Ranking The Top 20 Scariest 80s Horror Movies

The 1980 horror movies were able to capture a sense of fear and dread that had been missing from the genre for some time. They featured memorable villains, engaging storylines, and innovative special effects that made them stand out from the crowd. The success of these films has led to a resurgence of the horror genre, with many modern films drawing inspiration from the classics of the 1980s.

The iconic villains from 80s horror movies have become some of the most recognizable characters in the horror genre. Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Jack Torrance have become horror icons, inspiring new generations of fans to explore the genre. The success of these films has also led to an increase in remakes and sequels, allowing these classic films to reach an even wider audience.

The influence of these 1980s horror films can be seen in many modern films. They have set the standard for what makes a good horror movie, and many modern films have taken inspiration from their stories, characters, and themes. This article will explore the lasting impact of these classic horror films and how they continue to shape the genre today.

We will look at the elements that made these movies so successful and how they have influenced the horror genre in the decades since their release. 

Friday the 13th is a classic horror film that has become an iconic entry in the slasher genre. The movie revolves around a group of young camp counselors who are stalked and killed one by one at Camp Crystal Lake. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• What sets this film apart is its effective use of suspense, surprise twists, and intense violence, establishing it as a template for future slasher films. 
  
• The film's success lies in its ability to create tension through atmospheric cinematography, a chilling score, and a mysterious, masked killer, known as Jason Voorhees. 
• The franchise that followed capitalized on the film's popularity, making it a cornerstone of the horror genre.

Altered States explores the mind-bending world of sensory deprivation and psychedelic experiences. The film follows a scientist experimenting with isolation tanks and hallucinogens to unlock the depths of human consciousness. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• What makes this movie stand out is its combination of psychological exploration and surreal visual effects, creating a mesmerizing and thought-provoking experience. 
• It delves into themes of identity, evolution, and the limits of human perception. 
• Altered States is famous for its mind-bending sequences and its ability to challenge viewers' perceptions of reality.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick, The Shining is a psychological horror masterpiece based on Stephen King's novel. The film follows a writer and his family who become caretakers of a remote hotel during the winter. As they stay in isolation, the supernatural forces of the hotel slowly unravel their sanity. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• The Shining is renowned for its atmospheric tension, eerie imagery, and Jack Nicholson's iconic performance as the increasingly unhinged protagonist. 
  
• Kubrick's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create an overwhelming sense of dread have made this film a hallmark of the horror genre.

Combining horror and comedy, 80s scary movies An American Werewolf in London follows two American tourists who are attacked by a werewolf while backpacking in the English countryside. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• The film is famous for its groundbreaking practical effects, including the Academy Award-winning transformation sequence. Director John Landis skillfully blends humor and horror, creating a unique tone that set it apart from traditional werewolf films. 
• The movie's success lies in its ability to balance scares with witty dialogue and memorable characters, making it a cult favorite.

The Thing is a science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter. Set in an isolated Antarctic research station, the movie follows a group of scientists who encounter a shape-shifting extraterrestrial organism. What distinguishes this film is its masterful use of practical effects and its ability to create a sense of paranoia and mistrust among the characters. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

The film's intense atmosphere, grotesque creature designs, and suspenseful storytelling have made it a cult classic, solidifying its status as one of the best sci-fi horror films of all time. 

Based on Stephen King's novel, The Dead Zone - 1980s scary movies is a psychological thriller directed by David Cronenberg. The film follows a man named Johnny Smith, who awakens from a coma with psychic abilities that allow him to see the past and future of individuals he touches. As Johnny grapples with the ethical and moral implications of his powers, he becomes embroiled in a mission to prevent a catastrophic event. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• The Dead Zone stands out for its compelling storytelling, exploring themes of fate, sacrifice, and the burden of knowing the future. 
  
• Christopher Walken's nuanced performance, combined with Cronenberg's atmospheric direction, creates a haunting and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

One of the best 80s horror movies Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street introduced one of horror's most enduring villains, Freddy Krueger. The film centers around a group of teenagers haunted by a malevolent spirit who invades their dreams, leading to deadly consequences in the real world. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• Blurring the lines between reality and nightmares, the film is celebrated for its inventive kills, atmospheric visuals, and the memorable portrayal of Freddy Krueger by Robert Englund. 
  
• A Nightmare on Elm Street revolutionized the slasher genre by infusing it with supernatural elements and psychological terror, leaving an indelible mark on horror cinema.

