Forget everything you think you know about “Scream Queens.” This Women’s History Month, Shudder is dropping the ultimate tribute to the women who actually built the horror genre from the ground up. Take a deep dive into the genre with the original documentary, 1000 Women in Horror, which is about to change the way you look at your favorite scary movies.
Today, the first trailer has been unveiled, giving us a glimpse at the fascinating documentary that pays homage to the women of horror.
The Visionaries Behind the Lens
Directed by the award-winning Donna Davies—the brilliant mind behind Zombiemania and Nightmare Factory—this doc isn’t just a random list of names. It’s based on Alexandra Heller-Nicholas’s deep-dive book and spans the entire history of cinema, starting in 1895.
Davies brings her signature “fan-first” heart and scholarly eye to the project, proving that women didn’t just survive horror—they revolutionized it.
An All-Star Lineup of Horror Royalty
This documentary features a “who’s who” of the industry. You’ll hear fresh takes on trauma, practical effects, and the evolution of fear from legends and modern icons alike. The doc features Mary Harron (American Psycho), Akela Cooper (M3GAN), and Roxanne Benjamin (Body at Brighton Rock). It also explores the careers of Kate Siegel (Midnight Mass), Lin Shaye (Insidious), and Gigi Saul Guerrero (Satanic Hispanics). Historians like Kier-La Janisse and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas are also featured.
More Than Just a “Best Of” List
From the silent film era to the current “prestige horror” boom, 1000 Women in Horror explores how female directors, writers, and effects artists have been the backbone of the genre since day one. It’s a comprehensive look at the creators who turned nightmares into art, often while working behind the scenes or underrepresented in the history books.
Why You Need to Watch
If you love horror, you owe it to yourself to meet the architects of the scares you love. Whether you’re a casual fan or a hardcore cinephile, this is the definitive deep dive into the feminine side of fear.
Tune into Shudder for the debut of 1000 Women in Horror, a must-see, when it premieres on March 20th.
