Ranking the Best to Worst and Scariest Horror Movies from the 80s

There are countless iconic 1980s movies such as Back to the Future, The Breakfast Club, and Indiana Jones, but some of the most iconic are horror movies from the 80s. Whether you enjoy big budget classics or cult B movies, the decade delivered scares of every kind.

Just like these films keep memories of the 80s alive, Capture helps you preserve your own memories with professional equipment and advanced security so they are never lost. And since we know many people enjoy a good scare, we put together this ranking of the best, worst, and scariest horror films of the 1980s. 

Keep reading to learn about the best and worst horror movies, scariest flicks, biggest blockbusters, and iconic movies and characters including The Shining, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Michael Myers, and more. 

Jump to:

• The Best Horror Movies from the 80s
• The Worst Horror Movies from the 80s
• The Highest Selling Horror Movie from the 80s
• The Scariest Horror Movie from the 80s
• Iconic Characters and Villains
• Special Effects and Practical Makeup
• Subgenres of Horror in the 80s
• Impact on Contemporary Horror

The Best Horror Movies from the 80s

There are tons of great horror movies from the 1980s, but these are the absolute best according to online rankings and critical acclaim. 

The Shining

The Shining, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall and directed by Stanley Kubrick is generally regarded as one of the top horror films of the 1980s as well as of all time. 

While it’s more artsy and slow-burning than slasher films, it maintains bone-chilling suspense throughout the entire film. In fact, the digitized DVD version won a Saturn Award for best collection, which symbolizes the lasting impact the movie has had.

Children of the Corn

Another Stephen King short story about moving to a small Nebraska town only to encounter a religious cult of terrifying children who want to kill anybody over the age of 18. The movie spawned various sequels and remakes and, while not as popular as some of the other options on this list, it is one of the most beloved cult horror movies from the 80s.

Poltergeist

In the box office classic Poltergeist, a family is haunted by ghosts and the ambitious special effects may not stand up today, but for 1982 they were wonderfully haunting. This movie examines themes of family life, capitalism, consumerism, and greed all while offering terrifying sequences that keep you up at night. 

Nightmare on Elm Street

Released in 1984, Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street introduced the world to Freddy Krueger, one of the most iconic villains in 80s horror movies. Armed with his bladed glove, Krueger stalks teenagers in their dreams, blurring the line between reality and imagination in terrifying ways. This experimental approach to the slasher genre made the film unforgettable and ensured Freddy a permanent place in horror history.

Videodrome

In Videodrome, 1983, a creepy television employee played by James Woods wants to show Videodrome, a program based on torture and punishment. Horror movie enthusiasts claim that it’s one of the best body horror films ever and it includes tragic, disgusting, and gruesome body mutilation special effects.

 The Thing

The Thing by filmmaker John Carpenter builds suspense, unlike almost any other horror movie of the 80s or any era. It follows a research team in the tundra of Antarctica as they are hunted by a shapeshifting, and highly terrifying alien. It’s grotesque, offers fantastic acting, creates tension, and is considered to be a premium example of sci-fi horror. 

Creepshow

Creepshow is a horror anthology containing 5 tales based on comics from the 1950s. It is creepy, intriguing, and distinctly 80s horror with a touch of humor and fun intermingled with bone-chilling scenes of grueling fear. 

The Evil Dead

Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead and its sequel Evil Dead 2 redefined 80s horror movies with a mix of terror, absurdity, and over-the-top gore. Starring Bruce Campbell and Ellen Sandweiss, the story follows a group trapped in a remote cabin as they are hunted by demonic forces. While the plot is simple, the films explore themes of guilt, reconciliation, love, and sacrifice, all while balancing genuine scares with outrageous special effects. The result is a cult classic that is as frightening as it is darkly funny.

Friday the 13th 

The original Friday the 13th as well as several sequels were released in the 1980s, so audiences got to know Jason Voorhees well and our Polaroids pictures of Halloweens throughout the 80s were filled with the youngsters wearing the iconic hockey mask. One of the best things about the original Friday the 13th is the characterization. Every character seems real and dynamic due to great writing and superb acting. 

Gremlins 

Joe Dante’s Gremlins is one of the most iconic 80s horror-comedy movies, launching a wave of films featuring small but menacing antagonists. What begins with a cute Mogwai quickly turns into chaos as mischievous creatures wreak havoc, blending laughs with genuine scares. With its mix of jump scares, suspenseful storytelling, and dark humor, Gremlins remains a memorable classic that defined the horror-comedy subgenre.

An American Werewolf in London

This scary movie by John Landis follows college students who’re exploring Britain. They are attacked by a scary werewolf and can’t seem to get answers from any of the locals. The script is well-written and helped this movie become one of the most classic horror films by examining themes including ethics, identity, and friendship. 

