My Favorite Spooky Movies (1920-1960)

Under the heading of spooky I’m including horror movies as well as science fiction movies and monster movies that have a creepy vibe. I’m only including movies from 1920-1960 because I like that period the best, and I think older films are underappreciated by general audiences compared to newer films. I don’t really like blood and guts that much, I’m more into films that have a thick atmosphere, interesting cinematography, good stories and cool practical effects. The films are listed in the order of their release.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

This proto-horror film is the most esoteric pick on the list and may not be for everyone, but I don’t think it’s particularly hard to appreciate either, it’s just very old and strange. The sets in this film look like they were designed for a stageplay by someone who was tripping on acid. The entire film has a very dreamlike quality to it, and by the end of the film you won’t be sure what to believe.

Nosferatu (1922)

The first and best film based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula”. An unauthorized adaptation, most copies of the film were destroyed and we’re lucky it survived. Max Schreck as Count Orlok (the film’s name for Dracula) is very creepy and animalistic, and the danger he poses continually increases as the film progresses. Nosferatu features some of the most iconic horror imagery of all time.

The Wolf Man (1941)

This werewolf movie stars Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot, a confident and entitled man who can’t seem to find his place in his former home town. As he becomes involved with a local girl and some local dark magic, he becomes increasingly desperate to regain control.

Cat People (1942)

An emotional story with some very tense, brilliantly shot scenes that will make you scared of the dark. Cat People is notable for having a complex female character who is the hero and also the villain of the story.

The Thing from Another World (1951)

The first film about a hostile alien invader, Howard Hawkes’ The Thing (1951) lives in the shadow of its younger cousin, John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982). The first Thing brings organic acting, a clash-of-ideals story, and some interesting monster ideas to the table.

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)

The film that inspired Godzilla, what greater accolade can you impart on a monster movie? The Beast sees a prehistoric creature awakened by a nuclear bomb test near the North Pole, pissed off and ready to cause some property damage as it works its way down the Eastern coast of Canada towards New York City.

The War of the Worlds (1953)

A classic sci-fi/horror film that transports you to the 50s with its nostalgic alien designs. The action and destruction in this film takes place on a global scale, giving it an epic, almost biblical feeling.

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

I don’t know what’s more impressive about this creature feature, the incredible costume design or the lengthy underwater scenes where Ricou Browning held his breath for minutes at a time while swimming around in the suit! This is a simple film that is elevated by the hard work that the staff put into it.

Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock’s ultra-modern horror opus is radical in its storytelling technique and unsettling in its hyper-realism. One of the progenitors of the slasher genre, Psycho does it with more artistic flair than most of the works it inspired.