12 Black and White Scary Movies Boomers Admitted Scarred Them for Life

An online forum was talking about black-and-white movies that scarred boomers for life. If I am being honest, I’ve not seen all of these. But after scanning the thread, I’ve added many to my film bucket list. How many have you seen?

1. The Haunting (1963)

The Haunting 1963
Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

The Haunting is a psychological horror movie directed by Robert Wise. It is about a group of people who are asked to stay in a mansion with a scary past. As they have more strange experiences, the line between what is real and what isn’t starts to blur. The movie, which stars Julie Harris and Claire Bloom, is a classic because it uses tension in the air and psychological fear.

2. House on Haunted Hill (1959)

House on Haunted Hill 1959
Image Credit: Allied Artists.

William Castle directs the scary movie House on Haunted Hill, which stars Vincent Price. A millionaire gives a group of people money to spend the night in a haunted house. That night, scary things happen, and disturbing things are found out. The film’s mix of tension, campy horror, and Price’s charismatic performance have made it one of the most popular horror movies of all time.

3. Eyes Without a Face (1960)

Eyes Without a Face 1960
Image Credit: Champs-Élysées Productions Lux Film.

Eyes Without a Face is a French horror movie directed by Georges Franju. It tells the story of a brilliant but insane surgeon who kidnaps women to place their faces on his daughter, who was born with a congenital deformity. The film is one of the most unsettling horror classics because of its disturbing plot, haunting images, and study of identity and obsession.

4. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1956
Image Credit: Allied Artists Pictures.

Don Siegel’s science-fiction horror classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers addresses the fear of losing one’s identity in the face of society’s demands to conform. The movie examines the tension between trust and fear as people in a small town worry that emotionless copies are replacing their loved ones. The film stars Kevin McCarthy and still represents fear during the Cold War.

5. 13 Ghosts (1960)

13 Ghosts 1960
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures.

In 13 Ghosts by William Castle, a family receives a haunted mansion with 12 ghosts and a pair of special glasses that can see them. As the family deals with supernatural events, they learn the house’s dark secrets. The movie is one of the most remembered ’60s horror movies because it mixes horror, campy humor, and Castle’s trademark tricks.

6. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Night of the Living Dead
Image Credit: Continental Distributing.

One of the most influential horror films of all time, Night of the Living Dead by George A. Romero’s film, is primarily acknowledged as establishing the zombie subgenre.

During an outbreak of zombies, a group of people try to find safety on a farm, but they have problems with each other and have to fight to stay alive. The film is a horror classic because of its social commentary, tense mood, and stark black-and-white images.

7. Psycho (1960)

Psycho 1960 Anthony Perkins
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most famous scary movies ever. The movie is about Marion Crane, who checks into the Bates Motel and meets the mysterious owner, played by Anthony Perkins. Psycho is a genre-defining work because of its shocking story twists, psychological tension, and iconic shower scene.

8. Onibaba (1964)

Onibaba 1964
Image Credit: Toho.

The Japanese horror movie Onibaba (Demon Hag) by Kaneto Shindo examines how war affects people’s minds. The film is about two women who get by in feudal Japan by killing warriors and selling their armor. The appearance of a masked fighter changes their lives and sets off a series of events that explore fear, desire, and right and wrong.

9. Seconds (1966)

Seconds 1966
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

The John Frankenheimer-helmed film Seconds is a psychological thriller with science fiction elements. In the story, a middle-aged man goes through a process to get a new name and start a new life.

As he gets used to his new life, he learns the scary things that can happen when you change your world. The movie’s look at identity and existential worry makes you think and makes you feel uneasy.

10. Carnival of Souls (1962)

Carnival of Souls 1962
Image Credit: Harcourt Productions.

The movie Carnival of Souls, which Herk Harvey directed, is about a woman who escapes a car accident but has scary visions and meets scary people. The line between the real world and the supernatural blurs as she is pulled to an empty carnival. The film is a cult favorite partly because it feels like a dream and looks scary.

11. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (1962)

The Brain That Wouldn't Die 1962
Image Credit: Sterling Productions.

Written and directed by Joseph Green, The Brain That Wouldn’t Die is a science fiction horror film about a doctor who tries to save his fiancee’s life by keeping her severed head alive. As he looks for a new body for her, he gets caught up in a strange world of research and moral questions. The movie’s mix of science fiction and horror makes it different and disturbing.

12. Black Sunday (1960)

Black Sunday 1960
Image Credit: Galatea-Jolly Film.

An Italian gothic horror film set in seventeenth-century Moldavia, Black Sunday was directed by Mario Bava. The movie is about a witch who is put to death and then comes back to get payback on her descendants many years later. Black Sunday is still a classic of Italian horror movies because of its moody visuals, dark story, and memorable images.

15 Surprising Movies That Boomers Were Forced to Watch in School

Cat Ballou
Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.

Have you ever seen a movie in high school that you later thought was odd? You’re not alone. Recently, someone polled the boomers in a popular internet forum, asking what films they remember being forced to sit through in school. Here are some of their film confessions.

26 Comedy Films That Cancel Culture Forbids You From Laughing at Today

The Jerk 1979
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

Has cancel culture come for your favorite films? Several classic comedies were once considered hilarious and are deemed offensive today. Here are twenty-six of them.

25 Nostalgic Movies Everyone Needs to See at Least Once in Their Lifetime

Stand by Me 1986 train tracks
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures.

Take a trip down memory lane with this hand-picked list of classic films that have forever changed the face of cinema. These movies represent the spirit of different times and genres, from inspiring stories of friendship and adventure to terrifying suspense and beautiful romance.

12 Plot Points That Popular Movies Didn’t Bother Resolving for Audiences

The Karate Kid 1984 Daniel and Ali
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures.

Do any of your favorite films have plot holes that were never resolved? You’re not alone. An entertainment community poster asked for examples of said plot holes. Here is what the forum volunteered. Did you notice?

Top 25 Longest Movies of All Time — Worthy of Every Minute

Image Credit: MGM.

Some stories in the world of film need more time to reveal their beauty. This collection recognizes the longest films that have captured our attention, hearts, and imagination. They range from epic sagas to deep dramas. Enter a universe where time is infinite as we watch movies that show that every second is a journey worth going on.