The Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ sequence is always one of the most touching moments of the ceremony, paying solemn tribute to those who contributed to the world of cinema. This year’s felt especially moving, with Morgan Freeman introducing the segment by paying personal tribute to his Unforgiven co-star Gene Hackman.

Other richly deserved tributes included Kris Kristofferson, Shelley Duvall, Maggie Smith, James Earl Jones, and Donald Sutherland, as well as directors Norman Jewison and David Lynch (Isabella Rosselini also paid tribute to Lynch by wearing a Blue Velvet dress).

The In Memoriam of the 2025 #Oscars

See the full winners list: https://t.co/cDPncK6OIM pic.twitter.com/QN1v0kDtHf

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 3, 2025

But each year, there are omissions from this segment that leave fans surprised and offended. Sure, the Oscars ceremony is famously strict on timing, but why leave out Michelle Trachtenberg, Olivia Hussey, and Shannon Doherty? But beyond that trio of stars another person was left out — and it’s left horror fans hopping mad.

That’s because the Candyman himself, Tony Todd, was cruelly omitted from the list. You could maybe argue that Trachtenberg and Doherty were primarily television actors, but Todd appeared in over 100 feature films, including major hits like Platoon, The Crow, The Rock, and multiple Final Destination movies. But by far his most iconic role was as the terrifying but tragic Daniel Robitaille in the Candyman movies.

The 1992 original ranks as one of the best horror movies of that decade, mixing in scares with social commentary to lasting effect. Nia DaCosta’s 2021 sequel saw Todd return to the role for the final time, cementing his status as a horror icon. Todd died of cancer in Nov. 2024, resulting in a wave of affection for him from the industry. But, apparently, not from the Academy. And fans aren’t pleased:

Leaving Tony Todd out of the memoriam segment is absolutely horrible. He dedicated so much to his craft and gave life to one of the most historically important horror icons. He was one of a kind and deserves recognition #Oscars pic.twitter.com/TSMDtrVCDD

— thefilthybrick (@thefilthybrick) March 3, 2025

“Vile” is the right word:

The Oscars leaving Tony Todd out of the memoriam part was so vile. We will always love you Tony pic.twitter.com/fMBocgVWoe

— Horror Collective (@THEH0RRORKID) March 3, 2025

We won’t overlook him either:

The Oscars may have overlooked him, but we won’t. Tony Todd was more than just Candyman—he was an icon, a legend, and a powerhouse performer who left an unforgettable mark on horror, sci-fi, and cinema as a whole. From Final Destination to Star Trek, his presence was unmatched,… pic.twitter.com/ehgnoRdUFO

— iHorror.com (@iHorrorNews) March 3, 2025

It really is a snub:

No Tony Todd being mentioned at #TheOscars?! A snub to an amazing legacy, a groundbreaking actor, champion of his craft. The horror community won’t forget @TheAcademy pic.twitter.com/oEG9B3aIbA

— Scream Queen (@sianylouu) March 3, 2025

If you want to do what the Oscars couldn’t and Todd, you’re spoiled for options. There’s his glittering filmography, extensive TV work, a huge catalog of voice acting for DC superhero projects (his Darkseid is particularly great), and two recent barnstorming video game performances in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (as Venom) and in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Once again, RIP Tony Todd. You deserve to be honored by the industry you gave so much to.

Tony Todd, the commanding presence behind horror classics like Candyman and Final Destination, ed away peacefully at his home in Marina Del Rey, California, on Nov. 6, 2024, at the age of 69.

Born on Dec. 4, 1954, in Washington, D.C., Todd’s journey to stardom began at the University of Connecticut, where he earned a scholarship that led him to the prestigious Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Institute. With his imposing 6’5″ frame and distinctive baritone voice, Todd made his film debut in 1986, appearing in both Sleepwalk and Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning Platoon. His breakthrough came in 1992 when he embodied the tragic figure of Daniel Robitaille in Candyman, a role that would define his career and establish him as a horror icon.

While Todd became synonymous with horror, his versatility as an actor stretched far beyond the genre. He accumulated over 200 acting credits across film and television, including memorable roles in The Rock, The Crow, and multiple appearances in the Star Trek franchise. His stage work was equally impressive, earning a Helen Hayes nomination for his performance in Athol Fugard’s The Captain’s Tiger and critical acclaim for his role in August Wilson’s King Hedley II.

What did horror icon Tony Todd die?

While Todd’s ing has been confirmed by multiple representatives, including Dede Binder, president of the Defining Artists agency, the exact cause of death has not been disclosed to the public. The actor reportedly died peacefully at his home, after battling a long illness, as disclosed by his wife, Fatima, to The Hollywood Reporter.

At the time of his ing, Todd remained active in the entertainment industry with several post-production projects, including horror movies Werewolf Game and The Witching Hour. Recently, Todd had also come back to the Final Destination franchise for a highly-anticipated sequel. In the Final Destination series of movies, Todd portrayed the enigmatic William Bludworth, a mysterious mortician who understood death’s design. His character appeared throughout the series, offering cryptic warnings to the protagonists about death’s inevitable approach. It feels appropriate that his final appearance will be in Final Destination: Bloodlines, which wrapped filming in March 2024 and is set for release in 2025.

