Frankenstein (1931)

A 20th-century classic, Boris Karloff portrays the gruesome man-made monster built of body parts from not so willing victims. Beyond the notion of conquering life after death, this tale of Dr. Frankenstein's obsession to create the perfect human being made Karloff a mega-star and spawned one of the most successful and lucrative horror franchises of all time.

Freaks (1932)

One of the original cult classics, this disturbing little gem tells that tale of real-life sideshow freaks who take revenge on a gold-digging trapeze artist. It's a milestone film not only for its alarming collection of human "monsters," but for the way this avant-garde film dealt with the true definition of beauty.

Audiences were so "freaked" by director Tod Browning's flick that they ran from the theatres. Studio executives where nearly apoplectic when they saw Browning's cut (not surprisingly, his career took a serious slide downwards after this movie hit the screens). In fact, "Freaks" was such a terror that it was banned for viewing in England for 30 years.

The Mummy (1932)

There's nothing like a 3,700-year-old corpse to scare the stuffing out of an audience. Boris Karloff gives a tour de force performance in this horror classic as Prince Imhotep, (aka Ardath Bay). After Egyptologists discover his tomb and realize the Prince was buried alive for sacrilege, the unwitting scholars fail to notice that the Scroll of Thoth -- another ancient relic conveniently close by -- has the power to bring this bad boy back from the dead.

One dark and lonely night, a young member of the team steals into the tomb and reads aloud the magical words from the scroll. The mummy emerges ready to take his revenge.

The Island of Lost Souls (1932)

Based on H.G. Wells' tale about the mad scientist Dr. Moreau, Charles Laughton gives a creep-show of a performance in this disquieting flick. After a ship goes down at sea, a young man is pulled to safety onto Dr. Moreau's tropical island paradise.

But as the young stranger sees past Moreau's crisp white suits and perfect manners, he's horrified to discover that he has populated the island with gruesome creatures -- the pathetic lot of them illustrating Moreau's failure to create a perfect race.

King Kong (1933)

A raging ape. A defenceless blonde. Their clandestine meeting on Skull Island. Could it get any better than this groundbreaking confection? In the role that made Fay Wray a Hollywood legend, she screams and pleas and writhes away in her sexy silk shift, begging this monster to let her go.

As her lover chases them through the jungle to rescue the damsel in distress, audiences are horrified not only by the creature's surging wrath but by the unexpected bond that develops between this beauty and the beast.

The Invisible Man (1933)

See no evil isn't exactly the case in this horror cult classic. Claude Rains gives a stellar showing as the obsessed scientist who turns himself invisible. Hidden away in a local inn, his vanished form slowly takes shape before our eyes with taut bandages that bind up his airy form. 

As in any great mad scientist flick, his secret potion has a glitch -- in this case one that drives the silver-voiced Rains stark-raving insane. Nothing can compare with this early scare-fest about the invisible killer who terrorizes a quiet little countryside.

The Ghoul (1933)

Boris Karloff curls your toes in this 1933 treat. Portraying the disturbed Professor Morlant, the fanatical Egyptologist dies from a mysterious ailment. Before his demise he orders his loyal manservant to strap a cursed jewel stolen from an ancient tomb to his hand.

With the power of the sacred jewel to fire up them dead bones, Morlant returns from the dead with the rise of the full moon to take revenge his revenge on the scum who defiles his grave.

The Black Cat (1934)

While honeymooning in Hungary, a young couple share a train compartment with a mysterious figure named Dr. Werdegast. A prisoner of war for the last 15 years, his only wish is to return to his home that has been decimated by violence and bloodshed. When the trio head for their hotel, a terrible bus crash ensues, leaving the young heroine injured.

With nowhere to turn, the desperate travellers seek refuge in the home of a creepy architect who built his brooding manor atop a blood-soaked battlefield. Like a hungry animal licking his lips, the Satan-worshipping host (Boris Karloff) toys with his guests, tormenting the cat-phobic Werdegast with his devilish pet until the two face off in a life-or-death chess game. 

While this film might seem tame to modern horror buffs, this cult fave inspired a legion of chills and thrills. Set in 15th century France, a gypsy girl wrongly accused of murder is given sanctuary in Notre Dame Cathedral by a hideous bell ringer.

Charles Laughton shines as the pathetic, slobbering creature smitten with the girl and who, in the end, becomes this classic's unlikely hero.