It’s surprising just how many cult-favorite horror movies were significantly influenced by earlier films and, when it really comes down to it, were totally unoriginal. While this may seem like a point of criticism, paying homage to horror movies of the past or filmmakers wearing their influences on their sleeve was never a bad thing, and just because a movie was derivative does not mean it’s bad. In fact, many of the biggest cult hits took premises already explored in other movies and expanded upon them to create something even better.
Some of the best cult horror movies owe a lot to classic films of times past, as actors, directors, and writers have shamelessly ripped off well-worn tropes and clichés to create great B-movie favorites, satirical commentaries, or just plain laugh-out-loud hilarious horror comedies. As a genre known to repeat itself, it’s almost impossible to make a slasher movie these days without copying aspects from Halloween or The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The incredible history of horror has informed plenty of great movies, and a knowledge of horror classics can make watching cult favorites even more enjoyable.
- Scream (1996)
- Friday the 13th (1980)
- Lake Placid (1999)
- Night of The Creeps (1986)
- Sleepaway Camp (1983)
- Sharknado (2013)
- Galaxy of Terror (1981)
- Chopping Mall (1986)
- The Stuff (1985)
- Piranha (1978)
Bit of an odd premise but it’s an interesting list in the end.