The entertainment community has responded with an outpouring of tributes following Todd’s ing. Virginia Madsen, his Candyman co-star, shared an emotional message on Instagram: “My beloved. May you rest in power sweet to the sweet in heaven. The great actor Tony Todd has left us and now is an angel.” In a subsequent post, she described him as “a truly poetic man” and “a gentle soul with a deep knowledge of the arts.” New Line Cinema, the studio behind Final Destination, honored him with a heartfelt post on social media: “The industry has lost a legend. We have lost a cherished friend.” Actor Devon Sawa, who worked with Todd in the “Final Destination” franchise, also posted a personal tribute: “Tony Todd was a friend even through my darkest times.”

Todd is survived by his wife, Fatima Todd, and his two children, Alex and Ariana, leaving behind a legacy that spans four decades of memorable performances across film, television, and stage.

The spooktacular season might be over, but as it turns out, we’ve all received an early Christmas gift thanks to the brains behind Dead by Daylight — with Chucky just a few short weeks away from being available to the masses. But is Chucky the only new licensed killer we want to see in the game?

The short answer is no, he’s not the only fresh-faced licensed killer we’d like to see added to the hit horror experience. Chucky is a great addition, that goes without saying, and the Xenomorph from Alien was just as exciting when that chapter was released. And yet, there’s still a healthy dose of horror villains we want to see cause absolute terror to Survivors. As of now, glorious baddies such as Michael Myers, Leatherface, Ghostface, and Freddy Krueger are all publicly available to purchase in DBD, but what’s wrong with adding a few more friends to the proverbial blood-splattered barbecue?

So before you drop your next paycheck on purchasing Chucky and all of his Hidey Ho-goodness, allow us to fully explore 5 other licensed killers we definitely want to see in DBD in the near future.

Predator

As soon as the Xenomorph from Alien was released in the game, it literally felt like a swarm of Predator ers (Predapporters?) began championing for Predator to be introduced right alongside the Xenomorph for DBD’s next chapter. Of course, folks have been wanting Predator in the game long before the Alien chapter was revealed, so the conversation coming up again is certainly not a surprise. Either way, we’re all heavily intrigued and want to see this happen.

Candyman

No, not that Candy Man from Willy Wonka, but the horrifying Candyman with a hook for a hand who can be summoned by calling out his name five times. And instead of focusing on the modern-day version, DBD desperately needs to travel back in time to mold their adaptation based on Tony Todd’s iconic version. Imagine Candyman chasing after you, catching you, and hooking you onto his own hand? That sounds like absolute madness, and the possibilities would be endless.

Springtrap

With all the hype surrounding Five Nights at Freddy’s as of late, now feels like the perfect time for Dead by Daylight to introduce Springtrap as one of its next major licensed killers. Even before Blumhouse’s face-melting extravaganza, DBD die-hards and ionate gamers have long been championing for Springtrap to make his debut in the horror game. We can only imagine the sort of jump scares and spine-tingling moments that would take place with the frightening animatronic in the game. So, let’s make it happen.

Pennywise

OK, I know there’s already a killer clown in DBD, but hear me out. The Clown is nice and all, but Pennywise is the definitive killer clown. If executed correctly, Pennywise would arguably be rewarded with some of the best abilities in the game — including telekinesis and shapeshifting. While the current killer clown in the horror experience utilizes magical bottles and trickery, Pennywise literally has the power to turn into your most frightening fear. Get him in the game yesterday.

Jason Voorhees

Let’s face it, Friday the 13th: The Game is dead. Its heart is still beating until the end of 2024, but no new content will be added, so it’s time to just cut our gaming losses and say goodbye. And yet, the end of that particular game doesn’t mean we never need to see Jason Voorhees in a horror game again. In fact, landing Jason would be the perfect move for DBD — especially seeing as Jason’s fellow slasher baddies are already comfortably positioned in the game. We’re not even entirely sure if this move is possible, but we’ll continue to hold out hope.

Prime Video has been around for quite some time, and as such, it’s become a favorite streaming option for many. Thankfully, horror lovers aren’t left out of all the fun, as the streamer has some deliciously spooky content. 

With modern day classics like Midsommar, and acclaimed TV shows like Lovecraft Country, a Prime Video would be a worthwhile offer for most horror fans. The streamer has enough for a Halloween binge session, and for thrilling movie nights outside of the holiday season. So if chilling tales are more your speed, get frightened with some of these scary movies available to watch. 

10. The Witching Season

The Witching Season is a web anthology series, with each episode serving as a standalone tale of terror. Each story features various sub-genres of horror and supernatural occurrences that are similar to horror shows of the past. The series perfectly captures the essence of Halloween, delivering spooky and atmospheric tales that are best for a chilling night of horror entertainment.

