The 15 Best Horror Movies of the 1980s

Jeremy Irons in Dead Ringers (1988)
Jeremy Irons in Dead Ringers (1988)

Here are Cinephile Corner’s picks for the 15 best horror movies of the 1980s, ranked:

15. Near Dark (1987)

Near Dark (1987)

14. Possession (1981)

Possession (1981)

13. The Fly (1986)

The Fly (1986)

12. Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

11. Videodrome (1983)

Videodrome (1983)

Videodrome is a bold, grotesque, and startlingly prescient film, and while it may not be David Cronenberg’s most accessible work, it’s certainly one of his most important. A high-concept fever dream of sex, violence, and screen-induced madness, it’s no wonder this is one of the director’s most widely discussed and celebrated films.

Read our full review of Videodrome

10. Christine (1983)

Christine (1983)

9. Altered States (1980)

Altered States (1980)

8. Gremlins (1984)

Gremlins (1984)

7. Dressed to Kill (1980)

Dressed to Kill (1980)

6. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

5. Evil Dead 2 (1987)

Evil Dead 2 (1987)

4. The Vanishing (1988)

The Vanishing (1988)

3. Dead Ringers (1988)

Dead Ringers (1988)

2. The Thing (1982)

The Thing (1982)

1. The Shining (1980)

The Shining (1980)

About Cinephile Corner

Cinephile Corner is dedicated to delivering insightful film criticism, thorough retrospectives, and comprehensive rankings that celebrate the art of cinema in all its forms. Our mission is to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of film history through thoughtful analysis, critical perspectives, and well-researched writing that goes beyond the surface.

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