Long before terrifying monsters stalked across silver movie screens, people around the world were already telling their stories. The dead who wouldn't stay dead, humans who became howling beasts, and creatures who survived by drinking human blood. This fun, fast-moving lecture explores where those stories came from—and how they became the monsters we know today.

Travel across centuries and cultures to discover how ancient legends, local superstitions, religious traditions, and sensational folklore collided to create classic movie monsters. From the walking dead to blood-drinking aristocrats and shape-shifting beasts, we'll follow the twists, transformations, and cross-cultural inspirations that turned old stories into modern icons.

Expect history with bite, folklore with a sense of humour, and plenty of wonderfully weird stories along the way. This is a journey into the cultural DNA of the classic movie monster and the human beliefs and fears that created them.

Dr Emma Woods holds a PhD in Mythology and Folklore. She has spent her life obsessed with mythological tales and chasing folklore down rabbit holes. She is also a co-founder of Myth Crafts, a host for FolkloreThursday, and the author of Bite Me.