It’s the time of year for many steaming services to add lots of horror movies, both classic and contemporary. Using Alabama screenwriters as our filter, we weeded through horror film lists to give you some creepy-cool choices for the season. You may be surprised by a lot of them.
8 horror movies by Alabama writers to watch this Halloween:
This 1966 file photo shows author Truman Capote in a studio recording the narration for his story, “A Christmas Memory.” Capote also wrote screenplays, including one for 1961’s “The Innocents.” (AP Photo, file)AP
“The Innocents” by Truman Capote
Few people realize Truman Capote – bestselling author of “In Cold Blood” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” – co-wrote the screenplay (along with William Archibald) for a cult-classic horror film. “The Innocents,” a 1961 black-and-white film about a governess who goes to live in a haunted English manor, is based on the Henry James novella, “The Turn of the Screw.” The film stars Deborah Kerr as the governess. Capote (1924-1984) was born in New Orleans but spent much of his childhood living in Monroeville, Ala.
The 1956 film “The Bad Seed” was written by William March, who was born in Mobile, Ala.Warner Bros. | Wikimedia Commons
“The Bad Seed” by William March
When “The Bad Seed” was released in 1956, it shocked audiences because it featured a child killer. The black-and-white film, starring Patty McCormack as the murderous kid and Nancy Kelly as her mother, was based on the book of the same name by William March (1893-1954). March was born William Edward Campbell in Mobile, Ala., but used his mother’s maiden name as a pen name.
Michael Keaton stars in the 1988 movie “Beetlejuice.” It was based on characters created by Alabama horror author Michael McDowell.
“Beetlejuice” by Michael McDowell
The 1988 horror-comedy “Beetlejuice” about “the ghost with the most” is a family friendly ghost story co-created by horror author Michael McDowell and co-author Larry Wilson. The now-classic film starring Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder just got a sequel: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is currently showing in theaters. McDowell (1950-1999) was born in Enterprise, Ala.
Read More: ‘Beetlejuice’ creator was collector of macabre, friends with Stephen King
Michael McDowell is seen during filming of 1988’s “Beetlejuice.” The Alabama-born horror author co-wrote the screenplay and is credited in the upcoming sequel with creating the characters. He died in 1999.Courtesy of Dr. Laurence Senelick
“Thinner” by Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell wrote the screenplay for this 1996 film based on the Stephen King book of the same name. “Thinner” was one of King’s quirkier works, about a man cursed by a gypsy to lose weight no matter how much he eats. McDowell (1950-1999) was born in Enterprise, Ala.
The 2016 film “Cold Moon” is based on the Michael McDowell book “Cold Moon Over Babylon.”Promotional Poster | Wikimedia Commons
“Cold Moon” by Michael McDowell
This 2016 film featuring Christopher Lloyd is based on the novel “Cold Moon Over Babylon,” by Michael McDowell. It is about the ghosts that haunt a bridge in a small town near the Alabama-Florida line and the secrets they help uncover. The novel was written in 1980. McDowell, born in Enterprise, Ala., died in 1999.
The second segment of the 1983 anthology film “Twilight Zone: The Movie” was co-written by George Clayton Johnson, who attended Auburn University.Promotional Poster | Wikimedia Commons
“Twilight Zone: The Movie,” segment by George Clayton Johnson
The second segment of the 1983 anthology film “Twilight Zone: The Movie” was co-written by George Clayton Johnson and based on his original teleplay from the “Twilight Zone” TV series for the episode “Kick the Can.” The fantastical tale of senior citizens who regain their youth is a favorite episode among TZ fans. Johnson was born in Cheyenne, Wyo. After serving in the Army, he enrolled at Auburn University (then known as Alabama Polytechnic Institute) under the G.I. Bill. Johnson also wrote the 1976 sci-fi film “Logan’s Run.”
Anne Rivers Siddons, Auburn graduate and southern novelist, died on Sept. 11, 2019.HVT
“The House Next Door” by Anne Rivers Siddons
The spine-tingling novel “The House Next Door” was the inspiration for a 2006 TV movie of the same name. The novel was written by Anne Rivers Siddons (1936-2019). Siddons was born in Fairburn, Ga., but attended Auburn University, where she was voted Loveliest of the Plains, was a Tri-Delt and wrote for the student newspaper, The Auburn Plainsman.
This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows a scene from “Godzilla vs. Kong.” (Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP)AP
“Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire” by Adam Wingard
While monster movies aren’t always classified as “horror,” we figure what’s Halloween without a good kaiju film? The 2024 film “Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire” was co-written by Adam Wingard, along with Simon Barrett, Terry Rossio and Jeremy Slater. He was born in Oak Ridge, Tenn., in 1982 and grew up near Marion, Ala., before moving to Birmingham. Wingard is also a director whose horror films include “You’re Next (2011),”“V/H/S”(2012) and “Blair Witch”(2016).
