B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping the After Dark Horrorfest/8 Films to Die For into the ol’ VCR.

I’m honestly really excited to write today’s piece because I get to revisit some of my favorite memories from growing up. 

So, let’s dive in. 

To get to the happy memories, I do have to provide some not-so-happy context. 

As a lot of you know, my father was…kind of a POS. 

He was usually fine with a friend or two coming over, but I couldn’t have regular movie nights or gatherings at my house. 

Additionally, we didn’t have a lot of money, so we couldn’t afford all of the food, snacks, and soda that traditionally accompany a big sleepover and/or movie night. 

But, every year for my birthday, I got to have a movie night where all of my friends crammed into our tiny living room where we would watch horror movie upon horror movie…including some of the 8 Films to Die For. 

(See how I brought it all around?) 

What are the 8 Films to Die For?

Well, friends, I’m so glad you asked. 

The 8 Films to Die For were released by After Dark Films as part of the After Dark Horrorfest, a horror film festival that ran intermittently from 2006 – 2015. 

In addition to the core eight films released, After Dark would sometimes release bonus/secret films, hold events, and elect a Miss Horrorfest who would serve as their “official spokeswoman” for the year. 

I would RACE to my local Blockbuster whenever I knew these movies were going to be released (shoutout to KP for always renting them for me). 

The last set of the 8 Films to Die For was in 2015, but I do wish they’d bring it back. 

TBH, I think people would eat something like this up now… 

Just sayin’. 

After Dark Horrorfest even released the likes of Lake Mungo, which is regarded as one of the best found footage movies of all time. 

So, I think that with the rise of indie horror, people would really enjoy it…

And physical media is making a big come back… 

Okay, fine, I’m begging now, lol. 

Please bring back the 8 Films to Die For. PLEASE. 

I digress. 

I don’t just love the 8 Films to Die For because I’m a horror girlie, but also because they remind me of the annual movie nights I got to have for my birthday, not to mention all of the other movie nights I had regularly at friends’ houses. 

Were all of these releases cinematic gold? No. 

But, they’ll always have a special place in my heart. 

(And, After Dark, I’m pleading with you to bring these releases back)