Anthology films are extremely common in the horror genre, something about scary stories applies well to a short runtime and rapidly changing subject matter. There is a long and proud history of beloved horror short films being delivered alongside a mess of other less well-remembered pieces.
Maybe it's the long-term influence of shows like The Twilight Zone, but horror is the only genre that regularly supports the anthology format. The occasional romantic or comedic anthology typically fades into the background, but some stories featured in horror anthologies stand the test of time. Some of the most beloved directors of the genre got their start making short films for less than reputable collections.
"D is for Dogfight" - The ABCs of Death
There is a lot of filler in the two-and-a-half ABCs of Death films, but there are a few diamonds in the rough. The gimmick of this 2012 feature saw 26 filmmakers granted a tiny production budget and a random letter of the alphabet. Each was then given free rein over their short film, with the sole mandate that it must include some form of death. The collection includes pitch-black comedy, gritty action, and abstract music video fare alongside the typical horror.
The most universally praised piece of the first collection comes from Deadgirl director Marcel Sarmiento. The story of this brief piece is simple, concerning a veteran forced into hand-to-hand combat with a dangerous canine. This film shines through sheer cinematography and framing. Though the events are fairly simple, they look incredible, marking this short film as a surprising success.
"The Subject" - V/H/S/94
Timo Tjahjanto is one of the most intriguing directors working today. After directing the most unpleasant part of the first ABCs of Death and one of the sharpest parts of V/H/S/2, he unleashed something even greater with "The Subject". Tjahjanto's work is typically gruesome, and visceral to the point of genuine dread while somehow avoiding becoming comical. The V/H/S films require the found-footage gimmick, and the best of their output find unique ways to handle that controversial shooting style.
This film tells the story of a deadly human experiment who rebels against his captors to escape from the horrific lab. It's gory, brutal, fast-paced, and extremely gripping. The short film hits like an atom bomb in the middle of the anthology and sticks with its audience beyond the rest. Timo is in charge of the largely misguided Train to Busan remake, but his work is so much more interesting with no restraints.
"Sam" - Trick 'r Treat
Though there are several great moments in Michael Dougherty's 2007 Halloween classic, the most iconic is the tale of scary little Sam. Though the masked lad appears in every segment of the film, the penultimate event of the story sees him get the spotlight. Named after Samhain, the Gaelic festival which gives Halloween its iconography, Sam is the diminutive judge, jury, and executioner of the holiday's laws. Whenever someone defies the rules of Halloween, Sam is there and sees to their punishment.
His segment sees him visit curmudgeonly old man Kreeg, who defies the rules by refusing to give out treats to his guests. Sam comes to deliver his justice, and the payoff of finally seeing him in action ties the film together. Sam is the icon of the film and one of the most popular new faces in horror cinema, and for good reason.
"The Crate" - Creepshow
This 1982 anthology is a love letter to the horror comics of the 50s which inspired so many other icons of the genre. Beloved zombie film icon George A. Romero directs all five segments which are written for the screen by the Master of Horror himself, Stephen King. Two of the five are adapted from King's short stories, including this one. "The Crate" is the tale of a group of University professors dealing with a monster that lives in a crate beneath a basement staircase.
The short is an all-star collaboration, between Romero, King, and effects legend Tom Savini, and all three are in top form. "The Crate" is a bit outdated, but it is a solid short monster movie with a deeply grim undercurrent. Despite many other examples, it's also a lesser-known candidate for the best adaptation of King's work.
"Amateur Night" - V/H/S
When people picture a single perfect entry in a horror anthology film, they are almost always thinking about David Bruckner's note-perfect contribution to the original V/H/S. Bruckner's 2021 film The Night House, his segment in The Signal, and his 2017 film The Ritual are all excellent, but "Amateur Night" is still his primary calling card.
A trio of friends sets out to pick up women at a local bar, with the intent of filming their encounter illicitly with a camera hidden in a pair of glasses. Reluctant participant Clint is the POV character as he meets and interacts with the striking young lady Lily, who likes him. The setup, reveal, and payoff of this film is a masterclass in horror short filmmaking. When adapted to a full feature in 2016, the story fell apart, but "Amateur Night" is perfect. If viewers only have time for one scary story, seek out "Amateur Night".