Summary
The 1980s were a fantastic time for horror movies and were full of cult classics that just didn’t get enough credit. While acclaimed horror movies likeThe Shiningor massive franchises likeFriday the 13thandNightmare on Elm Streethave dominated the conversation around 1980s horror, it’s important to shine a light on all the other great movies out there. The best cult classics were beloved by horror enthusiasts but sadly didn’t have as much resonance for a mainstream audience and have been lying idle, just waiting to be rediscovered.
Many cult classics never got their deserved credit for setting new standards in the horror movie landscape, introducing ideas and concepts that have had widespread influence, or expertly balancing different genres to create something unique. From terrifyingadaptations of the works of H.P. Lovecraftto thrilling remakes of horrors from bygone eras, the litany of incredible cult classics was what made the 1980s such a great time for horror cinema. Thesecult classics have been lurking in the shadows of darkness for far too longand deserve more recognition.
10Cat People (1982)
Directed by Paul Schrader
Paul Schrader first gained recognition as the screenwriter for Martin Scorsese classics likeTaxi DriverandRaging Bull, but he’s also an acclaimed director in his own right.Cat Peoplewas one of Schrader’s strangest works and was a highly sexualized remake of the fascinating 1942 film of the same name.Cat Peoplereceived mixed reviews upon release but has gained a cult following. With Nastassja Kinski as Irena Gallier, ittold the story of a woman who learned she descended from a race of people with hidden feline characteristics.
While the central premise ofCat Peoplewas preposterous, this was also part of its appeal as the film walked the fine line between erotic thriller and horror fantasy. It’s campy, wild, and over-the-top, butCat Peoplehad an interesting appeal that was categorized by sexual awakenings and intriguing excitement. With an extraordinarily catchy theme song by David Bowie,Cat Peoplewas a 1980s cult classic that deserved more attention than it got.
Cat People
Cast
A woman who was orphaned from a young age finally reunites with her older brother. Matters start to go awry when she slowly discovers the true nature of her family.
9Gothic (1986)
Directed by Ken Russell
The psychological horrorGothicfictionalized an important night in the history of literature to tell an often incoherent but quietly engrossing story about famed horror writers. Based onFrankensteinauthor Mary Shelley’s visit to Lord Byron in Villa Diodati by Lake Geneva,Gothicwas about writers competing to create their own horror story. This was a real meeting that actually took place, and some historians believe it may have initially inspired Shelley to writeFrankenstein(viaNew York Times.)
With Byron portrayed as an almost demonic figure and Shelley practically on the verge of madness,Gothicwas a unique look at pre-Victorian era writers who laid the foundations for much of what the horror genre became. With excellent direction from Ken Russell, who previously showed off his bombastic style in an adaptation of The Who’sTommy,Gothicwas truly a horror like no other. While it may not appeal to a mainstream audience, as a fascinating cult classic,Gothicdoes not get enough credit.
Gothic
The Shelleys visit Lord Byron and compete to write a horror story.
Directed by Dan O’Bannon
One horror cult classic that certainly does not get enough credit was Dan O’Bannon’sThe Return of the Living Dead, which was notable asthe first brain-eating zombie movie. While many may associate this classic zombie characteristic with George A. Romero’s influential portrayal of ghouls inThe Night of the Living Deadseries, it was actually O’Bannon’s punk rock zombie comedy horror that introduced this concept. With plenty of references to Romero’s original movie,The Return of the Living Deadwas a hilarious homage to Romero’s legacy.
ConsideringThe Return of the Living Dead’sinfluential nature, it deserved to be discussed alongside the greatest zombie movies, as the idea of brain-eating undead creatures of the night has become eternally imbued into popular culture. Not only this, butThe Return of the Living Deadwas a truly funny comedy horror with a unique sense of self-referential humor. Truly one of the most underappreciated cult classics of the 1980s, horror lovers who have not seen it should be sure to check outThe Return of the Living Dead.
Return of the Living Dead
Return of the Living Dead is a 1985 horror comedy directed by Dan O’Bannon and starring Clu Gulager, Thom Mathews, James Karen, and Don Calfa. The plot revolves around medical supply store clerk Frank and his apprentice Freddy, who accidentally release a deadly gas that revives the dead in a nearby cemetery. Soon the city is invaded by a horde of hungry zombies, which Frank and Freddy have to fight for their own survival.