The Fly

The Fly, starring Jeff Goldblum and directed by David Cronenberg, is a somewhat silly, but often scary, 80s horror flick about a scientist who transforms into a house fly. It thoughtfully uncovers the consequences of poor actions and ethics of good and evil while also showing the animalistic nature of humanity. 

Hellraiser

Hellraiser, based on the novel by Clive Barker, is a horror and fantasy book that introduces the iconic character Pinhead, played by Doug Bradley. It also inspired a long list of sequels with one being released as recently as 2022. Not only is the original frightening, but it’s very gory with knives, hammers, and hooks as well as demons, cenobites, and grotesque special effects. 

The Changeling 

The Changeling is a ghost story that’s considered a cult film and standout in the supernatural psychological horror subgenre. It flips the typical haunted house tropes on their head and was initially written by playwright Russell Hunter after he experienced strange phenomena. Starring George C. Scott as the main character, the acting is some of the best out of all the best 80s horror movies. 

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead, the 1985 movie by George A. Romero and part of the Night of the Living Dead series, focuses on a team of scientists trapped in a missile silo. With plenty of zombies, a combination of action and horror, and a bleak outlook on how, according to Romero, “a lack of human communication causes chaos and collapse,” this movie stands the test of time. 

The Lost Boys

This film by Warner Bros stars Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, and Keifer Sutherland, making it one of the most iconic horror movies from the 80s. While it is not as scary as some of the other films on our list, it’s fun, tense, and distinctly 80s. It follows comic-book nerds as they interact with a gang of vampires for tons of fun and memorable scenes.  

Near Dark 

Near Dark is about a cowboy who meets a woman at a bar who turns out to be a vampire. She bites him and they are forced to unite with a gang of other vampires. It examined love and morality as the main character has to decide about continuing with the vampires or returning home to his family. 

The Howling 

This 1981 horror film directed by Joe Dante is often overlooked in the horror genre in the modern world but won the 1980 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film. It also led to the hiring of Dante for Gremlins and investigates werewolves in a much different way than An American Werewolf in London. 

Phenomena/Creepers

This Dario Argento vintage horror film stars Jennifer Connelly who has psychic powers that let her communicate with insects. She uses them to chase a serial killer. While it was originally released in Italy as Phenomena, it was cut by about 20 minutes and released in the U.S. as Creepers. 

Re-Animator

Stuart Gordon’s Re-Animator, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s short story Herbert West–Reanimator, is one of the most unforgettable 80s cult horror movies. The film follows a brilliant but unhinged scientist who discovers a way to bring the dead back to life, unleashing grotesque and shocking consequences. Though it was overshadowed by bigger blockbusters at the time, its mix of gore, dark humor, and Lovecraftian themes earned it lasting cult status and critical praise.

Fright Night

This film directed by Tom Holland was released in 1985 and led to a sequel, a remake, and another sequel spanning nearly 30 years. It’s supernatural, funny, and terrifying all in the span of 106 minutes. Plus, the VHS release that was later transferred to digital DVD featured pan-and-scan version of the film that was also highly praised as there were great props and settings that weren’t available without widescreen. 

The Worst Horror Movies from the 80s

While we’ve already examined some of the best 80s films in the horror genre, let’s examine some of the very worst. Some of these became cult B-movie classics while others are only remembered by horror fans for being terrible. 

• Maniac (1980) – A low-budget slasher about a deranged mama’s boy on a killing spree. Despite its poor rating, it gained a cult following thanks to its guerrilla-style filming reminiscent of Super 8 home movies. Interestingly, it also features a young Elijah Wood.
• Troll 2 (1990) – Filmed in the 80s and released in 1990, this unrelated “sequel” to Troll is often called one of the worst horror movies ever made. From costumes and special effects to acting, almost nothing worked.
• The New York Ripper (1982) – A controversial and poorly received film remembered for excessive violence rather than storytelling.
• Oasis of Zombies (1982) – Weak plot, bad effects, and wooden performances kept this one at the bottom of horror rankings.
• Amityville 3-D (1983) – A failed attempt to capitalize on 3D gimmicks, lacking the suspense that made the original Amityville Horror a success.
• Jaws 3 (1983) – The third installment in the shark franchise leaned too heavily on poor 3D effects and lacked the terror of Spielberg’s original.
• The Hills Have Eyes Part II (1984) – A lackluster sequel that failed to capture the tension and grit of Wes Craven’s original classic.

These titles prove that while the 1980s delivered unforgettable horror gems, it also produced some of the worst horror movies of the decade.

The Highest Selling Horror Movie from the 80s

The 1980s produced some of the most financially successful horror films of all time, from horror-comedies to classic slashers.

