Hi all!

Are you ready to discuss 80’s horror movies? I know I am! This era gave me some of my favourite scary films of all time. I was born in 1989, so I’m a bit partial to this decade. Click here to see my picks for the 70’s. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

1.) Hellraiser

This 1987 British supernatural horror is very polarising in the spooky community. I feel like audiences either love or hate it. This movie was written and directed by author, Clive Barker; based off his novella, The Hellbound Heart. Sexual deviant, Frank, inadvertently opens a portal to hell, when he tinkers with a box he bought while abroad. The act unleashes gruesome beings called Cenobites, who tear his body apart. When his brother, Larry and his wife, Julia, move into Frank’s old house, they accidentally bring what is left of him back to life. Frank then convinces Julia, his one-time lover, to lure men back to the house, so he can use their blood to reconstruct himself. There is plenty of sadomasochism, so be wary if that isn’t your thing! I will admit, the acting was a tad questionable but the story/concept was fun. I loved the Cenobites! 

2.) The Shining

What can I say about The Shining? I had to include it here. In 1980, Stanley Kubrick gave us a film adaptation of Stephen King’s bestselling novel by the same name. This story follows ‘family man’ Jack Torrance, who is offered a job as a winter caretaker at the remote Overlook Hotel in Colorado. When he arrives with his wife and telepathic son, Danny, he soon realises the isolation is enough to make him go crazy; not to mention the paranormal darkness moving through the halls and rooms. Before long, Jack is filled with a homicidal urge to kill his family and with not a guest in sight, nobody is around to hear them scream. I never get tired of watching it. It’s a masterpiece with many iconic scenes and lines. If you only see one movie on this list, let it be this one.

3.) The Thing 

John Carpenter’s 1982, The Thing is absolutely one of the best horror movies of this decade. In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed at their base camp, by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take it in, it brutally attacks both human beings and canines, leading to the discovery that the beast can assume the shape of its victims. A resourceful helicopter pilot (Kurt Russell) and the camp doctor, lead the crew in a desperate, gory battle against the vicious creature. This film produced some of the most grotesque monsters I have ever seen in cinema. They were downright nauseating to look at. However, my favourite part was the ambiguous ending. The tension between the two men was electrifying. That final scene was enough for me to rate it 5/5 stars.

4.) An American Werewolf In London  

 Two American college students are backpacking through Britain, when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he’s plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, warning him that he is becoming a werewolf. When David discovers the horrible truth, he contemplates committing suicide before the next full moon. This film is definitely a horror comedy. It isn’t meant to be taken too seriously. There are some epic standout scenes, like the first time David transforms and the steamy shower moment. I highly recommend it!

5.) A Nightmare On Elm Street 

In Wes Craven’s classic film, several Midwestern teenagers, fall prey to Freddy Krueger, a disfigured midnight mangler, who preys on them in their dreams – which in turn, kills them in reality. After investigating the phenomenon, our heroine, Nancy, begins to suspect that a dark secret kept by her and her friends’ parents, may be the key to unraveling the mystery. I’m such a fan of the concept. What sets this series apart from other slashers, is the way Freddy infiltrates his victims nightmares. There is something so terrifying about not being able to go to sleep. If you would like to read my ranking of the franchise, click here.

What are some of your favourite 80’s horror movies? Thanks for reading! 

Peace & Love xoxo