The legendary Vincent Price had a prolific career. With over 200 credits in film and television that spanned all genres, Price also appeared on stage and radio. He was an avid art collector and food connoisseur, too- he even taught Elvira how to cook fish in the dishwasher. Above all, though, Vincent Price was and is a horror icon.
While there’s never a bad time to dig into Price’s horror filmography, the Halloween season is an especially great period to revisit some of the horror films that solidified the actor’s rank as one of the best horror icons of all time. If you don’t know where to begin, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some essential Vincent Price horror movies and short films to add to your Halloween watchlists.
House of Wax (1953)
One of the biggest hits of 1953, this was the horror film that revitalized Price’s career. Especially in horror. His turn as lead Professor Henry Jarrod, a wax museum owner turned vengeance seeker, caused him to become high in demand for similarly fiendish villain roles. Andre DeToth’s film is a classic through and through, with or without 3D, but it’s an absolute highlight in Price’s horror career.
The Fly (1958)
A horror classic. The plot follows scientist Andre Delambre (David Hedison), who has a horrific accident when a fly enters his experimental matter transporter device. While the film initially indicates his murder, with his wife to blame, it backtracks to explain what really happened thanks to the craftiness of Andre’s brother François, played by Price. His character returns in the sequel as well, Return of the Fly.
House on Haunted Hill (1959)
I suppose if you only have time to watch one of these movies, make it this one. It’s the 60th anniversary of the film’s release, after all. Price plays Frederick Loren, an eccentric millionaire who invites five people to his wife’s birthday party set at a haunted mansion. If the guests stay the entire night, he’ll give them $10,000. Directed by William Castle, king of the gimmick, the film is known for its promotion of “Emergo,” a pulley system installed in theaters that allowed a skeleton to float above the audience. But it’s a great movie on its own merit.
The Last Man on Earth (1964)
There have been many adaptations of Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend throughout the decades, and this one is among the absolute best. Price stars as Dr. Robert Morgan, a scientist and reluctant vampire hunter. As the title indicates, he’s the last man on Earth after a mysterious plague has turned humanity into zombie-like vampires. While there are deviations from the novel, it’s still a solid adaptation with Price turning in a fantastic performance as the sole survivor coping with the despair and terror.
The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
Price was a prominent fixture during Roger Corman’s Edgar Allan Poe cycle, which kicked off with the popular House of Usher. Any one of them would make for a great pick, but Corman felt “The Masque of the Red Death” was one of Poe’s best short stories. It’s also arguably the best of Corman’s Poe films. Atmospheric and twisted, this film lets Price loose as Prince Prospero, a particularly cruel ruler and Satanist. He gleefully terrorizes his peasants, and leaves them to die when a mysterious plague sweeps the land. Instead, he uses his castle as a fortress to block out the plague.
Witchfinder General (1968)
Of all the films on this list, Witchfinder General is the most unnerving. It’s Price at his most terrifying; there’s not a trace of camp to be found in his turn as Matthew Hopkins, an English witch-hunter that takes advantage of his position to terrorize villages. He wasn’t director Michael Reeves’ choice for the role therefore production was rife with tension between them, but it resulted in a deadly serious performance that Price considered one of his all time best. He’s absolutely correct in that assessment.
The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
Price plays the titular Dr. Phibes, a famous concert organist thought to have died in a car crash. He’d been racing home after learning his wife died during surgery. He survived the crash, but was left horribly disfigured. He subsequently crafts an elaborate plan of revenge upon his wife’s surgeons. A setup that sounds far more serious than it actually is; Dr. Phibes is a tongue in cheek horror-comedy. Heavily stylized but with gleefully elaborate deaths and Price scene-chewing like a pro. It’s great.
The Monster Club (1981)
This musical horror anthology directed by Roy Ward Baker stars Price as Eramus. Eramus is a starving vampire who feeds off of an author (John Carradine) he meets on the street. In return for the snack, he invites the author to a Monster Club, a gathering place for all supernatural creatures, and tells him three tales of terror. Featuring no shortage of horror vets, like Donald Pleasence, this anthology has something for everyone. Most of all it has a catchy soundtrack, fun visuals, and Price having a ball.
Vincent (1982)
Tim Burton’s stop-motion animation film is the poem/story of young Vincent Malloy, who annoys his mother with macabre dreams of being just like Vincent Price. Price, a lifelong inspiration to Burton, narrates. This short forged the working relationship that caused Price to later appear in Edward Scissorhands, but that film is best suited for winter viewing.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1983)
Directed by John Landis, this 13-minute music video for “Thriller” sees the popstar on a date to the movies. It’s all fun and romance until a horde of zombies show up. Price doesn’t appear, but he does lend his recognizable voice to the rap interlude that ends with his maniacal laugh. Short, sweet, and memorable. A fun-sized Halloween treat.
