Product Description

Ships September 2025.

Now with 84 pages, bringing you more monsters than ever!

Classic Monsters of the Movies issue #36 combines the very best of classic horror cinema with modern production values, to bring you an informative, inspiring and above all entertaining view on the vintage horror movie genre. Our award-winning mix of quality journalism, commentary, gorgeous glossy presentation and premium production values means that whichever area of classic horror is your favourite, you’ll find a home here. With articles by some of the industry’s leading writers, Classic Monsters of the Movies #36 is as diverse and captivating as some of those beloved horror movies themselves. Every one of our insightful articles is accompanied by beautifully restored stills – you might never have seen your favourite movies looking so good. Whether your penchant is for silent terrors, the golden age of Hollywood horror, the age of Hammer or more modern contributions, you’ll find that Classic Monsters of the Movies is a perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of vintage monster motion pictures.

This issue starts with a bang, and a truly iconic image from the world of British horror cinema. Daniel Horne’s sumptuous artwork of David Peel and Yvonne Monlaur leads into the first of many compelling articles in Classic Monsters of the Movies #36: a retrospective on 1960’s The Brides of Dracula by renowned writer, actor and biographer Jonathan Rigby. Celebrated as one of Hammer’s most exciting and satisfying motion pictures, The Brides of Dracula helped to cement the concept of Hammer Horror in the minds of fans, its eerily seductive atmosphere and a raft of brilliant performances turning it into something very special indeed. In his inimitably knowledgeable yet eminently readable style, Jonathan leads you through the story beats of this brutal and majestic entry into vampire lore, exploring not just the plot development but the many details that make The Brides of Dracula such an extraordinary part of the monster movie landscape.

We head a little further back in movie history for our next feature, as Nige Burton rediscovers Tod Browning’s 1932 shocker Freaks. Controversial at the time of its release, and banned for years in some countries, this hymn to the marginalised has lost little of its power, telling an evergreen story of discrimination, cruelty and beautifully ice-cold revenge. Nige examines the movie’s development, its daring use of real ‘freak’ performers as its cast, its enduring themes of exclusion and exploitation and, naturally, the fascinating results. So much more than a horror movie thanks to director Tod Browning’s empathetic presentation of its outsider stars, not to mention the many twists of its story and its flirtations with some dark subject matter, Freaks always deserves another watch: packed with information and lavishly illustrated with stills restored to our signature quality, this article is another reason why Classic Monsters of the Movies issue #36 is an essential for your collection.

From the shadowy world of travelling freak shows, we look at the monsters who were determined to stay in the limelight once they arrived, with Jamies Jones’ look at the power of movie sequels in the horror world. The power of a follow-up is undeniable, and in some cases the second movie can be better than the original, but it’s more complicated than that. Sometimes a sequel offers the opportunity to include material that was missed from the first movie, sometimes it’s just a way to cash in, but there are often new ideas that can take a burgeoning franchise in a new direction; and that’s before we even look at the idea of the remake. In this thought-provoking feature, Jamie recounts some of the huge hits, the memorable misses, and the impact that sequels have had on our appreciation of classic horror movies.

From the extended storytelling that has characterised some of the classic horror world, we zero in on one particular monster, as screenwriter and playwright John Logan looks at actor Frank Langella’s presentation of Dracula on the stage and in the star-studded 1979 movie adaptation. Langella’s Dracula is the quintessential domineering vampire lover, charming and terrifying in equal measure and laying the foundations for many later portrayals. John’s experience as an award-winning playwright and screenwriter gives him a unique perspective on – not to mention direct personal connection to – Langella’s work, and in this engaging, evocative piece you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Dracula both on the stage and in John Badham’s bombastic, John Williams-scored motion picture. A brace of glorious stills bring the action to life as you explore the rich Gothica of both the play and the movie in a supremely entertaining piece of commentary that makes Classic Monsters of the Movies #36 a must-have.

As if Carfax Abbey weren’t creepy enough, we have plenty more hauntings to offer, as writer, actor and impressionist Steve Nallon continues his remarkable look at cinema’s many and varied haunted house stories. This instalment focuses on the story craft of the haunted house movie – the rules and structures that define the genre. With examples taken from throughout movie history and crossing from traditional ghost horror to thrillers and even comedies, Steve shows how movie ghosts and those around them are often bound by recognisable limitations and story tropes. As you’ll discover though, these familiar rules have been pushed, twisted and reworked in myriad ways to create new ways, and naturally, there are always exceptions that prove the rule. The haunted house movie is an ever-changing, ever-evolving phenomenon that’s always open to new ideas within its familiar framework.

Amid all those winding staircases and cobwebbed attics, there’s always room for a big name, and Classic Monsters of the Movies issue #36 has one of the biggest in the industry, as we talk to Hammer about the new era of a truly iconic name in horror filmmaking. Led by John Gore, the studio is currently undergoing a renaissance, with lavish releases of beloved, genre-defining productions such as The Quatermass Xperiment, Quatermass 2 and Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter. We bring you insight into the restoration process, the decisions behind Hammer’s new direction, and a taste of the goodies to come. The Hammer name has meant many things to many people, but one thing remains constant – a commitment to breaking new and often challenging ground in the name of art, entertainment and good old-fashioned chills.

Classic Monsters of the Movies issue #36 continues our tradition of high-end production values, passionate journalism and exceptional presentation. Printed to A4 size (210mm x 297mm) with its 84 pages held by a square bound spine, it’s beautiful from the get-go, with the luxuriously glossy cover infusing Daniel Horne’s stunning cover art with energy. The inner pages are printed on fine silk stock that offers a subtle sheen, while our use of full colour print processes means even black and white stills have a wide range of tones and shades. Traditional fanzine-style monochrome printing leaves black and white images miserable and lifeless; here, they burst with detail and depth. Meanwhile, the sleek and timeless design makes for an easy and absorbing reading experience.

Inside Classic Monsters of the Movies #36 you’ll find:

• The Brides of Dracula – taking Hammer’s vampire series in a bold new direction, this ferocious action-packed adventure is a firm favourite for countless fans.
• Freaks – head back among the touring caravans to uncover MGM’s irresistible tale of cruelty and revenge, all handled with panache by Tod Browning and his extraordinary cast.
• Second helpings – sometimes a monster is too big for just one movie, so we take a tour of the horror movies that couldn’t help but expand beyond their end credits.
• Langella’s Dracula – the grandeur of Frank Langella’s performance in Edward Gorey’s stage designs translated to a mesmeric, sensual experience on the big screen.
• Haunted houses – even ghosts have to abide by rules, so we explore the story conventions that have made the genre so familiar, yet infinitely creative.
• Hammer’s new age – a studio that has taken as many twists and turns as its signature monsters always has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
• And much more!

Our focus on quality means Classic Monsters of the Movies issue #36 is an unmissable choice for any fan of classic horror cinema. It’s no wonder we won the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Classic Magazine in both 2023 and 2024, as well as the 2024 Slaughter Award for Best Magazine – our passion for the genre and dedication to the finest image reproduction makes this a horror movie magazine like nothing else. Whatever kind of classic horrors are your thing, you’ll always find your sinister soulmates here.

If you’d prefer the ultra-limited legacy hardback edition of this issue, click here – there are only 15 copies in the world!

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Magazine specification:

• 84 pages
• Full colour throughout
• A4 PUR square bound format
• Luxury gloss laminated cover
• Packed with stills, posters, articles and info
• Printed and finished to the highest standard