9. Candyman

Candyman follows Anthony McCoy, an artist who becomes obsessed with the urban legend of “the Candyman” after discovering the chilling history of his neighborhood. While following the dark folklore, he opens the door to supernatural horrors. He inadvertently begins to lose a hold of his, as he starts to feed his curiosity and obsession, which ultimately lead him to destruction. 

8. Penny Dreadful

Set in Victorian London, Penny Dreadful weaves together classic horror literature characters, such as Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and Dracula into a compelling narrative. It follows Ethan Chandler, an American gunman and roadshow artist who is hired to help rescue the daughter of Malcolm Murray from a strange creature. Receiving help from a young doctor named Victor Frankenstein, the characters must confront supernatural threats and personal demons.

7. Lovecraft Country

Based on the novel of the same name, Lovecraft Country is set in the 1950s and follows the story of Atticus Freeman, a young African American man who embarks on a road trip in search of his missing father, Montrose. Accompanied by his uncle George and childhood friend Letitia, they come to encounter the challenges of the Jim Crow era and a series of supernatural horror. Each episode brings a new terrifying and otherworldly experience, as the trio confronts malevolent entities and ancient secrets. 

6. Train to Busan

This South Korean horror film unfolds as a mysterious zombie outbreak engulfs South Korea. The story takes place on a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan, and takes a terrifying turn when an infected woman boards the train. As the infection spreads rapidly among the engers, the diverse group of engers must band together and navigate the confined space of the train and the relentless horde of fast and ferocious zombies to survive.

5. A Quiet Place

Set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by terrifying creatures that hunt by sound, this heart-pounding suspense film centers around the Abbot family, who must live their lives in almost complete silence to avoid attracting the attention of these deadly creatures. A Quiet Place follows the family’s struggle for survival and their efforts to protect their children from the relentless and noise-sensitive monsters. 

4. The Wailing

The Wailing is a South Korean horror film set in a small village plagued by mysterious and gruesome deaths. A bumbling police officer investigates the strange occurrences and becomes entangled in a web of supernatural terror. As the village descends into chaos and paranoia, the line between natural and supernatural blurs, and the police officer must confront the presence that threatens to consume the entire community. 

3. Midsommar

Midsommar follows a group of friends who travel to a remote Swedish village to attend a rare midsummer festival. What initially seems like a cultural experience takes a dark and unsettling turn as the visitors become ensnared in the village’s traditions and rituals. As the group witnesses increasingly bizarre and macabre events, they begin to question the true nature of the community and the horrors that lie beneath its serene facade. 

2. Carnival of Souls

This 1962 cult classic follows Mary Henry, the sole survivor of a car accident. After the accident, she relocates to a new town and becomes inexplicably drawn to an abandoned eerie amusement park. Mary begins to experience strange and unsettling things as she struggles to settle into her new life. 

1. It Follows

It Follows is a unique horror that will leave even the bravest aficionados a little spooked. The chilling tale revolves around a supernatural entity that relentlessly pursues its victims. The film follows Jay, a young woman who after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter becomes the target of this entity. She learns that the entity that can take on the appearance of anyone is drawn to her and will stop at nothing to claim her life. 

In recent years it’s hard to think of a more impactful horror film than Get Out. Starring Daniel Kaluuya and his flawless American accent, the movie was incredibly entertaining, full of whipsmart symbolism, and an excellent deconstruction of the complexities of racial politics in America, especially in a post-Obama world.

With that said, Get Out isn’t solely about race in America (although anybody acquainted with the country’s recent history around black and brown people will know that’s a horror story as gruesome as anything even the most creative minds could invent). The film also touches on being isolated by forces who seek to harm you and has its fair share of gore as well, which explains some of the inclusions on the below list. Without further ado, here’s our pick of eight horror movies like Get Out that promise to chill your very soul this spooky season!

Candyman

Although there have been some middling attempts to remake this 1992 classic, the original film remains the best of the bunch. Based on a story by Clive Barker, Candyman follows a graduate student who is writing a thesis on urban legends when she comes across the tale of Candyman, a mysterious ghoul who appears and murders anyone who says his name in front of a mirror five times in a row.

The initial belief conveyed in the film is that the creepy character was a way for impoverished residents to deal with the violence in their community. Although the supernatural creature ends up being real, it sends a strong social message about the realities of racism in America. There’s also plenty of blood and guts to go around, as well as numerous tense chase scenes.

Antebellum

Antebellum treads on the ground that will be familiar to those who love the works of Octavia E. Butler, especially her celebrated novel Kindred.

The film, which was hotly anticipated before it was released on VOD in the States in 2020, follows a woman who wakes up to find herself in the middle of a plantation, with no means of escape. With lots of brutal scenes and plenty of violence, there’s no doubt this movie will shock you, but Antebellum also does a great job of showing the throughlines between American chattel slavery and how black folks are treated in the U.S. today. While at points the film wanders, allowing viewers to slip out of its world, all in all, it’s still an entertaining watch.

