The best films from Hammer House of Horror

As the nights draw in and the days get decidedly colder, there’s no better way to enjoy the season than sat on the sofa with the lights off watching horror films.

Horror always becomes particularly scary at this time of year and many film lovers enjoy having a chance to appreciate some scares before the Christmas cheer full sets in.

Those looking for something truly original to watch should be sure to check out Hammer House of Horror productions. With films that effectively defined the many sub-genres found within horror, there are some true scares to be found within this production house.

The sheer volume of films produced by Hammer can be a little overwhelming to a newcomer. To help you wade through the huge volumes of films they offer, we’ve devised the ultimate beginner’s list to the production house.

Demons of the Mind 1972

Not a film for the faint of heart, there are numerous challenging themes within this particular flick to leave even the most hardened horror fan up at night. With sexuality, mental illness and suicide all up for discussion in this film, it’s as intellectually challenging as it is difficult on the stomach.

Science and religion are pitted against one another in this film, which is clear inspiration from the birth of original horror in the Romantic period of literature. It’s a classic film and one that’s likely to fall by the wayside.

The Plague of the Zombies 1966

The film that inspired one of the most inspirational horror films of all time, The Plague of the Zombies introduced the zombie for one of the first times in cinema and went on to heavily influence the seminal Night of the Living Dead.

With heavy references to real-life voodoo magic, it is this hold onto reality that makes the film particularly disturbing even by today’s standards. We also have this film to thank for the popularity of zombie films and TV shows today.

Dracula 1958

Starring Christopher Lee, Dracula was one of the first films of Bram Stoker’s work that fully realised the erotic content and themes within the piece. Presenting the vampire as never before seen, it has gone on to influence the mainstream popularity of the vampire today.

Whether you love or loathe the likes of the Twilight franchise, it is compelling to see where the audiences obsession with the vampire began.

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