If there is one thing that’s more maligned than an ”unnecessary” sequel, it is an “unnecessary” prequel ! Horror (and DTV action, tbh) is the genre most likely to keep stacking up movie after movie, even after many might declare the well arid and dry. But if you aren’t a total hater, there are many delights to be found in the prequel bin. First, though, is a bit of explanation about what you won’t find here: namely, Pearl or any of the Fear Street movies.
Fear Street is a story told going further back in history with each chapter, so 1978 and 1666 are just the deliberate progression of the narrative and not backfilling details seemingly for the sake of it. In a similar spirit, Pearl is the middle entry in a trilogy that feels like the complete progression of a closed story. All three parts of Ti West’s Mia Goth trilogy also exist in distinct genres, going from slasher ( X ) to violent period semi-exploitation women’s picture ( Pearl ) to crime thriller ( MaXXXine ).
So, putting high-concept concept character pieces alongside things like the eighth movie in a ’70s slasher franchise that just won’t die doesn’t quite feel fair to the rest of the prequel pack. With all that in mind! Here are Vulture’s picks for 12 horror prequels that are either better than you thought, or better than they needed to be, or are just crazy enough to have a blast with on a Friday night. Check out the 2020s giving us high-quality origin stories nobody asked for! The Omen is .
