Below are some of the best American directors ever. Click on their pictures to discover more about them. This grouping covers the directors who don’t neatly fit into any other category and were active from the 1960s – 1990s. Many work in various genres and styles.
A Brief History of American Cult Cinema
In the early days, the 1950s and 1960s, American cult cinema was marked by its departure from the conventional. Directors like Ed Wood and Herschell Gordon Lewis pioneered this movement. Wood, infamous for his low-budget and technically flawed films like “Plan 9 from Outer Space”, is often celebrated for his unique, if not quirky, vision. Lewis, known as the “Godfather of Gore,” pushed the boundaries of on-screen violence and gore with films like “Blood Feast”, establishing a foundation for future horror subgenres.
The 1970s and 1980s saw cult cinema delve deeper into subversive and niche genres. Directors like George A. Romero and John Carpenter made significant contributions during this era. Romero, with his “Night of the Living Dead” and subsequent zombie films, created a new lexicon in horror that was both socially aware and terrifying. Carpenter’s work, including “Halloween” and “They Live”, blended horror with social commentary, setting a high bar for future genre films.
The late 1980s and 1990s heralded a new wave of cult filmmakers who blended genres and styles. Directors like Don Coscarelli and Stuart Gordon come to mind. Coscarelli’s “Phantasm” series, beginning in 1979, combined horror, science fiction, and surrealism, creating a unique and enduring cult saga. Gordon, best known for “Re-Animator”, brought a mix of dark humour and horror to his adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft, earning him a dedicated following.
In the 2000s and 2010s, cult cinema saw an influx of independent filmmakers who continued to push boundaries. Directors like Ti West and Jim Jarmusch contributed significantly to this era. West’s films, such as “The House of the Devil”, harkened back to the style and suspense of 1980s horror, while Jarmusch, with films like “Only Lovers Left Alive”, brought an auteur approach to genre filmmaking, blending elements of horror, comedy, and drama in unconventional ways.
Today, the spirit of cult cinema lives on, often fostered by independent filmmakers and niche festivals. Directors like Panos Cosmatos, with “Mandy”, have created visually stunning and narratively unique films that continue the tradition of cult cinema – eschewing mainstream appeal for artistic vision and a dedicated, though perhaps smaller, audience.
Bronze Screen Dream 