The Best Horror Movies of Every Year of the 1980s
The 1980s were some of the most spectacular years for horror fans. In a thrilling decade dominated by cinema, horror was reaching new heights of critical and commercial success. This was the time to truly flock to theaters to experience the amazing feeling of watching some of the biggest, scariest, and most enjoyable horror films in the genre’s history.
What’s not to love about this highly rewatchable decade? From slasher smash hits to gory classics and monster masterpieces, each year of the ’80s was full of terror and excitement. There’s so much to love and appreciate about this time as it released some of the most beloved horror movies that are still highly regarded today. From Stanley Kubrick‘s The Shining to Mary Lambert‘s Pet Sematary, let’s look at the best horror movies from each year of the 1980s.
10
‘The Shining’ (1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Horror wouldn’t have been the same today without the film adaptations of the acclaimed horror author Stephen King. His book-to-screen works are now mostly regarded as essential to the genre and pop culture. Released in 1980, The Shining is often brought up as his crowning achievement. Directed by auteur filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, this version stars Academy Award-winner Jack Nicholson and the late Shelly Duvall, following the story of a family of three who are terrorized by supernatural forces while being caretakers at a snowed-in mountain resort.
Though it was a modest box office hit and critics were mixed at the time, Kubrick’s The Shining is nowadays considered one of the most compelling horror movies ever made. It’s a slow-burn chiller with mounting suspense and a great atmosphere, enough to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The acting is flawless, Kubrick’s vision and attention to detail are on full display here, and it has some of the most iconic scenes and quote lines in horror history. Although King famously disowned this adaptation, there’s no denying horror buffs today see it as one of his all-time greats.
9
‘The Evil Dead’ (1981)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Hailed for its shocking gore and innovative visuals despite financial limitations, The Evil Dead stands as one of the greatest independent horror movies of all time. Directed by a then 21-year-old Sam Raimi, it stars his frequent collaborator and best friend, Bruce Campbell, in a story that follows five friends as they stay at an isolated cabin in the woods. But their stay turns into a nightmare when they find and read a mysterious magical book, unleashing demons from its passages that possess them one by one.
This 1981 splatter classic is nowadays considered a landmark of horror, one that’s more revered now than ever. It is wild, absurd, and exceptionally gory, making it one of the bloodiest movies to ever come out of the decade. It launched Campbell’s iconic acting career and showed the world Sam Raimi’s unique and creative talents behind the director’s chair. Overall, it’s a significant flick that defined horror in the early ’80s.
8
‘The Thing’ (1982)
Directed by John Carpenter
1982’s The Thing is widely considered to be the greatest achievement of the legendary director John Carpenter. Starring Kurt Russell, it tells of a group of Americans at an Antarctic research outpost as they try to figure out who is who after they’re infiltrated by a hostile alien organism that disguises itself as any one of them.
While at the time it was a critical and commercial disaster, The Thing, over the years, has slowly become recognized as one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Everyone who considers themselves a horror buff needs to see this one. It’s terrifyingly suspenseful, perfectly directed, flawlessly acted, and features some of the most impressive creature designs and practical effects from this decade, courtesy of the wickedly talented Rob Botten. It’s a masterpiece that has improved over time.
7
‘Videodrome’ (1983)
Directed by David Cronenberg
The fascinating mind behind some of the most violent body horror flicks ever, David Cronenberg, truly hit his stride in the 1980s. In a decade that saw him shine as a visionary horror filmmaker, he produced shockingly grotesque and exceptionally gory films that are nowadays considered unforgettable classics. In 1983, he released his underrated gem Videodrome, a sci-fi thriller that sees James Woods as an ambitious TV station CEO who loses his grip on reality when he discovers a broadcast airing disturbing snuff films.
It’s a visually stunning, shockingly gross, and mind-bendingly unique horror masterpiece that blows audiences away with its story. Cronenberg’s ability to freak out his viewers is on full display as he offers them an unsettling and unusual experience unlike anything anyone has ever seen before. Videodrome is one of the greatest accomplishments of Croneberg’s career and perfectly encapsulates the feel of the 1980s.
6
‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)
Directed by Wes Craven
From a true artist of horror filmmaking, the late Wes Craven, comes A Nightmare on Elm Street, the 1984 classic that helped keep slashers a dominant force at the box office for the rest of the decade. Starring Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund, it’s an eerie tale about a small group of high schoolers who are stalked and killed one by one by the vengeful spirit of a serial killer who enters their dreams at night.
Hailed as one of the scariest horror films ever created, A Nightmare on Elm Street is truly a significant piece of 1980s cinema. It’s frightening and intense, featuring so many chilling and memorable moments that keep viewers coming back for more. It gave us Freddy Krueger (Englund), one of pop culture’s most iconic horror figures, and he’s still even so recognizable today. While 1984 was jam-packed with horror hits like Gremlins, Children of the Corn, and Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Craven’s film is undoubtedly the biggest standout of this terrifying year.
