Though not the most popular of subgenres within film, horror westerns have been gaining decent, fan-favorite traction as of late. The earliest example is The Rawhide Terror (1934), directed by Bruce M. Mitchell and Jack Nelson from a script that was penned by the latter. From there, one other horror western from the earlier years of Hollywood remains worth noting today. Featuring Michael Pate as a vampire gunfighter, Curse of the Undead (1959) isn't held in high regard, or anything. But it is noted by historians as an early example of a western-horror film.
It would be several more decades before the subgenre truly took off with regard to worldwide popularity. Filmmakers pumped out B-movie-level products until a certain release in the 1980s, called Near Dark (1987). A neo-Western horror hybrid, it's one of the greatest films of its kind, seeing direction under the great Kathryn Bigelow from a script she co-wrote alongside Eric Red.
It would be several more decades before the subgenre truly took off with regard to worldwide popularity. Filmmakers pumped out B-movie-level products until a certain release in the 1980s, called Near Dark (1987). A neo-Western horror hybrid, it's one of the greatest films of its kind, seeing direction under the great Kathryn Bigelow from a script she co-wrote alongside Eric Red.
- 10/11/2023
- by Jonah Rice
- MovieWeb
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