10 Great Horror Movies That Started Out As Short Films

6. What We Do In The Shadows

Horror Movies That Started As Shorts
Funny Or Die

Before it was a smash hit TV show starring Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, and Matt Berry (BAT!), What We Do in the Shadows was a feature-length mockumentary from the minds of Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi.

The two New Zealanders play a pair of modern-day vampires who share a flat together. Gut-bustingly funny and dry as a bone, the film was a coup for both of its creators and set Waititi on the path to the Hollywood mega-success he enjoys today.

Nine years before they donned their clothes and popped in their false fangs, Clement and Waititi made a short version of the movie. Named What We Do in the Shadows: Interviews with Some Vampires - a clear nod to Anne Rice - it stars Jonny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer and Stu Rutherford, all of whom would go on to reprise their roles in the theatrical release. 

Rutherford was initially told he'd have a "bit part" in the story, but ended being absolutely pivotal to the plot. Considering he is an old school friend of Waititi's, this was either a really kind gesture or a massive prank. 

 
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Jacob Simmons has a great many passions, including rock music, giving acclaimed films three-and-a-half stars, watching random clips from The Simpsons on YouTube at 3am, and writing about himself in the third person.