The document summarizes the evolution of horror films from the 1950s through the 1980s. It describes how Hammer horror films of the 1950s-1960s focused on Gothic themes and atmosphere but declined as they became cliche. Horror films of the 1970s expanded into new genres like occult, supernatural, psychological, and nature/disaster films with higher production values and more graphic violence and gore. The 1980s saw the rise of slasher franchises like Friday the 13th along with more gore as budgets declined and films went straight to video.

1. The 1970s and 1980s of horror In the 1950s and the 1960s horror films mainly focused on the hammer horror genre. This evolved from the first horror genre known as Gothic horror. Many of these films relied on fear of the unknown and the atmosphere to frighten its audience. Two of the most iconic hammer horror films of the 50s were The Mummy, and the horror of Dracula.