The Most Underrated Horror Movie Each Year of the 1980s

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For many horror fans, the 1980s were the golden age of the genre. Classics like The Thing, Friday the 13th, The Shining, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and many others were released within just ten years. The decade also delivered fun horror comedies such as Little Shop of Horrors, Gremlins, and Beetlejuice. But beyond these well-known films, are there some underrated horror movies from the 80s that deserve more attention – the ones with only a small but dedicated fanbase?

Here’s a list of scary movies, ranging from lesser-known titles to those familiar to horror fans. They’re presented in order of release, not by how good they are.

10) Fade to Black

Released in the 1980s, Fade to Black is a slasher film that focuses heavily on its main character. Dennis Christopher plays Eric Binford, a young man obsessed with movies who struggles to connect with others. After being repeatedly bullied and then stood up for a date, Eric finally breaks and begins a series of murders, disguising himself each time to target those he believes have wronged him.

With skillful direction from Vernon Zimmerman and a compelling performance by Christopher, Fade to Black feels more like a psychological thriller than a typical slasher film. While the movie occasionally slows down, it’s generally a well-paced horror film with deeply unsettling themes.

Stream Fade to Black on Shudder.

9) Deadly Blessing

Many films directed by Wes Craven are now considered classics, either major or minor. Films like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, Scream 2, and The Hills Have Eyes are definite standouts. Others, such as The Serpent and the Rainbow, The People Under the Stairs, and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, are considered lesser classics. While Deadly Blessing doesn’t quite reach classic status, it’s still a very strong film.

As a horror fan, I always find this one fascinating because it feels like Wes Craven really finding his footing. It’s not quite as raw as his earlier film, Hills, but you can already see he’s getting much more polished before Nightmare really blew up. Honestly, the movie tries to do a lot, and doesn’t quite nail everything, but it’s carried by a genuinely creepy atmosphere and a fantastic performance from Ernest Borgnine. It’s a great look at a director developing his signature style.

Stream Deadly Blessing on MovieSphere+.

8) Alone in the Dark

As a horror fan, I gotta say, Alone in the Dark really got under my skin – it’s a seriously suspenseful and creepy movie! Jack Palance, Martin Landau, and Donald Pleasence all deliver fantastic performances. While a lot of people call it a slasher film, it’s actually a lot more thoughtful and psychological, kind of like Fade to Black. Plus, it throws in a really clever character reveal that I didn’t see coming.

The story centers on a psychiatrist who starts a new job at a hospital, but his arrival deeply unsettles the patients. Four of them, all with violent impulses, believe he’s replaced and murdered their former doctor, and they escape to terrorize him and his family.

7) Of Unknown Origin

The movie Of Unknown Origin is similar to Willard but with the roles reversed. You could also think of it as a version of Graveyard Shift, except the action happens in a regular house instead of a factory basement.

In the film, actor Peter Weller—best known for RoboCop—plays Bart Hughes, an ordinary man who is happily employed and devoted to his family. His life begins to unravel when he becomes fixated on a rat in his house. Driven to destroy it, he’s willing to risk everything, even the complete destruction of his home.

6) Razorback

The Australian film Razorback is often compared to Jaws, but it’s actually more similar to Orca. However, most viewers find Razorback much more entertaining. The film is particularly notable for its impressive, realistically-created boar creature.

If you haven’t seen Orca, Razorback is a simple story: one man against a huge, dangerous animal. Jake Cullen is determined to hunt down the enormous-tusked boar that attacked his grandson, and he’ll keep searching until he succeeds, armed with only a rifle and binoculars.

Stream Razorback on Hoopla.

5) Cat’s Eye

When people think of Stephen King’s stories adapted into collections of shorter films, Creepshow is usually the first that comes to mind – and with good reason, it’s considered the best. However, Cat’s Eye is also a worthwhile watch.

The series is most effective when adapting stories by Stephen King. The first two segments, “Quitters, Inc.” and “The Ledge,” which are based on stories from his collection Night Shift, are particularly well-executed. The third story, an original called “The General” starring Drew Barrymore (who also appears in the introduction and conclusion segments), feels too lighthearted. However, the first two adaptations are definitely worth seeing.

4) Rawhead Rex

Despite the fact that author Clive Barker isn’t a fan, the movie Rawhead Rex is a fairly faithful and enjoyable adaptation of his short story. It features a quirky, yet unforgettable villain and a strong performance from David Dukes.

Yes, the movie is definitely over-the-top. However, it’s a classic monster movie at its core, making it a fun choice for a late-night viewing if you’re willing to embrace a ridiculous, hairy creature rampaging through Ireland. Despite criticism of its design, there’s something enjoyable about a monster that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Stream Rawhead Rex on AMC+.

3) Prison

Renny Harlin, who later directed films like Die Hard 2 and Deep Blue Sea, made his American movie debut with Prison. It’s clear how this film led to him directing A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master the following year. Similar to the Freddy Krueger series, Prison is a supernatural slasher film driven by a vengeful villain and features a constantly shifting reality.

The movie Prison has a fun bit of pop culture appeal. Notably, Kane Hodder, who famously played Jason Voorhees, appears as the resurrected prisoner, though his scene is brief—we only see him still strapped to the electric chair. Plus, Viggo Mortensen, who later starred in The Lord of the Rings, plays one of the main characters. Lane Smith also delivers a strong performance as the warden of the Wyoming prison that Charles Forsyth, brought back from the dead, is wreaking havoc on.

2) Scarecrows

Despite its small budget, Scarecrows is a surprisingly effective horror film. It relies heavily on practical effects, and its story, which is reminiscent of And Then There Were None, makes it a perfect late-night watch.

The story follows a team of mercenaries who’ve stolen $3 million from a Marine base and are making a run for the border. One of them grabs the money and parachutes to safety, leaving the others to pursue him on the ground. They end up on a large farm with nothing but a huge cornfield and a farmhouse, but the scarecrows in the field aren’t what they seem – and they’re far more dangerous than they appear.

Stream Scarecrows on Prime Video.

1) Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan

While not the strongest film in the Friday the 13th series, Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan is surprisingly easy to watch again and again. Once you accept that most of the movie doesn’t actually happen in Manhattan, you can enjoy it for what it is: a Friday the 13th movie largely set on a boat, which is a fun premise.

Despite its flaws, Jason Takes Manhattan has some redeeming qualities. Seeing Kane Hodder reprise his role as Jason is a plus, and the film features a memorably gruesome scene involving a lava rock. The boxing scene is hilariously bad in the best way, and the plot’s many inconsistencies are strangely charming. Plus, Peter Mark Richman delivers a standout performance as Charles McCulloch, arguably the best villain in the entire Friday the 13th series.

While often considered the worst Friday the 13th film, Jason Takes Manhattan is surprisingly self-aware, which actually makes it better than some of the others. The movie includes moments where Jason seems to acknowledge the absurdity of it all – like when he notices a hockey mask in an ad, or when he reacts to people threatening him by simply revealing his own mask and watching them flee. It’s clear the filmmakers knew the series had become over-the-top and decided to embrace the silliness, resulting in a genuinely enjoyable experience.

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2025-11-21 04:12