• Ghostbusters (1984) – If considered a horror film, it was the highest grossing horror movie of the 80s, earning $282.2 million during its initial theatrical run. It also launched one of the biggest pop culture trends of the decade, with sequels, toys, clothing, and other merchandise that extended well into the 90s.
• The Shining (1980) – Though it earned modest box office numbers at first, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining became the decade’s top horror film not called Ghostbusters. Its success grew thanks to strong rentals and VHS sales, which exploded once VHS became the dominant home video format.
• Friday the 13th (1980) – Made on a low budget, this slasher classic grossed $39 million domestically, sparking a long-running franchise.
• Halloween II (1981) – The follow-up to John Carpenter’s 1978 masterpiece continued Michael Myers’ reign of terror and earned strong box office numbers.
• A Nightmare on Elm Street sequels (1987–1989) – Parts 3, 4, and 5 kept Freddy Krueger in the spotlight, with each film performing well at the box office and cementing the franchise as one of the most profitable of the decade.

These films show how 80s horror movies not only terrified audiences but also dominated the box office and pop culture.

The Scariest Horror Movie from the 80s

What people find frightening or terrifying is often very subjective. Some people get more scared of supernatural villains while others have nightmares about realistic serial killers or psychological manifestations. 

That said, many fans and critics agree that the scariest horror movie of the 80s is The Shining (1980). While it isn’t a traditional slasher, it blends supernatural and psychological horror with unforgettable imagery. From the hedge maze to the eerie twins, the blood-filled elevator, and Jack Nicholson’s chilling “Here’s Johnny” moment, the film delivers both unease and genuine jump scares.

The direction and artistic undertones also set The Shining apart. Few films since Alfred Hitchcock’s classics like Psycho or Rear Window had combined artistry with terror at this level. Its influence continues today, shaping the look and feel of modern horror even as high-quality digital cameras and special effects expand what’s possible.

Iconic Characters and Villains

The 1980s left us with tons of iconic characters and villains, many of which are still being featured in films to this day. 

• Freddy Krueger – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
• Jason Voorhees – Friday the 13th sequels (1980s)
• Chucky – Child’s Play (1988)
• Leatherface – Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 (1986)
• Beetlejuice and the Deetz family – Beetlejuice (1988)

Special Effects and Practical Makeup

The 1980s was the height of practical effects because it was the last decade without high-quality CGI. While creating digital copies of analog media means you can improve the special effects and preserve the videos forever, the practical effects initially created in 1980s horror movies offered something that’s hard to capture with digital special effects. 

• Day of the Dead (1985) – Tom Savini’s team used prosthetics and realistic makeup to create terrifyingly lifelike zombies, making survival feel hopeless.
• Predator (1987) – Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sci-fi horror classic pushed 80s special effects to their limits using a red suit for invisibility shots, electrical sparks, thermal vision, and glowing blood made from glow sticks and lubricant.

These practical techniques gave 80s horror movies their gritty realism and remain a big reason the decade’s films are still remembered today.

Subgenres of Horror in the 80s

The 1980s brought a wide variety of horror subgenres, each offering different kinds of scares:

• Slasher films – Knife, axe, or chainsaw-wielding killers like Halloween, Friday the 13th, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
• Supernatural horror – Paranormal entities and forces as seen in Poltergeist and Ghostbusters.
• Monster movies / creature features – Stories with zombies, vampires, or other terrifying monsters.
• Body horror – Grotesque transformations and shocking physical disfigurement.
• Sci-fi horror – Futuristic terror in films like James Cameron’s Aliens.

These subgenres helped make 80s horror movies diverse, creative, and unforgettable.

Impact on Contemporary Horror

The 1980s transformed the horror genre by proving that movies could be both terrifying and entertaining. Practical effects became more realistic than ever, while filmmakers showed that horror could also be campy, funny, and over the top.

Many films of the decade built on the psychological horror of the 60s and 70s, influenced by Alfred Hitchcock, but added a new level of gore and slasher intensity. While some slashers prioritized shock over storytelling, others combined violence with deeper psychological or social themes, as seen in The Shining, Poltergeist, and The Thing.

Beyond the movies themselves, iconic characters and tropes from 80s horror still shape how scary stories are told today. From practical gore to enduring villains, the impact of must-watch horror movies from the 1980s continues to influence the genre - and haunt our nightmares.

Reliving the Best of the 80s Without the Scares

Horror movies from the 80s include both all-time classics and lesser known gems that make it one of the most cherished eras in the horror genre. With major releases like The Shining, Friday the 13th, and Child’s Play to enduring classics like The Thing and An American Werewolf in London, it was truly one of the best decades for fear. 

If you have your own favorite home movies from the 1980s, whether scary, funny, or nostalgic, Capture can digitize home movies into high-quality digital copies using state-of-the-art equipment. Plus, you’ll never experience the horror of lost memories because our multi-million-dollar tracking and security system monitors them through every hand.