Undeniably, the '80s was an incredible decade for the horror genre. It is the decade that popularized slasher movies, started or continued the most beloved horror franchises, and experimented with different subgenres. The '80s have influenced every horror movie made in the decades since. Plenty of revered horror films have been released since the '80s, from '90s classics such as Scream to newer gems such as Hereditary. Nevertheless, to many horror fans, the genre was in its prime during the '80s.
Since the decade is held near and dear to horror fans, numerous filmmakers have chosen to set their horror films in what is arguably the best decade for the genre. Over the past decade or so, there has been an uptick in movies that take place during horror's heyday. These films are both creative and unique while still paying homage to the period that continues to inspire horror films decades later. Without further ado, here are ten of the best modern horror movies that take place in the '80s.
10 The Final Girls (2015)
A shameless tribute to the multitude of slasher movies released in the 1980s, The Final Girls revolves around a young woman named Max (Taissa Farmiga), who is grieving the loss of her mother. Her mother, Nancy (Malin Akerman), was a former '80s scream queen. When Max and her friends reluctantly attend a tribute screening of her most famous slasher film, they are sucked into the silver screen. Once there, Max and her friends must team up with the ill-fated Camp Bloodbath counselors to stop the movie's machete-wielding maniac.
Modern Slasher Meets the Iconic Slashers of the Past
The film quite literally transports viewers back in time by placing its characters in the most iconic time for slashers. It blends modern sarcastic humor with the campy humor that '80s horror is known for, while forcing the characters to learn from both decades. The movie features just about every classic horror trope one could think of and makes it work in the story's favor. It's a perfect slasher comedy to watch with friends on a summer night.
9 Totally Killer (2023)
Similarly to The Final Girls, Totally Killer also sees its protagonist transported back in time to the '80s. The movie follows 17-year-old Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) after she is accidentally transported back to 1987 when the infamous "Sweet 16" killer returns 35 years after he claimed his first three victims. Determined to stop the killings from happening in the first place, Jamie teams up with her then-teenage mom Pam (Olivia Holt) to catch the killer and navigate the wild culture of the 1980s.
A Blast From Slashers Past
Totally Killer certainly leans more on the comedic aspects than the horror aspects, but it is nevertheless a good time. The humor of today and the humor of back then clash throughout the film, which at times can be grating, but is overall entertaining. The '80s aesthetics are to die for (pun intended), from the big hair and leg warmers to the neon colors and shoulder pads. The movie captures much of the campiness slashers had at the time and emphasizes the humor embedded within it.
8 Summer of 84 (2018)
summer of 84
- Release Date
- August 10, 2018
- Director
- François Simard , Anouk Whissell , Yoann-Karl Whissell
- Runtime
- 105
As the title suggests, the film takes place in the summer of 1984 and follows a teenage boy named Davey Armstrong (Graham Verchere) who suspects his police officer neighbor might actually be a serial killer. He gathers his friends and together they spend the summer gathering evidence against Officer Mackey (Rich Sommer). As the group discovers more evidence that could implicate Mackey, their summer of fun turns dangerous.
'80s Nostalgia Takes a Dangerous Turn
Summer of 84 does an excellent job of tricking its audience into thinking they are watching a fun '80s nostalgic mystery before switching gears completely. At first, the film seems more akin to something like The Goonies or Stand By Me, but it is far from that. There is undoubtedly a sinister presence lurking in this idyllic suburban neighborhood that a few boys on bikes are not equipped to handle.
7 The House of the Devil (2009)
Over a decade before he directed Mia Goth in the slasher hit X, Ti West tried his hand at a much more subdued, slow-burn horror film. The House of the Devil follows struggling college student Samantha Hughes (Jocelin Donahue) who takes an anonymous babysitting gig posted on her campus job board on the night of a full lunar eclipse. Her clients are eccentric and strange, but Samantha decides to go through with the job for the money.
Slow-burn, Bonkers '80s Nostalgia
Ti West went all out to give this film a true '80s look and feel to it. From the grainy film texture to the music choices to the editing style, it would be easy to believe that the movie was made in the '80s. The costumes and even the font on the title card fit right in with '80s filmmaking. THOTD takes its time building suspense and tension, but once the evil lurking within that house is finallly revealed, it goes off the walls.
Stream The House of the Devil on Shudder
6 WNUF Halloween Special (2013)
Before Late Night With the Devil gave us a horror movie set within the confines of a late night show's Halloween special, Chris LaMartina gave horror fans a movie set within the confines of a commercial television station's Halloween special.
The movie follows local TV personality Frank Stewart as he leads a group of paranormal investigators through a haunted house where infamous murders took place. Live in front of the cameras, the group sets out to prove or deny the existence of demonic entities in the Webber House on Halloween night in 1987.
A VHS Recording of a Fake Broadcast
WNUF Halloween Special was filmed on old video cameras to give the movie the effect of being a real VHS recording of the TV stations' taping. Complete with fake news and commercial breaks, the movie effectively comes across as a nearly 30-year-old recording. Nothing about the film feels modern in any capacity.
