Top 10 Spine-Chilling Horror Movie Endings from the '80s

Occasionally, a horror film can be dreadful from start to finish, like “The Devil Inside” and “The Happening”. At other times, a horror movie may be generally good for most of its duration, but then it might end with an ending that is either controversial, as in “High Tension”, or unsatisfying, which can weaken the impact of what came before, such as “The Turning”. However, there are instances where the ending of a horror movie could be the best part of the film, or at least a chilling conclusion that sends shivers down your spine. These are the endings that I’ll discuss, whether they were the peak of the film or not, but still left viewers terrified.

The important thing to note is that the endings of these horror movies left a lasting impression on the ’80s generation. As such, the films must be suitable for this particular audience, meaning they should have been released prior to 1985. Therefore, we are excluding more recent productions like The Blair Witch Project and Scream. And since the title implies spoilers, here they come:

* “Jaws” (1975) – The shark’s final attack on the Orca, which explodes with the shark inside.
* “Alien” (1979) – The iconic chest-bursting scene in the Nostromo spaceship.
* “Friday the 13th” (1980) – Jason Voorhees’ reveal as the killer at the end of Camp Crystal Lake.
* “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) – Freddy Krueger’s gruesome death and return in the dream world.
* “Poltergeist” (1982) – The family’s harrowing escape from the haunted house, with Carol Anne being transported into the TV static.

Psycho (1960)

To this day, Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” remains one of the most frequently cited horror movies (even by Sabrina Carpenter), and it holds a legacy that is hard to match among other horror classics. Anthony Perkins delivers an exceptional lead performance as Norman Bates in the film. While he plays a killer, his character also manages to evoke sympathy from the audience.

When the story comes to a close and Bates is in the police station, viewers are left questioning if he’s still truly his own self. The part of Bates that battled against his jealous, murderous mother persona appears to have completely vanished. A glance at the camera, as if directly into the viewer’s consciousness, conveys this clearly. Moreover, a faint skull that envelops his face in the film’s final frame subtly reinforces this notion.

The Wicker Man (1973)

Prior to experiencing the chilling tale of “Midsommar”, there was the eerie thrill of “The Wicker Man”. As a fan, I can say that this movie centered around a mysterious cult on a remote Scottish island was explored by a dedicated and honorable character, Sergeant Neil Howie – a police officer, who embarks on a mission to find a missing girl. By the heart-stopping end of the film, we not only learn about Howie but also bid farewell to him.

As the movie concludes, Howie finds himself trapped inside a colossal wicker figure, then set alight. This gruesome end is made even more poignant by the fact that it befalls such an appealing character and takes place in front of a town we’ve been with throughout the film, who celebrate his demise.

Don’t Look Now

In this breathtakingly beautiful and deeply affecting movie, Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie play John and Laura Baxter, a sorrowful couple whose child has tragically drowned. They’ve now found themselves in Venice, where a self-proclaimed medium claims she’s glimpsed their daughter’s spirit.

At first, John finds the idea unfathomable, but eventually, he starts noticing things. A faint glimmer of hope emerges within him that perhaps he might catch a glimpse of his daughter again, even if it’s only her spirit. When he spots an individual wearing a red raincoat strikingly similar to his daughter’s walking away from him, he feels compelled to investigate. However, when this person turns around and attacks John, slitting his throat, the heart-wrenching reality becomes clear. Who wouldn’t cling to any glimmer of hope to spend even a moment with their lost child?

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Tobe Hooper’s movie, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” stands out as one of the most terrifying films ever created, with several compelling factors. What makes it particularly chilling is its uncanny resemblance to real-life events. It presents a horrifying dreamscape that Sally Hardesty, portrayed by Marilyn Burns, barely escapes from – barely.

The conclusion might be seen as both chilling or relatively unfrightening. There’s not much room for ambiguity. Hardesty manages to escape her encounter with the Sawyer clan, though it’s more a matter of survival physically. As she sits in the back of a truck racing away from the Sawyer estate, her screams carry a note of relief, but they also suggest that she has been profoundly changed as a person. To add to this, Leatherface remains active and spins his chainsaw sadly, leaving viewers with a poignantly bittersweet sensation.

