There are a lot of classics in the history of the horror genre that are loosely or not inspired by written stories. For instance, the series of scary movies based on the tense and chilling tales of Stephen King is worth mentioning. However, King’s works are only an example of the ingenious and eerie literature that encouraged the artistic vision of some talented directors. And not every one of these tales comes from 300-page books.

Some of the most unforgettable horror films have drawn inspiration from short stories. Occasionally, a few lines of terrors are enough to fuel an entire cinematic nightmare. A few words are enough to create entire and exciting fictional worlds to build upon. Many of these ambitious adaptations have been able to expand upon their source material, paying homage to the clever ideas of the writers while also amplifying the tension and delving more deeply into the plot.

10

The Mist (2007)

Based On “The Mist” By Stephen King

A cosmic horror directed by Frank Darabont, The Mist is only one of a long list of terrifying movies based on the work of literary giant Stephen King. However, in this case, the original novel that inspired the film is a short story that belongs to the Dark Forces anthology. The plot features a group of ordinary people in Maine who are forced to seek refuge in a supermarket after a mysterious and ᴅᴇᴀᴅly mist arrives in their town.

One of the movie’s strengths is its poignant realism in portraying human beings at their most vulnerable. The tense atmosphere cleverly fits with the characters’ deteriorating psychological stability and rising paranoia. Considering that it is inspired by a short story, the movie has a lot to say and to show, making it a standout of the genre. Furthermore, Thomas Jane’s heartfelt performance makes David Drayton one of the best protagonists of King’s horror stories.

9

The Thing (1982)

Based On “Who Goes There?” By John W. Campbell

One of the most celebrated artists of the horror genre, John Carpenter is particularly adept at crafting hauntingly beautiful movies capable of shocking the viewer. The Thing is an example of this skill. The sci-fi movie premiered in 1982 and is based on John W. Campbell Jr.‘s short novel Who Goes There?, which has been adapted multiple times. The story follows a group of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter an alien organism that takes on his appearance.

Although Carpenter’s work initially received negative reviews, the film went on to become a cult, just like its literary counterpart. Nowadays, The Thing has a significant following and was more than once described as an inspiration for many horror directors. With its ambiguous conclusion and clever psychological exploration, the movie is one of the best sci-fi horrors in the history of cinema.

8

Re-Animator (1985)

Based On “Herbert West–Reanimator” By H.P. Lovecraft

A series of three films directed by Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna, not everyone might not that the Re-Animator saga is based on H.P. Lovecraft’s serialised short story тιтled Herbert West-Reanimator. The 1922 novel is said to be a parody of Frankenstein. The main character, Herbert, played in the big-screen adaptation by Jeffrey Combs, is a medical student who creates a serum that helps him reanimate ᴅᴇᴀᴅ bodies. With his friend Cain, the young scientist begins to experiment on deceased people.

Unsurprisingly, the film received mainly positive reviews when it first came out and holds a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 94%. What makes Re-animator stand out amongst other films of the same genre is its ingenious mix of ᴅᴇᴀᴅpan humour and gory horror. With such a creative plot and outrageous irony, it is understandable that this short-story-based horror movie has become such a cult over the years.

7

Mimic (1997)

Based On “Mimic” By Donald A. Wollheim

Guillermo del Toro’s style is unmistakable, and Mimic, with its clever amalgamation of body horror and urban paranoia, is a grotesque but aesthetically entrancing nightmare. The movie starts when an entomologist, Dr. Susan Tyler (Mira Sorvino), creates a new insect species to eradicate a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly cockroach infestation in New York.

The film is inspired by A. Wollheim’s short story of the same name and expands its premise into a tension-filled horror cult. A director like Del Toro, with his signature eerie atmosphere, was the perfect choice to bring the unsettling tale to the big screen. Mimic mainly received mixed to positive reviews when it came out, but over the years, it built a legacy in the horror genre.

6

Candyman (1992)

Based On “The Forbidden” By Clive Barker

Considered a classic of the horror genre, Candyman is a hauntingly scary movie that distinguishes itself for its ingenious antagonist and socially aware execution. The film, directed by Bernard Rose, is inspired by a short story by Clive Barker, The Forbidden. The hero of this horror is Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen), a university student interested in urban legends, who comes across the eerie tale of Candyman, the ghost of an African-American artist unjustly murdered in the 19th century.

Differently from the written, original work, which delved into the theme of class disparity in Liverpool, Candyman is set in Chicago and uses the legend to explore racial discrimination, generational trauma, and social class. Neither the novel nor the movie shy away from crafting a powerful political message. With its shocking twists and blood-curling sequences, Candyman is, without a doubt, a cult nowadays.

