Horror Movies In The 80s

Horror movies in the 80s saved that era! Oh yes, we can say that with authority because we lived through that era and survived, thankfully. In a time of bad hair (mullets), some weird clothing (parachute pants), and allot of John Hughes films like The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, horror movies in the 80s showed a new maturity with a more grown up gore as compared to the 70s. Here is a brief, but not complete, overview of noteworthy films you should see, or own.

Ghost Story 1981. This movie was taken from the novel by the great Peter Straub, no stranger to horror. It also starred four classic actors who played the four old men who's lives are suddenly haunted by a deed (and a ghost) that they participated in back in the early 1900's. This movie is a true gem in that it IS scary, eerie, spooky and full of mystery. A tight, well thought out and directed horror movie. See it if you get a chance!

Scanners 1981. One thing you should know about David Cronenberg, the director of Scanners. If he can't get your attention with the story, he'll hit you over the head with sudden and violent gore! Scanners seems a little slow at the beginning but when a dudes head explodes, it's wake up time. He did The Fly, Rabid, The Dead Zone, and Dead Ringers, among others.

Poltergeist 1982. Poltergeist is a great movie, written by Steven Spielberg and starring Craig T. Nelson. The whole story revolves around something haunting this familys house. The striking thing most people remember about this film is the off-set deaths of the two girls that played the daughters in this film, Heather O'Rourke and Dominique Dunne. It is a good film, however, all about family within a dark story of poltergeist activity.

The Evil Dead 1981. Some call it "schlock", corny, B movie, and cartoonish, but what the heck do they know?! Directed by Sam Raimi, the movie shows what happens when a bunch of young adults go to a lonely cabin in the haunted woods and senselessly think that they'll get out ok! Stars the always great Bruce Campbell.

An American Werewolf In London 1981. A wonderful werewolf adventure movie that zigs and zags from humor to pathos. It has great effects, gore, and a good story.

The Hunger 1983. This movie was typical of horror movies in the 80s. A vampire film that was also a love story, it tells of a 2000 year old vampiress who drinks blood to survive. The rock star David Bowie stars as her lover and Susan Sarandon as the runner up. Pure gothic in nature and visuals, the film is moody and sexy.

Friday The 13th 1980. This movie started a string of horror movies in the 80s dealing with Jason Voorhees that stretches to the present with rumors of another Friday to be made soon! Hardly bears explaining here (soooo popular!), but Camp Crystal Lake is terrorized by a killer bent on avenging a death that happened long ago.

Wolfen 1981. Another werewolf story but with hardly any gore, but still suspenseful with Albert Finney as a cop investigating vicious animal attacks and the late Gregory Hines as a medical examiner who helps him figure it out.

The Shining 1980. A lot has been said on Horror Stew about this movie so we won't keep repeating it except for a few things..... Stanley Kubrick and Jack Nicholson = horror fireworks!

The Fly 1986. Another great gore movie of the eighties with a good story about a scientist who studies teleportation that makes a fatal error that turns him into...The Fly! Jeff Goldblum stars.

Lifeforce 1985. Sub-par space story about vampires; we doubt that out of the three vampires found in space, not one person remembers the faces of the two other male vampires. Mathilda May's full frontal nudity stole the show. There are some great effects like when a person gets drained dry by the vampires! They resemble dried out corn husks. From Tobe Hooper, the man that brought you The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

A Nightmare On Elm Street 1984. Groundbreaking in that it was not only gory, but a real mind rape because of the fact that Freddy could hunt his victims in their dreams! We don't really remember a movie before this one that covered this arena as well as this one. A classic for horror movies in the 80s!

House in 1986. House is funny, with a little gore here and there. It's quirky because you'll never know what's going to happen next. Starring William Katt (Carrie) as a Vietnam vet who's haunted by his war past especially since he moved into his inherited house thats swallowed his son. The story is all about him battling it.

The Howling 1981. Great horror movies in the 80s included plenty of werewolf movies like The Howling! Dee Wallace (long horror career: Cujo, The Hills Have Eyes, Critters, Alligator 2, Skeletons, The Frighteners, Killer Instinct, Boo among others) plays a reporter on assignment who almost buys it then gets sent to a rehabilitation camp to get well only to find out it's a haven for werewolves!!

Puppetmaster 1989. We have a soft spot for Full Moon films. We really think that they are overlooked by horror critics, but again, who gives a crap what they think, hah hah! Five little puppets, animated by the puppetmaster, wreak havoc and death in this cult addition to horror movies in the 80s!

Fright Night 1985. A great vampire movie! A teenager thinks his new next door neighbor is a vampire. He's right, but the people he's trying to convince of that fact think he's a screwball! Has the great Roddy McDowall as the Saturday night horror movie host, "Peter Vincent"!

Pumpkinhead 1989. Another great addition to horror movies in the 80s, Pumpkinhead stars Lance Henriksen as a single father who loses his most precious gift, his son. Of course, the revenge he seeks may cost him his life through the form of a terrible monster.

Day Of The Dead 1985. A very gory zombie movie the likes of which you've never seen before. A George Romero gem showcasing hungry zombies, pulled apart victims, suicides, guts, blood, horrific experiments and near insanity. This film has it all. Just make sure you eat before you watch it!

The Return Of The Living Dead 1985. At times hilarious, gross, and a hideously familiar addition to horror movies in the 80s. You'll definitely see it in the clothing on the teens! Zombies and the 80s! What more could you ask for?

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