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Made-for-TV movies cross into a distinct territory of entertainment. With the goal of keeping audiences entertained enough not to simply change the channel during a potentially dull moment, these films must be as initially interesting as they are continually engaging through plot progression. A lot of these examples draw upon familiar tales told throughout the years, roping audiences in to see which new ways each story might twist and turn on the small screen. While some remain true to their source material, others forge new paths with more original setups and outcomes.
Since streaming services seem to rule the world now, the glory days of true made-for-TV films within the horror genre exist essentially in previous decades. Families and friends still gather around the television set to get their fill of spooky stories, and many of them remain classics that still prove chilling to viewers, whether or not they still have cable. These are the best made-for-TV horror movies, ranked.
7/7 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1968)
Initially penned by Robert Louis Stevenson, ABC’s interpretation of this timeless story brings the chilling delineation to life on the small screen. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde captures a dangerous experiment with the goal of exploring the duality of humanity, which goes horrifically wrong. Dr. Henry Jekyll’s consciousness fractures into two personas, on opposing positions on the morality spectrum. Of course, things intensify much too quickly, resulting in a hazy and haunting portrait of Mr. Hyde’s malevolent escapades. Closing in on a concept as devastating as it is scary to witness, this adaptation ushers home audiences into the front row of one man’s darkening mind.
6/7 The Turn of the Screw (1974)
Before the more recognizable and recent releases of adaptations like The Turning and The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Turn of the Screw took author Henry James’ ghastly novella to a new cinematic level. Though the story has been retold through visual media and performance a handful of times, the 1974 film freshly introduced it to audiences at home. Typical horror tropes come straight from the source here, under the ABC label. An unsuspecting governess is thrust into much more than her new job description when she comes into contact with a couple of creepy kids now in her care. Gathering paranormal presences threaten to uproot any sense of the idyllic. As viewers follow Miss Jane Cubberly (played by Lynn Redgrave) through the dark mapping of the family mansion, this story will stick in the back of your mind.
5/7 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1980)
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow serves as a solid adaptation of the horrifying haunting of the Headless Horseman. Featuring a more unsung performance by Jeff Goldblum, Ichabod Crane comes face to face with the terrors that unfold from outlandish storytelling. You may think you know Washington Irving’s imaginative legend well enough, but this film reintroduces this ancient story to mainstream TV audiences. It takes advantage of the earliest ‘80s aesthetic, first airing on Halloween in 1980. This Emmy-nominated program can still be enjoyed by all varieties of viewers, although nominated as Outstanding Children’s program. Goldblum’s portrayal of Crane opposite Dick Butkus as Brom Bones brings an air of cerebral expertise to a timeless story.
4/7 Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)
Bad karma often comes to those who pick on more vulnerable members of society, and Dark Night of the Scarecrow allows television viewers to examine these consequences. CBS originally shared this story with viewers in the early ’80s, and its important lessons still serve powerful to audiences today. Bubba, a disabled man, is fabricated to have committed a crime he’s innocent of, meeting his tragic end at the hands of others. Eventually, those who pointed fingers at him are assailed by a malevolent being, appearing in familiar scarecrow garb. Returning to teach them a lesson, the ghastly force goes down the list of the accusers responsible for Bubba’s discriminatory death.
3/7 Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973)
In Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Alex and Sally move into Sally’s grandmother’s old home after her death, finding themselves in an increasingly ominous environment. Curious about what lies beyond the fireplace filled in with bricks, Sally eventually uncovers the lair of mysterious little monsters reminiscent of goblins. She questions the clarity of her own mind as she begins to see their evil influence creep upon the mansion, hearing their dastardly objective to convert her into one of their own. Distributed by ABC, the film capitalizes on a genuinely dark premise, isolating home viewers alongside Sally as the story devolves into true horror within the home. A Dread Central review remembers it as “an effective example of top-notch terror on a modest budget.”
2/7 Trilogy of Terror (1975)
In terms of anthology films, horror films, and the area in between, Trilogy of Terror stands as a landmark of what a great made-for-TV horror movie should look like. Encompassing three individual stories that capture the height of horror movies within the ’70s, the film has freaked out viewers for generations, thanks to an especially iconic installment – “Amelia.” This particular tale zooms in on a woman hounded by a Zuni fetish doll who is very much alive, brandishing a spear, sharp teeth, and an evil attitude to prove it. The film initially aired on ABC in 1975, terrorizing the generation that often still remembers the horrible screams and the doll’s ominous presence decades on.
1/7 The Night Stalker (1972)
Among vampire movies, The Night Stalker is one of the more unique entries throughout the decades, alongside a stellar reputation that often precedes the film itself. Within the metaphorical and literal darkness of Sin City, reporter Carl Kolchak investigates a potential vampiric presence lurking in the shadows of Las Vegas. Performers from the Strip and beyond leave behind blood-sucked corpses, discovered as Kolchak eventually becomes a lone beacon of the fanged truth behind these killings. With a spooky atmosphere and some visually startling scenes, this film can still scare audiences to this day. Worcester Magazine states that The Night Stalker was “the highest-rated original TV movie on U.S. television up to that point,” as of its release in 1972. This may earn it the title of potentially the greatest made-for-TV horror movie yet.
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