The 1980s was a golden era for horror, with classics like The Shining, The Evil Dead, and A Nightmare on Elm Street dominating the genre. But there were also many hidden gems that deserve more recognition and appreciation. Here are 10 of the most underrated horror movies from the 1980s that every horror fan should watch.
10. The Changeling (1980)
This atmospheric and chilling ghost story stars George C. Scott as a composer who moves into a haunted mansion after the death of his wife and daughter. He soon discovers that the house is hiding a dark secret involving a murdered child and a powerful family. The Changeling is a masterful example of how to create suspense and terror with minimal gore and jump scares. The film features some of the most memorable scenes in horror history, such as the seance, the wheelchair, and the ball bouncing down the stairs.
9. The Stuff (1985)
This satirical and gory horror comedy is about a mysterious white substance that becomes a popular dessert and turns people into mindless zombies. A former FBI agent teams up with a young boy and a cookie mogul to expose the truth behind The Stuff and stop its spread. The film is a clever commentary on consumerism, corporate greed, and mass media, as well as a fun and gross-out ride with some creative special effects and kills.
8. Prince of Darkness (1987)
This underrated gem from John Carpenter is a mix of science fiction and occult horror, as a group of researchers and students investigate a mysterious cylinder containing a liquid that is the essence of Satan. The film explores the concepts of quantum physics, time travel, and the nature of evil, while delivering some creepy and disturbing imagery and scenes. The film also features a cameo from Alice Cooper as a possessed homeless man.
7. Celia (1989)
This Australian horror drama is a rare and unique film that blends fantasy, politics, and childhood trauma. The film follows Celia, a nine-year-old girl who lives in a conservative and oppressive society in the 1950s. She escapes into a world of imagination and magic, where she befriends a talking rabbit and a communist rebel. But her fantasies soon turn into nightmares, as she faces the harsh realities of her family and society. The film is a haunting and poignant portrait of a troubled child and a critique of the social and political issues of the time.
6. The Howling V: The Rebirth (1989)
The fifth installment of the werewolf franchise is surprisingly the best one, as it takes a different approach from the previous films. The film is a whodunit mystery, as a group of strangers are invited to a remote castle in Hungary, where they are stalked and killed by a werewolf. The film has a Gothic and claustrophobic atmosphere, as well as some decent werewolf effects and transformations. The film also has a twist ending that is both shocking and satisfying.
5. Vamp (1986)
This horror comedy is a fun and stylish homage to the vampire genre, as two college friends go to a strip club to hire a stripper for their fraternity, only to find out that the club is run by vampires. The film features a memorable performance by Grace Jones as the vampire queen, as well as some hilarious and inventive scenes and gags. The film also has a colorful and neon aesthetic that gives it a distinctive 80s vibe.
4. Gothic (1986)
This film is a fictionalized account of the night when Mary Shelley conceived the idea of Frankenstein, as she and her friends spend a stormy night at Lord Byron’s villa, where they indulge in drugs, sex, and horror stories. The film is a psychedelic and surreal trip, as the characters experience hallucinations, nightmares, and visions of their own fears and desires. The film is directed by Ken Russell, who is known for his eccentric and provocative style, and features a great cast that includes Natasha Richardson, Gabriel Byrne, and Julian Sands.
3. Night of the Creeps (1986)
This horror comedy is a fun and stylish homage to the zombie genre, as well as the sci-fi and horror films of the 1950s. The film follows a college student who unwittingly unleashes an alien parasite that turns people into zombies. He and his friends must team up with a grizzled cop to stop the invasion. The film is full of witty dialogue, references, and easter eggs, as well as some impressive makeup and gore effects. The film also features a memorable performance by Tom Atkins as the cop, who delivers the iconic line: “Thrill me.”
2. Inferno (1980)
This film is the second part of Dario Argento’s Three Mothers trilogy, which began with Suspiria and ended with The Mother of Tears. The film follows a young man who travels to New York to find his sister, who has disappeared after discovering a book that reveals the existence of three powerful witches. The film is a visual and auditory feast, as Argento creates a nightmarish and surreal world of colors, sounds, and symbols. The film also has some of the most stunning and shocking set pieces in horror cinema, such as the underwater scene, the cat attack, and the final confrontation.
1. Pumpkinhead (1988)
This film is the directorial debut of Stan Winston, the legendary special effects artist who worked on films like The Terminator, Aliens, and Jurassic Park. The film is a revenge story, as a grieving father summons a demonic creature to kill the teenagers who accidentally killed his son. The film is a dark and tragic fairy tale, as the father realizes that he has made a terrible mistake and that he is linked to the monster he unleashed. The film features one of the most impressive and iconic creature designs in horror history, as well as a powerful and emotional performance by Lance Henriksen as the father.
These are some of the most underrated horror movies of the 1980s that deserve more attention and praise. Whether you are looking for scares, laughs, or both, these films will not disappoint you. They are also a testament to the creativity and diversity of the horror genre, as they explore different themes, styles, and subgenres. So, if you are a fan of horror, or just curious about the 1980s, give these films a try and see for yourself why they are so underrated. You might just find your new favorite horror movie.