Summary

• Cult classics from the 1980s set new standards in horror, blending genres and introducing influential ideas.
• Films like Cat People and Gothic may not be mainstream, but they deserve recognition for their impact.
• The 1980s gave us underrated gems like The Return of the Living Dead, Christine, and From Beyond that deserve more credit.

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 like The Shining or massive franchises like Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street have 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 terrifying adaptations of the works of H.P. Lovecraft to 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. These cult classics have been lurking in the shadows of darkness for far too long and deserve more recognition.

10 Cat People (1982)

Directed by Paul Schrader

Paul Schrader first gained recognition as the screenwriter for Martin Scorsese classics like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, but he’s also an acclaimed director in his own right. Cat People was one of Schrader's strangest works and was a highly sexualized remake of the fascinating 1942 film of the same name. Cat People received mixed reviews upon release but has gained a cult following. With Nastassja Kinski as Irena Gallier, it told the story of a woman who learned she descended from a race of people with hidden feline characteristics.

While the central premise of Cat People was 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, but Cat People had an interesting appeal that was categorized by sexual awakenings and intriguing excitement. With an extraordinarily catchy theme song by David Bowie, Cat People was a 1980s cult classic that deserved more attention than it got.

9 Gothic (1986)

Directed by Ken Russell

The psychological horror Gothic fictionalized an important night in the history of literature to tell an often incoherent but quietly engrossing story about famed horror writers. Based on Frankenstein author Mary Shelley’s visit to Lord Byron in Villa Diodati by Lake Geneva, Gothic was 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 write Frankenstein (via New York Times.)

With Byron portrayed as an almost demonic figure and Shelley practically on the verge of madness, Gothic was 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’s Tommy, Gothic was truly a horror like no other. While it may not appeal to a mainstream audience, as a fascinating cult classic, Gothic does not get enough credit.

8 The Return Of The Living Dead (1985)

Directed by Dan O'Bannon

One horror cult classic that certainly does not get enough credit was Dan O’Bannon’s The Return of the Living Dead, which was notable as the first brain-eating zombie movie. While many may associate this classic zombie characteristic with George A. Romero’s influential portrayal of ghouls in The Night of the Living Dead series, 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 Dead was a hilarious homage to Romero’s legacy.

Considering The Return of the Living Dead’s influential 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, but The Return of the Living Dead was 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 out The Return of the Living Dead.

7 Christine (1983)

Directed by John Carpenter

Adaptations of Stephen King’s writings resulted in some of the greatest movies of the 1980s, including the horror classic The Shining and the coming-of-age tale Stand By Me, but that forgets just how great the film version of Christine was. 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, Christine was 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. Christine was a fun-fueled horror that succeeded in giving the car such an established personality that it felt like an actual movie character. While Stephen King didn’t like this adaptation of Christine, it was still an incredibly underrated horror classic that does not get enough credit.

6 From Beyond (1986)

Directed by Stuart Gordon

Stuard Gordon followed up on his direction debut, Re-Animator, with the equally outrageous and underrated body horror From Beyond. As one of the best adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft, From Beyond was loosely based on Lovecraft's short story of the same name and 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 Beyond managed to deliver terrifying thrills while maintaining a unique sense of humor and a playful atmosphere. As a truly compelling, low-budget horror, From Beyond was a 1980s cult classic that proved directors did not need a big budget in order to create a long lasting impact. From Beyond has truly stood the test of time and even partly formed the basis of the 2021 miniseries The Resonator: Miskatonic U by William Butler.

5 An American Werewolf In London (1981)

Directed by John Landis

An American Werewolf in London perfectly 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 London signaled 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 London was 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 London was 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 out An American Werewolf in London.

4 The Evil Dead (1981)

Directed by Sam Raimi

While The Evil Dead as 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 Dead was 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 (via Forbes).

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 the Necronomicon book of the dead, The Evil Dead was far more accomplished than the average independent horror filmmaker's directional debut. While The Evil Dead has remained popular as a franchise, the original doesn’t get enough credit.

3 Videodrome (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, with Videodrome being no expectation as it bombed at the box office. While today, Videodrome has 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.

Videodrome effectively 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, Videodrome powerfully addressed the increased prevalence and grasp of technology on society. Perhaps even more relevant today than when it was first released, Videodrome has never got enough credit.

2 They Live (1988)

Directed by John Carpenter

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 Live showcased a society secretly ruled by alien beings who used subliminal messaging in mass media to control the public. As a thrilling social satire, They Live was an excellent piece of filmmaking whose influence, particularly its ‘obey’ messaging, has bled into modern popular culture.

They Live was one of the greatest cult movies ever made 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 Live highlighted the unseen world as Nada discovered special sunglasses that allowed him to see beyond the facade of a constructed society. While They Live was certainly a film of its time, its message has remained relevant through the economic turmoil and cyclical recessions seen throughout the 21st century.

1 Re-Animator (1985)

Directed by Stuart Gordon

As a comedy-horror loosely based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft, Re-Animator was 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-Animator was a mostly faithful adaptation of the Gothic tale.

Re-Animator was a campy horror classic that truly lived up to its reputation and deserved to get a lot more credit from mainstream horror lovers. Re-Animator even featured allusions to past horror movies, such as its soundtrack, which paid homage to the iconic score of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. It’s fun, it’s frightening, and it’s full of flair, Re-Animator deserved more credit than it ever got.

Sources: New York Times, Forbes