I’m Thinking of Ending Things

Director Charlie Kaufman is known for his thought-provoking and reality-bending films, and although I’m Thinking of Ending Things is probably one of his more accessible works, it’s still a real trip from start to finish.

Explaining the plot won’t really help you decide if you’d like it or not, but if you love films that offer a creeping sense of unease as an increasingly isolated character realizes they’re in danger, then this Netflix original movie (based on a novel of the same name) should be right up your alley. Also, like Get Out, there are fantastical elements to the movie too, even though it’s marketed as more of a psychological horror than a fantasy.

Us

Jordan Peele’s sophomore directorial effort didn’t quite have the same level of success as Get Out, but it certainly is worth watching for fans of the comedian-turned-director.

The movie takes us into a world where there’s a violent race of doppelgängers, called ‘The tethered,’ who have been living underground but are now coming out en mass in an attempt to reclaim the Earth. The obvious theme here is the “othering” that goes on in American society, whether it be against people of color, the LGBTQ+ population, or those with less money. Us might not be as entertaining or accessible as Get Out, but it’s certainly on point with its social commentary.

The Stepford Wives

The Stepford Wives might lean more into the comedic side of dark humor than Get Out does, but there’s no doubt that this iconic film (based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Ira Levin) and Peele’s directorial debut have plenty in common. This time, though, it’s not black folks whose bodies are being used while their minds are abandoned, but women (Levin christened his book a “feminist horror”). Nicole Kidman stars as Joanna, a woman who moves to Stepford with her family only to realize things aren’t quite what they seem in this picture-perfect town.

The Wicker Man

This 1972 classic is known to many thanks to the truly awful Nic Cage remake (and the associated “not the bees” scene), but the original remains one of the best psychological horrors of all time. Like Get Out, it involves an outsider entering a community, only to discover that people he thought he may be able to trust are really all working against him, leading to terrifying consequences. Add in some cultish paganism, body horror, and an undercurrent of sexuality, and you have yourself a near-perfect horror movie.

The People Under the Stairs

As we know from the Scream franchise, Wes Craven is a master of blending comedy and horror. He manages to do it perfectly once again in this satirical horror comedy that delves into themes of inequality, racism, and the monstrous union of white supremacy, extreme religious morality, and capitalism in American society. The plot follows a thief and a child as they try to escape the house of a supposedly upstanding, wealthy, white couple, who in reality are engaged in systematic, wide-scale child abuse, and parasitic exploitation of those worst off in American society.

This critique of Reagan’s country has only grown more relevant with the ing of time, which is a sign of a smart film and well, a crumbling society.

Attack the Block

Smart, funny, and frightening in all the right places, this incredible British film follows a group of youths as they put aside their local beef to defend London against an alien attack. Starring John Boyega, Attack the Block is not only fast-paced and action-packed from start to finish, but also manages to say a lot about a demonized segment of British society, the urbanized black youth, mostly covering how those perceived to be violent have the potential to be a force for good if given the opportunity. There are also some great battle scenes, and plenty of laughs too!

Jordan Peele has unequivocally cemented his legacy as one of the most prolific and profitable directors in the realm of modern cinematic horror. The 44-year-old sketch comedian memorably kicked off his directing career with 2017’s Get Out, which resonated both commercially and culturally with horror fans across the globe. Peele followed up this success with Us (2019), which accumulated $255 million worldwide and received similar critical praise.

Peele’s latest horror extravaganza Nope received similar praise and acclaim when the project premiered in theaters last summer. And while Nope has undoubtedly echoed similar success to Peele’s other directorial projects, it’s equally as important to showcase Peele’s earlier movies which unequivocally helped him become a household name in both the horror genre and a wide variety of other cinematic categories.

Of course, Peele has provided excellent work as either a scriptwriter or producer for various projects such as Candyman (2021), Keanu (2016), and BlacKkKlansman (2018), but we’ll strictly keep this list short and outline Peele’s unprecedented work solely as a director. So, here is every movie Jordan Peele directed, ranked.

3. Nope (2022)

Despite Nope being Peele’s latest thrill-inducing project with his largest budget available thus far, it would feel like a complete disservice to place the horror extravaganza higher than either Get Out or Us. While those were two movies which skyrocketed Peele’s directorial prowess, Nope is undoubtedly Peele’s weakest entry to date. That’s not to say that the horror flick isn’t wildly entertaining or captivating, but the truth of the matter is that he’s already provided his best work in Nope’s two predecessors. We still love Peele and all his work, of course, and we look forward to his next bigtime project.

2. Us (2019)

Peele followed his successful directorial debut with Us in 2019, which eerily followed a family being targeted by a group of vengeful doppelgängers later identified as the “Tethered.” To coincide with Peele’s brilliant writing, he also put together a phenomenal cast that features Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, and Tim Heidecker, all of who contribute to the bone-chilling premise that further established Peele’s credibility as a director in horror. On top of that, Peele assembles an unexpected twist ending that still leaves our jaws on the floor with every rewatch.

