15 Best Movies About Edgar Allan Poe That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Movies About Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of horror and detective fiction. According to IMDb, these are the top 10 movies based on his books.

The modern detective tale owes a lot to Edgar Allan Poe, who is often regarded as the founder of both American horror and the modern detective fiction. Because of this, it is only natural that the maestro of dread would inspire a number of feature films and screen adaptations.

Edgar Allan Poe’s tales of premature graves, foreboding birds, and ghostly masquerades are filled with terrifying inspiration.

If you’re looking for a good sampling of films based on or inspired by Poe’s works, check out these suggestions from IMDb.

Zach Gass updated this article on August 5th, 2020.

Films based on Edgar Allan Poe’s works have a long history. However, even though the author never had the opportunity to witness his works come to life on the big screen, there are numerous films and shorts dedicated to his work in the cinematic universe. Poe’s filmography is notable for the wide range of horror films it contains. His films have been categorized as everything from dark comedies to gory slashers. Isn’t it better to have more people around? There are a plethora of Poe images to pick from, whether they are good or terrible, gruesome or gory.

1. The Raven (6.4)

The Raven

Start your collection of Poe movies with a film that features the father of detective fiction, Edgar Allan Poe, in an original murder mystery based on Poe’s own works.

Author Edgar Allan Poe finds himself in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a murderer who bases his actions on Poe’s works in this fantastical portrayal of the author.

It’s not the most accurate, but it’s amusing none the less.

2. Extraordinary Tales (6.4)

It’s understandable that followers of the author could be a little offended by the low grade this film garnered. Extraordinary Tales, on the other hand, is almost a love letter to Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous works.

“Fall of the House of Usher” and “Masque of the Red Death” are just two great Poe tales featured in this film, which includes a final appearance by Christopher Lee as the narrator.

3. Stonehearst Asylum (6.8)

Stonehearst Asylum

Inmates running the asylum is a familiar theme in “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether,” which some Stonehearst Asylum fans may find difficult to accept.

Everything else about it is classic Victorian drama, even the loose adaptation of Poe’s short story.

It’s also a decent adaption with decent performances, and what more is needed?

4. The Black Cat (7.0)

Despite the lack of color, don’t be fooled. The Black Catis one of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff’s darkest, creepiest, and most frightening films, especially for its era.

A psychological horror film based on Poe’s short story of the same name, The Raven is more than a mere adaptation. It certainly took advantage of the lack of a Hayes Code and a rating system with its depictions of torture, dark magic, and hellish rites.

5. The Tomb of Ligeia (6.6)

The Tomb of Ligeia

In the same way that Johnny Depp is to Burton, Vincent Price is to Edgar Allan Poe. He may not always be able to deliver the most terrifying performances, but he always manages to keep audiences entertained. Toeing the edge between harrowing horror picture and gothic love story, The Tomb of Ligeia.

With the specter of his dead wife looming over him, this adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story tests a man’s sanity as well as his relationship with his new loves. Fans of gothic movies should not miss it.

6. Tales of Terror (6.9)

An excellent example of his work may be found in Tales of Terror. “The Black Cat,” “Morella,” and “The Case of M. Valdemar” are only few of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories that make up this book.

Despite the fact that it is a cheesy film, I like it. Aside from Price playing catch with Peter Lorre’s severed head and Basil Rathbone as an evil hypnotist, the film also features some of the hallucinogenic effects that made Roger Corman a well-known director in the first place.

7. The Raven (7.0)

It seems as if Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and Edgar Allan Poe make an excellent triumvirate of horror icons. In 1935’sThe Raven, a mad doctor inspired by the author’s writings conducts crimes inspired by the scary deadly bird.

There could be more than a few similarities between John Cusack’s film and his own. However, a disfigured butler would have been ideal.

8. House of Usher (7.0)

House of Usher

Following Edgar Allan Poe’s tale of a man whose fiancee is buried alive by his brother-in-law, this darkly romantic film has Rodrick Usher as the protagonist’s brother in law who murders his fiancée.

In terms of the Price and Corman repertoire, this isn’t the best Poe film but it does include scary houses, premature funerals, and an incredibly creepy performance from the actor who epitomizes the spirit of ’60s horror cinema.

9. The Masque of the Red Death (7.0)

With its gruesome and chilling portrayal of the Red Death, Vincent Price’sMasque of the Red Death is undoubtedly one of the most terrifying items on the list.

Price was the only actor who could have played Edgar Allan Poe.

This actor’s portrayal of Prince Prospero, a satanic prince, is as cold and vicious as it gets.

Adaptation of the novel is dark and twisted, which the author would be delighted with. Despite its low IMDb rating, it’s widely regarded the quintessential Poe picture because of its bloodshed, sinister rituals, and macabre dance at the end.

10. The Pit and the Pendulum (7.1)

“The Pit and the Pendulum,” starring Vincent Price, is a looser interpretation of Poe’s short story, but it is no less gory or disturbing for it.

The film makes excellent use of its Spanish Inquisition-inspired themes and performances by Vincent Price in both leading and supporting roles. It may not be an exact replica of Poe’s original story, but it definitely captures the tone and substance of it.

11. An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe (7.5)

An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe

An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe is the best example of Vincent Price’s over-the-top performance and Poe’s dismal and gruesome literary style.

However, despite the fact that it’s a one-man show, this TV movie is a lot more enjoyable than you may expect. Price portrays a wide range of people in a way that is both amusing and unnerving.

12. The Crow (7.6)

Adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe’s works are not required to be 100% exact, but they must be inspired by one of Poe’s most well-known works. The Crow may be the most recognizable gothic film of all time.

The movie has all the dark mood and ambiance one would expect from the famous author because it is based on the comic book of the same name, which was inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.” Poe would be pleased with this tale of murder, vengeance, and the uncanny.

13. The Lighthouse (7.6)

A sketchy version of Edgar Allan Poe’s final short story of the same name, this film has unmistakable Lovecraftian themes. Two lighthouse keepers are losing their minds because to the isolation they are experiencing at their titular duty in the film.

As the two continue to lose their grasp on reality, they begin to see horrific monsters as their tension rises. In terms of emotional intensity, it’s a clear standout on the list.

14. Fool’s Fire (8.1)

Fool’s Fire

Julie Taymor’s Fool’s Fire could be described in a variety of ways.

It conjures images of a dark, gloomy place, as well as a nightmare, psychedelic one. Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “Hop-Frog” has all of these characteristics.

The story of a malformed jester’s revenge plan against a castle full of hideous royals is told using puppetry, animation, and horrific images in Fool’s Fire, an artful rendition of Edgar Allan Poe’s book.

It’s not for everyone, but Poe lovers will love it.

15. Vincent (8.3)

No one expected a Disney cartoon to make the cut. The film explores the mind of a strangely imaginative little child who happens to be infatuated with Poe’s works using aspects from Poe as well as conventional horror cliches.

In a way that only Tim Burton can do, it’s dark, twisted, and aesthetically arresting. The story is even narrated by Vincent Price. Short film submissions for the final place include this frightening one.