In recent years, Shudder, AMC’s horror streaming service, has given fans several docu-series centered on classic scary movies. There was Eli Roth’s History of Horror, and recently, Horror Noire and Cursed Films. Now, the icons of terror are about to get the spotlight. Announced via Deadline, we’ve learned that Shudder has ordered Behind The Monsters, a docu-series exploring the most iconic on-screen killers of all time. Watch the trailer now:
Gabrielle Binkley and Anthony Uro direct and write this series. Producing is Fangoria’s Phil Nobile Jr., along with Kelly Ryan and Mark Shostrom. The first season will cover Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Chucky, Pinhead, and Candyman.
Each iconic monster will get an episode that focuses on their story. Aside from the actors who played each character (aside from no-show Robert Englund it seems), the episodes feature interviews with the writers, directors, and experts on each infamous boogie man. Among the guests appearing are Dragula‘s The Boulet Brothers, Horror Noire’s Ashlee Blackwell, The Last Podcast on the Left’s Ben Kissel and Henry Zebrowski, Blumhouse’s Ryan Turek, and drag queen (and cult movie superfan) Peaches Christ.
![Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, and Michael Myers.](https://legendary-digital-network-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/12213634/horror-icons.jpg)
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
Not included in this murderer’s row of iconic monsters is Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series, as well as Ghostface from the Scream franchise. That last one makes sense as not making the cut however, as Ghostface is actually multiple people. And is also different from film to film. We bet Leatherfaces shows up if there is a season two though.
The original recurring monsters in cinema history almost all came exclusively from Universal Studios. But after the era of Frankenstein and Dracula ended, it was decades before a fresh wave of recurring cinematic monsters took hold. Only this time, most of them had average ordinary names of regular people (Pinhead and Candyman notwithstanding). It’s about time each of them got their proper recognition.
The Behind The Monsters docu-series will debut just days before Halloween on October 26, with episodes dropping weekly.
Originally published on August 17, 2021.