The late '70s into the '80s was considered by many to be the golden-age of body horror and where the dedicated subgenre was officially born. The work of director David Cronenberg was vital to the formation of the genre and its rise in popularity.

Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg is considered a principal originator of body horror through early films such as Shivers and Rabid, and his remake of The Fly. However, body horror tropes existed within film prior to official recognition of the genre.