HITCHENS ON HORROR

josh62horrormovies

Horror movie aficionado and author Josh Hitchens presents a podcast hosting some of the greatest scary movies ever made. 62 HORROR MOVIES consists of 31 episodes, each a double feature of frightening films for Halloween. 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR consists of 12 episodes. each focusing on Christmas-themed horror cinema. Season 3 is an 8 episode deep-dive into the FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise, inviting you to listen to the podcast as you watch the movies! read less

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Halloween Special: THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (1985)

Halloween Special: THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (1985)

For a post-Halloween treat, tonight we're watching THE MIDNIGHT HOUR, a movie that premiered on ABC at 9:00pm on November 1, 1985. Little known today, this is my favorite Halloween movie ever made, featuring a group of teenager's who unleash a witch's curse that causes all the demons of hell and the dead to walk the earth. Scary, funny, and featuring a full-on "Thriller" ripoff musical number, this is the perfect watch if you're not ready for Halloween to be over.

Episodes

Halloween Special: THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (1985)

Halloween Special: THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (1985)

For a post-Halloween treat, tonight we're watching THE MIDNIGHT HOUR, a movie that premiered on ABC at 9:00pm on November 1, 1985. Little known today, this is my favorite Halloween movie ever made, featuring a group of teenager's who unleash a witch's curse that causes all the demons of hell and the dead to walk the earth. Scary, funny, and featuring a full-on "Thriller" ripoff musical number, this is the perfect watch if you're not ready for Halloween to be over.

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD (1988)

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD (1988)

Join me on this actual Friday the 13th as we watch and do a deep dive into the seventh movie in the franchise: THE NEW BLOOD. Conceived as a movie that would win an Academy Award, it eventually became "Jason vs. Carrie" as the Crystal Lake killer meets his match in telekinetic Tina.

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES (1986)

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES (1986)

We continue our deep dive into the bloody goings on at Camp Crystal Lake with Part VI: JASON LIVES. Again featuring the character of Tommy Jarvis, who accidentally causes Jason Voorhees to be reanimated as an undead killer. With self-referential humor at least a decade ahead of its time, this movie is a hugely underrated slasher film.

FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING (1985)

FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING (1985)

Jason Voorhees is dead, but five years later Tommy Jarvis is still traumatized. Staying at a halfway house for troubled teens, he begins to have visions of Jason, and people start getting killed. With the most nudity and highest body count so far, this is one of the most controversial films of the franchise.

FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER (1984)

FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER (1984)

We continue our deep dive into the bloody goings on at Camp Crystal Lake with Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, considered by many fans to be the greatest movie of the franchise. Joseph Zito directs, makeup artist Tom Savini returns, and Corey Feldman is introduced as Tommy Jarvis. Grab your popcorn and watch along with me.

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART III (1982)

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART III (1982)

We continue our deep dive into the FRIDAY THE 13TH series with PART III, originally released in theaters in 3D. This movie picks up one day after the events of Part 2 - technically on Saturday the 14th - and introduces Jason Voorhees to his iconic hockey mask for the first time.

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 (1981)

FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 (1981)

The summer of slashing continues as we resume our deep dive into the first eight Friday the 13th movies. We pick up this week with Friday the 13th Part 2, which introduces Jason Voorhees to the teenage counselors of Camp Crystal Lake and the body count continues!

FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980)

FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980)

It's a summer of slashing as Season 3 of Hitchens on Horror begins. We're doing a deep dive into the classic eight movies of the Friday the 13th franchise of the 1980's, starting with the film that began it all. Let's watch the movies together as we journey through the history of eight terrifying nights at Camp Crystal Lake, also known as Camp Blood.

Night 12: GREMLINS (1984)

Night 12: GREMLINS (1984)

Merry Christmas, everyone! 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR concludes with my favorite Christmas horror movie of all time: GREMLINS. I do a tremendously deep dive into the trivia about the making of this film and celebrate everyone involved in it, and also talk about how horror movies uniquely unite us as well as what the future holds for the HITCHENS ON HORROR podcast.

Night 11: KRAMPUS / A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY (2015)

Night 11: KRAMPUS / A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY (2015)

Christmas Eve is upon us, and that means it's time for a Krampus double feature on 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR. First up is the terrific KRAMPUS written and directed by Michael Dougherty and featuring a stellar cast. Our second movie is A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY, also released in 2015, featuring zombie elves and an epic battle between Santa Claus and Krampus!

