Horror

Some Facts About The Omen Franchise

- Roshan

The Omen movie franchise is a popular horror series that revolves around the Antichrist and supernatural horror themes. Here are some key facts about the franchise:

1. The Original Movie (1976)

  • The Omen (1976) was directed by Richard Donner and starred Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, and Harvey Stephens.
  • The film follows an American diplomat, Robert Thorn, who unknowingly adopts the Antichrist, Damien, after his own child dies at birth.
  • It was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $60 million on a $2.8 million budget.
  • The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Score, composed by Jerry Goldsmith, including the iconic “Ave Satani” chant.

2. The Original Trilogy

  1. The Omen (1976) – Introduces Damien as a child.
  2. Damien: Omen II (1978) – Follows a teenage Damien discovering his dark destiny.
  3. Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981) – Features an adult Damien, now a powerful politician, trying to prevent the Second Coming of Christ.

3. The Fourth Movie

  • Omen IV: The Awakening (1991) was a made-for-TV sequel.
  • It shifts focus to a girl named Delia, who is suggested to be the new Antichrist.

4. The 2006 Remake

  • A remake of The Omen was released on June 6, 2006 (06/06/06).
  • It starred Liev Schreiber, Julia Stiles, and Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick as Damien.
  • The remake was a box office success, earning over $119 million worldwide.

5. The 2024 Prequel: The First Omen

  • A prequel titled The First Omen is set for release on April 5, 2024.
  • It explores the origins of the Antichrist and the events leading up to Damien’s birth.

6. Cultural Impact

  • The Omen is considered one of the greatest horror films of all time.
  • The film is famous for its “curse” legend, with multiple eerie accidents occurring during production.
  • Damien’s name became synonymous with evil and the Antichrist in pop culture.

Scary Japanese Urban Legend : The Inunaki Village

- Roshan

Inunaki Village is a 1990s Japanese urban legend about a fictional village-sized micronation that rejects the Constitution of Japan. The legend locates the village near the Inunaki mountain pass in Fukuoka Prefecture. A real Inunaki Village, not connected to the legend, did exist from 1691 to 1889. Described as “small and easy to miss” in a forest located in Fukuoka Prefecture, the residents of the village refused to accept the Constitution of Japan and the legitimacy of the extant Japanese government. Near the village entrance is a handwritten sign reading: “The Japanese constitution is not in effect past here.” A small side road past Old Inunaki Tunnel leads toward the village.

According to the legend, “sometime in the early 1970s” a young couple on their way to Hisayama by car went into the forest seeking help when their car’s engine broke down. They entered the seemingly-abandoned Inunaki Village, where a “crazy old man” greeted them and then murdered them with a sickle. In another story, a telephone booth near the Inunaki bridge receives a call from Inunaki Village every night. People answering the call are transported to the village, and die from a curse that causes them to first lose control of their body and mind.

In reality, the area of the Old Inunaki Tunnel has been considered to be haunted due to nearby murders. On 6 December 1988, five young men abducted and tortured a factory worker whose car they wanted to steal, burning him to death with gasoline inside the old tunnel. The perpetrators were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. The entrances to the old tunnel were sealed. However in2000, a dead body was found in a nearby dam. Nippon TV received a letter from an anonymous person, which described the legend of the couple murdered in the village and urged the Nippon TV crew to visit the place.

The 7 Hammer Horror Movies With Dracula

- Roshan

The Hammer Horror Dracula films are a series of British Gothic horror movies produced by Hammer Film Productions, beginning in the late 1950s. These films are known for their atmospheric storytelling, vivid color cinematography, and striking performances, particularly by Christopher Lee as Count Dracula and Peter Cushing as his nemesis, Professor Abraham Van Helsing.

Key Films in the Series

  1. Horror of Dracula (1958)
    • The first Hammer Dracula film and arguably the most iconic.
    • Christopher Lee debuts as Dracula, with Peter Cushing as Van Helsing.
    • A loose adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel, known for its sensuality, graphic violence (for its time), and vibrant visuals.
  2. Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)
    • Lee reprises his role, though Dracula has no dialogue in this installment.
    • The story follows a group of travelers who unwittingly revive the vampire.
  3. Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)
    • Dracula returns from the dead to terrorize a small village.
    • Known for its religious themes and lush, Gothic visuals.
  4. Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)
    • Focuses on a group of bored aristocrats who revive Dracula as part of a satanic ritual.
    • Lee continues to deliver a menacing presence.
  5. Scars of Dracula (1970)
    • Offers a more violent and gory take on the Dracula mythos.
    • Dracula is portrayed as particularly cruel and sadistic in this entry.
  6. Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972)
    • A significant departure, bringing Dracula into a contemporary London setting.
    • Features Van Helsing’s descendant battling Dracula.
  7. The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973)
    • A sequel to Dracula A.D. 1972, blending Gothic horror with espionage thriller elements.
    • Dracula plots to unleash a deadly plague on humanity.
  8. The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974)
    • A unique blend of Gothic horror and martial arts.
    • Does not feature Christopher Lee; Dracula is portrayed by John Forbes-Robertson.

