* "The Haunted Castle" (1896): This early silent film, directed by Georges Méliès, featured special effects and a spooky atmosphere, laying the groundwork for later horror films.
* "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1920): This German Expressionist film, with its unsettling visuals and psychological themes, is considered a landmark in horror cinema.
* "Nosferatu" (1922): Another German Expressionist film, this time a silent adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, established the vampire as a cinematic icon and utilized innovative special effects.
It's important to remember that the definition of "horror" itself changes over time. Early films might have relied on jump scares and gothic elements, while modern horror explores psychological themes and social anxieties.
Ultimately, pinpointing the "first" significant horror movie is a matter of perspective. However, these early films laid the foundation for the genre as we know it today.