New and Old Horror Movies You Can Watch in Black and White

Directors of horror movies have a lot of tricks to set the right mood and atmosphere for their films. One tactic that often gets overlooked is filming in black and white. Obviously, many older horror movies were in black and white. But modern horror flicks have also been shot in black and white because directors believed it was best for the movie. In fact, some movies that were originally released in color have been re-released in black and white to add another element to the setting. That’s not to say that black-and-white movies are a sub-genre of horror films. However, it seems pertinent to share some of the top horror movies – both new and old – that can be viewed in black and white.

The Haunting

Robert Wise’s The Haunting is a classic horror film. Originally released in 1963, it was adapted from Shirley Jackson’s iconic horror novel The Haunting of Hill House. Jackson herself co-wrote the screenplay that Wise turned into a masterpiece. The original book terrified readers, and the film amplifies that fear through masterful sound design that deeply unsettles the viewer. Rather than relying on gore or graphic violence, the horror unfolds psychologically. The film has left a lasting impression on the horror genre, remaining influential even to this day.

The Haunted Casino

Also known as Dead Man’s Hand, The Haunted Casino is one of the latest horror films to be re-released in a black-and-white version. It was first released in 2007 and follows the story of a man who inherits a rundown casino. When people pay him and the casino a visit, it turns out to be haunted by dead mobsters. The black-and-white version offers a little more atmosphere and intensity than the original. It also contributes to the notion that physical casinos are somewhat outdated. More people are starting to play casino games online, making the plot of The Haunted Casino somewhat dated. By visiting casino.com/canada, you can learn more about today’s online casino platforms and how they work.

The Lighthouse

Robert Eggers directed The Lighthouse, which was released in 2019 and serves as a modern example of a black-and-white horror flick. The movie’s cinematography is far more profound and striking because the film is in black and white. It stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe as two lighthouse workers on a secluded island. That alone sounds terrible enough, but the poor weather and bleak conditions, which are enhanced by the black-and-white filming, the two are tested psychologically in ways that are sure to frighten the viewer.

Eyes Without a Face

No list of classic black-and-white horror movies would be complete without mentioning Eyes Without a Face. Directed by Georges Franju, this is one of France’s earliest modern horror films, created under strict censorship conditions. That’s part of what makes Franju’s effort so impressive. Despite lacking graphic violence, gore, or excessive bloodshed, the film still caused audiences to faint in theaters. That’s not an exaggeration, which is a testament to the film’s eerie power. While it may seem tame compared to today’s ultra-violent standards, it deeply disturbed many viewers at the time, leaving a lasting psychological impact.

The Exorcist

Officially, The Exorcist was released in color and has no official black-and-white version. However, the director’s cut of this classic, which is often called “The Version You’ve Never Seen,” does include some black-and-white scenes. Among the scenes that are in black and white is the opening sequence in which Father Karras falls down the stairs. For those who have seen the original a time or two (or more), the black-and-white shots are a little jarring and impossible not to notice. It definitely gives The Exorcist a different look and feel compared to the original full-color version. The director’s cut also has some scenes that weren’t in the original, so there are several reasons why horror fans will want to check it out beyond the black-and-white scenes.