Best Horror Films of the 1980s

The 1980s gave us slasher franchises, groundbreaking practical effects, and a VHS boom that flooded video stores with horror. It was excessive, inventive, and unforgettable. These are the films that defined the era.

30 films· Updated 1 Jun 2026

The Shining (1980) poster

Dir. Stanley Kubrick

HBO Max Amazon Channel

1980

Acclaimed

Aliens (1986) poster

Dir. James Cameron

1986

Acclaimed

The Thing (1982) poster

Dir. John Carpenter

Amazon Prime Video

1982

Acclaimed

mystery

Predator (1987) poster

Dir. John McTiernan

1987

Acclaimed

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) poster

Dir. Wes Craven

1984

Well reviewed

Gremlins (1984) poster

HBO Max Amazon Channel

Fun / Popcorn · Fun chaos

1984

Well reviewed

fun chaos · fun / popcorn

The Evil Dead (1981) poster

1981

Well reviewed

The Fly (1986) poster

Dir. David Cronenberg

1986

Acclaimed

Evil Dead II (1987) poster

Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel

Fun / Popcorn · Fun chaos

1987

Acclaimed

fun chaos · fun / popcorn

Poltergeist (1982) poster

Dir. Tobe Hooper

HBO Max Amazon Channel

1982

Well reviewed

The Lost Boys (1987) poster

Dir. Joel Schumacher

Fun / Popcorn · Fun chaos

1987

Well reviewed

fun chaos · fun / popcorn

Friday the 13th (1980) poster

Dir. Sean S. Cunningham

1980

mystery

They Live (1988) poster

Dir. John Carpenter

Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel

1988

Well reviewed

Hellraiser (1987) poster

Dir. Clive Barker

1987

Well reviewed

An American Werewolf in London (1981) poster

Dir. John Landis

Fun / Popcorn · Fun chaos

1981

Acclaimed

fun chaos · fun / popcorn

Child's Play (1988) poster

Dir. Tom Holland

Amazon Prime Video

1988

Well reviewed

Pet Sematary (1989) poster

Dir. Mary Lambert

1989

Well reviewed

Videodrome (1983) poster

Dir. David Cronenberg

1983

Well reviewed

Halloween II (1981) poster

Dir. Rick Rosenthal

Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels

1981

Well reviewed

Angel Heart (1987) poster

Dir. Alan Parker

Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel

1987

Well reviewed

mystery

Christine (1983) poster

Dir. John Carpenter

1983

Well reviewed

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) poster

Dir. Chuck Russell

1987

Well reviewed

Little Shop of Horrors (1986) poster

HBO Max Amazon Channel

Fun / Popcorn · Fun chaos

1986

Well reviewed

fun chaos · fun / popcorn

The Fog (1980) poster

Dir. John Carpenter

Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel

1980

Well reviewed

Fright Night (1985) poster

Dir. Tom Holland

1985

Well reviewed

Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) poster

Dir. Steve Miner

1981

mystery

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985) poster

Dir. Jack Sholder

1985

The Witches of Eastwick (1987) poster

Dir. George Miller

Fun / Popcorn · Fun chaos

1987

Well reviewed

fun chaos · fun / popcorn

Day of the Dead (1985) poster

Dir. George A. Romero

1985

Well reviewed

Re-Animator (1985) poster

Dir. Stuart Gordon

Amazon Prime Video

Fun / Popcorn · Fun chaos

1985

Well reviewed

fun chaos · fun / popcorn

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Best Horror Films of the 1980s — Ranked & Reviewed | Horrorsight