From historically accurate costumes to expensive set designs, it takes a lot of money to shoot a believable period piece, with these films requiring an additional level of planning in order to feel true to life. That’s why it’s so rare to see non-blockbuster productions take on this challenge – especially when it comes to monster movies.
That being said, there are still some brave genre filmmakers that try and experiment with different story settings without the benefit of a super-hero movie budget, which often leads to incredibly unique horror films. That’s why we’ve decided to come up with a list recommending six of the best period-piece monster movies, as creature features shouldn’t have to be limited to any particular era.
For the purposes of this list, we’ll be defining “period piece” as any movie that takes place in a time period previous to when it was filmed. This excludes classic creature features like Godzilla and The Creature From the Black Lagoon since they were technically contemporary productions back when they were first released.
With that out of the way, don’t forget to comment below with your own historical horror favorites if you think we missed a particularly spooky one. And if you’re a fan of Viking horror, I’d also recommend checking out our previous article on Howard McCain’s Outlander!
Now, onto the list…
6. Frankenstein’s Army (2013)
A rare example of historical Found Footage, Richard Raaphorst’s Frankenstein’s Army accompanies a group of Soviet soldiers as they document their invasion of Nazi Germany and accidentally discover bio-mechanical monstrosities created by a descendant of the original Dr. Victor Frankenstein. From this description alone, you probably already know whether or not you’re going to enjoy this cheesy midnight movie.
While I personally wish that there was an alternate cut of the film with more period-accurate visuals and sound, the nightmarish production design and utterly insane story make this a must-watch for fans of monstrous schlock and World War II action alike.
5. Deathwatch (2002)
The horrors of World War I are a criminally underused setting for scary stories, with trench warfare and chemical weapons being naturally suited for the horror genre. That’s why I appreciate M.J. Bassett’s Deathwatch as an underrated foray into WWI paranoia, with the film chronicling the plight of a British squad that becomes trapped in a supernaturally evil trench.
While including this film on the list is kind of a stretch, as the “monster” here happens to be the living trench itself, there’s no denying Bassett’s eye for monstrous terror as barbed wire comes alive like tentacles and attacks these ill-fated soldiers. Not only that, but the film also benefits from a talented cast featuring the likes of Jamie Bell and even Andy Serkis.
4. Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2009)
While it’s often regarded as the worst entry in the Ginger Snaps trilogy, this 19th century parable still works as an entertaining standalone werewolf yarn even if you haven’t seen the previous films. Telling the story of two sisters who find themselves trapped in a Trading Fort as it comes under siege by ravenous werewolves, Ginger Snaps Back is completely different from its predecessors.
While the low budget means that the production isn’t 100% historically accurate (this was shot back-to-back with the second film, after all), Katherine Isabelle and Emily Perkins still make for a kick-ass duo in this refreshingly atmospheric werewolf flick.
3. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
The Underworld franchise has seen its fair share of ups and downs, but I think it’s pretty well accepted at this point that the first and third entries are by far the best in the series. And while the first film benefits from Kate Beckinsale’s star-making performance, Rise of the Lycans stands out by giving Michael Sheen the chance to shine as a medieval Werewolf on a quest for freedom from his vampiric masters.
Featuring plenty of over-the-top monster-on-monster violence coupled with Game-of-Thrones-esque political intrigue, this unexpected prequel manages to entertain without the need for ultraviolet bullets or Matrix-inspired visuals. Plus, it features some of the best practical effects on this list.
2. Shadow of the Vampire (2000)
Set in 1921, E. Elias Merhige’s Shadow of the Vampire isn’t just a meta-horror story inspired by the real production of F.W. Murnau’s infamous Nosferatu, it’s also a showcase for one of the best vampiric performances of all time. In the film, Willem Dafoe plays a fictionalized version of German actor Max Schreck, who just so happens to be a real vampire recruited by Murnau (John Malkovich) to make his horror film more authentic.
While the film will likely appeal more to fans of German expressionism and the silent film era in general, there’s no denying the charm of this horrific bit of cinematic satire. Hell, the movie even went on to inspire an episode of American Horror Story where Murnau was also revealed to have been a vampire all along.
1. Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
Featuring gorgeous cinematography, impressive martial arts action and plenty of good old-fashioned monster hunting, Christophe Gans’ Brotherhood of the Wolf is an incredibly underrated action horror flick with more up its sleeve than you might initially realize. Telling a fictionalized account of the real-life Beast of Gévaudan incident, the film features one of the most unique movie monsters ever put on film.
Sure, some of the flick’s CGI hasn’t aged all that well (and the script is clearly confused about who the main character is supposed to be), but I’d still recommend Brotherhood of the Wolf to any fan of bloody thrillers with a historical twist. Hell, it even influenced FromSoftware’s Bloodborne, so you know it’s gotta be good!
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