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Director/producer Sean S. Cunningham has admitted that his 1980 slasher film "Friday the 13th" was a deliberate effort to imitate the style and success of John Carpenter's "Halloween," which had come out only two years prior. Cunningham tried to copt Carpenter's "killer's eye perspective" camera angles, and it's no coincidence that both films take place on dates famous for horror, bad luck, and death. Cunningham's gambit was successful, though, and his $550,000 movie ended up making nearly $60 million at the box office. It also spawned 11 sequels, many of which came to define the horror trends of the '80s. Although none of the "Friday the 13th" movies are particularly beloved by critics, they are a gestalt-defining phenomenon.

Holiday-themed horror films began popping up regularly in theaters. The years after "Friday the 13th" saw the release of "April Fool's Day," "New Year's Evil," "Prom Night," and "Silent Night, Deadly Night."

But...

Director and horror aficionado Eli Roth had plenty of fun working on his friends Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s 2007 drive-in double feature Grindhouse. Roth wasn’t part of the main attraction, but he did one of the fake trailers for a non-existent feature called Thanksgiving that was placed between the two films. That trailer was a hilarious and gruesome satire of the ’80s trend of holiday-themed horror movies such as Halloween, Black Christmas, My Bloody Valentine, April Fool’s Day, New Year’s Evil, Silent Night Deadly Night, etc.

Massachusetts native Roth correctly surmised that no one had yet done one centered on Thanksgiving. Plymouth was the birthplace of the holiday, and Roth saw plenty of opportunities to stage some gross-out murders including several beheadings and a cooked human in the form of the traditional turkey dinner. There even was a gut-wrenching scene with a trampoline-jumping teenager meeting a memorable end.

Welcome back, dear readers! We here at Daily Dead have been doing our best to honor the 40th anniversary of all the great horror and science fiction films that were released throughout the year 1980 over the last several weeks. Today we wrap up our celebration with several more voices from the realm of genre entertainment.

So, for our final Class of 1980 celebration, we will be featuring the likes of Barbara Crampton, Mike Flanagan, Travis Stevens, Kyle Gallner, André Gower, Phil “Cm Punk” Brooks, Rebekah McKendry, PhD, Meagan Navarro, and Marc Gottlieb all discussing a variety of notable horror and sci-fi movies from 1980, including The Shining, Inferno, The Watcher in the Woods, Anthropophagus, Dressed to Kill, The Changeling, Motel Hell, The Empire Strikes Back, Alligator, and The Fog.

We do hope that you’ve enjoyed our ongoing Class of 1980 series this month and that is has inspired you to revisit many...

As a special Easter bunny treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we recorded a new audio commentary to Night of the Lepus!

It's been featured on Drive-In Dust Offs and Catalog From The Beyond on Daily Dead, so it's only fitting that Corpse Club co-hosts and Daily Dead columnists Scott Drebit and Bryan Christopher recorded our new audio commentary to Night of the Lepus as an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy!

The next time you watch Night of the Lepus, you can listen as Scott and Bryan take a deep dive into the 1972 horror movie, from its adorably ravenous rabbits and blood-soaked kills to its unique approach to the "animals attack" horror subgenre and its game cast led by the legendary Janet Leigh and Stuart Whitman.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new audio commentary. So, whether the...

A film I’ve talked about ad nauseam for like decades now, Fred Walton’s April Fool’s Day has been a favorite of mine ever since I discovered it on VHS during the summer of 1987.

[Spoiler warning if you haven't seen April Fool's Day.] To me, it’s always been the perfect anti-slasher, where no one in the film really dies (unless you count the film’s missing ending), and instead leans into the whodunit aspects that are driving the mystery of just who exactly is terrorizing Muffy St. John (played by Deborah Foreman) and her friends during what’s supposed to be their idyllic lakeside weekend away from the stresses of college life.

What it may lack in an official body count, April Fool’s Day more than makes up for with its whip-smart script, charismatic performances, and a whopper of an ending that I certainly wasn’t expecting at all the first time I saw it.

As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we recorded a new bonus episode of Corpse Club!

Recorded by Corpse Club co-hosts Derek Anderson and Jonathan James, our new bonus episode is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! Listen as Derek and Jonathan discuss a wide range of horror-themed topics, including their favorite Christmas horror gifts they received this holiday season, post-holiday horror shopping and screenings, the wonderfully weird manga by artist and writer Junji Ito (including his new manga adaptation of Osamu Dazai's novel No Longer Human), and the gruesome gameplay of Resident Evil 7. So, whether you’re still savoring the holiday season or you’re looking ahead to a new year of horror, Corpse Club members can sit back, relax, and enjoy this new bonus episode of Daily Dead’s podcast!

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new episode,...

