Starring: Tony Todd, Greg Nicotero, Keith David, Alex Essoe, Ernest Dickerson, Brea Grant, Tananarive Due, Rebekah McKendry, Joe Dante, David Dastmalchian, Kate Siegel, Fede Alvarez, Mike Flanagan, Axelle Carolyn, Lydia Hearst, Dana Gould, Tom Savini, Jonah Ray
Plot Summary: In the eight-episode Shudder Original series from the producers of Eli Roth’s History of Horror, master filmmakers and genre experts celebrate and dissect the most terrifying moments of the greatest horror films ever made, exploring how these scenes were created and why they burned themselves into the brains of audiences around the world.
The 100 Scariest Movie Moments aired on Bravo on October 30, 2004. This turned out to be a huge hit for the network, spawning a sequel entitled 13 Scarier Movie Moments in 2009, 30 Even Scarier Movie Moments and a UK spinoff. By the time the series aired, I was already firmly a horror fan, thus, not many of these entries were new to me. However, I know many horror fans that learned of a lot of horror movies thanks to this program. Sadly, there has never been a legit home video of it, (in the US anyways). Thankfully, I recorded it, and it has been a seasonal favorite since that time.
Now, let me be perfectly clear, Shudder’s The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments Of All Time is in no way related to the aforementioned Bravo series. Bravo is owned by NBC/Universal and Shudder is owned by AMC. Having said that, one can see this as a modern facelift of 100 Scariest Movie Moments. Indeed, watching this, horror fans of a certain age no doubt will feel a cool wave of nostalgia. The first episode certainly sets a great tone right out of the gate, exploring a modern horror classic It Follows. The following moments (which I will not spoil) are wonderfully curated. I was very pleased to see that there is a nice mix of older and more recent films. There is also an international flare with horror movies from around the globe rightly given the spotlight. This is a great thing for newer fans, or fans looking to explore great horror films outside of the US.
The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments Of All Time features a wide and diverse group of panelists which ranges from filmmakers, writers, actors and critics. They are all legends in their respective fields, and you couldn’t ask for a better line up. I admit it’s humbling to see people on here that I have had the pleasure of knowing, interviewing and/or meeting. For example, Rebekah McKendry, who I recently sat down with to talk about her brilliant new movie Glorious is among them. To say that these interview subjects offer a unique insight is an understatement. In a nutshell, this series gives one a crash course on horror and the deeper meanings and context from so many staggeringly talented people. This area is where Shudder’s series is superior to Bravo’s. When people say the genre is empty, they should be pointed to this series to be proven otherwise.
Shudder has really been blazing a trail in terms of providing excellent new indie horror movies, classic titles and now, original programs. After watching the first two episodes, The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments Of All Time is all treats and no tricks whilst heading into the fall season. I was very hyped when I heard that this series was happening, and yes, it was well worth the wait and then some. The interviews are engaging and the number of powerhouses on display is awe-inspiring. Horror fans are in for some wonderfully spooky, scary surprises and should considered this a much watch.
The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments Of All Time will premiere Wednesday, September 7, on Shudder with new episodes streaming each week.
Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.