Horror Movie Blog > Horror Movie Lists - 12 of The Best 80's Horror Movies You Need To Watch
The Shining
The Shining is a classic horror film that has stood the test of time. Directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick and based on a Stephen King's novel, the movie tells the story of Jack Torrance, a struggling writer who takes on the job of winter caretaker at the remote Overlook Hotel in Colorado.
As Jack (Played by Jack Nicholson) and his family settle into the hotel, strange things begin to happen, and it becomes clear that the hotel has a dark and sinister past, and the isolation of the hotel, combined with its supernatural elements, begins to take its toll on Jack's already fragile mental state.
He descends into madness, becoming increasingly violent and dangerous to those around him and his wife Wendy and son Danny are trapped in the hotel with him, and they must fight for their survival as Jack's grip on reality slips away.
The Shining is probably my favorite movie of all time, and one that can be re-watched over and over without ever being bored. [The Shining on IMDB]
An American Werewolf in London
John Landis' horror-comedy film is a perfect blend of scares and dark humor and it follows two American tourists who find themselves in the midst of a terrifying situation when they are attacked by a werewolf in England, and despite their pleas for help, none of the locals will admit that such a creature exists, leaving the tourists to fend for themselves.
Unfortunately, one of them doesn't make it out alive, while the other, David, is cursed to become a werewolf himself.
The transformation scenes in this film are brilliant, thanks to the makeup effects by Rick Baker, and as David's body undergoes its gruesome metamorphosis, you are treated to some truly impressive special effects that still hold up today.
But even beyond the impressive visuals, An American Werewolf in London is a standout film for its ability to balance horror and comedy in a way that hasn't been done much better since, and it's a must-watch for fans of the genre and anyone looking for a good scare with a side of humor. [An American Werewolf in London on IMDB]
The Evil Dead
Evil Dead is a cult classic that has gained a massive following over the years and follows five friends who decide to take a trip to a remote cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway. However, things take a turn for the worse when they accidentally unleash flesh-possessing demons that start to terrorize them.
The film is known for its innovative camera work and the practical effects used in the film are also impressive.
The movie was the launchpad for Bruce Campbell's career as Ash Williams, who becomes the unlikely hero in the fight against the demonic forces and is a huge cult figure in the world of horror. [The Evil Dead on IMDB]
Poltergeist
Poltergeist revolves around a suburban family who are living a peaceful life until their home is invaded by some pesky and quite active ghosts, who start tormenting the family and eventually abduct their youngest daughter. They meant business!
Poltergiest is also known for its excellent use of special effects, especially for the time it was released, and despite its horror elements, it also manages to blend in a Spielbergian sense of wonder.
It is a film that I still love to this day, and always will. I am not sure any film has bettered it when it comes to poltergeists, and probably never will, and is one of the best supernatural horror movies of all time. [Poltergeist on IMDB]
The Thing
John Carpenter's The Thing is a cinematic masterpiece that expertly captures the feelings of paranoia and isolation.
The film is set in an isolated Antarctic research station where a group of researchers are infiltrated by an alien life form that has the ability to imitate any organism it kills.
As the researchers begin to realize that they cannot trust each other, tension and fear begin to mount, creating a sense of unease that permeates the entire film.
One of my fav aspects of The Thing is Rob Bottin's revolutionary creature effects, which are both terrifying and awe-inspiring and is also one of the best horror remakes ever. [The Thing on IMDB]
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Wes Craven's horror masterpiece, A Nightmare on Elm Street introduced audiences to the iconic villain, Freddy Krueger.
Played by Robert Englund, Krueger is a disfigured and sadistic killer who preys on teenagers in their dreams, using their deepest fears against them to ultimately kill them in reality.
The success of A Nightmare on Elm Street led to a franchise of sequels, each exploring different aspects of Freddy's backstory and his reign of terror.
Even today, the character of Freddy Krueger remains a cultural icon and one of the most recognizable horror villains of all time. [A Nightmare on Elm Street on IMDB]
Gremlins
Gremlins is a classic horror-comedy film and revolves around a young man who receives a peculiar creature called a mogwai as a pet from his father, but he soon discovers that the mogwai comes with strict rules that must be followed to avoid dire consequences.
Unfortunately, he fails to adhere to these rules, and the mogwai spawns other creatures that transform into small, destructive monsters known as gremlins.
The film perfectly balances humor with its horror like elements, making it an enjoyable watch for both horror and comedy fans.
The gremlins' mischievous behavior and hilarious antics are sure to make you laugh, and it's a movie I re-watch every Christmas [Gremlins on IMDB]
The Fly
David Cronenberg's remake of the classic horror film "The Fly" stars Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, a brilliant but eccentric scientist who becomes obsessed with creating a teleportation device.
During an experiment gone wrong, Brundle accidentally merges his DNA with that of a common housefly, leading to a grotesque transformation that threatens to consume him entirely.
As Brundle's body begins to change in horrifying ways, he struggles to come to terms with his new identity and the loss of his humanity.
Meanwhile, his girlfriend Veronica (played by Geena Davis) watches in horror as the man she loves is slowly consumed by the monstrous creature he has become.
With Goldblum's unforgettable performance at its center, The Fly remains a classic of the horror genre. [The Fly on IMDB]
With Goldblum's unforgettable performance at its center, The Fly remains a classic of the horror genre. [The Fly on IMDB]
Aliens
James Cameron's highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott's iconic film, Alien, is a thrilling combination of science fiction and horror.
The film follows the courageous and determined Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, as she returns to face off against the terrifying Xenomorphs once again.
This time, Ripley is joined by a team of marines on a distant planet colony where they must fight for their survival against the relentless and deadly creatures.
This time, Ripley is joined by a team of marines on a distant planet colony where they must fight for their survival against the relentless and deadly creatures.
The tension and suspense build as the group navigates through dark and eerie corridors, facing off against the Xenomorphs in some intense and heart-pounding battles.
Lost Boys is a movie that combines horror and comedy but in a stylish way.
Joel Schumacher directs this film about two brothers who move to a new town and discover that it is infested with vampires.
The movie follows the brothers as they try to uncover the truth about the vampires and stop them from taking over the town.
Best vampire movie ever? Well, that's debatable, but it is certainly up with the best and is one of the first horror movies I ever watched, after Child's Play. [The Lost Boys on IMDB]
Child’s Play
Child's Play is a horror movie that introduces the iconic character of Chucky, a seemingly innocent doll that is actually possessed by the soul of a notorious serial killer named Charles Lee Ray.
The film explores the dark and twisted world of voodoo magic, as Chucky's soul is transferred into the doll using this ancient practice.
As the story unfolds, we witness Chucky's reign of terror as he embarks on a killing spree, unleashing his wrath on anyone who crosses his path.
What makes Chucky one of my favorite characters ever is that not only is he evil, and is outright hilarious too, with some brilliant one liners thrown into all the movies. [Child's Play on IMDB]
Pet Sematary
Pet Sematary is a about a family who stumbles upon an ancient burial ground located behind their house.
The burial ground has the power to bring back to life anything that is buried there, but the consequences are not always what they expect.
The family is faced with unimaginable horrors and must confront their deepest fears to survive.
Taken from the famous Stephen King novel and is one of the best adaptations of his book in my view. [Pet Sematary on IMDB]
What is your favorite horror movie of the 80's? Let me know in the comments or join me on Twitter , Instagram or Facebook.
Check out some more horror movie lists.