Podcastshave become an invaluable educational tool for horror movie aficionados looking forinspiration beyond the screen. Whether learning about a specific period in horror movie history, reflecting on a particular project, unearthing an obscure horror gem, or hearing from filmmakers about their first-hand experience on a movie set, there is no shortage of highly entertaining and in-depth horror movie podcasts for genre fans to indulge in.
Although it’s always fun to listen to expert fans and amateur critics, the best horror podcasts on record tend to have an authorial voice from accredited horror movie websites likeFangoria, filmmakers like Mick Garris, and other officials who’ve dedicated their lives to the macabre. As such, hardened horror heads are sure to get a jolt of delightful dread by listening to this eclectic dose of 10 horror movie podcasts.
Recently celebrating its 200th podcast episode,Dead Meatis a no-brainer destination for serious horror movie fans. Hosted by Chelsea Rebecca and James A. Janisse, the biweekly podcast features everything genre fans could want, including new and retro horror movie reviews, holiday horror trivia, game-show survivor pools, deep-dive history lessons, and more. Thanks to the playful chemistry and knowledgeable expertise of the hosts and guests,Dead Meatis hard to beat.
In addition to the variety of programming,Dead Meatstands out due to its exhaustive, in-depth analysis. Whether interviewing talent involved with a movie or breaking it down on their own, Rebecca and Janisse comprehensively discuss movies for 1 to 2 hours at a time. Moreover, the hosts go out of their way to spotlight mainstream fare as well asobscure international horror movies, such as their most recent episodes,It’s a Wonderful KnifeandWhen Evil Lurks.
9The Evolution of Horror
Produced and hosted by horror journalist Mike Muncer,The Evolution of Horroris an ideal podcast for horror historians interested in tracing the roots of the age-old Hollywood movie genre from its inception to its modern-day expression. In each episode, Muncer hosts a horror movie critic, filmmaker, educator, or author and discusses a wide variety of topics that range across a large swath of subgenres.
8Colors of the Dark
A leading voice in horror movie coverage since the ’70s,Fangoria’s flagship horror podcastColors of the Darkis a fantastic listen. Hosted by media scholar Rebekah McKendry and professor Elric Kane, the biweekly podcast is fun, informative, and highly engaging thanks to its diverse content. Apart from reviewing nearly every new genre release, the podcast features Top 10 Lists, including their most recent ranking of the Top Horror Movies of 2023.
When McKendry and Kane aren’t analyzing one film in-depth, they often present a thematic topic and explore how various horror movies relate to it and how they compare. Whether exploring Influencer Horror, Kids in Peril, Bug Horror, Liminal Horrors, or rankingthe scariest A24 horror movies,Colors of the Darkis a brilliantly branded podcast that easily bolstersFangoria’s reputation as an authoritative horror voice.
7Post Mortem With Mick Garris
When it comes to podcasts hosted by horror filmmakers,Post Mortemwith Mick Garris is hard to resist. While Garris is best known for directing several Stephen King adaptations,SleepwalkersandThe Shining(TV) among them, the filmmaker andMasters of Horrorcreator is one of the most knowledgeable horror movie historians whose experience as a journalist and interviewer makes for an immersive listen.
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Courtesy of the Dread Podcast Network,Post Mortemfeatures A-list interviews with the biggest names in the horror/thriller genre, including recent guests Quentin Tarantino, James Wan, Eli Roth, Greg Nicotero, John Carpenter, and more. With fun “Ask Mick Anything” segments, awesome on-set anecdotes from the most famous horror names, behind-the-scenes stories, cool trivial tidbits, and more, Garris' deft ability to ask salient questions given his experience making horror movies is second to none.
6Forever Midnight
While theBoo Crewis worth mentioning,Forever Midnightis another excellent horror movie podcast from the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network. WhereasThe Evolution of Horroris serious and sobering in its historical examination of the genre,Forever Midnightis a much funnier and more lighthearted affair. What makes it stand out most, however, is the deep-dive coverage of low-budget, independent, international horror gems even hardcore fans have never heard of.