Night 10: RARE EXPORTS - A CHRISTMAS TALE (2010)

Night 10: RARE EXPORTS - A CHRISTMAS TALE (2010)

It is Christmas Eve Eve and our next installment of 12 NIGHT OF TERROR is RARE EXPORTS: A CHRISTMAS TALE. Made in Finland and taking full advantage of the area's beautiful winter landscape and scary mythology, this is a unique Killer Santa film, both terrifying and deeply funny. You won't know why this movie is called RARE EXPORTS until the end, but the final payoff is huge.

Night 9: 30 DAYS OF NIGHT (2007)

Night 9: 30 DAYS OF NIGHT (2007)

Night 9 of our 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR is about 30 DAYS OF NIGHT, released in 2007 and one of the most unique vampire movies of the 21st century so far. In a small town in Alaska, residents prepare to leave before the sun sets for the final time. For the humans who remain, the vampires are ready for a month of slaughter. This is a perfect horror film for a snowbound winter's night.

Night 8: JACK FROST (1997)

Night 8: JACK FROST (1997)

We continue our 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR with a direct to VHS gem of the 1990's - JACK FROST. This tale of a serial killer reincarnated as a murderous snowman is one of the great Christmas movies of the decade, as well as a hilarious, extremely low budget camp classic featuring terrific character actors and wonderfully creative holiday murders. Frosty as a killer. It's so much fun.

Night 7: MISERY (1990)

Night 7: MISERY (1990)

Tonight on 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR we're examining MISERY, the excellent film adaptation of one of Stephen King's best and most personal novels, directed by Rob Reiner and featuring incredible performances from James Caan and Kathy Bates, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in her unforgettable portrayal of Annie Wilkes, the ultimate number one fan.

Night 6: 3615 CODE PERE NOEL (1989)

Night 6: 3615 CODE PERE NOEL (1989)

Next up on 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR is the 1989 French film 3615 CODE PERE NOEL, also known as DIAL CODE SANTA CLAUS, GAME OVER, HIDE AND FREAK, and DEADLY GAMES. The inspiration for the 1990 Christmas classic HOME ALONE, this film was not released in the United States until 2018, when it was immediately hailed as a Christmas horror masterpiece.

Night 5: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT (1984)

Night 5: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT (1984)

12 NIGHTS OF TERROR continues with one of the most controversial horror movies ever made: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT, pulled from theaters after only ten days. It's regarded as the quintessential Killer Santa Claus film, with brutal and creative murders. However, I think this movie is still misunderstood and underappreciated nearly forty years after its original release.

Night 4: THE SHINING (1980)

Night 4: THE SHINING (1980)

Tonight on 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR we explore Stanley Kubrick's iconic 1980 film adaptation of Stephen King's novel THE SHINING. It is an undeniable horror classic, and also one of the best Christmas horror movies ever made. Anyone who has been isolated by a blizzard or intense snowstorm should watch this classic masterwork, brilliantly performed by everyone involved.

Night 3: CHRISTMAS EVIL (1980)

Night 3: CHRISTMAS EVIL (1980)

Our 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR continues with what John Waters called "the greatest Christmas movie ever made," CHRISTMAS EVIL. The only film ever written and directed by Lewis Jackson, this movie combines perhaps the most complex and human portrayal of a Killer Santa Claus ever combined with beautiful holiday imagery. CHRISTMAS EVIL is an underrated classic.

Night 2: TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972/1989)

Night 2: TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972/1989)

12 NIGHTS OF TERROR continues with two versions of the 1954 EC Comics iconic tale of Christmas horror, "And All Through the House." The 1972 TALES FROM THE CRYPT film starring Joan Collins was made first, followed by a 1989 remake episode for the TALES FROM THE CRYPT television series on HBO. Is this the origin of the Killer Santa Claus and the Horror Host?

Night 1: BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)

Night 1: BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)

We begin our journey through 12 NIGHTS OF TERROR with one of the greatest horror movies ever made: BLACK CHRISTMAS. Underappreciated at the time of its release, this Canadian film about an unseen killer stalking a sorority house during the holidays has influenced countless films since and spawned two remakes, but none of them have equaled its eerie power.