8 Most Terrifying Villains In 1980s Horror Movies That Aren’t Jason Or Freddy

When it comes to scary movies, there’s no time like the 1980s. The decade gave horror fans some amazing villains that are still terrifying audiences today. But not all of them get their deserved amount of attention. Jason and Freddy, from Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street respectively, are great villains, but sometimes other movie monsters are overlooked in favor of these iconic slashers.

There are so many villainous characters that are just as memorable, but who else specifically managed to give 1980’s audiences just as many nightmares?

8 Michael Myers – Halloween 2 (1981)

While his first film came out in the 1970s, Michael Myers still managed to dominate the 1980s through the Halloween sequels. If anything he is scarier in the 1981 film Halloween 2, because he has a specific target this time when he begins his killing spree, that of Laurie Strode.

Strong, imposing, and seemingly impossible to kill, Michael Myers is terrifying in every scene he’s in, simply by just how inhumane he appears. Even his mask fits into the uncanny valley of human-looking but not quite right, which perfectly matches Myers. It’s no wonder that movies centered around him are still being made today.

7 Leatherface – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

While The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is more of a parody of its 1974 predecessor, Leatherface and his killer clan are still just as scary. The film sees the murderer terrorize and slaughter more innocent victims with his chainsaw, and the loud roaring of his weapon alongside his violent outbursts are enough to make anyone hide behind their couch.

Leatherface’s mask is just as fear-inducing, and the family’s cannibalistic ways can’t help but turn viewers’ stomachs. Their lair of an abandoned carnival park is also pretty unsettling, and will probably discourage audiences from visiting any similar places anytime soon.

6 Pinhead – Hellraiser (1987)

Pinhead is terrifying in an unusual way. As the leader of the Cenobites, a group of extra-dimensional beings who force unsuspecting people into their realm, Pinhead is scary because he isn’t exactly malicious. Rather, he is simply unable to differentiate between pain and pleasure.

Motivations aside, the Cenobites’ methods of inflicting sadism on their victims are horrifying to watch. His appearance is also frightfully memorable. Who doesn’t flinch at the thought of so many pins being stuck in their head?

5 Jack Torrence – The Shining (1980)

All work and no play makes Jack a scary boy, not a dull one. This alcoholic writer turned attempted family murderer is more frightening than all of the ghosts in the Overlook Hotel combined.

Jack is terrifying specifically because he is so human. He doesn’t start out the film as a monster, which makes it feel like anyone could potentially become Jack, and what a horrifying thought that is. Jack Nicholson’s performance can’t be understated either, as he has become synonymous with the role. The line, “Here’s Johnny!” will likely remain in everyone’s nightmares, which is one of many reasons why The Shining is one of Stephen King’s most re-watched movies.

4 Chucky – Child’s Play (1988)

The doll that made viewers terrified of their own toys, Chucky has been deemed iconic enough to warrant multiple spin-offs and sequels, including an exciting new TV series. Chucky may not be that scary to some people, but the idea that an inanimate object in your house is secretly plotting your murder is enough to make a person want to sleep with one eye open.

What makes Chucky even more unsettling is that he is constantly surrounded by children, and audiences rarely want to see kids get hurt. Throw in the fact that Chucky is possessed by a serial killer, and that’s one terrifying movie villain.

3 Cujo – Cujo (1983)

Viewers may not have expected to be so terrified of man’s best friend, but this film certainly proved them wrong. Cujo involves a family’s attempt to survive a dog that’s been made impossibly violent by a rabies infection. While it’s a simple premise for a movie monster, it’s upsetting to see a friendly animal turn into such a vicious creature.

Cujo is especially terrifying because he is an animal, and therefore it is impossible to reason with him. If he wants to kill someone, there’s little anyone can do to stop him.

2 Xenomorph – Aliens (1986)

Alien was undoubtedly one of the scariest sci-fi films ever made, but the following film may be even more terrifying. In the 1986 sequel Aliens, the xenomorphs are running rampage, and even the badass Ellen Ripley trying to save the day isn’t enough to prevent the amount of fear that these extraterrestrials instill in viewers.

Their dark and skeletal build, along with the invasive way that they reproduce, is likely to horrify anyone. As they bring another spaceship and its crew to their knees, it’s easy to see why the film and the xenomorphs still hold up today.

1 Pumpkinhead – Pumpkinhead (1988)

Pumpkinhead is definitely scarier than the name implies. Born out of revenge and demonic magic, the giant skeletal monster shows the cost of vengeance to the film’s main character, Ed. Pumpkinhead rips his way through teenage campers, and Ed is forced to watch the murders as he and the monster become more spiritually connected. This creature is astonishingly strong and almost impossible to stop.

Ed ultimately realizes that the only way to kill the monster is to kill himself, and that would be an awful situation for anyone to be in. Audiences may think twice before going camping this Halloween after watching this movie.

About The Author