DISCLOSURE: Written in cooperation with Melanie Ranell
Horror is a genre not limited to movies as it has influenced many other areas of entertainment too including books, video games, gambling and more. In fact, the genre has proven to be an inspiration for the success of anything ranging from the PS4 exclusive Until Dawn game to Which Witch Horror slot machine.
However, there is no disputing that horror is renowned for its influence on the film industry though, with many audiences around the world declaring it as their favorite genre. However, horror for many years got somewhat of a raw deal at the Oscars, and in many ways, that trend has continued.
Many would suggest that genres such as comedy, sci-fi, and horror do indeed get overlooked by the Academy for one reason or another. But it is horror which seems to have come off worst, with it being a rarity for them to even be nominated. And when they are there has to be a sort of contingency plan to ensure voters don’t see them as horror movies if they are to be successful.
While many superb horror movies had been released prior to 1968, that was the pivotal year for the horror genre for several reasons. Night of the Living Dead by George Romero was released, and this saw the whole genre expand further, with the zombie thriller playing a leading role. Roman Polanski also released his adaptation of the hit novel Rosemary’s Baby, which was nominated for and won high profile awards at the Oscars, the first-time horror had prospered at the Academy Awards.
Five years later and horror triumphed again thanks to The Exorcist, a film which is seen as an all-time classic by most. The Academy awarded The Exorcist a total of 10 nominations, with the movie going on to collect two. It was a step in the right direction. Since then, horror movies have featured more prominently at the Oscars, but it many people’s eyes, still not enough, especially when you consider that there has only been a clutch of horror movies to win high profile awards.
The latest movie from the genre to make it in terms of nominations was the excellent Get Out, written and directed by Jordan Peele. It starred Daniel Kaluuya as the lead character, and he was nominated for best actor. The film was also up for best picture, best director and best original screenplay, of which it won the latter, putting horror back on the map. However, many disagreed that the film which was labeled a “satirical horror”, was a horror indeed, with it being entered in the comedy category at the Golden Globe awards.
The impact of horror cannot and should not be underestimated, with many horror movies earning legendary status over the years. Films like Get Out, Sweeney Todd, The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, The Silence of the Lambs and Beetlejuice should be in much in much bigger company where the Oscars are concerned, with there being a hope that horror will be seen on par with some more respected genres at the Academy Awards in the not too distant future.
