In sharp contrast to 1960s cinema which created an idolized view of space exploration, Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) redefined filmic horror by terrifying audiences with the oppressive nature of space. The Alien films launched a new generation of horror films set in the great unknown, while also inspiring genre filmmakers to take Earth-bound franchises like Leprechaun and Friday the 13th to space. This unique collection of essays analyzes the space horror subgenre and its rise as a cinematic phenomenon since the 1950s. With a focus on films including Paul W.S. Anderson's Event Horizon, Duncan Jones' Moon, Mario Bava's Planet of the Vampires, John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars, and numerous others, these essays provide a historical retrospective of the genre's cinematic journey and an in-depth examination of how genre filmmakers explored the concepts of the final girl/survivor, the uncanny valley, the isolationism of space travel, religion, and supernatural phenomenons to terrify audiences within the confines of space.

From shambling zombies to Gothic ghosts, horror has entertained thrill-seeking readers for centuries. A versatile literary genre, it offers commentary on societal issues, fresh insight into the everyday and moral tales disguised in haunting tropes and grotesque acts, with many stories worthy of critical appraisal. This collection of new essays takes in a range of topics, focusing on historic works such as Ann Radcliffe's Gaston de Blondeville (1826) and modern novels including Max Brooks' World War Z. Other contributions examine weird fiction, Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Indigenous Australian monster mythology and horror in picture books for young children.