Best Fairy Tale Horror Movies, Ranked

Highlights

Classic fairy tales can be turned into horrifying films with dark twists, like in Deadtime Stories and Wishmaster.
Grief, obsession, and vanity are explored in the deeply disturbing Tale of Tales, presenting a darker side to fairy tales.
Guillermo del Toro’s films like Crimson Peak and Pan’s Labyrinth inject horror into what seems like innocent fairy tales.

As a lover of dark fairy tales and a connoisseur of Guillermo del Toro’s masterful storytelling, I find myself utterly captivated by these three cinematic gems that seamlessly blend enchantment with horror. Having grown up on the twisted tales spun by the Brothers Grimm, these modern adaptations resonate deeply within me, tapping into my deep-seated appreciation for stories that explore the darker aspects of human nature.

Typically, fairy tales consist of stories designed for bedtime reading for children, featuring characters like damsels in distress, valiant princes who rush to their aid, and some kind of fearsome creature such as a witch, eager to carry out her malevolent plans. Many Disney movies have re-imagined traditional fairy tales, not all of which were originally as cheerful or child-appropriate as the animated versions might imply.

Hans Christian Andersen is famous for his enchanting fairy stories, much like the Brothers Grimm who also contributed to this genre, although their tales often had bleaker conclusions. For instance, in the story of Cinderella, her wicked sisters resorted to cutting pieces off their feet in a desperate attempt to fit into the glass slippers – quite a chilling twist! Not surprisingly, films have been made that explore these and other more terrifying stories.

6 Deadtime Stories

Horrifying New Takes on Fairy Tales of Yore

Director: Jeffrey Delman
Release Date: November 26th, 1986
Runtime 83 minutes

As a captivated fan, I’d like to share my take on an intriguing narrative: A chilling saga of three witches, a brave Red Riding Hood, and a curious Goldilocks – these timeless tales form the spine-tingling plot of the horror anthology, Deadtime Stories. In an effort to quell his mischievous nephew’s rebellious spirit, Mike resorts to spinning yarns from yesteryears, but with a terrifying twist – for Brian yearns for nothing less than extraordinary stories. The initial scene appears as a playful spoof of the enchanting fairy tale adventure, The Princess Bride, and that’s merely the tip of the iceberg.

1. In the first story, a fisherman’s child is forced into servitude for two witches, who aim to revive their deceased sister, reminiscent of fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm.

5 Wishmaster

Wishes and their Consequences are Shown Full-Throttle in Wishmaster

Director: Robert Kurtzman
Release Date: September 19th, 1997
Runtime 90 minutes

Djinn, often referred to as genies, are mythical beings from folklore and fairy tales, capable of granting people’s desires. They can be found in more optimistic stories like Disney’s Aladdin. However, these tales offer a fertile ground for darker interpretations, which have been explored in horror media such as the anthology TV series Creepshow and the movie Wishmaster from the 90s.

In every wish they make, there’s a “Monkey’s Paw”-like repercussion that often leads to dreadful outcomes for the unfortunate wisher, bringing pleasure to the djinn. Starring horror icons like Tony Todd and Robert Englund, Wishmaster offers a unique and intriguing spin on the traditional tale by weaving an unconventional narrative.

4 The Lure

Music and Horror Combine in the Classic Mermaid Story

Director: Agnieszka Smoczyńska
Release Date: December 25th, 2015
Runtime 92 minutes

Among the timeless fairy tales, one that stands out could be none other than “The Little Mermaid“, a piece from Hans Christian Andersen’s extensive repertoire of classic narratives he authored. Contrary to the joyful love story depicted in the Disney film, the original narrative delves into the mermaid’s torment. Each step she takes on her new legs feels like knives piercing her skin due to her affliction, and despite her affection for the Prince, he falls for another, leading her to make a desperate decision – casting herself into the sea.

In the spine-chilling Polish musical The Lure, the narrative delves into the gloomier facets of its tale. Two sibling mermaids join a rock band, but as one starts developing feelings for a band member, she’s cautioned that following her heart could lead to transforming into sea mist or losing her voice. As foretold, the conclusion is heart-wrenching: one sister turns into sea mist and the other ends up taking the life of her sister’s lover before reentering the ocean.

3 Tale of Tales

An Anthology Movie Exploring Darker Parts of Fairy Tales

Director: Matteo Garrone
Release Date: July 1st, 2015
Runtime 134 minutes

Titled “Tale of Tales“, this narrative weaves together three distinct stories, each thoughtfully crafted. These stories delve into various themes including maturation, yearning for offspring, and self-importance. Notably, they all share a common thread: unchecked desire can foster an unhealthy obsession.

In these tales, there’s a blend of blood, death, and creatures from mythology, which gives them a darker, eerie feel, bordering on horror. Stories like the one where a cave beast is unveiled as the Queen upon her demise, or an old woman seeking someone to peel off her skin to regain youth, suggest a level of darkness that could easily be attributed to the Brothers Grimm, known for their chilling takes on fairy tales.

2 Crimson Peak

A More Modern Fairy Tale With Love, Wicked Sisters, and Ghosts

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Release Date: October 16th, 2015
Runtime 119 minutes

Edith Cushing, a budding novelist, encounters ghostly apparitions delivering cryptic warnings. She believes her storybook love unfolds with English baronet Thomas Sharpe. However, she soon discovers that there’s more to Thomas and his sister than meets the eye, especially since their dwelling, Crimson Peak, is precisely the place she had been cautioned about.

Spectral figures of past victims linger in the corridor, making Edith feel imprisoned within the household alongside her sister-in-law who seems to embody the cruel stepmother from fairy tales, harboring contempt for Edith ever since they danced together in a scene reminiscent of a Disney film. The ghosts, with their tattered, crimson attire, infuse moments of chilling terror and suspense as they lurch or creep ominously throughout the storyline. The climax, where Thomas joins these spectral beings, is both poignant and sad.

1 Pan’s Labyrinth

What Seems like a Tale of Wonder Quickly Morphs Into Terror

Director: Guillermo del Toro
Release Date: October 11th, 2006
Runtime 120 minutes

Guillermo Del Toro excels at creating films that have a whimsical, fairy tale-like quality but are actually infused with intense horror. This horror can stem from the cruelty of humans or take on a more physical and visual form. This is evident in the movie “Pan’s Labyrinth“, where young Ofelia and her mother encounter Captain Videl, who becomes her stepfather. Life with him is gloomy and dismal, and Ofelia believes she has found an escape when she follows a fairy into another realm.

In this world, instead of a magical wonderland, there dwell fearsome beings like the faun she encounters initially and later the Pale Man. This particular character is one of Del Toro’s masterpieces, and a particularly chilling moment in the film occurs when he lurches towards Ofelia while she desperately tries to escape by climbing higher. The haunting image of the Pale Man lingers long after the movie ends, demonstrating the intense horror that Pan’s Labyrinth can evoke even years later.

2024-08-09 09:33