During the 1980s, horror television brought crypt ghouls and cursed antiques straight into our living rooms every week. This was a time when VHS dominated home video and there was a surge in TV program production, which led to a deeper exploration of the darker aspects of the genre. Networks began adopting anthology-style shows reminiscent of The Twilight Zone, with a revival of the original series in 1985 being one example. These shows combined humor, traditional monsters, and practical effects to create some genuinely entertaining and terrifying series.
The 1980s are famous for chilling horror movies such as ‘Poltergeist’ and ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’, but the television of that era is equally fascinating. Pioneering the boundaries of what was acceptable on network TV at the time, these shows have since gained cult status, influencing modern horror creators and storytellers. Thanks to streaming services today, many of the 80s’ most terrifying productions have been revived for a new audience, providing an easy way to explore the decade’s most spine-chilling masterpieces once again.
1) Monsters
George A. Romero’s horror anthology series, known as “Tales from the Darkside,” is currently not available for streaming. However, its dark counterpart, “Monsters,” has been revived for today’s viewers. Similar to its time, “Monsters” followed an anthology format with each episode featuring a unique monster. Creatures such as rubber-suit aliens and demon puppets were common in the series, often accompanied by the show’s darkly humorous tone.
In my opinion, what made this show special was its affordable production, earning it a place as a television equivalent of the Midnight Movie experience. Now, you can catch every episode streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi. If you’re into practical effects and unusual horror stories, I strongly recommend Monsters. Enjoy the ride!
2) The Twilight Zone (1985)
The 1980s revival of Rod Serling’s iconic anthology presented a grittier interpretation of the original format. Notable horror directors like Wes Craven and authors such as Stephen King and Harlan Ellison were among its contributors. This series continued the original recipe, offering speculative science fiction and spine-chilling horror narratives. Its inclination towards more intense fright scenes and morally complex conclusions differentiated it from its black-and-white counterpart of the mid-20th century. Additionally, it was presented in color.
Although it’s not found on mainstream streaming platforms at present, numerous episodes can be viewed for free on YouTube. Despite not being as universally admired as the original version, the ’80s adaptation of The Twilight Zone demonstrated the format’s enduring appeal and cultivated its own dedicated fanbase.
3) Elvira’s Movie Macabre
Prior to the emergence of YouTube reaction channels, the character Elvira, played by Cassandra Peterson, transformed low-budget and poorly produced horror movies into captivating viewing experiences with her sharp wit and unique blend of gothic and Valley Girl style. Each episode featured a forgotten creature feature, enhanced by Elvira’s comedic commentary that added new life to these otherwise overlooked horror stories.
You have several options to watch “Elvira’s Movie Macabre,” including Prime Video, Tubi, Philo, and YouTube TV. This makes it more convenient than ever to enjoy her iconic role as the Queen of Halloween. Tune in for some cheesy yet entertaining movies and stick around for Elvira’s horror-filled hosting and humor.
4) The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
In this updated version of the 1955 original, Alfred Hitchcock provided colorized introductions, along with freshly filmed tales and some reworkings of original episodes. This created a unique fusion of classic suspense and contemporary appeal, showcasing stars like Martin Sheen, Melanie Griffith, and even a young Tippi Hedren as guest actors.
On conventional streaming platforms, you won’t find these episodes, but they are freely accessible on the Internet Archive. Although the special effects may reveal its age, the compelling narrative and sharp plot twists continue to captivate viewers. We all understand Hitchcock’s suspense formula to be influential, yet this often-overlooked series serves as a testament to the fact that it remains evergreen.
5) Freddy’s Nightmares
Leveraging Freddy Krueger’s movie popularity after Wes Craven’s 1984 blockbuster A Nightmare on Elm Street, this anthology series, set in Springwood, Ohio, showcases Robert Englund’s character as the macabre host and occasional lead in a string of chilling stories. Despite being produced on a smaller budget and adhering to TV guidelines, the horror elements were toned down compared to the films. However, it dared to challenge norms with its dreamlike atmosphere and black humor.
As a movie buff with a soft spot for ‘80s horror, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news! Right now, Plex TV is granting us free access to both seasons of the intriguing spinoff, “Freddy’s Nightmares.” If you’re yearning for a chilling throwback experience, this is it! What makes it even more captivating is that the pilot episode delves into Freddy Krueger’s origin story – a tantalizing backstory that the films left largely unexplored. So, grab some popcorn and dive into the eerie world of ’80s horror once again!
6) Werewolf (1987)
This Fox series, inspired by shows such as “The Fugitive” and “The Incredible Hulk”, revolved around Eric Cord, a man afflicted with a unique curse: whenever his birthmark shaped like a pentagram bled, he transformed into a werewolf, not only during full moons. His journey to hunt down the werewolf who had infected him unfolded as a supernatural road adventure, complete with gritty, state-of-the-art special effects transformations for its time. The contemporary rock music soundtrack was another distinctive feature of the show.
As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’ve spent years on the hunt for an elusive show that seemed to vanish without a trace. However, my quest finally paid off when I stumbled upon archival YouTube channels like Silver Bullet Fan! Now, I can revisit and even discover episodes of this pioneering series, which was surprisingly progressive for its era. Best part? It’s all free to watch!
7) Hammer House of Horror
Hailing from the renowned Hammer Films of Britain, this collection of short stories captured the essence of supernatural horror enthusiasts’ desires in the given era – dark mansions, demons, curses, and occasional graphic scenes. Each of the 13 episodes presented a self-contained narrative, encompassing themes ranging from possession to witchcraft, and showcased future stars like Pierce Brosnan.
The entire collection of the series is now available for streaming on both Prime Video and Peacock, in addition to free platforms like Tubi. This means you have a wider range of choices than ever before to revisit Hammer’s chilling horror productions. To this day, its striking cinematography and somber tempo make it stand out among modern, Americanized horror anthologies.
8) Darkroom
Under the guidance of James Coburn, the series Darkroom presented two to three suspenseful tales per episode, teeming with elements such as paranoia, psychological unease, or supernatural threat. The chilling opening credits, which showcased a spooky camera tour through an unoccupied house, left a lasting impact on ’80s children, serving as their recurring nightmare imagery.
Even though the show isn’t streaming at the moment, feel free to bookmark it on NBC so you can be notified when it becomes available again. In the interim, many enthusiasts have reported finding complete episodes on YouTube and the Internet Archive.
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9) Friday the 13th: The Series
Although the title may suggest a connection to Jason Voorhees, this show actually focused on the exploits of cousins Micki and Ryan, who embark on a quest to locate cursed antiques that unleash death and turmoil. The blend of supernatural intrigue, horror elements made it more of an occult-themed adventure series, yet its dark atmosphere and monstrous effects contributed to its devoted fanbase.
Although not officially airing, channels such as Lionheart Filmworks have brought back popular episodes like “Tales of the Undead” and “Hallowe’en” for viewers eager to discover some haunting relics. Fans are optimistic that the show may become available on Paramount+ soon.
10) Tales from the Crypt
Reimagining the text: “The master of chilling anthologies, Tales from the Crypt, transformed gruesome tales from EC Comics into reality using renowned directors, top-tier actors, and the distinctive Crypt Keeper. Each installment was a standalone story, blending horror with dark wit and shocking conclusions that left us both amused and uncomfortable in our seats.
It’s unfortunate that due to copyright licensing issues, the series isn’t currently available for streaming. However, this doesn’t diminish its significance for fans of horror TV. You can still catch a glimpse of what is arguably the most iconic and influential 80s horror show ever made by watching full episodes on YouTube.
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2025-08-14 21:24