5 IT (2017)
It (2017)
- Release Date
- September 6, 2017
- Director
- Andres Muschietti
The second film adaptation of the famous Stephen King novel, Andres Muschetti's IT tells the story of the Losers Club and their battle with the deranged clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard) in the summer of 1989. When local kids start disappearing in the small Maine town of Derry, the seven members of the Losers Club investigate. In a place called The Barrens, the kids must come face to face with their terrifying encounters with Pennywise.
Adventure and Killer Clowns in the '80s
This iteration of the novel truly captures the childhood freedom of running around and biking outdoors all summer that the '80s allowed kids. When the Losers Club aren't actively trying to end Pennywise's reign of terror, they're just regular kids who want to fit in and have fun. Even in the scenes where they are battling with the shapeshifting clown, it encapsulates the adventurous, rebellious nature that kids in many '80s movies had.
4 Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
The directorial debut of Robin Williams daughter, Zelda Williams, Lisa Frankenstein is a bloody horror comedy from Jennifer's Body writer, Diablo Cody. The film follows Lisa (Kathryn Newton), a high schooler who finds herself at a new school during her senior year in 1989 after an unspeakable tragedy occurs. Lisa struggles to fit in, despite having a popular cheerleader for a sister.
When a freak accident happens in the cemetery where she was hanging out, a handsome corpse is reanimated, leaving Lisa to decide how much she wants to help him, and at what cost.
'80s Camp Mixed With Classic Monster Horror
With Williams' smooth direction, Cody's unique writing, and Newtown's on-point acting, the three women created both an ode to '80s horror and put a completely new spin on the classic Frankenstein tale. It is a perfectly humorous and gory mix of '80s camp and iconic monster horror. The costumes and set design make the viewer feel as though it's actually '89.
3 The Lure (2015)
Set in '80s Warsaw, Polish director Agnieszka Smoczynska's The Lure follows two mermaid sisters, Silver and Golden, who are taken in by a family of musicians. They are recruited to be part of the Figs and Dates rock band at a neon-lit dance club. Soon, the sisters become their own act with the band backing them.
When Silver (Marta Mazurek) falls for the bassist, the more cunning Golden (Michalina Olszanska) cannot escape her bloodlust and worries Silver will destroy their dreams of swimming to a new life in America together.
A Neon-lit '80s Musical Horror
Horror has been mixed with many genres before, but horror musicals are one of the rarer combinations fans of the genre come across. The Lure is exactly that, and given that it's about two mermaids, it's as bizarre as it sounds. This is a compliment, as it is completely unique and original despite loosely being based on the Little Mermaid fable.
The '80s were a wild, fun-loving, party-driven decade that saw the clubbing scene at its prime in most countries, and The Lure delivers on that aspect while also satiating any horror fans' need for blood and gore.
2 V/H/S/85 (2023)
The sixth installment of the found footage horror anthology franchise, V/H/S/85 features five video-recorded tales of terror unveiled through a made-for-TV documentary.
These forgotten nightmares from the '80s take viewers through these five stories, which include a disaster recovery crew unleashing the wrath of an ancient god; a lake that brings the dead back to life; a performance artist who makes contact with a creature from beyond; an all-out undead bloodbath, and a disturbing vision of videotaped murders.
'80s Home Video Nightmares
Found footage films inherently have a nostalgic feeling to them in today's world, considering most people record on their smartphones now rather than legitimate cameras. V/H/S/85 has that nostalgic factor going for it, plus it truly looks, sounds, and feels like it was video-taped in 1985. The found-footage subgenre may be wearing thin for some, but it's worth it for fans of '80s horror and fans of Scott Derrickson's work in particular.
1 Mandy (2018)
Mandy
- Release Date
- September 13, 2018
The late-stage career resurgence that Nicolas Cage has found himself in has certainly had its ups and downs, but Panos Cosmatos' hallucinogenic horror thriller may be one of Cage's best recent performances. Mandy is in 1983 in the Shadow Mountains of the Mojave Desert in eastern California.
It follows quiet lumberjack Red Miller (Cage) and his artist girlfriend Mandy (Andrea Riseborough) as they live and work in the secluded woods of the mountain range. Mandy catches the eye of religious cult leader Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roache), who conjures up a band of motorcycle-riding demons to capture her. Red, armed with a crossbow and custom-made axe, will stop at nothing to avenge her, leaving a bloody pile of bodies in his wake.
A Trippy, Surrealist '80s Nightmare
Mandy is a trippy, out-of-this-world genre-bending horror film that isn't for everyone, but is undoubtedly for fans of gory, surrealist, psychological horror. Watching this film is like having a religious or out-of-body experience. It always keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat and utterly engrossed from start to finish. It's unsettling and strange in all the best ways. Plus, it has the neon-drenched color palette audiences have come to associate with the '80s.
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