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Monsters and horror cinema are a match made in heaven (or hell). Some of the earliest stories in human history fixate on an unnatural beast, highlighting humanity’s permanent fascination with the concept.
For this reason, it’s no surprise to see monsters playing a pivotal role in the early days of cinema. As can be seen from recent adaptations of Frankenstein, Nosferatu, and the upcoming Mummy remake and The Bride, monsters haven’t lost one iota of their allure, and continue to put butts in seats even while other genre trends fade away.
As a result, it’s nice to reflect on the genre as a whole and celebrate the creature features that resonate with the masses. Horror movie monsters come in all shapes and sizes and such stories can be approached and interpreted in very different ways. Whether it’s a demon, a zombie, or a city-destroying kaiju, each of these critters taps into that universal fear of the unknown, not to mention the numerous other metaphorical elements they have going on as well.
Whether you’re looking for something light-hearted, viciously violent, a bit of both, or something in-between, this list of the best horror monster movies should have you covered.
Special effects guru Stan Winston is revered for his work in such films as The Terminator, Aliens, and Predator. Because of this, his directorial debut, Pumpkinhead, was met with a real sense of anticipation.
The folk horror centres around a father, Ed Harley (Lance Henriksen), who summons a demon to exact revenge on the teens who murdered his son. Rather than being a straightforward monster flick, Pumpkinhead deals with how grief and vengeance can be misdirected and weaponised, leading to further pain. Ed sees through the demon’s eyes, forcing him to bear witness to the destruction his actions have caused firsthand.
The titular fiend is strikingly unnerving, conveying immense power and evil every moment he’s on-screen. Winston’s impeccable use of lighting, sound mixing, and tight angles turns this already imposing demon into a truly soul-stirring villain. Even when Pumpkinhead is off-screen, there’s a great sense of the gangly brute’s ferocity and menace, accentuated further by the cast’s performances.
Stan Winston didn’t have much luck with directing afterwards (as can be seen in the dreadful A Gnome Called Gnorm), but there’s no doubt Pumpkinhead is among his finest projects.
