Why aren't there any decent HP Lovecraft adapted films? (possible redux question)

Forums: Horror, Film Adaptations, Horror Books, Cthulhu, Hp Lovecraft
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Other than cult classic Event Horizon (1997), schlocky sex driven Lovecraft adjacent/inspired flick (albeit a terrible one), there hasn't been a breakout adaptation of HP Lovecraft's works or anything inspired from the Cthulhu mythos/universe of blisteringly terrifying and brain shattering horror fiction.

Everything that so far that I've been aware of that has been produced falls under the direct to DVD trash (with cheap production values and insanely poor acting and creative choices that would embarrass James Nguyen, the Frankenstein creator/director of Birdemic, one of the worst films of all time.

Okay, Netflix's Stranger Things definitely has been highly influenced by Lovecraft's work. But anything else? Mainstream? Or relative popularity or at least cult status?

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@tsarstepan,

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You missed out a couple.

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@izzythepush,

Re-Animator's a cult classic. Agreed. I haven't seen it but I shouldn't have dismissed it so easily.

The first one looks one or two levels above Birdemic. Just enough to be a terrible SyFy Original flick. Which only helps my case a bit more.

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@tsarstepan,

I found it enjoyable enough.

But you're right, there's nothing on the whole Cthulhu mythos unless you include South Park.

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/southpark/images/d/d6/MysterionRisesPromo2.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20101101202310

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@izzythepush,

I hear that video games are hitting the mythos pretty well. Can't name any examples right now.

And that I've read some books recently that expand on the universe or at least are well influenced by Lovecraft. So ... really solid, well made movies are achievable. Also, HBO or Netflix would be a great platform for a mini or full tv series in my eyes.

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@tsarstepan,

Back in the days of hexagonal dice I first came across Lovecraft through this.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/33/Call_of_Cthulhu_RPG_1st_ed_1981.jpg

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This is another one, don't know anything about it.

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@izzythepush,

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Saw this BBC article today, thought it relevant.

Quote:

Seven surprising ways H.P. Lovecraft influenced our pop culture

As the podcast The Case of Charles Dexter Ward puts a terrifying modern spin on cult author H.P. Lovecraft's classic novel, we look at the surprising ways his twisted imagination still affects our lives. He may have died in poverty and relative obscurity in 1937, but Lovecraft's legacy and reputation continues to grow. Various facets of popular culture have adopted his ideas, characters and plot-lines, using them in a variety of surprising ways, from hip hop to video games. Here’s just a few…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4cvLY6FX2yhsChKS8HT7hbX/seven-surprising-ways-h-p-lovecraft-influenced-our-pop-culture?intc_type=promo&intc_location=news&intc_campaign=lovecraftsinfluence_article&intc_linkname=radio4_sm_mid_c3

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@tsarstepan,

Maybe don’t turn real-life racist H.P. Lovecraft into the cuddly star of an animated kids’ movie?

HP Lovecraft as a kid in an animated kids' movie?

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@tsarstepan,

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@tsarstepan,

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@tsarstepan,

We finally might get a great Lovecraftian adaption. Thanks to HBO.
Jordan Peele's Lovecraft Country

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@tsarstepan,

I’ve seen the first three episodes. It’s very good, as much about civil rights as Lovecraft.

The only criticism is that the mythos isn’t very Lovecraft/Sumerian, it’s more Christian/Enochian.

Very Enochian actually, so much so that it should be called Dee Country.

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@izzythepush,

izzythepush wrote:

The only criticism is that the mythos isn’t very Lovecraft/Sumerian, it’s more Christian/Enochian.

That's a fair distinction. I'm also caught up with the series. Maybe it'll add more Lovecraftian influences/direction later in the season.

Quote:

Very Enochian actually, so much so that it should be called Dee Country.

Was going to ask Is Dee a reference to another cosmic horror-centric writer? then I stumbled onto the answer when googling Enochian.

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@tsarstepan,

I saw a documentary on him some time ago, comic book writer Alan Moore was one of the contributors.

Why aren't there any decent HP Lovecraft adapted films? (possible redux question)

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