Horror has been part of cinema since the very beginning. From shadowy silent films to monster-filled thrillers, these early works didn’t just scare audiences — they shaped the entire genre. And many of them are now in the public domain, which means anyone can watch, share, or even remake them.
The origins of horror on screen go all the way back to the late 19th century. Filmmakers realized that audiences loved being shocked, unsettled, and thrilled. With minimal special effects, they relied on atmosphere, shadows, and mystery to terrify viewers — a style that still influences modern horror today.
Here are a few of the most legendary early horror films — and how they still echo in today’s cinema:
Nosferatu (1922) 🧛♂️
Loosely based on Dracula, this silent German film remains one of the creepiest portrayals of a vampire ever. Its shadowy imagery inspired countless vampire films, from Salem’s Lot to Robert Eggers’ upcoming Nosferatu remake. Even the unsettling body language of Count Orlok influenced how directors frame “unnatural” characters in horror today.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) 🌀
A surreal, dreamlike masterpiece. Twisting sets and distorted visuals made it one of the first psychological horror films. Its unreliable narrator and dreamlike quality directly inspired movies like Shutter Island (2010) and Inception (2010), where audiences are left questioning what’s real.
Frankenstein (1910 & 1931) ⚡
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein entered the public domain long ago, which is why there are so many versions of it — from Edison Studios’ 1910 silent short, to Universal’s 1931 masterpiece with Boris Karloff, to countless modern retellings. Because it’s public domain, filmmakers and artists can reinterpret it freely — leading to everything from faithful adaptations (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, 1994) to wild reimaginings (Victor Frankenstein, 2015, and even Frankenstein AI at Sundance). The “misunderstood monster” trope that Shelley pioneered continues to echo in films like Edward Scissorhands (1990) and The Shape of Water (2017).
Night of the Living Dead (1968) 🧟
George A. Romero’s low-budget classic not only popularized the modern zombie but also redefined independent filmmaking. Every zombie story since — from 28 Days Later to The Walking Dead — owes a huge debt to Romero’s vision.
The Phantom of the Opera (1925) 🎭
Lon Chaney’s terrifying makeup shocked audiences, proving that horror could be as much about performance as story. His grotesque “man behind the mask” set the stage for everything from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to The Dark Knight’s Joker.
Did you know?
Nosferatu was nearly destroyed forever after Bram Stoker’s widow sued for copyright infringement. Luckily, a few copies survived.
Lon Chaney was called “The Man of a Thousand Faces” because he created all his own makeup effects.
Night of the Living Dead accidentally entered the public domain due to a copyright error, making it one of the most widely shared films ever.
Frankenstein has no copyright barrier, which is why you’ll find everything from comic books to Halloween costumes to rock songs (Frankenstein by Edgar Winter) inspired by Shelley’s monster.
Why not check out our Public Domain Frankenstein clothing!
Horror continues to evolve, but its roots in these early films can still be felt. The fear, the suspense, and the thrill of the unknown are timeless. And thanks to public domain works like Frankenstein, artists today can still put their own spin on stories first told centuries ago.
✨ If you could reimagine one classic horror tale for modern audiences, which would you choose?
