Exploring the Iconic and Groundbreaking Horror Films of the 1980s
The 1980s were a transformative period for horror cinema, marked by a proliferation of groundbreaking films that broke with the conventions of the past and redefined what it meant to scare and horrify audiences. From slasher flicks to supernatural thrillers to body horror, the decade produced a wealth of iconic horror films that continue to captivate and terrify viewers today.
One of the defining trends of 1980s horror was the rise of the slasher genre, which was itself an evolution of the earlier “stalk-and-slash” subgenre that had emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. This trend was kicked off by the success of John Carpenter’s Halloween in 1978, which established many of the conventions of the genre that would be imitated and refined in the years to come.
The basic formula of the slasher film was simple yet effective: a group of young, attractive people are stalked by a deranged killer, who dispatches them one by one in increasingly creative and gruesome ways. These films often featured a high body count, gratuitous violence, and explicit sexual content, all of which would come under fire from critics and moral guardians.
Despite the controversy surrounding them, however, slasher films proved to be wildly popular with audiences, especially young viewers who identified with the characters on screen and reveled in the gore and suspense. The most successful franchises of the era included Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Child’s Play, all of which spawned numerous sequels and spinoffs that kept the formula fresh and exciting.
What set these films apart from earlier horror movies was their emphasis on the killer as a character, rather than simply a menacing presence or supernatural force. In films like Halloween and Friday the 13th, the killer was often masked and mysterious, with no clear motivation beyond a desire to kill. Later films like A Nightmare on Elm Street, however, gave their killers more personality and backstory, often tying them to traumatic events in their pasts that had driven them to madness.
This focus on the killer as a character also helped to create some of the most iconic villains in horror history, including Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, and Chucky. These characters have become cultural touchstones in their own right, with fans dressing up as them for Halloween and collecting merchandise featuring their likenesses.
While slasher films were undoubtedly influential and popular, they were not the only trend in 1980s horror. Another major subgenre was supernatural horror, which had been a staple of the genre since the early days of cinema but underwent a resurgence in the 1980s thanks to films like The Shining, Poltergeist, and The Exorcist.
These films often dealt with themes of possession, haunting, and other supernatural phenomena, with supernatural forces threatening to destroy the lives of their protagonists. Unlike slasher films, which often relied on jump scares and gore to create tension, these films focused more on atmosphere and mood, using unsettling imagery and sound design to evoke a sense of dread and foreboding.
The Shining, in particular, is a masterclass in building tension and suspense, as Jack Nicholson’s character slowly descends into madness in an isolated hotel. The film’s use of long takes, eerie music, and surreal imagery create a sense of unease that lingers long after the credits roll.
Poltergeist, on the other hand, combined creepy imagery with a more family-friendly tone, making it a hit with audiences of all ages. The film’s story of a family haunted by malevolent spirits resonated with viewers, as did its memorable scenes of objects moving on their own and a child being trapped inside a television.
Another subgenre that flourished in the 1980s was the “body horror” film, which focused on the physical transformations and mutilations of the human body. Films like The Fly, Re-Animator, and The Thing all featured grotesque and disturbing imagery that pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in mainstream cinema.
These films were often inspired by the work of horror author H.P. Lovecraft, whose stories dealt with cosmic horrors and monstrous creatures beyond human comprehension. The Fly, in particular, is a modern classic that combined stunning practical effects with a tragic love story, making it both terrifying and emotionally resonant.
Of course, not all horror films from the 1980s were created equal. For every classic like The Shining or Evil Dead II, there were countless forgettable B-movies that were quickly churned out to capitalize on the popularity of the genre. These films often relied on cheap scares and gory special effects, without bothering to create interesting characters or compelling stories.
Despite this, the 1980s remain a high point for horror cinema, with a wealth of iconic films that continue to scare and thrill audiences to this day. Whether you’re a fan of slasher flicks, supernatural horror, or body horror, there’s something for everyone in this decade of fear.
One of the highest grossing horror films of the decade was 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, directed by horror maestro Wes Craven. The film tells the story of a group of teenagers who are stalked and killed in their dreams by the infamous Freddy Krueger, a burned and disfigured man who was murdered by the parents of the town years earlier. With a budget of just $1.8 million, A Nightmare on Elm Street went on to gross over $25 million at the domestic box office, making it one of the most successful independent films of all time. The film also launched a franchise that would span several sequels, a crossover film with Friday the 13th, and a 2010 remake.
Another hugely successful horror franchise of the 1980s was Friday the 13th, which had already spawned three films before the start of the decade. 1980’s Friday the 13th was a low-budget slasher film that became a surprise hit, grossing over $39 million worldwide. Its success led to several sequels throughout the decade, with each film featuring the iconic masked killer Jason Voorhees dispatching a new group of hapless victims. While the quality of the films varied, they were all financial successes, with 1988’s Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood grossing over $19 million in the US alone.
1980 also saw the release of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, an adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name. Despite mixed critical reception upon its initial release, the film went on to become a cult classic and one of the most beloved horror films of all time. With a budget of $19 million, The Shining grossed over $44 million worldwide, cementing its place as a box office success. The film’s iconic performances by Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, as well as its eerie atmosphere and unforgettable imagery, have ensured its lasting popularity.
Another high grossing horror film of the 1980s was 1982’s Poltergeist, directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film tells the story of a family haunted by malevolent spirits who kidnap their young daughter, and features a memorable cast of characters, including psychic medium Tangina Barrons and the unforgettable villain, the “Beast.” With a budget of $10.7 million, Poltergeist went on to gross over $76 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful horror films of the decade.
