15 Best Anthology Horror Film Segments

"It's my first time, so just bear with me."

This segment follows shy, virginal Laurie (Anna Paquin) who is encouraged by her friends to find herself a date for their annual Halloween get-together in the woods. Once her friends have made their way to the clearing with their own dates, Laurie is stalked and attacked by a hooded ‘vampire’. However, she isn’t quite as vulnerable as her Little Red Riding Hood costume might suggest.

Although the peak of the anthology format in the horror genre has long since passed, there have been a select few gems in the past 15 years or so. Southbound (2015), Crooked House (2008) and Ghost Stories (2017), for instance, are all perfectly enjoyable as complete films, though their individual tales aren’t particularly strong in isolation. Trick ‘r Treat is the standout horror portmanteau of this Century so far; each segment is memorable and no part feels like unnecessary filler material.

Surprise Party is by far the best of an already good bunch, though, hands down. Even if the big twist doesn’t take you by surprise (though it likely will, if you’re completely honest), it’s a thoroughly satisfying payoff nonetheless. At the risk of revealing too much to those who haven’t had the pleasure, the effects used in this segment look pretty damn good, too.