16 Horror Anthologies with Segments That Stand Alone as Shorts

Horror anthologies offer a unique viewing experience by presenting a collection of bite-sized scares within a single feature. These films allow directors to experiment with different subgenres and tones without the pressure of sustaining a feature-length narrative. Viewers often find themselves debating which story reigns supreme long after the credits roll. The best anthologies contain at least one segment so effective that it could easily work as an independent short film.

‘Dead of Night’ (1945)

This British classic centers on guests sharing supernatural stories at a country farmhouse. The standout segment features a ventriloquist who becomes convinced his dummy is alive. Maxwell Frere descends into madness as the wooden figure named Hugo appears to control his actions. The psychological horror of this piece established the evil doll trope for decades to come. It remains the most chilling and memorable portion of this influential movie.

‘Black Sabbath’ (1963)

Mario Bava directs this Italian horror collection introduced by Boris Karloff. The final segment titled ‘The Drop of Water’ terrifies audiences with its simple yet effective premise. A nurse steals a ring from the corpse of a medium who died during a séance. She soon finds herself haunted by the vengeful spirit of the deceased woman in her apartment. The use of lighting and sound creates an atmosphere of pure dread.

‘Kwaidan’ (1964)

This Japanese masterpiece presents four ghost stories adapted from folklore. ‘The Woman of the Snow’ tells the tale of two woodcutters who encounter a pale spirit during a blizzard. The entity spares the younger man on the condition that he never speaks of their meeting. Years later he struggles with the weight of this secret while living a peaceful domestic life. The segment is a haunting visual poem that explores the consequences of broken promises.

‘Tales from the Crypt’ (1972)

Five strangers get lost in a catacomb and meet a mysterious Crypt Keeper who reveals their futures. The segment ‘…And All Through the House’ features a woman terrorized by an escaped maniac on Christmas Eve. She cannot call the police because she has just murdered her husband. The tension mounts as she tries to hide the body while the killer attempts to enter. This story masterfully balances black comedy with genuine suspense.

‘Trilogy of Terror’ (1975)

Karen Black stars in distinct roles across three different stories in this made-for-television film. The final segment ‘Amelia’ has gained a massive cult following over the years. A woman buys a Zuni fetish doll for her boyfriend and accidentally brings it to life. The tiny warrior chases her around her apartment with a hunting knife in a relentless pursuit. It is a masterclass in pacing and practical effects on a small budget.

‘Creepshow’ (1982)

George A. Romero and Stephen King collaborated to create this tribute to EC horror comics. The segment ‘The Crate’ involves a college professor who discovers a deadly creature hidden under the stairs. He manipulates the situation to feed his emotionally abusive wife to the beast. The creature effects by Tom Savini remain impressive and disturbing to this day. It stands as a perfect mix of dark humor and monster horror.

‘Twilight Zone: The Movie’ (1983)

Four directors tackled classic episodes from the original television series for this big-screen adaptation. George Miller directs the finale ‘Nightmare at 20,000 Feet’ starring John Lithgow. A nervous airline passenger spots a gremlin tearing apart the wing of the plane during a storm. His frantic attempts to alert the crew only make him appear insane to the other passengers. The claustrophobic setting amplifies the tension of the supernatural encounter.

‘Cat’s Eye’ (1985)

This anthology links three Stephen King stories through the journey of a stray tabby cat. The final story ‘General’ features the cat protecting a young girl from a small troll living in her bedroom wall. The creature attempts to steal the child’s breath while she sleeps at night. Viewers cheer for the heroic feline as it battles the monster in a miniature duel. The practical effects work brings the menacing little troll to vivid life.

‘Tales from the Darkside: The Movie’ (1990)

A young boy tells stories to a witch who plans to cook him for dinner. The segment ‘Lover’s Vow’ depicts a struggling artist who witnesses a gargoyle commit a murder. The monster spares him after he swears never to reveal what he saw that night. He eventually breaks his silence to his wife with tragic and shocking consequences. This tragic romance stands out for its emotional weight and creature design.

‘Trick ‘r Treat’ (2007)

This cult favorite weaves together several stories occurring on the same Halloween night. One distinct thread involves a school principal who leads a double life as a serial killer. He attempts to bury a body in his backyard while dealing with his prying neighbors and son. The film balances horror and comedy perfectly in this twisted suburban nightmare. It captures the mischievous spirit of the holiday better than almost any other film.

‘V/H/S’ (2012)

A group of criminals is hired to retrieve a rare videotape from a derelict house. The tape ‘Amateur Night’ shows three friends bringing a strange girl back to their motel room. Situations turn bloody when the girl reveals herself to be a winged creature with a hunger for flesh. The first-person perspective makes the sudden violence feel chaotic and real. This short launched a successful franchise of found footage horror films.

‘V/H/S/2’ (2013)

The sequel to the found footage hit contains a segment that many consider the peak of the series. ‘Safe Haven’ follows a documentary crew interviewing the leader of an Indonesian cult. They arrive just as the group begins a mass ritual to birth the Antichrist. The story escalates from creeping dread to absolute pandemonium in a matter of minutes. It is an intense ride that utilizes the format to its full potential.

‘Southbound’ (2015)

Travelers confront their worst nightmares on a desolate stretch of desert highway. The segment ‘The Accident’ follows a man who hits a woman with his car and tries to save her. Mysterious 911 dispatchers guide him to an abandoned hospital to perform surgery. The surreal atmosphere and practical gore create a truly nightmare-logic scenario. It explores guilt and desperation in a gripping and unexpected way.

‘Ghost Stories’ (2017)

A skepticism professor investigates three cases of unexplained paranormal activity. The first case involves a night watchman guarding a derelict asylum for women. He encounters a presence in the darkness that forces him to confront his past. The isolation and use of shadows build unbearable tension in the empty building. This segment delivers classic British ghost story scares with modern execution.

‘The Mortuary Collection’ (2019)

A mortician recounts the strange deaths of the people in his care to a new hire. The segment involving a man who discovers a medicine cabinet in his bathroom is particularly memorable. He finds mysterious pills that treat a condition he does not have but takes them anyway. The resulting body horror is grotesque and serves as a cautionary tale about curiosity. It functions as a concise and effective short story with a gruesome punchline.

‘Scare Package’ (2020)

This horror-comedy anthology lovingly pokes fun at various genre tropes and clichés. The opening segment ‘Cold Open’ introduces a character who is frustrated by his role as a minor player. He navigates a world where he is destined to die simply to set up the plot. The meta-commentary is clever and appeals to die-hard horror fans. It sets the tone perfectly for the absurd and bloody stories that follow.

Tell us which anthology segment kept you up at night in the comments.