Top 5 Horror Antholgies
Torture Garden
Director: Freddie Francis
1967
This list is Brit heavy, so just keep calm, and read on. Freddie Francis is worthy of an article unto himself. One day! This film features Burgess Meredith as Dr. Diablo, whose carnival atrraction serves as the narrative frame for this collection of creepy (and campy) stories.
Tales From the Crypt
Director: Freddie Francis
1972
Back to back Freddie Francis? Yes!
This memorable homage to EC Comics from the fifties features memorable performances from Peter Cushing as a sweet old eccentric who is driven to madness by the cruelty of his neighbors, and Patrick MaGee as the vengeful resident of an institution for the blind.
Dead of Night
Directors: Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, and Robert Hamer
1945
It's old and English, and the pacing feels old and English... but you're probably into that, aren't you? The best segment features Michael Redgrave as an insane ventriloquist -- and oh my goodness, the scene where the puppet gets up and starts walking around.... Yikes!
Kwaidan
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
1964
Stellar collection of ghost stories from feudal Japan, with haind-painted scenes that evoke classical Japanese art. It's a Toho film, if that does anything for you! Samurais and ghosts? Sign me up, every time.
Creepshow
Director: George A. Romero
1982
Stephen King and George A. Romero go together like lacerations and ooze. Yuck. Another homage to vintage horror comics. A country bumpkin (Stephen King himself) transforms into a giant weed, a man feeds his overbearing wife (Adrienne Barbeau) to giant ape, and just wait for the Ted Danson vs. Leslie Nielsen bro-down!