Summary
-
The Blair Witch Project
pioneered the found footage horror genre with subtle fantasy elements. -
Interview with the Vampire
showcases Lovecraftian horror and complex relationships among vampires. - The 1990s featured a mix of fantasy horror, including iconic Tim Burton movies like
Edward Scissorhands
.
The ’90s were a time of great and specialized horror movies, especially ones that incorporated elements of fantasy. The best titles from this decade include some horror movies that changed the rules forever but cannot be classified as fantasy; the killer and their means are strictly realistic and could technically happen in real life. However, alongside the advent of game-changing thrillers like Scream and The Silence of the Lambs, a particular brand of fantasy horror was developed throughout the 1990s.
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One of the most influential developments in this regard was the release of some of Tim Burton’s best horror movies, as the director established himself and his signature aesthetic in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Other fantasy horror filmmakers leveraged Burton’s tastes or did something completely different in the production of horror book adaptations, including some great Roald Dahl movie adaptations. The 1990s became a time of creepy monsters, crafty outcasts, and classic gothic aesthetics, spearheaded by several key movies.
You are watching: 10 Best Fantasy Horror Movies From The ’90s
|
Movie |
Rotten Tomatoes score |
Metacritic score |
Audience score |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Edward Scissorhands |
90% |
74% |
91% |
|
The Witches |
94% |
70% |
78% |
|
Army of Darkness |
68% |
59% |
87% |
|
The Nightmare Before Christmas |
95% |
82% |
92% |
|
Hocus Pocus |
40% |
43% |
72% |
|
Interview with the Vampire |
63% |
62% |
86% |
|
The Crow |
86% |
72% |
90% |
|
The Craft |
57% |
55% |
65% |
|
Sleepy Hollow |
70% |
65% |
80% |
|
The Blair Witch Project |
86% |
80% |
57% |
10 The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Investigation Into The Myth Of The Blair Witch Showcases Subtle Fantasy Horror
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The Blair Witch Project is a 1999 horror film that follows three film students who venture into the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland. As they document their search for the Blair Witch legend, strange and unsettling events unfold. Presented as found footage, the film is directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, and it pioneered the found footage genre in mainstream cinema.
Director Eduardo Sánchez , Daniel Myrick Release Date July 30, 1999 Writers Daniel Myrick , Eduardo Sánchez Cast Joshua Leonard , Michael C. Williams , Heather Donahue Runtime 81 minutes
The Blair Witch Project popularized the found footage horror format and spawned its own franchise, although none of the subsequent Blair Witch properties have lived up to the original. The Blair Witch Project does not feature the most overt fantasy elements of some other horror movies; a better way to describe it would be that it teases the supernatural. It effectively leverages the Lovecraftian horror trope of hiding the monster from the audience and increasing the terror through fear of the unknown.
The pseudo-documentary’s muted tones and grainy quality are a new and satisfying spin on the goth tastes of the decade. It skillfully uses the premise of the main characters looking into the Blair Witch legend to imply that the Blair Witch is real after all, as they begin to disappear one by one, as the cast does in many other horror movies. The cliffhanger ending is forever ambiguous and creepy; the filmmakers also truly committed to it being “real,” with the actors’ IMDB profiles listing them as missing.
Related 20 Best Found Footage Horror Movies
Found footage horror has exploded in popularity during the last two decades in a similar way to slashers’ popularity during the 80s and 90s.
9 Interview With The Vampire (1994)
The Vampire Chronicles Saw A Strong First Movie Adaptation
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Based on Anne Rice’s 1976 novel, Interview with the Vampire tells the story of two vampires, Lestat and Louis, and their complicated relationship after Lestat turns Louis in 1791. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt star as Lestat and Louis respectively, with a cast that includes Kirsten Dunst as Claudia, the two men’s young charge who Lestat also turns in an attempt to keep a disillusioned Louis from leaving. Christian Slayter rounds out the cast as Daniel Molloy, a reporter to who Louis tells his story in the mid-1990s.