5

1922 (2017)

Based On “1922” By Stephen King

Once again, Stephen King became a source of inspiration for a chilling movie that keeps the viewer awake at night. 1922, directed by Zak Hilditch, was inspired by one of the many short novels of the “King of Horror”. The story follows Wilfred “Wilf” James (Thomas Jane), a farmer from Nebraska, who chooses to kill his wife in an attempt to save his farm, and convinces his 14-year-old son to help him commit the murder.

1922 is one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s novellas. The film pays tribute to the intensely unnerving nature of the plot and does not fail to capture the oppressive and slow-burn atmosphere. Furthermore, Thomas Jane’s performance as Wilf is a highlight of the story. The actor impeccably translates the troubled and twisted psyche of the character’s inner core, delivering a haunting performance.

4

The Birds (1963)

Based On “The Birds” By Daphne Du Maurier

Alfred Hitchcock was, without a doubt, the “Master of Suspense”, and there is a long list of movies that prove that. The Bird is not only one of Hitchcock’s best horrors but also one of his most gripping and upsetting. After all, a story of birds attacking people does not promise anything cheerful. Given the notoriety of the film and its director, not many people might know that the 1963 masterpiece was inspired by a short story written by Daphne du Maurier and first published in the 1952 collection The Apple Tree.

Contrary to Du Maurier’s work, which is set in post-war England, Hitchcock’s movie takes place in California. The novel and the film underscore human vulnerability before nature’s unforgiving, albeit justified anger and revenge. The quiet atmosphere in the big-screen adaptation heightens the movie’s permeating anxiety, infusing the public with a newfound sense of terror every time they hear an innocuous flap of wings.

3

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Based On “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” By Washington Irving

Tim Burton’s visionary and whimsical approach to the cinema could only complement the bizarre ghost story of Washington Irving. The director transforms The Legend of Sleepy Hollow into a fairytale-like and dreamy blend of horror and dark fantasy. Burton took several liberties with the original story. Johnny Depp played the protagonist, Ichabod Crane, with his signature style, crafting a clumsy yet highly logical detective attempting to investigate the brutal beheadings occurring in Sleepy Hollow.

Irving’s folktale was adapted multiple times before Tim Burton also became interested in it, making it one of the most popular horror stories from the 19th century. Burton’s version delves into the gothic genre. His traditional macabre yet ethereal aesthetic creates a haunting cinematography. Furthermore, Depp masterfully captures the comedic potential of his character. Sleepy Hollow is a testament to his director’s gift for reinventing legends of ghosts and monsters as hypnotic cinematic gems.

2

The Fly (1986)

Based On “The Fly” By George Langelaan

David Cronenberg’s The Fly is one of the most disturbing horrors ever created. The movie draws inspiration from a short story by George Langelaan, originally published in the June 1957 issue of Playboy. The film boasts brilliant actors like Jeff Goldblum, who plays the main character, Seth Brundle. Seth is an ingenious and ambitious scientist who, after an experiment gone wrong, begins to transform into a fly-hybrid creature.

Cronenberg’s work is not the first big-screen adaptation of Langelaan’s fiction. In fact, the story was previously adapted in the 1950s. If the first film was a classic thriller, the second version is more of a body horror with romance elements and a significant emotional weight. Brudle’s metamorphosis is simultaneously alarming and tragic, emphasized by Goldblum’sraw and vulnerable performance. The excellent characterization of the protagonist and grotesque visuals make this short-story adaptation one of the best body horrors of all time.

1

Duel (1971)

Based On “Duel” By Richard Matheson

Steven Spielberg’s Duel paid tribute to Richard Matheson’s tale, a short story of the same name that first appeared in Playboy, by turning it into a breathtaking cult. The 1971 classic is a road-action thriller featuring Dennis Weaver as David Mann, a salesman driving through the California desert for work who finds himself stalked by an ominous and mysterious semi-truck driver. Richard Matheson also took care of the script. His story was semi-autobiographical.

Matheson’s screenplay maintains the tension-fueled atmosphere of his original work. On the other hand, Spielberg’s clever direction, characterized by limited dialogue and sharp focus on the vehicles, complements the simple yet effective premise of the story. With cruel efficiency, the movie takes advantage of a deep-rooted fear that all humans share: the unknown. The driver’s face and motives are never revealed. Duel is considered one of the best television films ever made, and won a Golden Globe for Best Movie Made for TV.