Eli Roth's History of Horror

An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.

Cast:Eli Roth , Alan Maxson , Greg Nicotero , Ariel de Ment , Rob Zombie , Bryan Fuller , Quentin Tarantino , Edgar Wright , Joe Hill , Mick Garris , Leonard Maltin , Chris Hardwick , Stephen King , Joe Dante , Anthony Timpone , Ryan Turek , Tananarive Due , Elijah Wood

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Zombies

Sun, Oct 14, 2018

Zombies are the monsters of the 21st century, and America's major contribution to horror. What set off zombie fever? All roads lead to George Romero, who made zombies a metaphor for social ills.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ Slashers Part 1

Sun, Oct 21, 2018

Slasher films killed in the '80s, but their violence, perceived misogyny, and endless sequels almost ended the genre. Supernatural killers Chucky and Freddy saved them from extinction.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ Slashers Part 2

Mon, Oct 22, 2018

Slashers got sophisticated in the '90s, evolving from Freddy Kreuger to Candyman to the terrifying Hannibal Lector. The 2000s brought "torture porn" - a response to post-9/11 panic.

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ The Demons Inside

Sun, Oct 28, 2018

The fear that demons will enter our bodies and make us do terrible things has inspired some of the most frightening films ever made, including the masterpieces Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist.

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ Killer Creatures

Sun, Nov 4, 2018

Monsters hold a special place in the history of horror. The killer predators in nature. The nightmare creatures of the fantastic. And the monsters inside us, waiting to escape.

6Season 1

S1.E6 ∙ Vampires

Sun, Nov 11, 2018

Modern vampires come in many guises, but they all address our fascination with sex and death. From the ghastly Count Orlok to the glam vampires of True Blood, thirsty fiends are endlessly appealing.

7Season 1

S1.E7 ∙ Ghost Stories

Sun, Nov 18, 2018

Ghost movies have been with us since the dawn of cinema. Some ghosts are benevolent, some ghosts are malicious, but they all represent the mystery of what happens to us after we die.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ Houses of Hell

Sat, Oct 10, 2020

Home is where the heart is, unless one lives in a house of hell. Whether they're filled with specters or psychos, every house of hell pokes at illusions of comfort and safety.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ Monsters

Sat, Oct 17, 2020

The history of monster movies is also the history of the evolution of special effects technology. Whatever their size or shape and whatever they represent, for many horror fans monsters are the best part of the genre.

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Body Horror

Sat, Oct 24, 2020

Sometimes disgusting, body horror films make audience members question their prejudices against physical difference, their attitudes about sex and gender, their fear of disease and contamination, and how much appearance determines destiny.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ Witches

Sat, Oct 31, 2020

The witch is a towering figure in the history of horror. The archetypical evil witch is everything mainstream religion tells believers a woman should not be--and that unapologetic, very female power frightens men and fascinates women.

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ Chilling Children

Sat, Nov 7, 2020

Parents are supposed to love their children, no matter how awful their kids may be. The films highlighted in this episode may not solve the mystery of where evil comes from, but they have a terrifically terrifying time raising the question.

6Season 2

S2.E6 ∙ Nine Nightmares

Sat, Nov 14, 2020

A deep dive into nine films that defy categorization and push the boundaries of horror. Great films that entertain and provoke audiences; films that push society under a microscope, making people question not just what they fear, but why they fear it.

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ Sequels That Don't Suck

Sat, Sep 25, 2021

Sometimes horror sequels fall far short of the original. And sometimes they are even better.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ Infections

Fri, Oct 8, 2021

The pandemic came as a surprise to some, but horror films have sounded the alarm for decades.

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ Psychics

Fri, Oct 15, 2021

Stephen King and other horror superstars bring psychic powers to life in thrilling new ways.

4Season 3

S3.E4 ∙ Apocalyptic Horror

Fri, Oct 22, 2021

Zombies, aliens, disease and war--whatever the cause, the end of the world inspires great horror.

5Season 3

S3.E5 ∙ Holiday Horror

Fri, Oct 29, 2021

Holidays can be stressful. Luckily, horror brings our wildest homicidal holiday fantasies to life.

6Season 3

S3.E6 ∙ Mad Scientist

Fri, Nov 5, 2021

From Frankenstein to Frank N. Furter, mad scientists smash the barriers of polite society.