Writer and producer Clive Barker has made a name for himself as a permanent fixture in the horror genre. His unique blend of psychology and gruesome violence captivates both readers and audiences, which has earned him a loyal following. Barker has been an active part of the horror genre since the mid-'70s, and his career is still going strong.
Over the last few decades, many of Barker's novels and short stories have received film, television, and even video game adaptations. Some of these films have earned respectable ratings on IMDb, and user reviews demonstrate that many viewers are steadfast fans of Barker's unique vision.
10 Quicksilver Highway Brought Two Horror Greats To The Screen (4.8)
Quicksilver Highway may be a made-for-TV movie, but it combines the original works of two writers who have made significant contributions to the horror genre. Clive Barker's story The Body Politic and Stephen King's Chattery Teeth are combined to create this compelling film.
Each story is given its own hour-long segment in Quicksilver Highway and the segments are tied together by a traveling showman named Aaron Quicksilver (Christopher Lloyd). IMDb reviewers enjoyed the combination of the two writers, but some felt that the adaptations were not as faithful as they could have been.
9 Book Of Blood Was Rebooted In 2020 (5.2)
Book of Blood is based on Clive Barker's short story of the same name and is a very imaginative take on the horror genre. It's one of several examples of a Clive Barker adaptation that uses atmospheric horror themes and plenty of gore. IMDb reviews call the movie a successful adaptation of the original story, but many viewers note that the film would have benefited from a more complex plot.
In 2020, Book Of Blood received a partial reboot as part of a Hulu Original movie called Books Of Blood. The Hulu movie is about the eponymous short story anthology as a whole but still touches on elements from the single Book of Blood story.
8 Rawhead Rex Features Campy '80s Horror (5.2)
Rawhead Rex doesn't take itself too seriously, which is exactly what many fans enjoy about campy horror. Clive Barker wrote the screenplay for this movie, which is based on his own short story of the same name. It debuted in 1986, a year before Hellraiser truly put Clive Barker on the map.
IMDb reviews are relatively mixed, but most reviewers agree that Rawhead Rex is a great example of low-budget horror. Reviewers praise Rawhead Rex for being faithful to the monster movie genre, but many found that the aesthetic of the eponymous monster was a little underwhelming.
7 The Forbidden Is An Early Journey Into Atmospheric Horror (5.6)
The 1978 film The Forbidden gives viewers a deep insight into Clive Barker's vision of the horror genre. This surreal, atmospheric short film tells the brief story of a man slowly transforming into a living piece of art. IMDb reviewers largely appreciate the artistry of this early Clive Barker film.
Reviewers also appreciated seeing Doug Bradly before he became Pinhead in the Hellraiser film. However, many reviews note that the film's appeal is most likely limited to diehard Clive Barker fans, especially since it focuses on setting and mood more than character development.
6 Dread Explores The Psychology Of Fear (5.6)
Dread is among several Clive Barker films that rely on psychological elements to bolster its horror themes. The film explores a college social experiment with a sinister twist and the fears of the test subjects. The movie takes inspiration from the Clive Barker short story of the same name, and many IMDb reviewers praise Dread for its plot.
However, some fans believe that Dread left out some of the best aspects of the original Clive Barker tale. Others felt that the movie would have benefited from having a stronger, more well-developed ending instead of the neat and tidy conclusion that made it into the theatrical release. As a result, Dread received a 5.6 rating on IMDb.
5 Lord Of Illusions Is Quintessential Magical Horror (6.0)
Lord Of Illusions is one of the few movies that saw Clive Barker serve as the director and writer. It is based on his original story, The Last Illusion. The movie follows a private detective as he gets to know an illusionist named Philip Swan. However, Philip is not all that he appears to be, and the truth behind his illusions unfolds in the realm of magical horror.
IMDb reviews call Lord of Illusions one of Barker's best movies, mostly due to the writing staying true to Barker's work. However, some reviewers wish that the special effects were a little more convincing.
4 The Midnight Meat Train Has A Star-Studded Cast (6.0)
The Midnight Meat Train took inspiration from a Clive Barker short story of the same name and follows the plot pretty closely. One of the major strengths of this film is its star-studded cast, which includes Bradley Cooper, Leslie Bibb, and Vinnie Jones as the quietly terrifying butcher, Mahogany.
IMDb reviewers praise The Midnight Meat Train for being a faithful adaptation of the original story, and some wish it had received a proper theatrical run. Other reviewers believe that the ending of The Midnight Meat Train was a bit of a disappointment, and some special effects could have been improved, which earned the film its 6.0 IMDb rating.
3 Nightbreed Stars Another Horror Legend (6.5)
Nightbreed is one of Clive Barker's first major films, and the author wrote the screenplay based on his own novel, Cabal. The film stars another major player in the horror genre: writer/director/actor David Cronenberg. Nightbreed's popularity was enough to launch a video game adaptation in 1990, the same year as the theatrical release.
Many IMDb reviewers enjoyed David Cronenberg's performance and the movie's fantasy elements. However, many reviews cite issues with how Nightbreed is edited, which is one of the film's major weak points, and some viewers wanted more scares from the monsters at the heart of the story.
2 Candyman Is A '90s Horror Classic (6.7)
When it comes to great '90s horror movies, 1992's Candyman is among the most memorable. The movie features a simple but classic concept: an urban legend comes to life when a mythical killer terrorizes seemingly innocent people.
Based on IMDb reviews, many horror fans believe Candyman delivers on everything it promises, especially with Tony Todd as the eponymous killer. However, some reviewers feel that the movie doesn't have enough of a story behind the shock value. In 2021, audiences got to see Candyman come to life again in an updated remake, which was a critical and commercial success.
1 Hellraiser Launched A Horror Franchise (6.9)
Few horror movie monsters are quite as grotesque and icon as Pinhead, who first came to life in 1987's Hellraiser. The film, and its subsequent franchise, is based on characters from one of Barker's early novels, The Hellbound Heart. According to reviews on IMDb, many fans appreciated Hellraiser's original concept, considering the film to be endlessly watchable.
However, some fans found the violence to be gratuitous or overrated. Regardless of mixed IMDb reviews, this Clive Barker movie has stood the test of time, with a new reboot due to release in October 2022.