As a special Friday the 13th treat for all Daily Dead readers and Corpse Club listeners, we recorded a new audio commentary to John Carl Buechler's Friday the 13th Part VII – The New Blood!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-hosts Bryan Christopher and Scott Drebit, along with special guests Patrick Hamilton and Gena Radcliffe from the Kill by Kill podcast, this audio commentary is a special gift for all Daily Dead readers and Corpse Club listeners to unwrap and enjoy!

The next time you watch Friday the 13th Part VII, you can listen as Scott, Bryan, Patrick, and Gena take a deep dive into the 1988 sequel, including the film's palpable practical effects, Tina Shepard's telekinetic powers, the haunting unmasking of Jason Voorhees, the film's most memorable kills, and the intense performances by Lar Park Lincoln and Kane Hodder.

You can listen to our new Friday the 13th Part...

As a special Halloween treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we recorded a new bonus episode of Corpse Club!

Recorded by Corpse Club co-hosts Tamika Jones, Derek Anderson, and Jonathan James, our new bonus episode is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy!

Listen as Tamika, Derek, and Jonathan talk about their recent screenings at home and at the theater, including The Lighthouse, Zombieland: Double Tap, and 2004’s The Punisher. The co-hosts also embrace the scary side of the season by discussing their go-to holiday horror movies, ranging from Black Christmas (1974) and Krampus to Christmas Evil and Rare Exports. As a special early gift for their viewing pleasure, each member of the trio also selects a holiday horror movie they've never seen to watch this month.

So, whether you’ve been naughty, nice, or somewhere in-between, take a break from holiday shopping, put your feet up,...

If you've listened to our Corpse Club member-exclusive audio commentary or you've read Heather Wixson's 30th anniversary retrospectives on the film, then you know we're big fans of Fred Walton's April Fool's Day here at Daily Dead, and we couldn't be more pleased that as a special Halloween treat, Scream Factory announced a Collector's Edition Blu-ray release for the 1986 horror comedy.

Special features for the April Fool's Day Collector's Edition Blu-ray have yet to be announced, but we'll keep Daily Dead readers updated as more details are revealed, and we also have the official announcement below, along with details on three other recent Blu-ray announcements: Rasputin the Mad Monk, X: The Unknown, and The House That Jack Built Director's Cut:

April Fool's Day Collector's Edition Blu-ray: "Happy Halloween everyone! It may be Oct 31st but we have April 1st on our minds today as we reveal that we...

As a special Halloween treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we recorded a new audio commentary to Tommy Lee Wallace's Halloween III: Season of the Witch.

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-hosts Scott Drebit and Bryan Christopher, the Halloween III audio commentary is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy!

The next time you watch Halloween III, you can listen as Scott and Bryan take a deep dive into the 1982 horror film, including how it took the Halloween franchise in a vastly different direction, its festive autumnal atmosphere, Tom Atkins’ memorable performance, and the catchy tunes of the Silver Shamrock commercial jingle.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Halloween III: Season of the Witch, all you have to do is press "play" to listen to Scott and Bryan’s new audio commentary.

As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we recorded a new bonus episode of Corpse Club!

Recorded by Corpse Club co-hosts Derek Anderson and Jonathan James, our new bonus episode is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! Listen as Derek and Jonathan discuss a wide range of horror-themed topics, including Derek’s favorite movies and experiences at the Popcorn Frights Film Festival, Jonathan’s latest horror movie marathon at home, and what each of the co-hosts are doing to prep for this year’s Halloween festivities. So, whether you’re already carving pumpkins or you’re busy planning your own Halloween celebrations, kick back, relax, and enjoy a bonus episode of Daily Dead’s podcast!

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so be sure to keep an eye out for it in your inbox!

There's more bonus content to come.

As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we recorded a new audio commentary to Eric Weston's Evilspeak!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-hosts Scott Drebit and Bryan Christopher, the Evilspeak audio commentary is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! The next time you watch Evilspeak, you can listen as Scott and Bryan take a deep dive into the early ’80s horror movie, including its military academy setting, potent blend of ancient dark magic and computer technology, vengeful take on bullying, and memorable performances from a cast led by Clint Howard.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Evilspeak, all you have to do is press "play" to listen to Scott and Bryan's new audio commentary. It’s just like watching a movie with the Corpse Club... just be sure to save us some popcorn!

As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we recorded a new audio commentary to John Carpenter's The Thing to help cool off during the summer heat!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-hosts Bryan Christopher and Derek Anderson, The Thing audio commentary is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy as an ice-cold treat in the summer heat! The next time you watch Carpenter's The Thing, you can listen as Bryan and Derek take a deep dive into the 1982 remake, including its isolated arctic setting, creeping sense of dread, palpable paranoia, memorable performances from a cast led by Kurt Russell, and groundbreaking (and nightmare-inducing) practical effects from Rob Bottin and his fellow crew members.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Carpenter's The Thing, all you have to do is press...