Hallmarks of the Series

  • Christopher Lee’s Dracula: Tall, imposing, and with a mix of seductive charm and monstrous brutality, Lee’s portrayal redefined the character.
  • Peter Cushing’s Van Helsing: A fearless, intelligent adversary to Dracula, often serving as the moral and physical force against evil.
  • Production Design: Lavish Gothic sets, moody lighting, and Hammer’s signature use of Technicolor heightened the sense of dread and macabre beauty.
  • Themes: The films often explored themes of repressed sexuality, religion, and societal decadence.

Legacy

The Hammer Dracula series had a profound impact on the horror genre, influencing subsequent vampire films and popularizing Dracula as a cultural icon. The films remain celebrated for their performances, style, and ability to blend terror with an underlying sense of tragedy.

The most successful horror film franchises

- Roshan

As of November 2024, the most successful horror film franchises, based on global box office revenue, are:

  1. The Conjuring Universe: This franchise, initiated with “The Conjuring” in 2013, has expanded to include films like “Annabelle,” “The Nun,” and their sequels. Collectively, these movies have grossed over $2.36 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing horror franchise to date.
  2. Alien: Starting with Ridley Scott’s “Alien” in 1979, this sci-fi horror series has produced multiple sequels and prequels, including “Aliens,” “Prometheus,” and “Alien: Covenant.” The franchise has amassed approximately $1.65 billion globally.
  3. Resident Evil: Based on the popular video game series, the “Resident Evil” films began in 2002 and have released several sequels, with the latest being “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” in 2021. The series has generated over $1.2 billion worldwide.
  4. It: Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, the “It” franchise includes “It” (2017) and “It Chapter Two” (2019). Combined, these films have grossed over $1.1 billion globally.
  5. Jaws: Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic “Jaws” spawned three sequels. Collectively, the franchise has earned approximately $819 million worldwide.
  6. Halloween: Beginning with John Carpenter’s “Halloween” in 1978, this slasher series has seen numerous sequels and reboots, including the recent trilogy concluding with “Halloween Ends” in 2022. The franchise has accumulated over $877 million globally.
  7. Saw: Known for its intricate traps and moral dilemmas, the “Saw” series started in 2004 and has released multiple sequels, with “Saw X” premiering in 2023. The franchise has grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
  8. Paranormal Activity: This found-footage horror series began in 2007 and has produced several sequels, with the latest installment, “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin,” released in 2021. The franchise has earned over $890 million globally.

These franchises have not only achieved significant box office success but have also left a lasting impact on the horror genre, influencing numerous films and spawning dedicated fan bases.

Top 10 Best Selling Books Of Horror Author Stephen King (6-10)

- Roshan

Stephen King is one of the most prolific and bestselling authors, known for his wide range of horror, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy novels. Here are some of his top-selling and most iconic books:

6. Pet Sematary (1983)

A haunting tale about grief and resurrection, “Pet Sematary” is one of King’s scariest novels. It was a massive hit and is often cited as one of his most terrifying works.

7. Salem’s Lot (1975)

This vampire novel set in a small New England town has become a classic, often noted as one of the best vampire books in modern horror literature.

8. 11/22/63 (2011)

A time-travel novel where a teacher tries to prevent the assassination of JFK, blending historical fiction with sci-fi and suspense. It became an instant bestseller.

9. The Stand (1978)

This post-apocalyptic epic about a plague that wipes out most of humanity is one of King’s most ambitious works and has maintained a devoted fan base.

10. Doctor Sleep (2013)

The sequel to The Shining, this novel revisits Danny Torrance as an adult and explores the impact of his traumatic childhood experiences. The book was highly anticipated and quickly became a bestseller.

These books, along with many others, have made Stephen King one of the bestselling and most beloved authors worldwide.

Top 10 Best Selling Books Of Horror Author Stephen King (1-5)

- Roshan

Stephen King is one of the most prolific and bestselling authors, known for his wide range of horror, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy novels. Here are some of his top-selling and most iconic books:

  1. The Shining (1977)
    • A psychological horror set in the haunted Overlook Hotel, this novel became a classic with its eerie atmosphere and exploration of madness.
  2. It (1986)
    • A horror epic about a group of children confronting a terrifying creature known as Pennywise the Clown. “It” has cemented itself as one of King’s most enduring works.
  3. Carrie (1974)
    • King’s first published novel, this story of a bullied teenage girl with telekinetic powers set the stage for his career and became an instant bestseller.
  4. Misery (1987)
    • This suspense novel about an author held captive by an obsessed fan is both chilling and psychological. It has been popularized further by the award-winning film adaptation.
  5. The Dark Tower Series (1982–2012)
    • King’s multi-book fantasy series follows the gunslinger Roland Deschain on a quest through a parallel world. The series blends elements of horror, fantasy, and Western genres.

These books, along with many others, have made Stephen King one of the bestselling and most beloved authors worldwide.