Before the days of streaming and digital downloads, movie buffs got their cinematic fix through the magical world of home video. No genre was exempt from release, but the halls of horror seemed to thrive on this market, possibly due to the shocking and often grotesque cover art.
But the curious thing was that many of the genre's beloved cult flicks owe their popularity to the home-video and direct-to-video markets. If a horror film bombed in theatres, there was always a chance it could be reanimated through the video store. And there were certainly no shortages on that end.
10 Demonic Toys
Demonic Toys is not exactly what one would call a good movie, but the effects and puppets used to bring the possessed playthings to life are certainly remarkable. This cheesy flick definitely achieved a small level of fandom thanks to its video release, a classic case of so-bad-it's-good.
The plot isn't complicated; there's a demonic entity attached to a toy factory with a handful of victims inside; it takes control of a gang of toys and unleashes havoc. Throw in a few gory kills, and that essentially covers the bases.
9 House/Hausu
How does one begin to describe this absolute fever dream of a film? Since its release, it's been considered one of the best Japanese horror movies of all time, thanks to viewers in the U.S. who discovered it on video.
The best way to explain this film is that it's more of an experience than an actual story. Imagine if someone put on a gothic horror film and a Scooby-Doo cartoon simultaneously but added in elements of the surreal. Creepy, cheesy, and visually distinctive, House is definitely a walk on the weird side.
8 Dolly Dearest
At first, this deadly doll movie might seem like a shameless ripoff of the Child's Play franchise, but there's more to it than meets the eye. More infamous than famous, this take on the twisted toy formula is certainly recognizable to any fan of the cult-film subgenre.
While it definitely takes a few cues from another famous evil doll, Dolly Dearest does have some interesting original material, relying on an evil spirit rather than a murderer's magic to create its malevolent force. Either way, dolls will never cease to be creepy.
7 The Hills Run Red
Considered one of the scariest and underrated slasher flicks in the genre, The Hills Run Red definitely found a bigger audience on home video. Called by many a tribute to horror classics of the '80s, Babyface could easily put Jason or Leatherface through their paces.
It's gritty, it's gruesome, it's gory, and it's everything one could want out of a traditional slasher movie. Plus, how can anyone look at Babyface and not get nightmares?
6 The Ice Cream Man
Weird, twisted, and off-the-wall wild are just a few words someone might use to describe The Ice Cream Man. But what else could be expected from a film starring Clint Howard as a man who turns his victims into frozen treats?
There's no doubt that the home-video market was how this film even became recognizable because it certainly wasn't at the top of most people's radar. The cover art alone is certainly a big factor for anyone even picking it up.
5 Tales From The Hood
Tales From The Hood is practically a contemporary take on a gothic horror flick.
With appearances from actors like David Allan Grier and writing that is frightening, freaky, and thought-provoking, the film was certainly ahead of its time. It's not surprising the home audience enjoyed it tremendously.
4 The Puppet Master Series
With 14 movies currently in the series, the longevity of this franchise can certainly not be denied.
While the first film wasn't much of a winner critically, the franchise continued to grow and grow with direct-to-video sequels. Since there's always a market for B-movies, the series has since thrived and even has a new film in production set to be released this year.
3 Tourist Trap
It's an honorable mention by technicality, but this freaky flick definitely deserves some form of recognition. From the studio that brought viewers the Puppet Master series comes Tourist Trap, which brought horror home with a TV debut.
This film is the epitome of retro horror. Since it has a PG rating (by '70s standards), it received a greater audience on TV airings and home video. That's quite an accomplishment for a movie about a violent psychic running a roadside attraction.
2 Bones
Snoop Dogg plays a vengeful ghost in a modern gothic horror movie; who wouldn't want to watch that? While it did poorly at the box office, home-video saved this film from complete obscurity and pulled it into its well-deserved cult-film status.
A lot is going on in this flick, from the performances to the special effects, and it has aged surprisingly well for a 2001 horror flick. Come for Snoop, but stay for the freaky monsters coming out of a complex's basement.
1 Trick R’ Treat
This little-horror-film-that-could wouldn't be nearly the icon it is today if it wasn't for its home release. Trick r' Treat was what put director Michael Dougherty back into the spotlight and to a thrilling and chilling success.
Taking cues from other iconic anthology horror films and comics, this love letter to Halloween and all things spooky and scary found its way out of the movie aisle and into the hearts of a more than loving fanbase. Don't forget to check your candy, kids.
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