The classic tale of Beauty and the Beast is a constant source of debate within the Horror community. There are some who feel that very few versions actually lean into Horror and Thrills to be worthy of inclusion, and others believe that all versions should be included since the core story of a beautiful woman held captive in a supernatural castle by a brute qualifies as Horror. (Yes, even the Disney version.) We here believe the difference is in how the story is told, and there are two versions that qualify for this list. The 1978 version from Czechoslovakia comes up later. This one is from France, and was the undisputed best film version of the story until Disney came along. Now the two share the claim, it depends on what kind of film you’re looking for.
What makes this version so great is the imagination of filmmaker Jean Cocteau, who was an acclaimed poet and visual artist. He gives the film a thick style and atmosphere that defines the contradiction of something being hauntingly beautiful. Scenes inside the castle are dreamlike and terrifying, enchanting and spooky. This duality can also be found in the look of The Beast. He’s as imposing as a bear, but can be as disarming as a teddy bear. The story can feel too simplistic for all the magic that goes into it, another reason why it often gets compared to the Disney film.
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