Director Neil Jordan Release Date November 11, 1994 Writers Anne Rice Cast Kirsten Dunst , Brad Pitt , Christian Slater , Antonio Banderas , Tom Cruise Runtime 123 minutes
Interview with the Vampire also features some Lovecraftian elements concerning how Lestat disappears from Louis’ testimony and reappears at the very end of the movie. The actors hired to play the main duo, as well as Claudia and Armand, capture all that is disturbing about their personalities and lives. Framed by his present-day interview, Louis relates the ethical and psychological complexities of his life as a vampire, including his dysfunctional relationships with Lestat and Claudia.
How the Interview with the Vampire movie has aged is complicated by the reboot TV show’s even stronger ratings. The movie is a relic of a different era of filmmaking, demonstrating an outdated approach and dialogue, as well as a slightly poorer quality of technology. However, it is still a classic of the vampire genre with performances that surprised people with how good they were at the time.
8 The Witches (1990)
More Practical Effects Only Make The Witches Scarier
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The Witches (1990)
Director Nicolas Roeg Release Date December 7, 1990 Writers Allan Scott , Roald Dahl Cast Anjelica Huston , Jasen Fisher
2020’s The Witches’ weaknesses illustrate what worked about the first adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel, also possibly proving that it is a movie Burton should have directed. While the new adaptation of The Witches has a strong cast and a different setting that works even better for the story, the special effects and lighthearted tone are to its detriment. The witches’ features being rendered through CGI only makes them look more comedic, while the story makes light of Dahl’s original ending.
This original adaptation is more simplistic, which allows the story to better emphasize its disturbing premise.
On the other hand, 1990’s The Witches ends with Luke being returned to his human form, which perhaps undoes Dahl’s story, but at least doesn’t gloss over the tragedy of a boy spending his life as a mouse. The witches are created with more practical effects with computer effects being used sparingly, which is even better. This original adaptation is more disturbing, which allows the story to better emphasize its themes.
7 Edward Scissorhands (1990)
The Movie That Cemented Burton’s Signature Style
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Edward Scissorhands PG-13 Where to Watch
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From director Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands follows the titular character, an artificial human created by an inventor, who has scissor blades instead of fingers. After his creator’s death, Edward is taken in by a normal suburban family and becomes attracted to the family’s teenage daughter, Kim Boggs. Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder star as Edward and Kim.
Director Tim Burton Release Date December 14, 1990 Writers Caroline Thompson Cast Vincent Price , Dianne Wiest , Anthony Michael Hall , Johnny Depp , Winona Ryder , Kathy Baker Runtime 105 minutes
Edward Scissorhands is a strange cult classic that derives horror from some of the typical hallmarks of the genre. It is based around a Frankensteinian scenario which leads to some death and gore. However, Edward Scissorhands is also frightening because of how it depicts collective mentality, conformity, and cruelty towards outcasts. Edward is fawned over as the newest attraction in the cut-and-paste suburban setting, but the residents turn on him and his friends in an instant when someone more “normal” accuses him of a crime.
Edward Scissorhands also arguably established Burton’s signature style. The director became known for his swirling candy-coated worlds of unique monsters and strong Halloween vibes, seen again only a few years later in The Nightmare Before Christmas. In the case of Edward Scissorhands, Edward’s black-and-white palette and dangerous-looking prosthetics contrast with the bright plastic suburbs, creating a setting that evokes both disgust and intrigue.
6 Army Of Darkness (1992)
The Army Of Darkness Is An Interesting Take On The Army of The Dead
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The third film in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead trilogy, Army of Darkness, is a horror comedy film that sees Bruce Campbell return to the role of Ash Williams. Sucked out of his timeline and tossed to 1300 A.D., Ash is found and thrown in a pit after he is believed to be a spy against King Arthur. After proving himself and slaying a supernatural Deadite creature, Ash is freed and told to return home; he must find the Necronomicon and dance with the dead again.