As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we've recorded a new audio commentary to Michael A. Simpson's Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-host Bryan Christopher and special guest Joe Lipsett, the new Sleepaway Camp II audio commentary is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! The next time you watch Sleepaway Camp II, you can listen as Bryan and Joe take a deep dive into the 1988 horror comedy, including its summer camp setting, memorable murders, killer blend of humor and horror, and Pamela Springsteen's portrayal of Angela.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Sleepaway Camp II, all you have to do is press "play" to listen to Bryan and Joe's new audio commentary. It’s like watching a movie with the Corpse Club.

As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we've recorded a new audio commentary to Jim Wynorski's Chopping Mall.

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-hosts and Horror BFFs Heather Wixson and Patrick Bromley, the new Chopping Mall audio commentary is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! The next time you watch Chopping Mall, you can listen as Heather and Patrick take a deep dive into the 1986 sci-fi horror film, including its killer robots, totally rad mall setting, and its memorable performances by Kelli Maroney, Tony O'Dell, Barbara Crampton, and more!

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Chopping Mall, all you have to do is press "play" to listen to Heather and Patrick's new audio commentary. It’s like watching a movie with the Corpse Club... just be sure to save us some popcorn!

As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we've recorded a new audio commentary to Sleepwalkers, written by Stephen King and directed by Mick Garris!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-host Scott Drebit and Daily Dead contributor Bryan Christopher, the new audio commentary to Sleepwalkers is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! The next time you watch Sleepwalkers (which was recently released as a Collector's Edition Blu-ray from Scream Factory), you can listen as Scott and Bryan take a deep dive into the 1992 horror movie, including the original screenplay by Stephen King, the creative direction by Mick Garris, the transformative practical effects, and memorable performances by Mädchen Amick, Alice Krige, and Brian Krause.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Graduation Day, all you have to do is press "play" to...

Director Miles Doleac's next film Hallowed Ground hits theaters on June 7th and VOD and DVD, just a few days later, on June 11th. Also in today's Horror Highlights: Don't Look release details and the world premiere of Friday Night Death Slots.

Don't Look VOD and DVD Release Details: "This May, take a wrong turn to hell.

Luciana Faulhaber’s unique, female-directed twist on horror films “Don’t Look” releases on VOD and DVD May 14 from Wild Eye Releasing.

Scripted by Jessica Boucher and Danielle Killay, “Don’t Look” centers on five New York City Millennials who escape the big city for a rustic Thanksgiving weekend in the country. But as will happen in horror, something threatens to shatter their peaceful getaway and they are targeted for murder.

The film, Faulhaber’s debut, recreates “the pure fun of 80's classics like Friday the 13th, The Burning or April Fool's Day...

As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we discuss Jordan Peele's Us on a new bonus episode of Daily Dead's podcast!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-hosts Heather Wixson, Scott Drebit, and Derek Anderson, the new Us bonus episode is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! In this spoiler-filled conversation, Heather, Scott, and Derek discuss the many layers of Peele's latest film, including its Santa Cruz setting, creepiest moments, ’80s influences, deadly doppelgängers, thought-provoking symbolism, and powerhouse performances by Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Elisabeth Moss, and Tim Heidecker.

So, make sure no scissors are missing, lock the front door, wrap yourself up in your favorite red blanket, and relax with a new bonus episode of Daily Dead’s official podcast!

There's more bonus content to come...

In addition to our Scrooged, "Recent Screenings," Deadpool 2, and Felissa Rose podcast episodes,...

As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we head back to high school with a new audio commentary to Herb Freed's Graduation Day.

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-host Scott Drebit and Daily Dead columnist Bryan Christopher, the new audio commentary to Graduation Day is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! The next time you watch Graduation Day (which is now available to stream on Amazon Prime), you can listen as Scott and Bryan take a deep dive into the 1981 horror movie, including its creative slasher kills, nostalgic high school setting, and memorable performances by Christopher George, Linnea Quigley, and Vanna White.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Graduation Day, all you have to do is press "play" to listen to Scott and Bryan's new audio commentary. It’s...

"Over 18 feet tall. Over 2000 pounds. The largest carnivorous ground beast in the world." As a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we head into the woods with a new audio commentary to William Girdler's Grizzly!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-host Scott Drebit and Daily Dead columnist Bryan Christopher, the new audio commentary to William Girdler's Grizzly is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! The next time you watch Grizzly (which is now available to stream on Amazon Prime), you can listen as Scott and Bryan take a deep dive into the 1976 horror movie, including its similarities to Jaws, the unforgettable performance by Christopher George, and the crafty filmmaking techniques of the late, great William Girdler.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Grizzly, all you have to do is...