Apart from reviewing new horror releases likeWhen Evil Lurks,it’s the cool retro content analyzing movies likePossession(1981),Blood Harvest(1987),Blood Diner(1987)Witching and Bitching(2013) that resonates most. With 270 episodes and counting, horror movie fans will surely come away with an exhilarating litany of obscure throwback horror movies to exhume and examine on their own. Even more, fans rarely have to wait for more than one week for a new episode to be released.
5Development Hell
Hosted by Josh Korngut,Development Helltakes a refreshing approach to its subject. Rather than chart the production of famous horror movies, Korngut explores horror movies that were nearly made but fell apart for various reasons. For example, in the most recent episode,Peter Jackson’s development for the sixthNightmare on Elm Streetfilm is chronicled in fascinating detail.
Other must-listen examples include Mike Flanagan’s ill-fatedI Know What You Did Last Summerreboot, Quentin Tarantino’s flirtation with theHalloweenfranchise, condemnedJawssequels, unrealizedHellraiserreboots, and more. Although the podcast also features modern horror movie reviews, such as Eli Roth’sThanksgiving, the in-depth exploration of all the potentially iconic horror movies that were almost made makes the podcast so intriguing.
4The Kingcast
For fans of horror movies based on Stephen King stories,The Kingcastis the only place to be. Hosted by former movie bloggers and rabid film fanatics Eric Vespe and Scott Wampler for The Fangoria Podcast Network,The Kingcastoffers a comprehensive historical breakdown of all things Stephen King, from his debut horror novelCarrieto his only directorial effort,Maximum Overdrive.
With 207 episodes and counting,The Kingcastoffers new releases every week to keep horror fans sated. Whether hosting A-list guests like Jamie Lee Curtis and Kumail Nanjiani, providing in-depth interviews with actors who participated in Stephen King horror movies, or analyzing lesser-known TV adaptations such asRose RedandThe Tommyknockers, every Stephen King fan will come away wiser and more appreciative after listening toThe Kingcast.
3Nightmare on Film Street
With new episodes dropping every Thursday,Nightmare on Film Streethas everything a horror movie fan could hope for in a podcast. The accessibly casual approach by hosts Jonathan Dehaan and Kimberley Elizabeth features in-depth director profiles, new and retro movie reviews, Top 10 lists, dedicated series such as Masking For Trouble, Channel 666, and Halloween Hallows, and much more.
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With infectious enthusiasm and genuine adoration for all things horror, the palpable chemistry between Dehaan and Elizabeth goes a long way in making for a pleasurable listening experience. The hosts know their stuff through and through, with discussions about suchlong-forgotten ’80s B-moviesasA Blade in the Dark, Stage Fright, Parents,and others sure to make even the most jaded horror fan grin with delight.
2Kill By Kill
For many horror fans, especially those of slasher films, the thrill of the kill is often the main attraction. But rather than follow the trendy “Kill Count” video compilations seen all over the internet, theKill by Killpodcast dedicates entire episodes to the grisly on-screen fatalities in a horror movie and spends time breaking down the mechanics and choreography of each one. Horror and humor collide unforgettably.
Unique, original, and wildly amusing thanks to the morbid humor of hosts Patrick Hamilton and Gena Radcliffe,Kill by Killis an absolute must for those who revel in graphic carnage. With a collection of outstanding guests and a diverse roster of films that range fromDraculaandThe FunhousetoBody BagsandHe Knows You’re Alone, Kill By Killturns an aural experience into an exercise of visceral terror.
1The Monsters That Made Us
For horror fans expressly interested in the golden age of Universal monster movies,The Monsters That Made Usis essential. Hosted by Dan Colon and Mike Manzi, the podcast focuses on halcyon-day horror movies produced between 1931 and 1956 and charts the evolution of monsters likeDracula, Mummy,Frankenstein, Wolf Man, Creature from the Black Lagoon,and others.
Aside from providing in-depth historical context tothe classic Universal monstersplayed by horror legends like Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi,The Monsters That Made Uschronicles how such frightening creatures have been portrayed in later generations, including in such projects asDracula(1979) andThe Mummy(1999). It’s a great way to learn about where the golden-age horror movie monsters came from, how far they’ve come, and appreciate what the future may hold for such haunting cinematic terrors.