- Release Date
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November 9, 1984
- Runtime
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91 minutes
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Heather Langenkamp
Nancy Thompson
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John Saxon
Lieutenant Thompson
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Ronee Blakley
Marge Thompson
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5
‘Day of the Dead’ (1985)
Directed by George A. Romero
From the godfather of modern zombies, George A. Romero, comes his underappreciated classic, Day of the Dead, the 1985 zombie film and the final chapter in his iconic “Dead Trilogy.” Starring Lori Cardille and the late Joseph Pilato, it follows a group of soldiers and scientists in an underground bunker, struggling to cure a zombie epidemic raging on the surface. As tensions mount between the group’s two factions, things reach a boiling point when the soldiers gain a new leader, the short-tempered and increasingly deranged Captain Rhodes.
Initially mixed with many critics at the time claiming it was not as compelling as Romero’s other masterpieces, Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Day has slowly garnered more recognition over the years and today is a beloved cult classic. Its effects are better, the setting is eerily claustrophobic, and the story is arguably more hair-rising than the other two, thanks to the intense performances and shocking violence. It’s perhaps the best zombie film of the decade, one that keeps getting more thrilling with every rewatch.
- Release Date
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July 3, 1985
- Runtime
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100 minutes
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-
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Joseph Pilato
Captain Rhodes
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Jarlath Conroy
William McDermott
4
‘The Fly’ (1986)
Directed by David Cronenberg
Cronenberg returns, this time with what most fans would agree is his magnum opus, The Fly, the 1985 body horror film which was a remake of a 1958 classic starring Vincent Price. It tells the shocking story of ambitious inventor Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), whose experiments with teleportation go awry when his first test accidentally teleports him along with an ordinary housefly, resulting in him slowly mutating into a ghastly human/fly hybrid.
This is a horror remake done right. Conenberg’s The Fly perfectly complements the ’58 original while also being its own film, and some would agree it surpasses its predecessor. The effects achieved to show Seth’s transformation look visually amazing and still hold up remarkably well today. It’s also well-acted and even a bit heartbreaking at times, making it a truly essential watch for any horror fans.
3
‘Evil Dead II’ (1987)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Sam Raimi wasn’t done with the ’80s yet; six years after releasing one splatter masterpiece, he made another with his follow-up to The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II. Released in 1987, this ridiculously fun and impressive sequel is in many ways superior to the first film, with greater effects, a bigger budget, and certainly more blood. Bruce Campbell returns to his iconic role of Ash Williams, this time equipping himself with his iconic boomstick and chainsaw as he fights a second wave of demonic horrors in the cabin.
This is a balls-to-the-wall bloody spectacle that gets more absurd and enjoyable with every scene. It’s the perfect blend of horror and camp, often being cited as one of the best horror comedies of all time. Evil Dead II just amazes audiences, making them laugh and, at times, be frightened by what’s going on. There’s no talking about ’80s horror cinema without this undisputed gory classic.
2
‘Child’s Play’ (1988)
Directed by Tom Holland
1988’s Child Play is one of the most enjoyable slashers of the decade. Directed by American filmmaker Tom Holland and written by its franchise’s creator, Don Mancini, it tells of deranged serial killer Charles “Chucky” Lee Ray (Brad Dourif), who, after being killed by the police, transfers his soul into a children’s doll to seek vengeance on those who wronged him.
This wild, fun horror comedy has become a staple of pop culture, one that is quite entertaining to still watch constantly now. It spawned a long-lasting franchise, still going strong with a few sequels and a cult-favorite TV show. There’s just no denying how much fun it is.
1
‘Pet Sematary’ (1989)
Directed by Mary Lambert
This decade started with a Stephen King flick and ended with a Stephen King flick. Finishing the ’80s off with one last solid horror film was Pet Sematary, the 1989 fantasy horror thriller directed by Mary Lambert. Starring Dale Midkiff and Fred Gwynne, it follows the story of the Creed family as they start a new beginning in a rural Maine town. But not all is well in the community as the father, Louis, becomes drawn to an ancient native burial site that mysteriously has the power to bring the dead back to life.
1989 saw horror enter a dark period. The genre wasn’t doing too well at the box office anymore, and slashers were noticeably on the decline, thanks to franchise fatigue. But through the darkness came Pet Sematary, which wasn’t a huge hit with critics but is still enjoyed today by fans alike. It’s scary and incredibly atmospheric, and it’s been praised as one of King’s most underrated adaptions. It may not be the most polished or most exciting note for the decade to go out on, but it’s still thrilling and unquestionably terrifying.