1. Get Out (2017)

Without a doubt, Get Out remains Jordan Peele’s most successful and culturally-significant film in his repertoire. Both directed and written by Peele, the story follows a young man named Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) who finds himself discovering unsettling secrets about the family of his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams). Upon release, the film was highly favored by critics and audiences alike, with many movie critics placing Get Out at the top of their lists for the best movies of 2017. In the end, Peele created the perfect balance of horror and drama to send a powerful message of liberal ignorance and the troubles of systematic racism. As a result, Get Out comfortably sits at the top of the list as the best movie from Jordan Peele.

Writer/director Nia DaCosta‘s impressive ascent in Hollywood began with the release of her debut film, Little Woods, in 2018. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was given the Nora Ephron Award for “excellence in storytelling by a female writer or director.” That same year, she was selected by Jordan Peele to co-write and direct the Candyman reboot.

For her third film, DaCosta is helming The Marvels for Kevin Feige and company, a sequel to the billion-dollar sensation Captain Marvel from 2019.

As DaCosta finishes work on the multi-quadrant blockbuster, she took some time to contemplate on the last few years in a writeup for Harper’s Bazaar, where she reflected on some important advice from Black Panther director Ryan Coogler that she didn’t understand initially.

DaCosta explained:

“The best advice I got was from Ryan Coogler, but it didn’t make sense until after we wrapped. He said, ‘Just be yourself.’ I was like, ‘That’s not advice. Get out of here.’ Then afterwards I was like, ‘Oh, he was saying that there’s no point in trying to play politics or trying to be something you’re not. They chose you because of who you are. Bring that to the table.’

The writer/director also discussed other lessons she learned while making The Marvels:

“What I learned from working on that film is that trust, communication, and letting your ego take the back seat are huge parts of the directorial process. So is being honest with what you don’t know. The really cool thing about Marvel is, as soon as you get the job, they’re like, ‘Go call all the other Marvel film directors. Ask them questions.’ I got really great guidance. Everyone was so generous.”

Here’s hoping that her entry in the MCU will start an uptick in quality for the behemoth producer, which has been struggling to find its stride in phases 4 and 5. We don’t doubt that DaCosta has a unique perspective that comic book cinema can benefit from — we just hope her vision isn’t crushed inside the test-screening, reshooting, rapidly rearranging machine that is Marvel.

The Marvels hits theaters on Nov. 10.

The Scream franchise has returned to its former glory thanks to 2023’s Scream, which won Best Movie at the 2023 MTV Awards. The original Scream, directed by Wes Craven, revitalized the horror genre in the late 1990s by deconstructing old horror clichés while delivering genuine thrills; a unique combination of intriguing characters, clever writing, and thrilling horror set-pieces, with outstanding performances from Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette.

As a result, the Scream franchise has become a staple of the genre, beloved by both die-hard horror enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. The series is notable for its meta-commentary on horror films, distinctive masked villains, and unique blend of horror and comedy. For fans of the Scream franchise, here are other equally terrifying films that have spawned their own franchises and garnered millions of fans. 

I Know What You Did Last Summer 

The first installment in the I Know What You Did Last Summer film series, released in 1997, was directed by Jim Gillespie and written by Kevin Williamson (who also wrote the Scream films). Based on Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel of the same name, the film stars Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Jennifer Love Hewitt in the original film about four high school buddies. After a night of graduation celebrations, one hits a pedestrian on a dark, winding road. Concerned about the possible fallout, they hastily dispose of the body and agree to forget what happened. 

However, when they start getting weird notes the following summer, it becomes clear that someone is aware of their secret. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) and I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) are continuations of the original film. The sequels included many of the same actors and continued the story in the same tense fashion as the original. However, none of the original actors returned for the third installment, though it maintained the series’ pattern of combining teen drama with suspenseful horror. The franchise’s TV show debuted on Amazon Prime in October 2021, demonstrating the concept’s continued viability.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

The 1984 Wes Craven picture A Nightmare on Elm Street launched a successful horror franchise. The original picture stands out among its peers because of its novel premise, memorable antagonist, and deft combination of horror and psychological thriller elements. Freddy Krueger, portrayed by Robert Englund, is one of the most iconic horror movie villains. Krueger is a child murderer who was burned to death by the parents of his victims and now haunts the nightmares of the children of Elm Street. 

With a charred face, a dusty fedora, a red and green striped sweater, and a glove armed with razor-sharp blades, his signature appearance has become a recognizable icon of horror. Numerous sequels to A Nightmare on Elm Street explored Freddy Krueger’s origins and the legends surrounding his abilities in greater depth than the first film. Among the best is A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, which many viewers consider the series’ pinnacle due to its unique dream sequences and in-depth examination of the franchise’s characters and themes. 

