Back to Basics: Top 10 Black-and-White Horror Movies

1. Carnival of Souls (1962)

Forget about merry-go-rounds and cotton candy; the only thing this carnival offers is bone-chilling horror. After surviving a car crash, organist Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss) starts seeing a ghoulish figure haunting her at every turn. Her life quickly descends into a surreal nightmare, culminating in an unforgettable visit to an abandoned carnival. \

Featuring an eerie organ score and atmospheric cinematography, Carnival of Souls is a psychological horror flick that lingers long after the credits roll. Despite its cult status now, the film was initially a box-office flop and was largely forgotten until a revival in the 1980s. Small fortunes, I guess.

2. The Innocents (1961)

Take a crumbling Victorian mansion, creepy children, and a terrified governess, and what do you get? The Innocents, a spine-tingling adaptation of Henry James' novella The Turn of the Screw. Deborah Kerr shines as the paranoid governess who becomes convinced her charges are possessed by malicious spirits.

The black and white photography enhances the film's oppressive atmosphere, making the specters haunting Bly House even more unnerving. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie sits comfortably at a 95% approval rating, proving that old-school horror can still pack a punch.

3. Spider Baby (1967)

Horror-comedy is a tricky genre to get right, but Spider Baby hits the sweet spot with its unique blend of laughs and scares. The plot revolves around the eccentric Merrye family, whose members suffer from a rare disorder that causes them to regress mentally and act out violently. With Lon Chaney Jr. as their caring chauffeur and a young Sid Haig as one of the children, this quirky film is a must-watch for horror aficionados looking for something different. Interestingly enough, director Jack Hill wrote the script in just three days!

4. I Walked with a Zombie (1943)

Before George A. Romero's flesh-eating ghouls, zombies in cinema were more closely associated with Voodoo and mind control, as seen in this atmospheric classic. It tells the story of a nurse who travels to the Caribbean to care for a woman seemingly suffering from a strange, debilitating illness. As she delves deeper into the island's culture, she uncovers disturbing secrets involving Voodoo rituals and, you guessed it, zombies.

5. Eyes Without a Face (1960)

A French horror film that was so disturbing, it made people faint in the cinema? That's Eyes Without a Face for you. The story involves a guilt-ridden surgeon who kidnaps young women to graft their faces onto his disfigured daughter. The infamous face-removal scene is shockingly graphic, even by today's standards. And while it was initially criticized upon release, the film is now considered a masterpiece of the horror genre.

6. Dead of Night (1945)

British horror has a long and rich tradition, and Dead of Night stands as one of its finest examples. This anthology film features several eerie tales tied together by a man experiencing a disturbing case of déjà vu. One story involves a haunted mirror, while another focuses on a ventriloquist's dummy that appears to have a mind of its own. It's a classic example of the 'haunting object' trope, with an intelligent script and atmospheric cinematography. The circular plot structure was groundbreaking at the time and continues to be influential in the genre.

7. Fiend Without a Face (1958)

B-movies rarely get the respect they deserve, and Fiend Without a Face is no exception. The film offers a unique twist on the monster movie trope: the creatures are invisible brain-sucking parasites, which only become visible (and quite gruesome) in the film's climax. It may sound hokey, but the film uses its premise to explore themes of nuclear fear and the limits of scientific progress. The film's provocative content, including the graphic creature effects, led to calls for stricter film censorship in the UK.

8. The Old Dark House (1932)

From James Whale, the director of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, comes another gothic classic. A group of travelers seeks refuge from a storm in an old dark house inhabited by a bizarre family. As the night unfolds, the guests uncover the family's dark secrets and a dangerous hidden threat. The film brilliantly combines horror and humor, and despite being a box-office failure at the time of its release, it's now praised for its atmospheric and stylistic qualities.

9. The Seventh Victim (1943)

A young woman's search for her missing sister leads her into the heart of Greenwich Village, where she uncovers a satanic cult. The Seventh Victim stands out for its intricate plot, nuanced characters, and unnerving climax. The film also includes some rather progressive themes for its time, including references to psychoanalysis and subtle allusions to homosexuality. The movie is part of producer Val Lewton's series of low-budget horror films for RKO Pictures, which also included Cat People and I Walked with a Zombie.

10. Night of the Demon (1957)

This British horror classic dives into the world of witchcraft and the occult. When a skeptical psychologist comes face to face with a Satanic cult leader who can summon demons, he must question his staunch disbelief in the supernatural. Night of the Demon is a masterclass in building tension and atmosphere, relying on suggestion and shadows rather than explicit horror. Despite some initial mixed reviews due to its controversial depiction of an actual demon, the film has since been reassessed and is now widely considered a classic of British cinema.