Horror is one of the most enduring and controversial of all cinematic genres. Horror films range from subtle and poetic to graphic and gory, but what links them together is their ability to frighten, disturb, shock, provoke, delight, irritate, and amuse audiences. Horror’s capacity to take the form of our evolving fears and anxieties has ensured not only its notoriety but also its long-term survival and international popularity. This second edition has been comprehensively updated to capture all that is important and exciting about the horror genre as it exists today. Its new entries feature the creative personalities who have developed innovative forms of horror, and recent major films and cycles of films that ensure horror’s continuing popularity and significance. In addition, many of the other entries have been expanded to include reference to the contemporary scene, giving a clear picture of how horror cinema is constantly renewing and transforming itself. The Historical Dictionary of Horror Cinema traces the development of the genre from its beginnings to the present. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries. The entries cover all major movie villains, including Frankenstein and his monsters, the vampire, the werewolf, the mummy, the zombie, the ghost and the serial killer; film directors, producers, writers, actors, cinematographers, make-up artists, special-effects technicians, and composers who have helped shape horror history; significant production companies; major films that are milestones in the development of the horror genre; and different national traditions in horror cinema – as well as popular themes, formats, conventions, and cycles.

"Horror cinema has grown in popularity over the decades, and this expanded edition of a dictionary first published in 2008 reflects this growth in the additions to its pages. Having spent 30 years researching and writing about the horror genre—and also attending festivals to interact with filmmakers and fans—Hutchings is very knowledgeable, and in the dictionary he offers a variety of ways to help novice horror viewers and cult fans alike make connections. In this second edition he provides numerous updates to the film cycles since publication of the first edition, and also adds many historically important films and filmmakers. The front matter includes a lengthy chronology that casts a wide view of the horror genre throughout its history, starting with 1764 Great Britain and covering countries and films across the globe, ending in 2017 with Italy and the US. Two appendixes reveal horror cinema’s successes at the Oscars and Saturn Awards; the bibliography has been updated to include the most recent literature. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers." - CHOICE

"Part of the Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts, this book focuses on the history of horror cinema. This second edition brings the genre up to date since the 2008 edition by providing new entries on horror film cycles such as Resident Evil, Saw, and Final Destination, as well as on key creative personnel such as directors and producers. Previous entries have also been expanded or updated, and historically important films not included due to space in the first edition are now available. A chronology of horror and horror films from 1764 to 2017 is provided, followed by a short introduction which explains the format of the dictionary. Entries are bolded, as are words and individuals which point to other entries. See also references are capitalized. Two appendixes list horror films and Oscar awards, and winners of the Saturn Award (from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films) from 1972 to 2015. As is typical with this series, an extensive bibliography follows the dictionary." - American Reference Books Annual