As a special holiday treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, we're celebrating Christmas Evil with a new audio commentary!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-host Scott Drebit and Daily Dead columnist Bryan Christopher, the new audio commentary to Lewis Jackson's Christmas Evil is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! The next time you watch Christmas Evil (which is now available to stream on Shudder), you can listen as Scott and Bryan take a deep dive into the 1980 holiday horror film, unwrapping its festive backdrop, Christmas-themed kills, and intriguing psychological elements.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Christmas Evil, all you have to do is press "play" to listen to Scott and Bryan's new audio commentary. It’s like watching a movie with the Corpse Club—just make sure to save us some eggnog!

As a special seasonal treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, Heather Wixson and Scott Drebit celebrate the imaginative and spooky 1988 Christmas movie Scrooged (which can be viewed as a horror film as well as a comedy) on a new bonus episode!

Although it's widely considered a Christmas comedy, there are many horror elements to be unwrapped in Scrooged, starring Bill Murray. With that in mind, Heather and Scott embrace the supernatural side of the season by discussing Richard Donner's 1988 adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic Christmas story, including Murray's unforgettable performance as Frank Cross, the eerie elevator scene that continues to stuff stockings with nightmare fuel, the film's fright-filled take on the holiday season, and much more!

So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, throw another log on the fire, and relax with a new bonus episode of Daily Dead’s official podcast!

There's more bonus content to come.

"This time staying awake won't save you." As a special Halloween treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system, Heather Wixson celebrates Wes Craven's New Nightmare with a new audio commentary!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-host Heather Wixson, the new audio commentary to Wes Craven's New Nightmare is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! The next time you watch Wes Craven's New Nightmare, you can listen as Heather takes a deep dive into the seventh film in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, including its meta horror elements, ambitious storytelling, Robert Englund's haunting new look as Freddy, Craven's appearance as himself alongside Heather Langenkamp and other Elm Street alums, and much more!

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Wes Craven's New Nightmare, all you have to do is press "play...

As horror and sci-fi fans know, there's been no shortage of genre movies to enjoy on both the big and small screens this year, and Scott Drebit and Jonathan James discuss some of their recent movie screenings on a new episode of Daily Dead's podcast that's a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-hosts Scott Drebit and Jonathan James, our new bonus episode is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! Get something sweet or salty at the concession stand and grab a seat as Scott and Jonathan discuss some of their most memorable recent movie screenings at home and in theaters, including The House with a Clock in its Walls, The Predator, Mandy, Unfriended: Dark Web, Upgrade, Rampage, and Halloween (2018)! From Eli Roth's new family-friendly film to the return of Laurie Strode and The Shape, this is...

There's something for everyone in Leland Gaunt's shop in the Needful Things movie (the 1993 Stephen King adaptation that recently celebrated its 25th anniversary), and we peruse the sinister store owner's wicked wares on a new audio commentary that's a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system!

Recorded by Corpse Club podcast co-hosts Derek Anderson and Jonathan James, our new Needful Things audio commentary is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! Join Derek and Jonathan they pay a visit to Castle Rock just as new resident Leland Gaunt (Max von Sydow) is setting up a new shop where your deepest desires can be purchased… for a very steep price. Listen as the Corpse Club co-hosts discuss what works and what doesn't in this polarizing adaptation of what was once hailed as King’s “Last Castle Rock Story.” From the endearing acting by Ed Harris (a...

All throughout July on Daily Dead and the Corpse Club podcast, we’ve been taking a look back at memorable genre movies released 30 years ago, and for the final day of our month-long celebration, Patrick Bromley and Stephanie Crawford recorded a new audio commentary to Elvira, Mistress of the Dark as a special treat for those in our Corpse Club membership system!

Our new bonus episode is an exclusive gift for Corpse Club members to enjoy! Listen to Corpse Club co-host Patrick Bromley and special guest Stephanie Crawford as they watch Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) move into the small town of Fallwell, where things are about to get shaken up by the Queen of Halloween's unique personality and macabre sense of style in the beloved 1988 horror comedy Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

Corpse Club members are being sent an audio file of the new commentary, so the next time you watch Elvira,...

For movie lovers, watching a lineup of your favorite films and living in those cinematic worlds for a full day can be the perfect gift. On a new Horrigins episode of Corpse Club, Heather and Patrick unwrap their ideal movie lineups to enjoy with birthday cake, candles, and plenty of presents.

If your ideal birthday celebration is to relax with loved ones in the warm glow of your favorite films, then you've come to the right place! On a special Horrigins episode of Corpse Club, co-hosts Patrick Bromley and Heather Wixson program 24-hour movie lineups that would make the perfect gifts or their respective birthdays, including plenty of slasher films for Heather (April Fool's Day, The Strangers, Happy Death Day) and underrated movies by Patrick's favorite directors (Critters 2: The Main Course, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, In the Mouth of Madness). So, grab a slice of cake...