Discover the Most Terrifying Horror Films of 1984 That Will Haunt You Forever!

1984 saw only two major horror releases – Mark L. Lester’s adaptation of Stephen King’s “Firestarter” and Wes Craven’s “The Hills Have Eyes Part II,” which were both disappointing. The rest of the A-list or B-list projects in that year were quite good, though. The ’80s horror genre is remarkable for its unique entries that could only have emerged from that decade. If there was any year in the ’80s that highlighted this, it was undoubtedly 1984. From terrifying dream demons to cannibalistic humanoids, it was an unusual year for the horror genre.

The upcoming list showcases some top horror movies from 1984. While some may seem like amusing cultural artifacts, others have become timeless masterpieces, but each one is undeniably worth experiencing at least once.

1) C.H.U.D.

The creature feature known as “C.H.U.D.” (Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers) leans more towards cult fascination than a cinematic masterpiece, but it offers an exhilarating journey when it desires to. However, it occasionally strays from its focus, which can be a slight drawback. Nevertheless, in the realm of horror, ambition is rarely a fault.

For those intrigued by different cultures, this film is worth exploring for several reasons. Firstly, the monsters in the title are quite grotesque but fascinating to look at. Secondly, if you’re on the hunt for an ’80s horror movie brimming with future stars, this one fits the bill perfectly. Actors like John Heard and Daniel Stern from “Home Alone”, Kim Greist from “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey”, Frankie R. Faison from “The Silence of the Lambs”, Jon Polito from “The Crow”, and Patricia Richardson from “Home Improvement” all make appearances here, with a young John Goodman even making a cameo!

Stream C.H.U.D. on Prime Video.

2) Children of the Corn

In terms of quality, one might not anticipate “Children of the Corn” to be the Stephen King adaptation that spawned a lengthy franchise, yet it was indeed so. The original film stands out among the series, but this superiority isn’t a reflection of its inherent quality as much as it is a critique of the subpar quality of its remakes and sequels.

1984’s “Children of the Corn” has a certain allure. It features Linda Hamilton as one of the main characters, who was also the lead in “The Terminator” that same year. The film can be quite chilling (but becomes unintentionally comical due to some rather poor special effects). Notably, John Franklin and Courtney Gains deliver memorable performances as the young antagonists Isaac and Malachai.

Stream Children of the Corn on Prime Video.

3) The Company of Wolves

In the same year that Angela Lansbury began playing Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote, she also starred alongside David Warner from The Omen in the movie The Company of Wolves. This film offers plenty of thrills and werewolf transformations that are created using practical effects, yet it is undeniably the most artistic among these films.

Indeed, that film was Neil Jordan’s sophomore project. You might recall his work from films such as “The Crying Game” (1992), “Interview with the Vampire” (1994), “Michael Collins” (1996), and more recently, “Greta” (2018).

Stream The Company of Wolves on Prime Video.

4) Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter stands out among the series’ faithful followers due to its richly-drawn characters and iconic kills. It’s easy to see why these first four Friday the 13th movies hold a special place for fans. They are the quintessential “leave your brains at the door” slasher films. While the franchise saw a decline after this, there were still notable peaks, particularly with Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.

The Friday the 13th series follows a consistent three-part structure, and The Final Chapter excels in harmonizing these elements. Initially, a group of young individuals with similar traits but unique personalities are introduced. Subsequently, either Jason or Mrs. Voorhees systematically eliminates them in assorted manners. Finally, the lone survivor (in this case, two) faces a prolonged chase with the antagonist, narrowly evading death in the end. What sets The Final Chapter apart is its John Hughes-esque atmosphere. The characters are more fully fleshed out compared to others in the series, even incorporating a child character played by Corey Feldman. Additionally, Crispin Glover’s amusing dance routine adds an extra layer of charm, only one year before his appearance in Back to the Future, making it an exceptional Friday the 13th film.

Stream Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter on Paramount+ Apple TV channel.