Director Sam Raimi Release Date February 19, 1993 Writers Sam Raimi , Ivan Raimi Cast Bruce Campbell , ian abercrombie , Embeth Davidtz , Marcus Gilbert , Richard Grove Runtime 81 minutes
Army of Darkness is certainly an over-the-top and maybe even cringey horror movie, but it lands in a good place as far as “so bad it’s good” goes. Amid the gore-fest of zombies and medieval warfare are some genuinely good aspects, including the exaggerated performance of the lead actor and some technical work. It is sometimes not considered the best movie in the Evil Dead series or even Sam Raimi’s original trilogy, but has become a cult classic through its strangely enjoyable elements.
Army of Darkness is perhaps less of a horror movie, as it is also classified as a comedy and has fewer genuinely terrifying moments. Army of Darkness’ alternate endings, and which one was ultimately used in the theatrical cut, showcase an understanding of what makes the movie work. The scenario of Ash accidentally traveling to post-apocalyptic London wasn’t favored in service of a wacky adventure of quotable one-liners that is just heaps of fun.
5 Sleepy Hollow (1999)
A Classic Horror Story Is Brought To Life In Macabre Glory In Sleepy Hollow
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Sleepy Hollow is a supernatural horror thriller by director Tim Burton and Starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. Based on the original tale by Washington Irving, Sleepy Hollow follows constable Ichabod Crane as he is sent to the titular northern New York town to investigate a series of beheadings. However, the scholarly Crane’s foe is a supernatural being that cannot be explained – The Headless Horseman.
Director Tim Burton Release Date November 19, 1999 Writers Andrew Kevin Walker , Kevin Yagher Cast Johnny Depp , Christina Ricci , Miranda Richardson , Michael Gambon , Casper Van Dien , Jeffrey Jones Runtime 106 Minutes
Burton and Depp started the 90s with Edward Scissorhands, and they finished it with Sleepy Hollow — in those 10 years, the careers of both creatives had been completely transformed. However, something of Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas is present in Sleepy Hollow, with Burton’s style perfectly applying to Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” The movie fleshes out the basic plot to comprise a full movie which has become another favorite of Burton fans.
Developing more complicated backstories for a short story that would only be a short film in its own right is risky, but the campy, old-school horror of Sleepy Hollow was well-received. It is all shadowy monsters and bright red blood, with the main cast playing into the theatrics of the whole thing. Burton fine-tuned this format later with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which has the benefit of a more substantial story as its source material.
Related Sleepy Hollow: 10 Ways Why It’s Tim Burton’s Best Film
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4 The Craft (1996)
The Craft Follows A Group Of Teen Witches Taking Things Into Their Own Hands
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The Craft is a 1996 teen horror movie starring Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, and Rachel True. The Andrew Fleming-directed film focuses on a group of outcasts at an LA high school who practice witchcraft and create their own coven. The film received mixed reviews but was a surprise hit at the box office for Columbia.
Director Andrew Fleming Release Date May 3, 1996 Writers Andrew Fleming , Peter Filardi Cast Neve Campbell , Fairuza Balk , Robin Tunney , Rachel True Runtime 101 Minutes
Like some other offbeat fantasy movies, The Craft wasn’t well-reviewed when it first came out and bombed at the box office, but has since become a beloved cult classic. The movie works with some mature themes as the main character and her new friends experience serious mental health conditions, poverty, and racism. However, they create power for themselves by practicing witchcraft; Nancy, Bonnie, and Rochelle are already practitioners when Sarah arrives at the school, and they invite her into their group.
The movie walks the line between justifying revenge and being a cautionary tale about corrupting powers. It follows the trajectory of a more typical horror movie when the initially supportive friendship is perverted as the original trio turns on Sarah. The Craft demonstrates a lot of complex relationships and themes through the lens of a teen witch movie with some fun and crazy effects.
3 Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocus Is The Hilarious Horror For Every Halloween
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Hocus Pocus PG Where to Watch
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Hocus Pocus tells the story of the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witches who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy on Halloween. When the witches threaten to take over the town of Salem, Massachusetts, it’s up to Max, sister Dani, and friend Alison to stop them with the help of Thackery Binx, one of the Sandersons’ victims trapped in the immortal body of black cat.