Finally, 1988’s Child’s Play, directed by Tom Holland, introduced audiences to one of the most iconic horror villains of all time: the killer doll Chucky. The film tells the story of a young boy who is given a doll that turns out to be possessed by the soul of a serial killer, and features memorable performances by Catherine Hicks and Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky. With a budget of $9 million, Child’s Play went on to gross over $33 million in the US alone, spawning several sequels and a 2019 remake.
Overall, the 1980s were a time of great financial success for horror cinema, with several films becoming massive box office hits and launching successful franchises. These films, including A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, The Shining, Poltergeist, and Child’s Play, continue to captivate and terrify audiences to this day, cementing their place in horror.
The 1980s saw a resurgence of interest in the vampire genre, with several notable films being released during the decade. While the 1930s and 1970s had seen a number of classic vampire movies, the 1980s brought a new twist to the genre, with films that ranged from campy to terrifying.
One of the most iconic vampire films of the 1980s was The Lost Boys, released in 1987 and directed by Joel Schumacher. The film follows two brothers who move to a new town with their mother and find themselves drawn into a group of young vampires led by David, played by Kiefer Sutherland. The Lost Boys was a box office success, grossing over $32 million domestically, and has since become a cult classic, known for its stylish visuals, memorable soundtrack, and unforgettable performances by its cast, which also included Jason Patric, Corey Haim, and Corey Feldman.
Another notable vampire film of the 1980s was Fright Night, released in 1985 and directed by Tom Holland. The film tells the story of a teenage boy who becomes convinced that his new neighbor is a vampire and enlists the help of a TV horror host to stop him. Fright Night was a box office success, grossing over $24 million domestically, and is remembered for its mix of horror and comedy, as well as its memorable performances by Chris Sarandon as the vampire Jerry Dandridge and Roddy McDowall as the horror host Peter Vincent.
The 1980s also saw the release of several other notable vampire films, including the horror-comedy Once Bitten (1985), starring Jim Carrey as a teenage boy who becomes the target of a seductive vampire; the erotic horror film The Hunger (1983), starring Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie, and Susan Sarandon; and the surreal horror film Near Dark (1987), directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen as members of a roving band of vampires.
In addition to these films, the 1980s also saw the release of several vampire-themed comedies, such as Vampire’s Kiss (1988), starring Nicolas Cage as a man who believes he is turning into a vampire, and My Best Friend Is a Vampire (1987), about a teenage boy who becomes a vampire and tries to balance his newfound powers with his normal life.
Overall, the vampire films of the 1980s brought a new twist to the genre, with films that ranged from campy to terrifying, and that explored themes of youth, sexuality, and the battle between good and evil. While some of these films were more successful than others, they all contributed to the evolution of the vampire genre and remain beloved by horror fans today.
Remakes have been a part of the film industry for decades, and the 1980s saw a number of classic horror films being remade for modern audiences. While some of these remakes were successful and are still beloved by horror fans today, others failed to capture the spirit of the original and have been largely forgotten. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable horror remakes of the 1980s.
One of the most successful horror remakes of the 1980s was The Fly, directed by David Cronenberg and released in 1986. The film was a remake of the 1958 film of the same name and starred Jeff Goldblum as a scientist who transforms into a monstrous fly after a failed experiment. The Fly was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $60 million worldwide, and is remembered for its grotesque special effects, intense performances, and themes of transformation and decay.
Another successful horror remake of the 1980s was The Thing, released in 1982 and directed by John Carpenter. The film was a remake of the 1951 film The Thing from Another World and starred Kurt Russell as the leader of a team of scientists who must battle a shape-shifting alien that has infiltrated their Antarctic research station. While The Thing was initially a box office disappointment, it has since become a cult classic, known for its tense atmosphere, practical effects, and Carpenter’s trademark soundtrack.
Not all horror remakes of the 1980s were successful, however. One notable failure was Invaders from Mars, released in 1986 and directed by Tobe Hooper. The film was a remake of the 1953 film of the same name and starred Hunter Carson as a young boy who discovers that aliens have taken over his town. While the film had a promising cast, including Karen Black and Louise Fletcher, it was criticized for its confusing plot and unconvincing special effects. Invaders from Mars was a box office disappointment, grossing only $4 million domestically.
In addition to these remakes, the 1980s also saw the release of several horror sequels and prequels, including A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985), Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986), and Psycho III (1986). While these films were not remakes in the traditional sense, they continued the stories of established horror franchises and built upon the mythology established by the original films.
Overall, the horror remakes of the 1980s were a mixed bag, with some successful and some less so. While some of these films have become beloved classics in their own right, others have been largely forgotten by horror fans. However, the trend of horror remakes has continued into the present day, with filmmakers continuing to revisit classic horror films and put their own spin on them.
The 1980s was a defining decade for horror movies, with the rise of slasher films and the emergence of supernatural horror. It was a time when iconic horror franchises such as Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street were born, while classic films like The Shining and The Evil Dead left a lasting impact on the genre. The era was also marked by the use of practical effects and memorable horror villains, as well as the incorporation of social commentary into horror films. Overall, the 1980s was a time of innovation and experimentation in the horror genre, and its influence can still be felt in horror movies today.
If you are a fan of the films of the 1980s, there is the ultimate guide to this decade. It is called “Horror Films of the 1980s” and it is by John Kenneth Muir. It is the best book on this subject. To order your own hardcover copy, just click on the book cover!
~David Albaugh
