Laughton is absolutely stellar in it, and Boris Karloff's there also. The finale was legit fire.

[Lazerus]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

i could list out my favorites and you list out the ones you hate and detest... but it seems like i'm not going to change your mind. oh well.

The 50's had it's wins.

The Fly
Creature from the Black Lagoon
House on Haunted Hill
The Blob
Bad Seed

But I honestly can't think of too many others atm that stand out. I am probably missing a few.

[Jigsaw]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

i could list out my favorites and you list out the ones you hate and detest... but it seems like i'm not going to change your mind. oh well.

The 50's had it's wins.

The Fly
Creature from the Black Lagoon
House on Haunted Hill
The Blob
Bad Seed

But I honestly can't think of too many others atm that stand out. I am probably missing a few.

You didn't ask, but here's a short list of 1950's horror I'd generally recommend:

1) The Thing from Another World
2) The Maze
3) Them! (I have to mention this one, or my father's ghost will haunt me)
4) Invasion of the Body Snatchers
5) X the Unknown
6) The Abominable Snowman
7) The Curse of Frankenstein
8) Zombies of Mora Tau
9) Bijo to ekitai ningen
10) How to Make a Monster
11) It! The Terror from Beyond Space
12) The Bat
13) The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake
14) The Hound of the Baskervilles (not as good as the 1939 version imo, but still worth it)
15) The Mummy

[Tiggnutz]

Can't touch the 80's imo

[zombie]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

i could list out my favorites and you list out the ones you hate and detest... but it seems like i'm not going to change your mind. oh well.

The 50's had it's wins.

The Fly
Creature from the Black Lagoon
House on Haunted Hill
The Blob
Bad Seed

But I honestly can't think of too many others atm that stand out. I am probably missing a few.

gojira (or godzilla king of the monsters if you prefer) has to top the 1950s. some vincent price and early hammer flicks to round out the decade and a black lagoon in there somewhere. that's all good stuff. i don't like the 50s blob at all though. blech.

and i do plan to finally watch the bad seed in october.

[Tiggnutz]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

i could list out my favorites and you list out the ones you hate and detest... but it seems like i'm not going to change your mind. oh well.

The 50's had it's wins.

The Fly
Creature from the Black Lagoon
House on Haunted Hill
The Blob
Bad Seed

But I honestly can't think of too many others atm that stand out. I am probably missing a few.

gojira (or godzilla king of the monsters if you prefer) has to top the 1950s. some vincent price and early hammer flicks to round out the decade and a black lagoon in there somewhere. that's all good stuff. i don't like the 50s blob at all though. blech.

and i do plan to finally watch the bad seed in october.

Them! Is really good and Horror of Dracula is a masterpiece

[zombie]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

i could list out my favorites and you list out the ones you hate and detest... but it seems like i'm not going to change your mind. oh well.

The 50's had it's wins.

The Fly
Creature from the Black Lagoon
House on Haunted Hill
The Blob
Bad Seed

But I honestly can't think of too many others atm that stand out. I am probably missing a few.

gojira (or godzilla king of the monsters if you prefer) has to top the 1950s. some vincent price and early hammer flicks to round out the decade and a black lagoon in there somewhere. that's all good stuff. i don't like the 50s blob at all though. blech.

and i do plan to finally watch the bad seed in october.

Them! Is really good and Horror of Dracula is a masterpiece

indeed on both counts. don't count out the curse of frankenstein while we're at it.

[Lazerus]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

i could list out my favorites and you list out the ones you hate and detest... but it seems like i'm not going to change your mind. oh well.

The 50's had it's wins.

The Fly
Creature from the Black Lagoon
House on Haunted Hill
The Blob
Bad Seed

But I honestly can't think of too many others atm that stand out. I am probably missing a few.

gojira (or godzilla king of the monsters if you prefer) has to top the 1950s. some vincent price and early hammer flicks to round out the decade and a black lagoon in there somewhere. that's all good stuff. i don't like the 50s blob at all though. blech.

and i do plan to finally watch the bad seed in october.

Godzilla is sci-Fi, not horror. An argument could be made for The Thing From Another World but I also consider that one Sci-Fi.
And I love most of Vincent Price's movies. House on Haunted Hill being my favorite of his works.

[zombie]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

i could list out my favorites and you list out the ones you hate and detest... but it seems like i'm not going to change your mind. oh well.

The 50's had it's wins.

The Fly
Creature from the Black Lagoon
House on Haunted Hill
The Blob
Bad Seed

But I honestly can't think of too many others atm that stand out. I am probably missing a few.

gojira (or godzilla king of the monsters if you prefer) has to top the 1950s. some vincent price and early hammer flicks to round out the decade and a black lagoon in there somewhere. that's all good stuff. i don't like the 50s blob at all though. blech.

and i do plan to finally watch the bad seed in october.

Godzilla is sci-Fi, not horror. An argument could be made for The Thing From Another World but I also consider that one Sci-Fi.
And I love most of Vincent Price's movies. House on Haunted Hill being my favorite of his works.

scifi in godzilla only applies cause he's a science-created monster. (or science-awoken) it would be akin to calling nightmare on elm street fantasy and discounting the horror of it because he attacks you in your dreams. at least that is how i view it.

[Tiggnutz]

1980s is tops for me. followed by 2000s and 2010s, 1960s and 70s are basically tied, i guess, but i give the 60s a nudge or two higher, 1930s is next to follow and then 50s, the 90s and the 40s caboose out the decades as my favorability goes.

i could be convinced without much effort that the 90s beats the 50s too, honestly. but i don't want to go back and edit.

The 50's was a weak decade for horror imo. Not too many films from that decade have stood the test of time.

i could list out my favorites and you list out the ones you hate and detest... but it seems like i'm not going to change your mind. oh well.

The 50's had it's wins.

The Fly
Creature from the Black Lagoon
House on Haunted Hill
The Blob
Bad Seed

But I honestly can't think of too many others atm that stand out. I am probably missing a few.

gojira (or godzilla king of the monsters if you prefer) has to top the 1950s. some vincent price and early hammer flicks to round out the decade and a black lagoon in there somewhere. that's all good stuff. i don't like the 50s blob at all though. blech.

and i do plan to finally watch the bad seed in october.

Godzilla is sci-Fi, not horror. An argument could be made for The Thing From Another World but I also consider that one Sci-Fi.
And I love most of Vincent Price's movies. House on Haunted Hill being my favorite of his works.

scifi in godzilla only applies cause he's a science-created monster. (or science-awoken) it would be akin to calling nightmare on elm street fantasy and discounting the horror of it because he attacks you in your dreams. at least that is how i view it.

I'm with Zombie on this the original Godzilla like all atomic monster films are 100% horror

[Lazerus]

Maybe it's all the endless sequels that are very obviously sci-fi. IDK but I just don't view it as a horror film. There are a ton of giant monster movies over the last 70 years or more and none of them have felt like horror to me. (from the ones I have seen) Not even Cloverfield. So it's subjective.

The original Godzilla was awesome. Much better than many of the sequels that followed. But I have enjoyed the Monsterverse films of recent years.