The Made-For-TV Horror Films Every Horror Fan Needs To See

For years, we have enjoyed the wonders that are made-for-TV movies. These are the ones that didn’t quite get their chance to shine on the big screen but often won the hearts of the dedicated who couldn’t get enough of the final piece. Still, it’s something that’s quickly disappearing with the rise of streaming services.

The made-for-TV horror films every horror fan needs to see might have had their time to shine, but that doesn’t mean they have been forgotten by the world entirely. In fact, they are often enough to give the big guys some competition, even after all these years.

Count Dracula might be the most accurate depiction of the vampire

Let’s face it; there have been plenty of Dracula adaptations throughout the years. Still, the 1977 version ‘Count Dracula’ might be the truest of them all to the famous book. It follows Dracula as he leaves Transylvania with one thing on his mind: wreaking havoc across the world. Of course, a seasoned vampire hunter soon stands in his way, leading to a pretty epic cat-and-mouse chase throughout. Being brought to life in the ‘70s meant the film’s gore factor had to be toned down a lot, but there is enough sprinkled throughout ‘Count Dracula’ to leave a special spine-tingling place in people’s hearts.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow sees Jeff Goldblum in his early years

Want to see Jeff Goldblum in his early days? All you need is ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,’ as the star is the one in charge of bringing schoolmaster Crane to life in the 1980 made-for-TV hit. The movie is based on the famous short story that sees Crane learn the tale of the Headless Horseman from a romantic rival who wants to scare him off. While it might not be the scariest movie on the market, ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ has all the classic horror moves it needs, teamed with some family-friendly entertainment to earn it a spot in the history books.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is celebrating its 50th birthday

Turning 50 years old in 2023 means that 1973’s ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark’ has lost a little spook factor throughout the years, but it does have everything it needs to still thrive today. The film follows a young couple who learn they have inherited an old mansion, only to discover it’s not completely empty: the house is haunted by a flock of devilish imps. As if that wasn’t enough, they also want to possess the wife’s brain, with plenty of original fans enjoying all the nightmares that come from the movie. The inspiration and special effects used in ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark’ quickly inspired plenty of made-for-tv horror films of the time, making it an ultimate classic for horror fans.

Trilogy of Terror sees three horror movies come to life at once

It didn’t take long for ‘Trilogy of Terror’ to go down as a cult classic - and for all the right reasons. The movie is three stories in one, with actress Karen Black taking on no fewer than four roles throughout. While the first two stories from the film are pretty forgettable, it’s the third that really stands out. After all, how often do we see a tormented lover unable to escape a Zuni doll? It was the disturbing and eerie scenes in the third part of ‘Trilogy of Terrors’ that really saw this go down as one of the best made-for-TV horror films of all time - and for a good reason.

Duel is one of Steven Spielberg’s finest made-for-TV horror films

Believe it or not, but there was a time when Steven Spielberg was creating made-for-TV films, with ‘Duel’ being one of the best. The movie has a simple premise and was all inspired by the classic monster movies so many have seen. A business commuter is merely trying to make it through California but quickly learns he’s being stalked by a twisted truck driver. Of course, barely seeing the truck driver only adds to the tension, while the roaring from his vehicle adds to the fear in all the best unconventional ways.

The Woman in Black successfully ruined Christmas for many in 1989

Plenty of us are familiar with the story of ‘The Woman in Black,’ thanks to the 2012 retelling. However, we need to go all the way back to 1989 to remember one of the greatest made-for-TV horror films of all time. Being released on Christmas Eve was enough to ruin the holiday season for many, as fans watched a London solicitor travel to a coastal town only to find the entire estate is haunted by an ominous ghost: the Woman in Black. The misty surroundings and nightmarish visuals really help to take viewers out of the real world and into the horror, leaving plenty wondering how they would ever sleep at night again. Certainly far away from rocking chairs.

The made-for-TV horror films might be fighting a losing battle, but that doesn’t mean we have to forget about the greats that helped shape the genre.