On its release in Japan, Ringu (The Ring') heralded a hugely popular new horror style. Successfully blending science fiction and the supernatural to chilling effect, the film's story interweaves the urban myth' of a cursed videotape with the mysterious death of a psychic girl. This in-depth companion to The Ring examines the phenomenon from the original novels, through their film adaptations and remakes, including the blockbuster movie starring Naomi Watts. Placing the films in their cultural context and examining their cross-cultural appeal, this is the definitive guide to The Ring in all its incarnations.