The Best Horror Movie From Each Year Of The 1980s

The horror genre was extremely popular in the 1980s. Between slasher movies, Stephen King adaptations, and monster movies, audiences just could not get enough of the genre. Horror was more popular than ever. Almost every weekend, there was some terrifying film being released. Some of them did not do so well at the box office or gain a cult following, while others became absolute classics that are well-known by any fan of the horror genre.

The 1980s probably had more horror films released than any other decade. Here are the best horror movies released in each year of the 1980s, a beloved decade among many fans of the genre.

10 1980: The Shining

Stephen King may not have been a fan of this adaptation of his classic novel, but The Shining is an absolute masterpiece. The story of Jack Torrance and his family staying at the Overlook Hotel is one of the most frightening stories ever told. Stanley Kubrick’s wonderful, unique camerawork adds so much depth to the story, and the whole movie is visually stunning from beginning to end.

The Shining is definitely one of Jack Nicholson’s most remembered roles, and when people see it, they can understand why. He is terrifying in the film, giving viewers one of the most iconic performances in horror film history.

9 1981: An American Werewolf In London

After being attacked by a vicious beast, a college student named David begins having horrible nightmares with warnings that he will turn into a werewolf during the next full moon. An American Werewolf In London is a fun horror-comedy, and the visual effects are fantastic.

In fact, this was the first film to win an Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The transformation sequence is one of the best visual effects put on film. The movie strikes a nice balance between horror and comedy, making it the perfect fun film for people to watch.

8 1982: Creepshow

In 1982, many popular horror films were released, including Poltergeist and John Carpenter’s The Thing. However, Creepshow stands out in the bunch. Three talented people in the horror genre – Stephen King, George A. Romero, and Tom Savini – created this horror-comedy masterpiece that honors horror comics popular in the 1950s.

An anthology film, all five stories are memorable, and it is simply an entertaining movie from beginning to end. There are many great actors in the film, including Adrienne Barbeau and E. G. Marshall, and Stephen King himself gives a hilarious performance that is worth the watch itself.

7 1983: Sleepaway Camp

When people think of fun slasher movies, Sleepaway Camp is one that tends to be remembered. It involves Angela Baker and her cousin Ricky as they stay at Camp Arawak for the summer. Bizarre deaths occur, and people wonder if there is a killer on the loose. This film is an absolute classic for many fans of the genre.

Sleepaway Camp also has one of the best twist endings for any horror film. Felissa Rose gives a wonderful performance as Angela, and the film will go down in history as one of the best horror movies to watch during the summer.

6 1984: A Nightmare On Elm Street

There are many horror franchises out there, but only a few became classics that are still watched over and over again. This original film started a long franchise about Freddy Krueger, a child murderer who attacks and kills teenagers in their dreams. When they are killed in a dream, they are killed in real life.

Wes Craven wrote and directed this horror masterpiece, and Robert Englund’s performance as Freddy is memorable and iconic. A Nightmare On Elm Street also gave viewers one of the most famous final girls in slasher movie history, Nancy Thompson.

5 1985: Fright Night

This just may be one of the best vampire flicks ever made. Chris Sarandon and Roddy McDowall star in this ’80s movie about a teenager who discovers that his neighbor is a vampire, and he takes action to save others, including his girlfriend, played by Married With Children‘s Amanda Bearse.

Fright Night does not take itself too seriously. It is simply fun entertainment. The makeup effects are very well done, and all the leads give great performances. This is definitely a movie to watch for all who are fans of vampires.

4 1986: The Fly

This sci-fi horror movie is an absolute classic. The Fly is about an experiment gone wrong that leads to a scientist, played by Jeff Goldblum, turning into a fly. A journalist, played by Geena Davis, observes him throughout his transformation.

The stars give incredible performances. Jeff Goldblum as the fly was one of the best-looking makeup effects shown on film at the time, and it is still just as haunting and grotesque, today. Any science fiction fan should view this movie.

3 1987: The Lost Boys

Fright Night is not the only classic vampire film to be released in the ’80s. A mother and her two sons move into a small town only to discover a gang of vampires in the area. The Lost Boys is a fun ’80s horror movie for those who are fans of coming-of-age tales such as The Goonies and Stand By Me. 

The two famous Coreys, Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, star in The Lost Boys, one of their first times collaborating together on a film project. When people think of cool vampire horror movies, this one is definitely up there as one of the very best.

2 1988: Child’s Play

Brad Dourif voices this iconic horror villain. Chucky is a Good Guy doll with the soul of a serial killer trapped inside it. He wants to become human again, and he must transfer his soul into six-year-old Andy, the first person he revealed his true identity to, killing people along the way.

Many people are terrified of dolls, and Child’s Play just may be the absolute best film with an evil doll. This original film started a beloved horror franchise that is still popular, today.

1 1989: Pet Sematary

There were many Stephen King adaptations in the 1980s, and this one still ranks as one of the best. Pet Sematary involves a family moving into a house located by a busy road. When their cat is killed and buried in the cemetery for pets and seems to come back to life, the patriarch of the family believes the same thing will happen if he buries his young son in the cemetery. He does not realize how different the child will be when he comes back to life.

This story is terrifying, and it deals with the major themes of loss and grief. It really does make people wonder what they would do if they were in the same situation, as the iconic quote states, “Sometimes dead is better.”

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