Director Kenny Ortega Release Date July 16, 1993 Writers David Kirschner , Mick Garris , Neil Cuthbert Cast Bette Midler , Sarah Jessica Parker , Kathy Najimy , Omri Katz , Thora Birch , Vinessa Shaw Runtime 96 minutes
Hocus Pocus is timeless — the Sanderson sisters are as hilarious now as they were when they first appeared on-screen 30 years ago. It is also more a comedy than a true horror but still bears the hallmarks of the genre. The present-day heroes are affected by events from centuries earlier and find supernatural villains they don’t understand closing in on them. Luckily, they pick up an informative animal sidekick along the way.
People return to this movie every year, as they will never tire of the iconic witch trio’s antics.
Hocus Pocus is brimming with Halloween spirit, featuring almost all the most popular iconography associated with the holiday. It may not be an Oscar winner, but it is a perfect holiday romp, with wacky villains, plenty of theatrics, and a forgone happy ending. People return to this movie every year, as they will never tire of the iconic witch trio’s antics.
2 The Crow (1994)
Brandon Lee Shines As A Man Brought Back From The Dead & Out For Revenge
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Based on the comic series, The Crow is a supernatural-action film that follows a murdered musician who returns from the dead for vengeance. Eric Draven and his fiancee are murdered during a violent home invasion – but supernatural forces have other plans for Draven. Resurrected by the power of a mysterious crow, the now superpowered Draven takes on the mantle of “The Crow” and seeks revenge against the entire gang that killed him and his wife.
Director Alex Proyas Release Date May 13, 1994 Writers David J. Schow , John Shirley Cast Brandon Lee , Ernie Hudson , Michael Wincott , Rochelle Davis , Bai Ling , Sofia Shinas , Anna Levine , David Patrick Kelly Runtime 102 Minutes
The first movie under the title The Crow is still the best of its franchise, setting the bar for the upcoming reboot to live up to. True to the advertisements of this being Brandon Lee’s final performance, the actor has not appeared in any feature-length movies since. It is almost universally agreed that The Crow‘s success is largely due to Lee’s performance as the coldblooded and electric Eric Draven, a man who undertakes a thrilling revenge mission but also cannot escape his own grief.
The Crow is highly praised for its style, leaning into different pop culture trends of the 1990s. Eric’s look is moderately reminiscent of Edward Scissorhands, even if the character is completely different. However, the movie demonstrates a stronger influence of grunge and punk-rock than Burton’s filmography. It comes to a bittersweet ending: Eric returns to his late fiancé’s grave and dies again, while his surrogate daughter Sarah remembers them both.
Related The Scariest Movie From Each Year In The ’90s, Ranked
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1 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Exploits Of Jack Skellington Make For A Gothic Classic
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The Nightmare Before Christmas PG
Henry Selick directs The Nightmare Before Christmas, a stop-motion fairytale from the mind of Tim Burton. Jack Skellington is the king of Halloween and one of Halloweentown’s most beloved citizens, but he longs for something more. When he stumbles across a magical door that leads him to discover Christmas, he makes it his mission to replace Santa Claus and bring festive cheer to his perpetually spooky hamlet.
Director Henry Selick Release Date October 29, 1993 Writers Caroline Thompson Cast Catherine O’Hara , Glenn Shadix , Ken Page , William Hickey , Chris Sarandon , Paul Reubens , Danny Elfman Runtime 76 minutes
The Nightmare Before Christmas was not directed by Burton, as many mistakenly believe, but his collaborator Henry Selick. The movie showcases all the conventions of Burton’s artistic style because the basic story and some of the concept art were drawn up by Burton while he was still working for Disney. The company rejected the movie and only returned to it after Burton had seen success elsewhere and was therefore too busy with other projects to direct.
The Nightmare Before Christmas remains a fan favorite; like many cherished horror movies, its plot is mildly redundant as Jack creates easily avoidable problems through his own ego. This serves as a vehicle for iconic designs and musical numbers, as well as an expression of loneliness and discontentment. It doesn’t have the classic jump scares of some of its contemporaries, but The Nightmare Before Christmas will always be regarded as a staple of 1990s fantasy horror, showing what damage a powerful being can do on a whim.
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