The Return of the Living Dead is a horror-comedy film that embraces the zombie genre with a unique blend of humor and gore. Directed by Dan O'Bannon, the movie follows a group of friends who inadvertently release a gas that reanimates the dead, resulting in a relentless onslaught of zombies. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• With its irreverent tone, witty dialogue, and memorable characters, the film struck a chord with audiences. 
  
• It introduced elements like zombies with a craving for brains and popularized the notion of zombies being able to run. 
• The Return of the Living Dead stands out as a cult classic, known for its blend of scares and laughs.

Little Shop of Horrors is a musical horror-comedy directed by Frank Oz, based on the off-Broadway musical of the same name. The film follows the story of Seymour, a florist's assistant who discovers a peculiar plant that thrives on human blood. As the plant grows, Seymour finds himself facing moral dilemmas and unexpected consequences. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• With its catchy musical numbers, quirky characters, and dark humor, Little Shop of Horrors became a beloved cult classic. 
  
• The film's combination of horror, comedy, and memorable songs, such as Suddenly Seymour, have made it a fan favorite and a significant entry in the horror-musical subgenre.

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a psychological horror film loosely based on the real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. Directed by John McNaughton, the movie offers a chilling glimpse into the mind of a serial killer as it follows Henry's homicidal exploits and the influence he has on his disturbed roommate, Otis. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• Known for its gritty realism and unflinching portrayal of violence, the film's unsettling atmosphere and disturbing performances by Michael Rooker and Tom Towles have contributed to its infamy. 
  
• Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a harrowing exploration of the dark depths of human depravity and the potential for evil lurking within society.

Directed by David Cronenberg, The Fly is a sci-fi horror film that explores the tragic transformation of scientist Seth Brundle into a grotesque human-fly hybrid after an experiment goes awry. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• The movie is renowned for its stunning practical effects, including the memorable and horrifying makeup work on Jeff Goldblum's character. 
  
• The Fly stands out for its visceral body horror and its examination of the loss of humanity and identity. It delves into themes of obsession, love, and the fear of the unknown, solidifying its status as a landmark film in the horror genre.

Evil Dead 2 is a horror-comedy directed by Sam Raimi and serves as a sequel and a partial remake of the cult classic The Evil Dead. The film follows Ash Williams as he fights against demonic forces in a cabin in the woods. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• Known for its inventive camera work, slapstick humor, and over-the-top gore, Evil Dead 2 blends horror and comedy in a unique and entertaining way. 
  
• The movie's kinetic energy, Bruce Campbell's charismatic performance, and Raimi's distinctive directorial style have made it a beloved cult favorite.

The Stepfather is a psychological thriller that centers around a seemingly perfect family man named Jerry Blake, who harbors a dark secret. As he seeks to create his ideal family, Jerry becomes increasingly unhinged. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• The film's strength lies in Terry O'Quinn's chilling performance, capturing the façade of a suburban dad hiding his sinister nature. The Stepfather combines elements of suspense, tension, and psychological manipulation to create an intense and unnerving viewing experience. 
  
• It remains a notable entry in the thriller genre for its examination of the dangers lurking behind seemingly ordinary lives.

Directed by Jack Sholder, The Hidden is a sci-fi action thriller that follows an alien parasite that possesses human bodies and wreaks havoc in Los Angeles. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• The film stands out for its blend of genres, combining elements of horror, science fiction, and police procedural. It features dynamic performances from Michael Nouri and Kyle MacLachlan, along with thrilling action sequences. 
  
• The Hidden is praised for its fast-paced storytelling, intriguing premise, and its ability to keep audiences engaged with its relentless energy and unexpected twists.

Child's Play introduces audiences to the infamous killer doll, Chucky. Directed by Tom Holland, the film follows a possessed doll named Chucky, who terrorizes a young boy and his mother. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• The movie's special element lies in its ability to infuse an innocent childhood object with malevolence and fear. 
• Chucky's menacing personality, brought to life by Brad Dourif's voice acting, and the combination of horror and dark comedy, contributed to the film's success. 

Child's Play spawned a long-running franchise that continues to captivate audiences with its blend of supernatural horror and slasher elements.

They Live, directed by John Carpenter, is a science fiction action film with social commentary. The story follows a drifter who discovers a pair of sunglasses that reveal a hidden reality—aliens are secretly controlling humanity through subliminal messages. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• The film stands out for its satirical take on consumerism, mass media, and the manipulation of society by the ruling elite. 
  