Candyman

The original Candyman movie was released in 1992, directed by Bernard Rose, and based on Clive Barker’s short story The Forbidden. The franchise is known for its blend of horror and social commentary and its chilling antagonist, the Candyman himself. In the first Candyman, graduate student Helen Lyle (played by Virginia Madsen) examines urban legends for her thesis. She comes upon the story of Candyman (played by Tony Todd), a mysterious killer that haunts a Chicago slum area. 

Candyman, legend has it, was the son of an enslaved person who fell in love with a white woman. Upon discovering their relationship, a lynch mob bathed him in honey and let bees sting him to death. Now, legend has it that Candyman will materialize and kill whoever says his name five times in front of a mirror. The film’s blend of otherworldly horror and real-world concerns, like racism and classism, makes it stand out from other entries in the horror genre. Instead of being a generic monster, Candyman represents the suffering of African Americans throughout history. 

Halloween

John Carpenter’s 1978 film Halloween is a horror genre classic. The film has significantly impacted the evolution of the horror genre, especially the slasher subgenre, thanks to its minimalistic aesthetic, tense narrative, and memorable antagonist. Halloween revolves around Michael Myers, a six-year-old boy who murders his older sister on Halloween night. After spending 15 years in a mental institution, Myers escapes and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he begins stalking a group of teens, including Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis in her feature picture debut. 

One of the most scary villains in horror, Myers wears a pallid, soulless mask and is an unrelenting, seemingly unstoppable force. His complete, unadulterated wickedness is amplified by the fact that he acts without any discernible motive. Halloween generated multiple sequels, remakes, and reboots, many of which continued Michael Myers and Laurie Strode’s feud. 

Friday the Thirteenth

The first Friday the 13th film, directed by Sean S. Cunningham in 1980, kicked off a successful horror franchise. The Friday the 13th franchise has considerably impacted the horror subgenre with its trademark hockey mask killer, Jason Voorhees, and its campy, often horrific, slasher aspects. The original Friday the 13th occurs at Camp Crystal Lake, a haunted summer camp. The film follows a group of counselors preparing for the camp’s reopening, unaware that an unseen killer is hunting them. 

Despite his iconic status, Jason Voorhees doesn’t become a major player in the franchise until subsequent installments. In the original film, the killer is Pamela Voorhees, Jason’s vindictive mother, who blames her son’s apparent drowning on the camp counselors. Even in Friday the 13th Part 2, Jason isn’t the main villain, and he doesn’t start wearing his iconic hockey mask until Friday the 13th Part III. The franchise is infamous for its high body count and gory death scenes. While this sparked debate and bad reviews from critics, it also helped the films gain a cult following among horror fans.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 

In 1974, Tobe Hooper directed The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a movie that pushed the boundaries of horror with its visceral and intense depiction of terror. The plot revolves around friends traveling to rural Texas to check on one of their family’s historic homesteads. There, they come into a family of cannibals led by the terrifying Leatherface, who terrorizes the party with his characteristic weapon, a roaring chainsaw.

Leatherface, who wears a human skin mask, is one of the most horrifying villains in horror film history. Although the film was billed as based on an actual event, it is only partially inspired by the atrocities of real-life serial killer Ed Gein, who also wore his victims’ skin. This connection to real-life events increased the film’s shock effect upon release. The film spawned a franchise, with sequels, prequels, remakes, and reboots all contributing to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre mystique. However, none have quite matched the raw terror of the original film. 

Child’s Play

The 1988 Tom Holland film Child’s Play launched a successful horror franchise. Chucky, a doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer, is one of the most known horror movie icons since his introduction in the first film. In Child’s Play, a little boy named Andy Barclay is the focus after he is given a “Good Guy” doll for his birthday. Andy and his mom have no idea that the doll is possessed by the ghost of serial killer Charles Lee Ray or the “Lakeshore Strangler.” Before his death, Ray used voodoo magic to transfer his soul into the doll.

Brad Dourif’s outstanding voice performance as Chucky is one of the film’s notable elements. His eerie voice brings the murderous doll to life, making Chucky both horrifying and darkly hilarious. Child’s Play spawned a franchise with multiple sequels and a 2019 remake, each presenting a fresh perspective on the Chucky character and history. The franchise is notable for its blend of horror and dark humor, particularly in the later chapters, which lean into Chucky’s darkly funny side.

Psycho 

Directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho is a horror genre classic. It was released in 1960 but has become a cinematic classic thanks to its groundbreaking story and performances. The story follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a thieving secretary on the run from her boss, who checks into the remote Bates Motel. There, she meets the motel’s proprietor, the strange but seemingly harmless Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). However, as the plot unfolds, Crane’s stay at the motel takes a chilling turn, leading to one of the most famous sequences in film history — the shower scene.

The film’s narrative structure was innovative in abandoning convention by killing off the film’s apparent protagonist. The film’s pervasive dread can be attributed to Hitchcock’s expert use of suspense and deception and Bernard Herrmann’s legendary, nerve-wracking music. One of Hitchcock’s best pictures and a masterpiece of horror cinema, Psycho was a box office success despite negative reviews and controversy surrounding its subject matter upon its initial release. Numerous following horror films and psychological thrillers can be traced back to it as an inspiration. More than that, Psycho has created a franchise that includes sequels, a prequel, a remake, and the TV series Bates Motel, which explores Norman Bates’s origins.