Black Christmas (1974)

1974’s “Black Christmas,” directed by Bob Clark – known for “Porky’s” and “A Christmas Story” – presents a stark contrast to his holiday-themed masterpiece. Far from being heartwarming, this film is downright chilling, though not as intensely terrifying as his other work, “Baby Geniuses.” By the movie’s end, every character portrayed by Jess Bradford (Olivia Hussey) has met their untimely demise. To add to her woes, the unseen attacker is now targeting her.

In the basement, she’s confronted by her boyfriend, whom she mistakenly believes to be the attacker due to his fury over her contemplation of an abortion. Thinking he was the perpetrator, she ends up killing him unintentionally. The situation becomes more complicated when it is revealed that the actual killer is still at large in the house, a fact unknown to both the protagonist and the audience. Even the police are under the same misconception as her, believing her boyfriend was the murderer. The movie’s climax skillfully plays with fear, leaving the audience unsure if the villain has been caught or not.

Carrie (1976)

Brian De Palma’s “Carrie” was pioneering in more ways than one; it wasn’t just the initial big-screen interpretation of Stephen King’s extensive literary works. Today, it is often hailed as a timeless masterpiece that many viewers consider one of the most terrifying films ever produced, with its chilling conclusion adding to this reputation.

In a solemn, reverie-like state, Amy Irving’s character Sue Snell pays her respects at the tombstone of Carrie White, who tragically used her telekinetic powers to take the lives of many high school students (and a teacher), followed by her own mother. As she leans over the grave, Carrie’s hand mysteriously emerges.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Most remakes fall short compared to their originals, with very few exceptions surpassing them. However, 1978’s “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” stands out as an exceptional case, bucking the trend and delivering a chilling, paranoia-inducing masterpiece.

This concept extends right up to its conclusion. The viewers have invested two hours into Donald Sutherland’s character, Matthew Bennell, developing an understanding and fondness for him, much like with “The Wicker Man.” However, it is the heartfelt expression on Veronica Cartwright’s face as Nancy Bellicec, when she expresses relief, saying in effect, “At last, I’ve been so terrified and isolated for the past day,” that triggers the alien disguised as her friend to unmask itself with a scream and a pointing finger.

Friday the 13th (1980)

Before Jason donned his iconic hockey mask, and before he embarked on any murderous spree himself, he was merely a haunting presence in people’s dreams. The original “Friday the 13th” movie borrowed ideas from John Carpenter’s “Halloween” and Brian De Palma’s “Carrie,” but it surpassed both in its climactic ending.

In the movie “Carrie“, there’s an uncanny sense of foreshadowing. The music takes on a dreamy quality, the visuals become unusually vivid, and perhaps most significantly, a rock at Carrie’s grave shifts just before her hand appears. On the other hand, in “Friday the 13th“, the only similarity is the dreamy music. When Alice gently touches Crystal Lake, viewers share her sense of security, particularly when police are shown to be present. But then, a moss-covered, grotesque boy springs up with a terrifying screech, catching everyone off guard – even after multiple viewings, the ending remains startling.

Sleepaway Camp

Among the slightly below A-list slasher movies, “Sleepaway Camp” stands out for its intense brutality and a shocking, indelible ending. While it’s debatable whether it’s appropriate today to disclose this, the character Angela Baker, portrayed by Felissa Rose, is actually a boy named Angela who has been living as a girl. This revelation, especially in the climax, might unintentionally perpetuate a harmful trope that could be seen as linking transgender individuals with violence.

As a movie enthusiast, if you were to watch “Titanic” without knowing its end, you’d be utterly taken aback by one of cinema history’s most shocking twists. The expression on Jack’s (the young man) face, particularly the wide shot using a cast of Rose’s face, is downright chilling – it’s the kind of horror that lingers in your dreams.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

The original “A Nightmare on Elm Street” isn’t completely perfect, but it comes pretty close. However, there are two significant issues worth mentioning: the pudding stairs scene (which wasn’t Wes Craven’s original idea), and the ending scare. While the pudding stairs scene may be questionable, the final scene of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” can be defended.

1. First off, some people were definitely spooked by it.

2. If the movie had abruptly ended when Nancy turned away from Freddy, it would have been quite startling.

3. Instead of a traditional Freddy vehicle, why not incorporate something unique like a “Freddy car”?

4. Despite looking rather silly today, the scene where Freddy yanks Marge Thompson through a small window with what seems like the power of a GE9X aircraft engine is quite memorable and hard to shake off.

2025-01-25 02:41

Top 10 Spine-Chilling Horror Movie Endings from the ’80s