10 Horror Movies That Changed The Industry Forever

8. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

The original release of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 1974 caused uproar worldwide, leading to an outright ban in several countries. Despite this though, Tobe Hooper's movie grossed over $30 million at the domestic box office, becoming one of the most profitable horror movies of all time. While this undoubtedly demonstrates the impact that the right kind of negative press can have, focusing solely on the controversy of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre detracts from the films legacy. The success of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre propelled exploitation cinema into the mainstream, inspiring scores of directors to try their own hand at directing films on the cheap. Movies as diverse as Halloween, The Evil Dead and The Blair Witch Project all owe a debt to Tobe Hooper's disturbing masterpiece in terms of both aesthetic and tone, while Leatherface himself has also inspired countless villains over the years. After receiving mixed reviews upon its initial release, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has since been re-evaluated by critics, who argue that Kim Henkel and Tobe Hooper's script could be read as a social commentary on subjects as varied as capitalism and family to even Watergate and Vietnam. Whether you agree with any of these readings or not, it's impossible to deny the lasting impact that the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre had on the industry.