Better grab something to write with before you hit play on this one.

In this extra-long episode, we dive into a variety of horror sub-genres and each pick a title that we think defines that category. Not necessarily the best film, but one that captures the essence of the sub-genre in a meaningful way.

To help us take on this ridiculously huge (but fun) challenge, we’ve brought back Aaron Christensen—aka Dr. AC—to join the conversation.

If you're new to the genre, this one's especially for you.  If you've been around a few years (or decades) we think the conversation is still worth your time, and we hope that you consider giving a few of these a revisit.  Time to start that new watchlist! 

All set? Notes ready? Coffee or energy drink in hand?

Then hit play!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), Alien (1979), Army of Darkness (1992), Audition (1999), Bad Taste (1987), Baskin (2015), The Beyond (1981), Black Christmas (1974), Black Sabbath (1963), Blair Witch Project (1999), Braindead aka Dead Alive (1992), Bride of Frankenstein (1934), Bring Her Back (2025), Cannibal Holocaust (1980), Carnival of Souls (1962), Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1972), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Creepshow (1982), Cruel Jaws (1995), Curse of Frankenstein (1957), The Devil’s Wedding Night (1973), Dracula (1931), Evil Dead 2 (1987), The Exorcist (1973), Fight Club (1999), Frankenstein (1931), Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969), The French Connection (1971), Gamera vs. Barugon (1966), The Giant Claw (1957), Godzilla (1954), Godzilla vs. Hedorah aka Godzilla vs the Smog Monster (1971), Ju-on: The Grudge (2002), Guinea Pig 2: Flower of Flesh and Blood (1985), The Haunting (1963), Hellraiser (1987), Hereditary (2018), Horror of Dracula (1958), Horror Rises from the Tomb (1973), The Host (2006), The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies (1964), Island of Lost Souls (1932), It Follows (2014), Jacob’s Ladder (1990), Jaws (1975), King Kong (1933), Kwaidan (1964), Lair of the White Worm (1988), Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971), The Monster (2016), Nekromantik (1988), Nightbreed (1990), Night of the Living Dead (1968), One Missed Call (2003), Onibaba (1964), Paranormal Activity (2007), Paranormal Activity 2 (2010), Paranormal Activity 3 (2011), Phantasm (1979), Pieces (1982), Possession (1981), Psycho (1960), Pumpkinhead (1988), The Raven (1963), Re-Animator (1985), Repulsion (1965), Return of the Living Dead (1985), Ringu (1998), The Ritual (2017), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Sadness (2021), Satan’s Sadists (1969), Saw (2004), Scream 5 (2013), Scream VI (2023), Seeding of a Ghost (1983), The Seventh Curse (1986), Shatter Dead (1994), Shaun of the Dead (2004), The Shining (1980), Suspiria (1977), Terrified (2017), Terrifier (2016), Tetsuo (1989), Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Thing (1982), Things (1989), Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972), Toxic Avenger (1984), Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010), The Ugly Stepsister (2025), Uzimaki (2000), Vampyros Lesbos (1971), Viy (1967), What We Do in the Shadows (2014), When Evil Lurks (2023), The Wicker Man (1973), Young Frankenstein (1974)