The cultural significance of historical horror stories has influenced modern horror on a global scale. For example, Japanese horror stories like Okiku and the Nine Plates have introduced unique horror concepts such as vengeful spirits that are now being adapted in Western horror. The moral and ethical questions raised in historical horror stories, like the consequences of dealing with the supernatural in the Witch of Endor story, are also explored in modern horror, making it more than just about scaring people but also making them think.
They have provided many of the classic tropes. For example, the idea of the undead from vampire and zombie stories has been used extensively. The spooky settings like old castles and haunted houses from historical horror stories are also common in modern horror. Monsters such as werewolves and witches have been reinvented in modern movies and books.
Historical horror stories have set the tone for the atmosphere in modern horror. The sense of dread and the unknown that was present in ancient horror tales is still used today. For instance, the mystery surrounding the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle has inspired modern stories about strange disappearances in other places. Also, the psychological horror elements from stories like the Phantom of the Opera, where the antagonist is not just a physical threat but also a mental one, are used in modern horror.