Shudder isn't just horror movies. It has plenty of documentaries available to stream for fans who want more behind-the-scenes insight.
The horror streaming service, Shudder, offers more than just scary films and series. Subscribers who like a little more to sink their teeth into are spoiled by the increasing range of documentaries available on the site.
Whether it's getting the lowdown on the history of horror from the likes of Eli Roth and Shudder curator, Sam Zimmermann, unmasking some of the genre's most famous monsters and the minds that created them, or exhuming the myths and legends of Hollywood, there's something for seasoned fans and fresh meat alike.
Shudder’s lead curator, Sam Zimmerman, leads subscribers through the history of horror’s various subgenres in this five-part series. Zimmermann covers all the expected tropes such as haunted houses, killer kids, revenge, and slashers, but also dips his toes into the Giallo subgenre that viewers might not be as familiar with.
Despite not being as fleshed out as counterparts such as Eli Roth’s History of Horror, the bite-sized installments provide a great little guide for when you’re stuck for something to watch. At five minutes long, each episode is a small window into a subgenre for subscribers to climb through.
Although not strictly a documentary, this talk show is worth a mention for its dissection of the best minds in the horror business. Hosted by Mickey Keating, the series examines the onscreen techniques and effects used to achieve the most authentic scares.
The Core is casual yet hands-on. Keating converses with his guests in unconventional talk show settings, such as chatting on a bed with Steven Ellison about his controversial film debut Kuso, before making fake vomit together under the guidance of special effects guru Jim Ojala. It certainly lives up to its reputation, with Shudder billing it as a show that “busts open the traditional talk show and plays with its guts.”
Director Alexandre Philippe is renowned for his admiration of the filmmaking process and those who help bring a film to fruition. It makes sense then, that he should turn to one of the biggest filmmakers in horror to talk viewers through the process of directing one of the most famous films in the genre’s history.
Generally, the documentary is praised by fans of The Exorcist for offering insight into its creator, yet criticized for its narrow scope, concerning both the film’s creation and its director’s career. Despite this, for viewers who are unfamiliar with the film, it acts as a gateway into Friedkin and his horror classic (though there are spoilers, of course!).
George Romero, father of the modern-day zombie, talks viewers through the creation and legacy of his famous film Night of the Living Dead. Director Rob Kuhns also interviews a range of authors, critics, and filmmakers who share their perspectives on the feature’s cultural significance and its impact on horror and the zombie apocalypse subgenre.
The film is a touching tribute to the legendary director and is largely praised by critics, but the general consensus is that there is much more room for exploration. Indeed, any additional installments about Romero’s career, or even just his zombie back catalog, would really help flesh out the man behind the monsters.
Thomas Hamilton directs this account of the life and career of the famed horror actor, Boris Karloff. He is best known for his portrayal of the monster in Frankenstein, but this documentary film wipes off the familiar green makeup to re-examine the man behind it.
Material for the documentary was researched and compiled by co-writer and producer Ron MacCloskey over an extensive 23 years and features interviews with notable names such as Guillermo del Toro, Joe Dante, and Ron Perlman, among others, making for a rich re-telling of Karloff’s story.
This extensive examination of the Folk Horror subgenre spans just over three hours long. From Witchfinder General to Midsommar, this detailed documentary leaves no stone unturned. Although it might seem intimidating from the outside, the film is structured like a book of fairy tales that breaks the content into comprehensive chunks.
Experts offer their knowledge for an in-depth look at the topic. Despite being a little niche, it is worth the watch for established fans and those who are interested in learning more about the relationship between folk tales, traditions, and the evolution of horror.
The actors behind some of the horror genre’s most famous monsters are unmasked in this six-part series. From Michael Myers to Pinhead, each episode delves into the history, creation, and development of each character, with interviews from fans, critics, makeup artists, and of course, the actors themselves.
Fans will likely be familiar with the stories told (such as the Myers mask being made from a William Shatner mask) but the retelling is as enjoyable as re-watching the films themselves. Having premiered in 2021, subscribers are already calling for a second season. With countless creeps still available for discussion, there’s certainly plenty for the producers to play with.
Now in its second season, Cursed Films is a series that explores the most notorious myths and legends surrounding Hollywood’s most infamous films, such as The Exorcist, The Omen, and Poltergeist. Although horror films are the main topic of discussion, the series also delves into the darker elements of films that are seemingly innocent.
Season Two opens with an episode about The Wizard of Oz, addressing rumors about drunken munchkins, toxic makeup, and on-set suicide. The scope and uniqueness of the series are evidence of its potential longevity, with a wealth of material to be exhumed by a range of familiar faces within the industry.
This documentary film examines the relationship between Black history and the evolution of horror films. It is based on the book Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present by Robin R. Means Coleman, in which the author traces the history of blackness in horror both on-screen and behind the camera.
It features interviews with key figures, including Coleman, Keith David, Tony Todd, Rachel True, Jordan Peele, and Tananarive Due. Important themes are discussed, ranging from the racist representation and lack of Black actors in film in the 1930s and 1950s to the later emergence of blaxploitation and tokenism. It brings attention to conversations about Black representation in mainstream horror that all creators and consumers should listen to.
Modern horror legend, Eli Roth, rounds up his famous friends and contemporaries for in-depth discussions about the history of horror. Such guests include Greg Nicotero, Edgar Wright, and Quentin Tarantino, among many others, who express their love for the genre over the course of three seasons.
Each episode explores a different genre theme or trope, including zombies, slashers, vampires, and ghosts. Most recently, season three gets creative as the main available topics start to thin out. For example, episode two deep-dives in on ‘infections’ and how the pandemic has impacted our perspectives on such films. It is a must-watch for hardcore horror fanatics and a comprehensive guide for newcomers to the genre.
