Top 10 Horror Films Set in the Early 20th Century

Description: A German Expressionist film, it tells the story of a hypnotist who uses a somnambulist to commit murders, set in a visually distorted world that reflects the inner turmoil of the characters.

Fact: The film's sets were designed to reflect the psychological state of the characters, creating a surreal and unsettling environment.

Description: Alfred Hitchcock's early thriller, this film is set in foggy London and revolves around a mysterious lodger who might be the notorious serial killer known as "The Avenger."

Fact: This was Hitchcock's first thriller, and it established many of the themes and techniques he would later become famous for.

Description: A classic of psychological horror, this film follows a group of people who spend time in a haunted mansion to study paranormal activity, only to find themselves terrorized by the house itself.

Fact: The film was shot in black and white to enhance its eerie atmosphere, and it's based on Shirley Jackson's novel "The Haunting of Hill House."

Description: Set in the aftermath of World War II, this film captures the eerie atmosphere of a secluded mansion where a woman and her two photosensitive children encounter mysterious presences, exploring themes of isolation and the unknown.

Fact: The film was shot entirely in Spain, despite its English setting. Director Alejandro Amenábar wrote the screenplay in Spanish and then translated it into English.

Description: A young lawyer travels to a remote village in Edwardian England to settle the affairs of a deceased client, only to encounter the vengeful ghost of a woman in black, whose presence foretells death.

Fact: The film is based on Susan Hill's 1983 novel of the same name, which was previously adapted for television in

Description: A skeptical ghost hunter in post-World War I England investigates a haunting at a boys' boarding school, only to confront her own past and the supernatural.

Fact: The film's setting was inspired by the real-life Harrow School, although it was filmed at other locations in England.

Description: In this Gothic romance, a young author is drawn to a mysterious, decaying mansion in early 20th-century England, where she uncovers dark secrets and ghostly apparitions.

Fact: The film's sets were built from scratch, including an entire Victorian mansion, to create an authentic atmosphere.

Description: This silent film from Sweden tells the tale of a man who learns the consequences of his actions on New Year's Eve when he is visited by the ghost of a friend, who must drive the carriage that collects the souls of the dead.

Fact: It's considered one of the first horror films to use the concept of the "phantom carriage" or "death coach."

Description: A brother and sister move into a cliff-top house in Cornwall, England, where they encounter ghostly presences and unravel a tragic family history.

Fact: It was one of the first Hollywood films to take the ghost story seriously, rather than treating it as a comedy or a gimmick.

Description: An adaptation of Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw," this film explores the psychological horror of a governess who believes the children in her care are being haunted by the spirits of former employees.

Fact: The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography, Black-and-White.