Saw

Saw is a horror film that launched the “torture porn” subgenre into mainstream cinema. The 2004 picture, directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, stands out for its powerful moments of psychological terror and creative, grisly traps. Saw depicts the Jigsaw Killer, the film’s primary antagonist, engaging in a sadistic game. Jigsaw, unlike most slasher villains, does not directly murder his victims. 

On the contrary, he sets them complicated, lethal traps, or “games,” in which they must inflict great suffering on themselves or make unbelievable sacrifices to stay alive. If his victims are lucky enough to survive, he uses these games to teach them valuable lessons about life and death. Saw was financially successful, spawning a series of follow-ups and offshoots. Each installment provides more context for Jigsaw’s character arc and introduces sophisticated new traps. Although the subsequent films have varied in quality, the impact and originality of the first picture is undisputed.

Wrong Turn

The Wrong Turn franchise began with the 2003 film Wrong Turn, directed by Rob Schmidt and written by Alan B. McElroy. It is notable for its gruesome portrayal of rural terror and survival horror. The story centers around a group of six young people — Chris Flynn, Jessie Burlingame, Carly, Scott, Evan, and Francine — who, while on a road trip through West Virginia, make a wrong turn (hence the title) and find themselves stranded in the remote wilderness. 

When they learn that they are not alone and that a pack of vicious cannibals is pursuing them, the real nightmare begins. Wrong Turn harkens back to the “hillbilly horror” flicks of the past. The suspense and mood of the picture are its strongest points. West Virginia’s deep, lonely forests create a claustrophobic and unsettling setting for the film’s tragic events. 

Let’s be honest with ourselves, although everyone loves Tom Hardy, his rendition of Marvel’s Venom isn’t exactly giving anyone heart palpitations. If anything, he’s more tame than Topher Grace’s version from Spider-Man 3, which isn’t saying much. Unfortunately, we’ve yet to come across a portrayal of Venom that truly fits the bill as far as the character’s terrifying nature, which Marvel Comics has exhibited time and time again. Arguably, one of the best sources for accurate Spider-Man content would be Insomniac Games’ PlayStation exclusive in Spider-Man, the spin-off Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and the sequel Spider-Man 2, all of which comprise an all-encoming Spider-Verse. And now, none other than Candyman himself will be ing the line-up as Eddie Brock, aka Venom.

In recent years, the video game franchise has garnered considerable praise and a loyal following, namely due to the multi-faceted gameplay, mind-blowing character designs, and overall connection to the larger Spider-Man lore. If you’ll recall from the first Spider-Man game, the majority of the voice cast were strangers to the Marvel fandom, but were well-known outside of their respective roles. For example, Yuri Lowenthal, the voice of Peter Parker, also voiced Ben Tennyson in the popular children’s show Ben 10. Likewise, Laura Bailey, whom we now know as the voice of Abby Anderson in The Last of Us: Part II (released two years post-Spider-Man), found her footing in the voice-acting world with the part of Mary Jane Watson.

But for all the famous faces mixed in with the Spider-Man cast, we’ve yet to see a living horror legend enter the fray. Cue: Tony Todd, the original Candyman. Released in 1992, Candyman follows graduate student Helen Lyle as she befriends Anne-Marie McCoy while researching the urban legend of the hook-wielding figure known as the Candyman that supposedly “haunts” Chicago’s Near North Side. Real name Daniel Robitaille, the Candyman is the restless and murderous ghost of an African-American artist and son of an enslaved man. He was murdered in the late 19th century due to his relationship with the daughter of a wealthy white man.

We’ve seen him kill it (literally) as Candyman, so there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Todd can deliver on the Venom front, especially as the two supervillains aren’t so dissimilar. Both were wronged by their community and sought vengeance as a result.

As we know, Candyman was followed by two sequels, Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995) and Candyman: Day of the Dead (1999), as well as a direct sequel (thought to be a remake) of the same name in 2021.

We won’t get to see Todd in action until Fall 2023, when Spider-Man 2 releases on the PlayStation 5.

Since 2017, director Jordan Peele has been on a tremendous run. His Get Out has made him into a thinking man’s horror creator, has since earned him comparisons to other icons, and, now, the NOPE director is indicating he approves of at least one equation.

An article newly published by The Hollywood Reporter which features Peele alongside Chinonye Chukwu, Daniel Kwan, Martin McDonagh, Rian Johnson, and Tony Kushner, who reveals he likes the fact Peele’s latest work flips the Spielberg gaze convention on its head. In Spielberg films, main characters head towards the unknown. In Peele’s movie, characters try to stay away from the epic thing in front of them. As for Peele, he loves the analogy.

