Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” has been capturing the imagination of readers since it was first published in January 1845. In the 180 years since, the poem has been parodied, referenced, and used as inspiration more times than we could possibly share here. Principal dancer Kyle Davis has been hard at work creating his own version of The Raven to share with Pacific Northwest Ballet audiences this November as part of GHOST STORIES. Keep scrolling for just a few examples of other media/artists that couldn’t resist the call of “The Raven.” Which one is your favorite?
TV: The Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror” (1990)
As part of their annual Halloween special, Lisa recounts a particularly wacky version of “The Raven.”
Comics: Calvin and Hobbes “A Nauseous Nocturne”
This 78-line poem from The Essential Calvin and Hobbes describes a monster stalking Calvin at night, and is patterned after Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.”
Sports: Baltimore Ravens
In 1996, Baltimore’s new NFL team arrived, with a name inspired by Poe’s poem “The Raven.” The allusion honors Poe who spent the early part of his career in Baltimore and is buried there. The team’s three mascots are ravens named “Edgar,” “Allan,” and “Poe.”
Film: The Raven (1935)
This American horror film, starring Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, was billed as being “suggested by” the poem of the same name.
TV: Gilmore Girls “A Tale of Poes and Fire”
This episode features a meeting of the Edgar Allan Poe Society, as well as dual Poe impersonators reciting “The Raven.” “If the Poes start fighting, does that punch a hole in the space/time continuum?”
Classical Music: The Raven by Josef Holbrooke (1900)
English composer Josef Holbrooke (born Joseph Holbrook) had his first success in 1900 with the premiere of his orchestral poem “The Raven.”
Music: Metal Band Nevermore
Nevermore is a heavy metal band from Seattle whose name was taken from the lyrics of another band, Trouble. In “Black Shapes of Doom” Trouble references “The Raven” in these lines:
Raven’s been knockin’ at my door
With all the hopes that have flown before
Nevermore
Film: Tim Burton’s Vincent (1982)
This short, stop-motion film, narrated by actor Vincent Price, features a young boy named Vincent who is obsessed with the tales of Edgar Allan Poe.
Music: Blues Traveler “Run-Around”
This 1994 hit opens with the same line as the original poem.
There are many, many more examples in pop culture of references to this iconic poem. Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments! And mark your calendars to see Principal Dancer Kyle Davis’ newest work The Raven, November 6-15, 2026. Click here to get your tickets today!
Cover Photo: A screenshot from the 1909 Biograph film Edgar Allan Poe, featuring actor Herbert Yost as Poe.
Screenshot from Gilmore Girls “A Tale of Poes and Fire,” 2003.
