The Godfather,Platoon,The Lord of the Ringstrilogy, andStar Wars: Return of the Jedi— These are all undisputed classics, but what makes a film a classic? Perhaps a history ofhorrorfilmmaking plays a role, as each of the aforementioned classic films was directed by a filmmaker who entered the industry making low-budget chillers. The horror genre often serves as a launching pad for filmmakers' careers, as horror films are and always have been immensely popular, and they can be produced for little to nothing in terms of budget.
While most cheap horror debuts are easily forgotten, many talented filmmakers destined for greatness have made the most of the genre to show off their unique stylish predilections and directing capabilities. A surprising number of the most highly regarded filmmakers of the last fifty years got their start making horror films on the cheap. Here are a few of the best terrifying directorial debuts from respected filmmakers.
Updated on September 9th, 2023, by Danilo Raúl:This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
15The Witch (2015)
Directed by Robert Eggers
Robert Eggers quickly established himself as a cinema auteur withThe Witch. The claustrophobic story follows a profoundly religious family in 1630 New England that suddenly experiences the loss of their youngest member. The family holds a grudge against Thomasin since she watched over the baby when he disappeared.
The father cannot do anything to move on and does nothing to solve the mystery. At the same time, the eldest daughter begins suspecting something supernatural is out to get the family when her youngest twin brothers start to accuse her of witchcraft.You can’t thank A24 for believing in Eggers, who made the story work with a meager budget of $4 million, which he returned tenfold, with the film getting critical praise and a box office of $40 million.
14Get Out (2017)
Directed by Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele was already a very famous comedian when he broke into directing duties. His first project wasGet Out, the 2017 thriller starring his frequent collaborator Daniel Kaluuya. Peele doesn’t wear a single hat in his productions, as he also writes and produces the movie. In the film, a photographer named Chris Washington goes on a trip to upstate New York with Rose Armitage, a wealthy girl living in an all-white community.
Chris begins noticing strange behaviors in the black people working as housekeepers. Soon enough, he realizesthese white folks are trying to take over his bodyand mind so they can extend their lifespans. Peele also proved to be an excellent box office drawn, making the movie with only $ 4.5 million and getting a significant return of $255 million.
13Hereditary (2018)
Directed by Ari Aster
Ari Aster is another filmmaker who quickly rose to prominence within the horror genre. His first offer wasHereditary, a film labeledThe Exorcistfor modern audiences. The competent talents of Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, and Gabriel Byrne sell this story about a family who just experienced the loss of their matriarch. Suddenly, strange things happen around them, with acquaintances from Grandma Graham coming forth to help the family grieve their loss.
Annie Graham befriends people who introduce her to paranormal eventsafter the loss of her youngest son, while her family can’t suspend their disbelief at the fact that grief is driving her mad and bringing down all of them with her. This solid flick was made on a budget of $10 million and earned $83 million in its theatrical run.
12Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
Directed by Steve Miner
You probably can’t place the name of Steve Miner as an A-lister, but you should. The man started withFriday the 13th, with part two of the film anthology, which he also produced. He’s the mind behind multiple films in the 1980s and 1990s that were widespread hits, such as Friday the 13th Part 3, Warlock, Forever Young, and Big Bully.
He would eventually slow his output on film to focus on Television with long stints in shows like Dawson’s Creek and Switched at Birth. In the second entry of Friday the 13th, we get the big reveal that Jason is very much alive andhell-bent on punishing all the horny teenagersvisiting Lake View after his mom is killed in the first movie.
11House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Directed by Rob Zombie
Is Rob Zombie an A-Lister? You’re damn right he is; how many musicians have successfully transitioned from the scenarios to directing films? We really can’t think of anyone else, and Rob, being the overachiever he is, has managed to create his aesthetic feeling in which, you know, you’re watching a movie made by him.
While his unique reboot of the Halloween franchise is fantastic, he made his mark in Hollywood with theHouse of 1000 Corpses—the first chapter of his Hell trilogy. In the story, two couples get stranded in an unspecified region of backwoods Texas, whenthey find a local attraction named the Museum of Monsters & Madmen, which houses a twisted family that will have them enduring a world of pain and wishing for death.
Related:The Best Oliver Stone Films, Ranked
10Slither (2006)
Directed by James Gunn
To the surprise of no one, the most irreverent director in the industry right now entered Hollywood using horror as the ladder to climb his career, and it worked! James Gunn writes and directsSlither, the story of a small town named Wheelsy, where not much happens until the mutilated stock begins to appear with alarming frequency.
It turns out an alien organism is planning to take over the earth and use humans as vessels to turn them into mindless drones. The movie has all the quirks you may expect to find in any James Gunn film:gross humor, unsavory goriness, Nathan Fillion, and Michael Rooker. Slither wasn’t a major box office success but led to gigs such as Super and The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
9Seizure (1974)
Directed by Oliver Stone
Oliver Stoneis world-renowned for directing such classics asPlatoonandJFK, but dedicated fans know that he first got his name out there with the very strange horror filmSeizure. Allegedly funded as part of a gangster’s money-laundering scheme, the story of how it was made may be more interesting than the actual plot of the film.
The film is about a horror novelist who is tormented by recurring visions of three evil beings: The Queen of Evil, a dwarf called Spider, and a hulking brute named Jackal. The pace is uneven, and the direction is rather flat for an Oliver Stone film, but the atmosphere is intoxicatingly grim and makes this a real treat for fans of moody psychotronic horror.
8The Legacy (1978)
Directed by Richard Marquand
Five years before reaching A-lister status as director of one of thebest sci-fi movies of the ’80s,Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,Richard Marquandfound moderate success with his slow-burn horrorThe Legacy.
The film centers around a couple from Los Angeles who are invited to a grand mansion in England, whereupon they become embroiled in a satanic mystery and fight for their lives. It is a striking gothic horror tale that has a menacing air about it from start to finish.
7Duel (1971)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Before he scared movie lovers away from the water withJaws,Steven Spielbergwarned audiences of the dangers of the open road with his first feature-length filmDuel. One of thebest made-for-TV movies of all time,Dueltells the story of a businessman on his way to meet a client.
He becomes a target for an unseen and homicidal semi-truck driver. The simple yet effective script by science fiction author Richard Matheson, paired with Spielberg’s adept direction, makesDuela pulse-pounding thrill ride and a “road horror” film for the ages.
Directed by Peter Jackson
Famous for directing big-budget epics such asThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy and the 2005 version ofKing Kong,Peter Jacksonbegan his career with a little film calledBad Taste. The title could not be more apt, as the film centers around aliens who land in New Zealand to turn humans into intergalactic fast food.
A bizarre gore-fest that is ostensibly horror but is oftenmore funny than frightening,Bad Tasteepitomizes both the splatter-horror golden age of the 1980s and Jackson’s own early low-brow horror period.