7Christine (1983)
Directed by John Carpenter
Adaptations of Stephen King’s writingsresulted in some of the greatest movies of the 1980s, including the horror classicThe Shiningand the coming-of-age taleStand By Me, but that forgets just how great the film version ofChristinewas. Based on King’s novel from the same year, Christine was directed by horror legend John Carpenter and was a cult classic with a unique identity. As the story of a killer car,Christinewas nightmare fuel come to life, and viewers just had to strap in and enjoy the ride.
What started as an innocent story of a nerdy boy buying a car soon turned into a compelling horror about a vehicle coming to life that exhibited a jealous and possessive personality.Christinewas a fun-fueled horrorthat succeeded in giving the car such an established personality that it felt like an actual movie character. WhileStephen King didn’t like this adaptation ofChristine, it was still an incredibly underrated horror classic that does not get enough credit.
Christine
Christine is a 1983 horror film from director John Carpenter. The film was based on the novel by Stephen King, in which an evil car is purchased and starts having a negative influence on its new teenage owner. The film stars Keith Gordon as the main character Arnie, who buys Christine.
6From Beyond (1986)
Directed by Stuart Gordon
Stuard Gordon followed up on his direction debut,Re-Animator, with the equally outrageous and underrated body horrorFrom Beyond. As one of the best adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft,From Beyondwas loosely based on Lovecraft’s short story of the same nameand told the grotesque story of scientists who developed a machine that allowed humans to see beyond normal human perception. After uncovering creatures from another dimension, one scientist was sent into their world and returned from beyond it as a horrific, shape-shifting monster.
From Beyondmanaged to deliver terrifying thrills while maintaining a unique sense of humor and a playful atmosphere. As a truly compelling, low-budget horror,From Beyondwas a 1980s cult classic that proved directors did not need a big budget to create a long lasting impact.From Beyondhas truly stood the test of time and even partly formed the basis of the 2021 miniseriesThe Resonator: Miskatonic Uby William Butler.
From Beyond
From Beyond, directed by Stuart Gordon, is a 1986 horror film based on the story by H.P. Lovecraft. The plot centers on Dr. Crawford Tillinghast and his invention, the Resonator, which allows humans to perceive alternate dimensions. As the machine operates, it unlocks monstrous entities from a parallel universe, leading to terrifying consequences. Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton star in this atmospheric exploration of scientific ambition and the unknown.
5An American Werewolf In London (1981)
Directed by John Landis
An American Werewolf in Londonperfectly walked the line between horror and comedy. It told the story of two American backpackers attacked by a werewolf while traveling around England. Written and directed by John Landis,An American Werewolf in Londonsignaled the increased potential of special effects as the transformation scene and astounding horror makeup set a new standard in Hollywood. An extraordinary accomplishment that was funny and horrifying in equal measure,An American Werewolf in Londonwas a cult classic that deserved more credit for just how groundbreaking it looked.
However, one musician who noticed the film’s effects' trailblazing power was Michael Jackson, who recruited both Landis and the special makeup creator Rick Baker for the music video for his 1983 hit “Thriller.”An American Werewolf in Londonwas also the first movie to win Best Makeup at the Academy Awards, as this was the year the category was created. A real gem of 1980s horror, anyone who has not seen it should be sure to check outAn American Werewolf in London.
An American Werewolf In London
An American Werewolf in London centers on two American college students who are attacked by a werewolf while traveling in London, England. David Kessler survives the attack but is haunted by visions of his friend Jack, who explains how dangerous David has become after the violent attack. The John Landis-directed film stars David Naughton and Jenny Agutter.
Directed by Sam Raimi
WhileThe Evil Deadas a franchise has developed an intensely loyal fanbase that has followed through its many sequels, remakes, and TV series, it has remained an underappreciated cult classic among mainstream viewers. As the first time that viewers met Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams,The Evil Deadwas truly a transformative moment in the history of horror that launched the acclaimed career of director Sam Raimi. The Evil Dead had a unique sense of identity and looked fantastic, considering its budget of just $350,000 (viaForbes).
