10 Best Horror Movie Prequels

6. Psycho IV: The Beginning

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Any time a movie takes a classic villain and explores their backstory, the end result is usually a disappointing one - as seen in the likes of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning and Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare.

Fortunately, Psycho IV: The Beginning manages to shine a spotlight on Norman Bates' formative years in a way that is absolutely respectful to Alfred Hitchcock's legendary Psycho.

Given how it was a made-for-TV offering that came on the back of two disappointing sequels, initial expectation for The Beginning was clearly low. With its narrative of Norma Bates corrupting, manipulating and tormenting her son, this fourth Psycho picture is hugely effective and genuinely chilling at times.

Not only is Anthony Perkins on fine form here as the adult Norman Bates, but Henry Thomas is phenomenal as the young Norman. Throw in a sinister, multi-layered turn by Golden Globe winner Olivia Hussey as Norma, plus an appearance from '80s favourite CCH Pounder, and there's so much to enjoy about The Beginning.

Of course, Psycho has the perfect prequel in the stunning five seasons of Bates Motel. But when it comes to prequel movies, Psycho IV: The Beginning manages to get the job done in decent fashion.

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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.