“‘The reverse of the Spielberg gaze’ is such a cool way to put it. Obviously, I’m hugely inspired by his work and filmmakers who shoot for the moon and go for magic. When I was writing in 2020, George Floyd protests were going on, so I also wanted to create a film that indicted industry that’s kept us out of conversation and present the dangers of bad miracles and chasing them, but also give my characters their weapon and agency to get there and reclaim. This was, in many ways, a love letter to those films, but at the same time, I found something in myself that I had to be honest about, that I’m chasing a spectacle.”

Later in the report Peele also weighs in on the merits of improvisation on a set. While this has sometimes resulted in better work being made, this is not always the case and, for Peele, it is fine to do, but you also have to be safe and keep with your structure.

“You definitely want the actors to feel like they are improvising. That’s when they’re doing their best. If you do enter an improvisational space, something you’ll hear a lot on a film is, ‘OK, let’s get one on-book, just for safety.’ As a writer, you’re trying to put the best script forward. As a director, you’re trying to be open and get energy out of it. So, the idea for me is always, as long as I get the protected version of the script done, then let’s also try to beat it.”

Peele will appear next in Abruptio. He has a number of projects in development and recently produced Lovecraft Country. His earliest work included some short films in 2008 before getting into Little Fockers in 2010, and he spent a number of years on Mad TV for Fox, then collaborated with Michael Key on Key & Peele on Comedy Central To date, his honors include an Academy Award for writing, a Britannia Award for directing, and an Emmy Award as well.

His most recent film NOPE was praised and Peele has since gone on record after its release about his hope for an extended cut of the movie. He also used his talents to bring back the Candyman horror franchise as a producer, though views of it are divided.

It’s been 30 years since Tony Todd, the perennial talent behind the eponymous villain of the classic 1992 slasher film Candyman, first planted an illogical fear of mirrors into audiences for the first time. Thirty years and three additional Candyman films later, and his ongoing legacy has shown no signs of slowing down.

In an exclusive interview with ET Online, Todd and original co-star Virginia Madsen, who played Helen Lyle in the 1992 original, sat down to talk all things Candyman, including the factors that played into its longevity, and the film’s important place in the history of horror.

Madsen noted that Candyman‘s roots as a folk tale, one that may be told as a scary story around a campfire, likely played a big role in keeping the film at the forefront of people’s minds; a good number of us may recall sleepovers attended as small children, where one of our friends dared us to say “Candyman” five times in a dark bathroom.

It’s a classic scary tale told by the fireside and we knew that it was that way when we were first making it, so it wasn’t surprising that it kept living on and on and on.

Todd echoed this note, recalling the many stories he’s heard from fans over the years.

I get so many stories at autograph tables about people doing challenges and mirrors and stuff. That’s what keeps the film alive because it gets ed generationally.

Todd also touched on the film’s cultural and racial significance in the history of the horror genre, noting the film’s sincere completeness as one of the first to feature an important Black character in Candyman.

It was well worth it and not just the bonus check, but being one of the first African Americans in a horror film that does not enslave us. When I first read it, I looked for those traps. I wanted to make sure that if you’re going to be one of the first significant Black actors in a horror film, you better make sure that it’s complete, that it tells a story from beginning to middle and end, and that’s what I saw in the script.

After the success of Nia DaCosta’s 2021 sequel, whispers of the next installment can be heard in the breeze, and if the cards fall right, we may just see Todd carry on his legacy as one of horror’s most iconic slashers.

Horror movies certainly aren’t for everyone, but it’s a tried and tested cinema staple that has endured since the dawn of the medium. Of course, with fear can come trauma and a recent Reddit thread has opened up a conversation about the most horror scenes that have left them with a grisly moment forever etched in their memory.

Many of these revelations occurred during commenters’ childhoods, likely a result of innocently staying up watching TV just a little too late and with inopportune timing. And for a horror movie about a ghoul that literally crawls out of its victim’s television to butcher them, I’m sure there’s a good reason The Ring stuck around in adolescent minds.

Scream is always going to be a go-to slasher favorite, and even though the movie may have somewhat been nullified for some folks thanks to the parody efforts of Scary Movie, putting its opening scene in front of a pair of innocent eyes is definitely a recipe for some mental scarring.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is another slasher favorite, with one particular scene invoking trauma in a very different way than gore and shock value. Sally’s piercing screams are etched into the minds of many as she helplessly tries to bargain with the Sawyer family who mock her and infight at seemingly random intervals, creating a truly chaotic and terrifying spectacle.

Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel The Shining is psychological horror at its finest, and there are few horror scenes that can mess with the psyche than the infamous bathtub scene. The honorable mentions of Candyman and A Clockwork Orange are also great shouts. 

Last, but not least, one particular scene in The Exorcist is capable of scarring just about anyone, at any age should it take them by surprise. The less written about this one, the better – but shock horror doesn’t get much more shocking and vile than this. 

The horror genre has seen somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, with many movies succeeding in terrifying audiences in their own unique and twisted ways. If you’re on the hunt for extremely weird horror films to check out, we’ve got a list right here.