5) Gremlins

Joe Dante’s movie “Gremlins” sparked numerous imitators, but none managed to match its success (even the original “Critters” did relatively well, surprisingly given that it was the only one not directly emulating “Gremlins”). It embodies both the spirit of its era and remains evergreen.

Regarding the initial observation, it’s safe to say that “Gremlins” stands as a quintessential film of the 1980s. Despite its origins, its ingenious portrayal of a near-idyllic town and the exceptional acting by the cast make it timeless, ensuring enjoyment even after four decades. To add, the terrifyingly cute creatures in the movie were masterfully created using practical effects, ensuring they continue to scare children for years to come.

Rent Gremlins on Prime Video.

6) Night of the Comet

After finishing “The Last of Us”, you might enjoy watching “Night of the Comet” too. It’s quite similar to “Gremlins” in that it skillfully blends different genres, including horror, science fiction, and humor, without compromising any of them.

The story unfolds with two teenage siblings discovering a drastically altered world upon waking up. Not only are there significantly fewer people, but most of the remaining population has transformed into red dust. To make matters worse, they must navigate both aggressive zombies and a band of ruffians. However, the most unexpected revelation comes from uncovering the true culprits behind these events.

Stream Night of the Comet on fuboTV.

7) A Nightmare on Elm Street

In the very same year that Wes Craven directed what many consider his least successful film, “The Hills Have Eyes Part II,” he nearly took on his most outstanding work, “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Despite the acclaim of “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors,” nothing quite surpasses Craven’s original masterpiece (one of two he directed, including “Scream”).

Featuring chilling tunes, an adequately showcased Freddy Krueger, and some standout horror death sequences, this film is not just among the top horror movies ever made; it’s almost flawless across all genres, with only a slightly exaggerated performance by Ronee Blakley as its minor drawback. Yet, even her over-the-top acting has its unique appeal.

Rent A Nightmare on Elm Street on Prime Video.

8) Razorback

In a somewhat overlooked tribute to monster films, “Razorback” can be seen as Australia’s equivalent of the iconic “Jaws”. Following the success of Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, several movies imitating its style emerged. At the lower end of quality, we had films like “Grizzly” and “Orca”. On the other hand, higher-quality counterparts included “Alligator” and Joe Dante’s “Piranha”.

The film titled “Razorback” can be categorized more towards “Alligator” and “Piranha” type movies. The central creature, a colossal wild boar, is an incredibly grotesque character design, and it’s refreshing that the animal isn’t excessively featured. Additionally, “Razorback” offers decent acting for its subgenre (not consistently, but certain performances are as nuanced as they need to be). Most of the time, this movie manages to work effectively, under the direction of Russell Mulcahy.

Stream Razorback on Hoopla.

9) Silent Night, Deadly Night

A movie still unsettling today, “Silent Night, Deadly Night” is one of the more recognizable B-movie slashers. Despite its reputation as the most contentious slasher film of the ’80s, its influence isn’t so much based on superior quality but rather on its graphic violence and trailers that were essentially nightmares for children, making them unavoidable.

All in all, “Silent Night, Deadly Night” can be considered slightly superior among slasher films. It stands out somewhat due to its importance in the genre. At the very least, it’s more appealing than “Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2”, which is essentially a procession of stock footage leading up to its now-legendary suburban finale.

Rent Silent Night, Deadly Night on Prime Video.

10) The Toxic Avenger

The character “Toxic Avenger” may not have attracted a massively broad audience, but its devoted fanbase is substantial enough to justify a future remake. This decision seems logical given that it’s undeniably one of the most unusual superhero films in existence.

The storyline revolves around an undernourished janitor who endures constant abuse from the gym’s staff members. Following an accidental dip in a hazardous liquid, he transforms into our titular character and begins prowling the city to physically subdue petty criminals and drug peddlers. This movie doesn’t fit neatly into the categories of horror, superhero, or comedy films. However, it does contain gruesome scenes of injury, as evidenced by a child having his head run over within the opening 10 minutes.

Stream The Toxic Avenger on Prime Video.

2025-05-24 16:41