Horror directors have claimed a special place among thrill seekers in Hollywood. These talented filmmakers are responsible for making remarkable movies like Scream that have entertained audiences at home and in theatres. You’ll have a fun and frightening time discovering classic horror movies once you’ve started watching films made by these exceptional directors.
Hollywood actors are guided by directors to bring mysterious characters to life in cinema. Horror directors provide their fans with memorable moments on the screen. Murders, jump scares, and monsters can twist the plot of horror movies to surprise viewers with unexpected occurrences. The most successful horror directors take delight in quietly sneaking up on their audiences with scary scenes that’ll remain with them long after the end credits have been rolled.
Take a look at the top 10 horror directors in Hollywood.
James Wan
James Wan is a Hollywood director known for releasing movies like Saw and Stygian. The gore scenes in James Wan movies have kept thousands of people up at night. Saw was one of his earliest films, delivering chills down the spine of audiences in theatres across the US and the rest of the world. Released in 2004, Saw made over $100 million at the box office.
The Australian filmmaker focused on multiple aspects of the Saw franchise, juggling roles between a writer, director, and a producer. His efforts were pivotal towards transforming Saw into one of the highest-grossing film franchises in the history of Hollywood. Following the massive success of the first Saw movie, the horror film was adapted into video games, comic books, and a TV series. Saw fans buy hundreds of merchandise online to support James Wan and his horror stories.
Apart from horror movies, James Wan has also directed movies from other franchises like Furious 7. He might just be willing to direct Fast XI with gambling shots in the movie that feature the Fast & the Furious crew playing table games like baccarat to earn money for new cars and accessories. James Wan was involved in filming Furious 7 when news broke out that Paul Walker had died in a car crash. The horrific death of Paul Walker almost stopped the production of Furious 7 at that time.
His films have made more than $3.7 billion, making James Wan a respected director in the horror genre. In recent news, James Wan and his production company, Atomic Monster, have acquired the rights to turn the hit video game, Pacific Drive, into a TV series. He is also working on various Hollywood projects including a live-action reboot of Gargoyles for Disney+.
Sam Raimi
Sam Raimi is a celebrated horror director. He directed the first 3 movies in The Evil Dead franchise to make horror movies a trend in Hollywood. Sam Raimi has worked on over 15 movies in his career, directing horror blockbusters like Darkman, Army of Darkness, and Drag Me to Hell.
The Evil Dead franchise was launched in 1981, with the first film being written and directed by Sam Raimi. Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, and Betsy Baker were a part of the original cast of The Evil Dead movie. The plot of the horror film revolves around 5 college students going on a vacation. Most of the film was shot in a cabin in the woods, capturing demons and evil spirits attacking the young kids for their mischievous activities. The Evil Dead premiered at the Redford Theatre in Detroit, Michigan. It was also screened at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival.
Horror writers such as Stephen King had taken a liking to Sam Raimi and his artistic direction. Prosthetic make-up was extensively used in the making of The Evil Dead to make the horror effects look realistic on the big screen. It was featured in media publications like the Los Angeles Times and Variety for being a cult classic in the US.
The American horror filmmaker, Sam Raimi, released Drag Me to Hell in 2009. It starred Alison Lohman, Justin Long, and Lorna Raver. Spooky scenes of séance, demon possession, and ancient curses are frequently displayed in Drag Me to Hell to frighten people in their seats. Sam Raimi’s film, Drag Me to Hell, won the Best Horror Movie at the 2009 Scream Awards.
Wes Craven
Wes Craven has a prolific list of horror movies to his credit. He directed American classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, The Hills Have Eyes, Swamp Thing, and Vampire in Brooklyn. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 New York City Horror Film Festival. Wes Craven was also called the Sultan of Shock among horror fans. His resting place can be found in West Tisbury, Massachusetts.
The veteran director was responsible for helping Johnny Depp land his first major role in A Nightmare on Elm Street. Freddy Krueger, the iconic horror movie villain shot to fame by appearing in the film directed by Wes Craven. He is a fictional character who can attack teenagers in their dreams and pose a threat to their lives. A Nightmare on Elm Street made its debut in over 165 theatres in the US and grossed more than $1 million on its opening weekend.
Horror directors are remembered fondly for their attempts to scare moviegoers with their antics. Many fans of horror movies have bought merchandize that represents cult classic characters like Freddy Kruegar and Jigsaw. You’ll be fascinated to find out the tricks these directors have up their sleeves in their horror movies.
