When it comes to horror flicks, there are multiple different sub-genres to choose from. The most popular tend to be the genre of slasher, full of silent killers hunting down innocent teenagers. Many consider the popular franchise, Friday the 13th to be one of the most influential and well known of this sub-genre.
However, some people don’t know that before Friday the 13th came out in 1980, there were multiple films that embodied the genre of slasher and were almost exactly like Friday the 13th.
Psycho (1960)
Many filmgoers consider Friday the 13th to be the father of all slasher films. While this is mostly accurate, it begs the question: if Friday the 13th is the father, then who is the grandfather? The answer is Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Psycho.
A truly terrifying and momentous film for its time, Psycho is seen by many as the start of the slasher genre. Despite it not following a lot of the rules modern-day slasher flicks have set, Psycho captivates its audiences in a way only a slasher film can.
Fright (1971)
Not all movies are considered to be hits when their first release. Films like Heathers and The Thing slowly grew into fame and glory over time, gaining cult followings. One more obscure film to have this success is the slasher film Fright.
At its core, Fright is a basic thriller, following a young woman stalked by an ex-employer who becomes increasingly violent. However, looking back on the film reveals it to contain themes that make it a proto-slasher, and one of the first of its kind.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Serial killers on their own are scary enough, but a serial killer that doesn’t speak and is unkillable? That’s a killer even a final girl shouldn’t mess with. For many, this begins with characters like Jason or Michael but it truly began with a man named Leatherface.
A merciless killer who wears the literal faces of his victims, Leatherface was the main attraction of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Disturbing and a true horror to behold, Texas Chain Saw cemented its place as a true slasher flick with Leatherface as its figurehead.
Black Christmas (1974)
From Halloween to Valentine’s day, holidays seem to be the prime time for remorseless killers to crawl out of the woodwork and Bob Clark’s Black Christmas is the beginning of this idea.
Following a sorority and the killer that stalks them, Black Christmas brings a whole new meaning to silent night. Packed with scares galore, Black Christmas is a true present for all slasher fans. It was even remade last year and updated for modern times.
The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976)
Horror movies are popular mainly due to being based on fictional events that will never occur in real life. The concept is scary enough but the fiction keeps it all contained. However, The Town That Dreaded Sundown benefits by being inspired by a true story.
Loosely based on the Texarkana murders of 1946, the film follows a town plagued by a serial killer hunting them down one by one. This true horror story still terrifies people today, both as moviegoers and everyday people.
The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
Probably one of the greatest horror filmmakers of all time, the late Wes Craven is well known for striking fear into audiences with unique takes on horror ideas that had never been seen before. While many people believe it all began on Elm Street, Craven’s career began with The Hills Have Eyes.
Rife with great thrills and some decent dark humor, The Hills Have Eyes managed to jump-start Cravens career with a great survival flick. Without the film’s success, it’s possible Craven wouldn’t be the household name he is today.
Halloween (1978)
In 1978, one director created the recipe for the perfect slasher film. Considered to be one of the greatest horror and slasher films of all time, John Carpenter managed to bring horror into the theaters. Inspired by the best parts of Texas Chain Saw and Black Christmas, Halloween is a masterpiece of horror that sticks with fans today.
When A Stranger Calls (1979)
For a lot of movies, all it takes is one scene to make it in the world of film. Most movies are specifically known for one single scene or sequence. When A Stranger Calls is one such film, with the first 20 minutes considered to be the greatest of any film.
While the rest of When A Stranger Calls suffers from weak scares and story issues, the first 20 minutes detail a horrifying tale of a babysitter realizing she’s being stalked. It’s a truly terrifying fear brought to life.
He Knows You’re Alone (1979)
Following the success of Halloween, multiple slasher films attempted to recapture the fear it created and brought upon its audiences. While most films tended to fall short of the mark, He Knows You’re Alone managed to bring back the same feeling of horror and suspense.
Full of multiple details that echo Halloween, He Knows You’re Alone depicts a soon-to-be bride being stalked by a killer. Despite mixed reviews, the movie still proved itself to many other horror flicks, inspiring them to follow Halloween into the world of slashers.
Dressed to Kill (1980)
If there’s one thing people fear, it’s discovering a secret or terrible crime. To find out about a secret that has a dark purpose or consequences is a concept not often seen. Dressed to Kill, however, manages to bring this idea to light.
Following a woman who witnessed a murder, the film expertly weaves suspense and horror together. The result is a slasher film full of twists and turns, many of which still excite and surprise today. The movie brings a previously unknown fear into the limelight with terrifying consequences. Dressed to Kill was produced around the same time as Friday the 13th and made its debut only a few months after it, showing that the popularity of the style produced all types of movies during the time period.
