For nearly five decades, Sam Raimi has been one of the horror genre’s most revered filmmakers. After kicking off his career with multiple Evil Dead films, he’d go on to become known for Spider-Man and a slew of other big movies. He does drop back into horror on occasion, which includes stepping back behind the camera to direct the upcoming genre flicks Send Help.
To promote Send Help, which releases on Jan. 30, Raimi took part in an “Ask Me Anything” Q&A session on Reddit. One fan asked Raimi to name his “favorite horror flick,” and the Drag Me to Hell helmer shared a handful of titles in response.
“Some of my favorite horror films are Robert Wise’s The Haunting, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, Takashi Shimizu’s The Grudge, and Alejandro Amenábar’s The Others,” as Raimi put it.
Released in 1963, The Haunting was an adaptation of the classic horror novel The Haunting of Hill House. It starred Julie Harris and followed a group of people joining a paranormal investigator to look into a haunted house, getting much more than they bargained for. Multiple other adaptations of the story would be released in subsequent years, though we know the first remains Raimi’s favorite of the bunch.
Jaws needs no introduction, as it remains one of the most popular movies ever made since its release in 1975. Some would even say it’s one of the greatest films ever, even outside of the horror genre. Raimi is in good company here as just one of several directors who’ve given high praise to Jaws, joining other big names like Quentin Tarantino, James Cameron, and George Lucas.
It’s not a surprise to see that Raimi’s fond of Ju-On: The Grudge, the Japanese horror film released in 2002. Raimi co-produced the American remake from 2004, and even brought original director Takashi Shimizu on to helm the new version. The movie tells the story of a deadly curse that spreads following the brutal murder of a woman and her son in a Tokyo home, their spirits haunting anyone who may enter.
As for The Others, the psychological horror film from 2001 drew some heavy acclaim beyond Raimi’s appreciation, garnering several major award wins and nominations. Starring Nicole Kidman, the film is set in the 1940s and follows a mother of two light-sensitive children who experiences bizarre supernatural activity after hiring new servants who previously worked at her home years before her arrival.
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In the Reddit AMA, Sam Raimi also named a few horror movies he likes from more recent years. When asked to name any “recent” horror favorites, he had four titles that came to mind.
“I thought Weapons was great, original and frightening,” Raimi said. “I also loved Get Out and Smile. The last Final Destination was also awesome.”
Raimi’s Send Help will premiere in theaters on Jan. 30.