While the franchise’s comedic sensibilities would be embraced even more in the sequel,Evil Dead II,the original film already pushed its concept to the absolute limit with its astounding prosthetic makeup and stop-motion effects. From setting its fascinating lore of demonic possession and theNecronomiconbook of the dead,The Evil Deadwas far more accomplished than the average independent horror filmmaker’s directional debut. WhileThe Evil Deadhas remained popular as a franchise, the original doesn’t get enough credit.
The Evil Dead
The Evil Deadis a horror movie from 1981 starring Bruce Campbell and directed by Sam Raimi. The film follows Ash Williams, who after visiting a cabin in the woods, is tormented by deadites and must fight for his life after his friends are possessed.The Evil Deadnot only started a long-running horror franchise, but it is also the film responsible for putting both Raimi and Campbell on the map as a director and actor, respectively.
3Videodrome (1983)
Directed by David Cronenberg
By 1983, horror enthusiasts were already familiar with the body horror grotesqueness of director David Cronenberg’s unique cinematic style. However, Cronenberg’s movies were quite alienating and rarely able to reach a mainstream audience, withVideodromebeing no expectation as it bombed at the box office. While today,Videodromehas rightfully earned its place as a cult classic, its techno-surrealist aesthetic and cryptic, psychological themes were a tough sell for the average 1980s filmgoer.
Videodromeeffectively melded body horror with science fiction as layers of corruption were uncovered when a man sought to discover the source of a strange broadcast signal showcasing unauthorized snuff films. With outrageous hallucinations and a crumbling sense of reality,Videodromepowerfully addressed the increased prevalence and grasp of technology on society. Perhaps even more relevant today than when it was first released,Videodromehas never got enough credit.
Videodrome
A programmer at a Toronto TV station that specializes in adult entertainment searches for the producers of a dangerous and bizarre broadcast.
2They Live (1988)
The best horror movies have always reflected the society in which they were produced, and this was certainly the case for John Carpenter’s excellent satirical sci-fi horror,They Live. Released amid the dissatisfaction that many felt towards the economic policies of Reganism,They Liveshowcased a society secretly ruled by alien beingswho used subliminal messaging in mass media to control the public. As a thrilling social satire,They Livewas an excellent piece of filmmaking whose influence, particularly its ‘obey’ messaging, has bled into modern popular culture.
They Livewas one of thegreatest cult movies evermade and ranked among the best John Carpenter movies due to its relevant messaging, unflinching look at contemporary times, and overall sense of humor. With Roddy Piper as the drifter Nada,They Livehighlighted the unseen world as Nada discovered special sunglasses that allowed him to see beyond the facade of a constructed society. WhileThey Livewas certainly a film of its time, its message has remained relevant through the economic turmoil and cyclical recessions seen throughout the 21st century.
They Live
John Carpenter directs They Live, a sci-fi movie about a drifter known as Nada (Roddy Piper), who discovers a pair of sunglasses that allow him to see the evil forces that secretly pull the strings of the world and manipulate people through subliminal messages. The film provides a critical commentary on consumerism and conformism from a science fiction perspective.
1Re-Animator (1985)
As a comedy-horror loosely based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft,Re-Animatorwas among the most underrated movies of the 1980s, as its thrilling depiction of a medical student who discovered how to reanimate the dead deserved widespread acclaim. The directional debut of Stuart Gordon,Re-Animator,signaled his unique filmmaking instincts, delivering thrilling scares alongside deadpan humor. While Gordon’s version was a more lighthearted take on Lovecraft’s original story,Re-Animatorwas a mostly faithful adaptation of the Gothic tale.
Re-Animatorwas a campy horror classic that truly lived up to its reputation and deserved to get a lot more credit from mainstream horror lovers.Re-Animatoreven featured allusions to past horror movies, such as its soundtrack, which paid homage to the iconic score of Alfred Hitchcock’sPsycho. It’s fun, it’s frightening, and it’s full of flair,Re-Animatordeserved more credit than it ever got.
Re-Animator
1985’s Re-Animator is a feature-length film based on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story, Herbert West–Reanimator. The Horror and Comedy release follows a man that spends time attempting to create a reagent that will reanimate the dead.
