The first horror film was an 18 second French film from 1896. The first American horror film was 1910's Frankenstein. In the 1930s, Universal Studios had success with horror films like Frankenstein, The Mummy, and Dracula. The 1950s saw the rise of subgenres like alien invasion films and demonic films as technology advanced. Alfred Hitchcock directed Psycho in 1960, considered the first slasher film. The 1970s had successful supernatural films like The Exorcist and satanic movies based on novels like The Omen. Stephen King's novels also became popular films in this decade. The 1990s is considered the best decade for horror with slasher films like A Nightmare on Elm Street

1. History of Horror
By Aaron McGreevy

2. The first horror films
The first horror film was made in France in 1896. It was
only 18 seconds long, longer films did not appear until
the 1900s.Also some the very first horror where silent
and the first American horror film was Frankenstein made
in 1910 and portrayed horror characters as a monster and
is seen as the best made up monster of all time and is still
used throughout the genre even today.

3. Hollywood Horror films early 1930s
The American Universal Studios began a successful
Gothic horror film series which included titles such
as Frankenstein ,The Mummy and Dracula. These
films where designed to thrill and fear the viewer
and quickly became a popular genre in film.

4. History of Horror 1950s
As horror films became more popular and
technology advanced and Two sub-genres began to
where created the horror of Armageddon film and
the horror of the demonic film. The majority of
films where low budget and included storylines
such as Alien invasions , deadly mutations to
people, plants, insects and films such as Godzilla
which originated from Japan.

5. History of Horror 1960s
The 60s claimed some of the best horrors films and
during the social revolution the movies were more
edgy, featuring controversial levels of violence and
sexuality. British born actor Alfred Hitchcock was
responsible for the first “slasher” movie (Psycho).
He is one of the most famous for his unique series
of horror films.

6. History of Horror 1970s-1980s
The critical and success of films such as Rosemary's
Baby led to the release of more films with supernatural
themes such as The Exorcist in 1973.Other films such as
the Omen (1976) where the main theme of a mans
child is the antichrist and led to more satanic horror
movies. Also in the 70s horror author Stephen King
made his debut and had many films nominated for
academy awards such as Carrie and the Shining.

7. History of Horror 1990s
This is considered my films critics the best decade for
horror with such Slasher films as A Nightmare on Elm
Street, Friday the 13th , Halloween and Childs. All of
these films made sequels which was not successful
with the fans and critics except the hugely popular
Silence of the Lambs.

8. History of Horror 2000s +
The 21st century saw a quiet era for the horror genre
but saw successful francizes such as Final Destination
and SAW. Asian horror movies which have been remade
into American versions such as The Ring and The
Grudge. Also there was an increase in the Zombie
horror such as Dawn of the Dead, Resident evil as well
zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead.