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Celebrate Banned Books Week with these 7 Banned Horror Books

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Banned books

Banned Books Week is Sept. 24–30.  To celebrate your right to read the creepiest, darkest and most controversial books you can find, check out these books which have been banned or challenged at one time or another.

1. ‘American Psycho’ by Bret Easton Ellis

The story of Patrick Bateman and his grisly double life had a tough road to publication. The novel was so controversial that Simon & Schuster backed out before going to press with it, and it was eventually published by Vintage. “American Psycho” was outright banned in the Australian state of Queensland, and restricted to readers 18 and older in other Australian states as well as Germany and New Zealand.

The graphic violence earned Ellis hate mail, and even death threats. Of course, that didn’t stop it from being a major hit and spawning an iconic film adaptation with Christian Bale.

2. ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ Series by Alvin Schwartz

According to the American Library Association (ALA), this dark folklore series was the most banned book in the US during the ’90s, and remained at No. 7 from 2000–2009. Despite this, these gruesome tales have still been traumatizing children for a generation. I have to imagine that Stephen Gammell’s beautifully disturbing illustrations played a part in this.

3. ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding

William Golding’s tale of schoolboys stranded on a desert island may not be a traditional horror story, but it’s dark and disturbing all the same. “Lord of the Flies” has been banned in many US states for its violence, language, sexuality, attacks on religion and more.

4. ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood

Another story that might not be considered a traditional horror tale, this dystopian novel is still damn scary. It’s set in a future where people are facing an infertility epidemic and the US government has been replaced by an oppressive religious regime that makes sex slaves out of the remaining fertile women.

Naturally, it’s been challenged and banned since its publication. Time reported on one notable case in 2006, in which a Texas school superintendent removed it from the AP English curriculum for being offensive to Christians. However, that was overruled by the school board. Today, it’s more popular than ever thanks to the TV adaptation.

Banned Books Week

Frankenstein

5. ‘Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus’ by Mary Shelley

When it was first published in 1818, the world wasn’t ready for Mary Shelley’s masterpiece. Shelley originally published it anonymously — partially because fiction writing wasn’t considered an appropriate profession for women at the time, and partially because it was such a grotesque, horrific story.

A book about a mad scientist stitching together body parts to create new life set a whole new bar for scary stories at the time. Like Frankenstein’s monster himself, the book was originally viewed as nothing but an abomination to many. Shelley’s name was added when it was republished in 1823.

The novel was banned during Apartheid in South Africa for having “indecent” and “obscene” material. It’s also been banned or challenged by Christian groups in the US. Today, “Frankenstein” is known as a gothic horror classic and a predecessor to science fiction.

6. ‘Goosebumps’ Series by R.L. Stine

R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series was wildly popular with young adults in the ’90s. It wasn’t so popular with parents and school boards in the US, which made it the fifteen-most banned book in that time period. PEN reports that parents feared stories such as “Night of the Living Dummy” and “The Werewolf of Fever Swamp” were too scary for kids, and even Satanic. I’ll have you know that I ready plenty of Goosebumps books as a kid, and I never summoned any evil spirits because a kids book told me to. I did that because I just wanted to, damn it.

In addition to spawning a TV adaptation, the Goosebumps series also inspired a recent film starring Jack Black, with a sequel set for 2018.

7. ‘Bumps in the Night’ by Harry Allard

Allard’s short children’s book is about Dudley the Stork and his animal friends dealing with a haunted house. It was written for early readers so it’s much tamer than anything else on this list. However, it was still one of the 100 most banned books according to the ALA. Why was it banned? Banned Library reports it was for “occult and various supernatural issues, description of families in a derogatory manner and encouraging disrespectful language and disobedience to parents.”

No matter what bumps in the night, there’s nothing more terrifying than censorship. Enjoy Banned Books Week and celebrate your freedom to read whatever you want!

 

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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