Classic Horror Directors: 5 Filmmakers Who Stand Out

What often separates a great horror movie from a bad, cheesy, or simply mediocre one is the film's direction. In the hands of a master, a horror movie will deliver chills to the viewers and leave a memorable mark long after the movie ends.

Here are five directors of classic horror movies who were at the top of their game when the action began:

1. Alfred Hitchcock
Any list of horror film directors begins and ends with Alfred Hitchcock. "The Master of Suspense," as he is known, knew his way around the horror film genre as well, directing some of the best-known films in this niche that have ever been made, according to Turner Classic Movies. Two of his notable horror films are "Psycho" and "The Birds." They are not horror movies in the modern sense that there is an excess of gore; however, for pure shock value, it is hard to dismiss either film. The shower scene in "Psycho" is still considered one of the scariest ever filmed.

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2. Roger Corman
Where Hitchcock is known for the quality of his horror movies, Roger Corman is more likely known for his quantity. Corman is well known for his work with Vincent Price, especially in regard to adaptations of several of Edgar Allan Poe's works, according to AllMovie. Some of these films include 1960's "House of Usher," 1961's "The Pit and the Pendulum," and 1964's "The Masque of the Red Death."

3. George A. Romero
George A. Romero hit the ground running with his first directorial effort, 1968's "Night of the Living Dead," which remains a favorite on many all-time horror movie lists, according to IMDb. However, that was far from the only time that Romero delved into the horror genre. Among his many films are 1973's "The Crazies," 1978's "Dawn of the Dead," 1982's "Creepshow," and 1988's "Monkey Shines."

4. James Whale
James Whale made his mark as a horror film director about the time that cinema was changing from silent films to talking pictures. Horror movies were a popular genre then, and English-born Whale helmed a number of well-known films, according to IMDb. These include 1930's Frankenstein," 1932's "The Old Dark House," 1933's "The Invisible Man," and 1935's "The Bride of Frankenstein."

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5. Roman Polanski
Although known for several things not related to his directorial output – such as being the husband of Sharon Tate, one of the victims of Charles Manson and his family, or the Samantha Geimer sexual assault case – Roman Polanski has an impressive directing resume, too, according to Culture.pl. In the horror genre, some of his best-known work includes 1967's "The Fearless Vampire Killers," 1965's "Repulsion," 1969's "Rosemary's Baby," and 1999's "The Ninth Gate."

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