If you’re a horror fan, you know the thrill of a story that builds tension and delivers a shocking twist. Now imagine getting not one, but several terrifying tales in a single movie—that’s the beauty of horror anthologies. These films are collections of short stories wrapped together, often linked by a common theme or a chilling “wraparound” narrative. Perfect for late-night scares, anthologies give you variety, creativity, and plenty of frights in one sitting.
Here are 10 must-watch horror anthology movies that every horror lover should add to their list.
1. Creepshow (1982)
Created by horror legends George A. Romero and Stephen King, Creepshow is the ultimate horror comic brought to life. With its campy visuals, dark humor, and gruesome tales like “Father’s Day” and “The Crate,” it set the gold standard for anthology horror.
2. Trick ’r Treat (2007)
Michael Dougherty’s Halloween cult classic blends interconnected stories of masked killers, vengeful ghosts, and supernatural creatures. Tied together by the mischievous pumpkin-headed figure Sam, it’s one of the best Halloween-themed anthologies ever made.
3. Tales from the Crypt (1972)
Based on the EC Comics, this British classic features stories of greed, revenge, and supernatural punishment. The iconic Crypt Keeper serves as the ominous guide, later spawning the popular TV series of the same name.
4. V/H/S (2012)
This found-footage anthology is raw, chaotic, and utterly unsettling. With segments directed by indie horror talents, it delivers everything from slasher-style scares to supernatural madness—all framed around a group finding sinister VHS tapes.
5. Southbound (2015)
Underrated but brilliant, Southbound ties together nightmarish road-trip tales set on a desert highway. Demonic creatures, purgatory themes, and interconnected storylines make it both eerie and thought-provoking.
6. The Mortuary Collection (2019)
Featuring Clancy Brown as a sinister mortician, this anthology oozes gothic atmosphere. Each story he recounts to a young visitor unfolds with darkly comedic twists and old-school horror charm.
7. Body Bags (1993)
Directed by John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper, this TV movie feels like a love letter to anthology horror. With Carpenter himself playing the creepy morgue host, the stories range from hair-raising sci-fi to slasher terror.
8. XX (2017)
A refreshing twist on the genre, XX features horror shorts written and directed entirely by women. With tales of maternal terror, demonic forces, and strange disappearances, it showcases unique and haunting perspectives in horror.
9. Galaxy of Horrors (2017)
For fans of sci-fi mixed with terror, Galaxy of Horrors delivers chilling futuristic shorts set in space and beyond. From rogue AI to alien nightmares, this anthology is packed with dark, cosmic horror perfect for fans of Black Mirror with a bloodier edge.
10. The Field Guide to Evil (2018)
This anthology gathers international directors to explore folklore and myths from around the world. Each story draws on cultural nightmares—making it one of the most diverse and unsettling anthology films you’ll ever see.
Final Thoughts
Horror anthologies are perfect for fans who love variety, fast scares, and creative storytelling. Whether you prefer old-school classics like Creepshow and Tales from the Crypt, or modern experimental gems like V/H/S and Southbound, there’s an anthology film for every type of horror lover.
So next time you’re in the mood for a horror marathon, why not pick one of these anthologies—you’ll get multiple nightmares in a single sitting.