• They Live features a memorable fight scene known as the Obey scene, where the protagonist challenges the status quo. 
• The film's mix of sci-fi, action, and biting social critique has made it a cult classic that continues to resonate with audiences.

Directed by David Cronenberg, Dead Ringers is a psychological thriller inspired by real-life events. The film tells the story of twin gynecologists, played by Jeremy Irons, who become increasingly entangled in a web of obsession and personal deterioration. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• Known for its unsettling atmosphere and Cronenberg's trademark body horror, Dead Ringers explores themes of identity, sexuality, and the blurring of boundaries. 
  
• Jeremy Irons delivers a mesmerizing dual performance, seamlessly distinguishing the contrasting personalities of the twins. 
• The film's intricate storytelling, thought-provoking themes, and exploration of the human psyche have cemented its reputation as a compelling and disturbing cinematic experience.

Holy Blood, also known as Santa Sangre, is a Mexican-Italian avant-garde horror film directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. The movie follows a young man named Fenix, who, after a traumatic childhood incident, becomes involved in his mother's bizarre performance act. 

Why This Movie Will Make You Terrified:

• Holy Blood is renowned for its surreal imagery, symbolic storytelling, and exploration of themes such as trauma, redemption, and the intertwining of art and madness. 
  
• Jodorowsky's unique visual style and unconventional narrative approach create a haunting and thought-provoking experience. 
• The film's blend of horror, psychological drama, and dark fantasy has earned it a cult following and solidified its place as a distinctive entry in the genre.

• The Lost Boys (1987) - A stylish vampire film with a blend of horror and romance, perfect for a thrilling and entertaining date night.
• Poltergeist (1982) - A classic supernatural horror that combines scares and family dynamics, creating an engaging and suspenseful experience for couples.
• An American Werewolf in London (1981) - This horror-comedy offers a mix of scares and humor, making it a fun and lighthearted choice for a date night with a touch of werewolf charm.
• A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) - The iconic slasher film introduces Freddy Krueger, providing both scares and the opportunity to cozy up together during intense moments.
• The Fly (1986) - A compelling and tragic love story with elements of body horror, this film explores the depths of a relationship amidst a transformative nightmare.

• Gremlins (1984) - This creature feature blends comedy and horror, creating a fun and entertaining experience suitable for families.
• Beetlejuice (1988) - Tim Burton's darkly comedic ghostly tale offers a mix of macabre humor and imaginative visuals, making it an enjoyable choice for families.
• Ghostbusters (1984) - A beloved supernatural comedy with a perfect blend of scares and humor, suitable for families of all ages.
• The Monster Squad (1987) - A homage to classic monster movies, this film combines adventure, scares, and a group of young heroes, making it a great pick for family movie nights.
• The Witches of Eastwick (1987) - A supernatural comedy with a stellar cast, providing a mix of laughs, romance, and a touch of witchcraft that can be enjoyed by the whole family

• Friday the 13th (1980) - The iconic slasher film franchise that started it all, perfect for a thrilling and suspenseful night with friends.
• Night of the Living Dead (1985) - A zombie classic with intense moments and a social commentary twist, creating a memorable viewing experience with friends.
• The Evil Dead (1981) - Sam Raimi's cult horror film combines scares and dark humor, making it an excellent choice for a fun-filled sleepover night.
• Child's Play (1988) - This scary clown movie from the 80s is the introduction of the killer doll Chucky provides a mix of scares and campy fun, perfect for a night of horror movie laughs with friends. 
• The Return of the Living Dead (1985) - This horror-comedy with its punk rock aesthetic, witty dialogue, and gory zombie action creates an energetic and enjoyable experience for a group of friends.

• Netflix: Netflix offers a large selection of 80s horror films, including classics such as The Shining, Poltergeist, and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
• Hulu: Hulu is another great streaming service for 80s horror films, with titles such as Evil Dead, The Howling, and Friday the 13th.
• Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video also offers a wide selection of 80s horror films, including An American Werewolf in London, Phantasm, and The Return of the Living Dead.

In conclusion, the top 20 scariest 80s horror movies are a great representation of the genre and its impact on modern horror. These films are important to the horror genre as they set the standard for what makes a horror movie truly terrifying. We invite readers to watch these movies and experience the fear and suspense for themselves.