This week's release of ABCs of Death 2 continues the recent trend for horror filmmakers to band together and make one movie, divided into multiple segments. The first entry in the series, The ABCs of Death, ambitiously upped the stakes by featuring more than two dozen short slices of terror. Advance reviews indicate that the sequel is even better and more accomplished.
To mark the occasion, we've gathered five horror-anthology movies, all composed of multiple scary short films, that have delighted fans of the macabre in recent years.
V/H/S (2012)
Released the same year as The ABCs of Death, this collection distinguished itself by being the first anthology of found-footage films, gathering the work of nine directors in six short segments. Gritty and grungy, it spawned two sequels.
The Theatre Bizarre (2011)
Staying away from mainstream chills, each of the short films in this anthology plunges the viewer into unexpected nightmare territory. The directors, most notably Richard Stanley and Tom Savini, are more interested in gut-level dread rather than easy thrills.
Trick 'r Treat (2007)
Although it features multiple stories, this film had just one director --- Michael Dougherty -- and plays around merrily with the anthology format, which makes it fun to rewatch, too. It also does a terrific job of creating a Halloween atmosphere, making it the perfect pick to watch at home on October 31.
Trapped Ashes (2006)
Directors Monte Hellman, Ken Russell, Sean S. Cunningham, John Gaeta and Joe Dante collaborated on this anthology effort, which revolves around the idea of six strangers sharing scary stories. This one is definitely an up-and-down affair, yet still worth seeking out for fans of the strange.
Three...Extremes (2004)
Gathering the talents of three diverse Asian filmmakers, this anthology reflects their respective strengths. Takashi Miike, Park Chan-wook and Fruit Chan produced three very different tales of horror, each with a different approach, ranging from the nightmarish to the comically outrageous to the quietly satirical.
