Although you can probably say this about any decade, but the 80s were a wild time for horror movies. This hit me as I went through this exhaustive list of 1980s horror films on Letterboxd. The 80s gave us not only The Shining and Hellraiser, but also Monster Squad and Cannibal Holocaust. Again, I’m sure you could say this about other decades, but it was striking to me how varied the horror films of the 80s were.

So after looking over the Letterboxd list, I decided to search for movies that are currently available to stream. I selected only from those movies I’d seen before, and I picked one or two for each year in the decade. I’ll periodically update this post if/when a particular movie is removed from a streaming platform.

1980

The Boogey Man

Directed by Ulli Lommel
A bizarre plot with murder and possession – a spirit is trapped in a mirror, wreaking havoc – and some entertaining deaths here. Synth score on point. It’s honestly not that great, but if you’re looking for a video nasty that mashes up some of the most popular horror films like Halloween and The Exorcist, give it a shot. It’s also the only video nasty on this list – according to Wikipedia, The Boogey Man was originally passed uncut for cinema, but then released with 44 seconds cut in 1992. In 2000, the film was re-released uncut.

Available to stream on: Prime, SnagFilms, Tubi

1981

The Evil Dead

Directed by Sam Raimi

Horror fans already know and love this classic, but if you’ve somehow managed to get this far along in life having never seen it then here’s your chance!

Available to stream on: Shudder

1982

The Slumber Party Massacre

Directed by Amy Holden Jones 

It’s nice to see a woman writer-director team (author Rita Mae Brown co-wrote this!) create a fun slasher.

Q: The Winged Serpent

Directed by Larry Cohen

If slashers aren’t your thing, then maybe a winged monster attacking New York City will do the trick? Not scary at all, of course, but fun to watch for the dated special effects.

Available to stream on: Prime; Popcorn Flix; Tubi; Shudder; Shout Factory TV

1983

One Dark Night

Meg Tilly stars, and she definitely shines here. Her character, Julie, has to stay overnight at a mausoleum, as part of initiation into a girl clique. That alone sounds creepy enough – but as it turns out, a strange man with telekinesis powers named Karl Rhamarevich (“Raymar”) has just been buried there.  Raymar is stirred, unleashing his powers. A bit slow at times, but overall this is a thoroughly enjoyable watch with a fantastic opening and climax.

Available to stream on: Prime; Tubi

Jaws 3-D

Directed by Joe Alves

The hell with the negative reviews for this film. Okay, it’s absolutely cheesy but when one is compiling a list of 80s films, there simply must be one that exemplifies cheesiness. I have fond memories of watching this movie on my television with 3-D glasses. PS: Fuck SeaWorld!

Available to stream on: Netflix

1984

Sole Survivor

Directed by: Thom Eberhardt

Like many reviewers have said, if you mix Final Destination with It Follows then you have something close to this film. So if you like either or both of those films there is a good chance you could enjoy this one. I was able to find it on YouTube.

Available to stream on: YouTube

1985

Phenomena

Directed by: Dario Argento

One of Argento’s best starring a young Jennifer Connelly and plenty of insects.

Available to stream on: Prime; PopcornFlix; Shudder; Tubi

1986

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

Henry likes to kill people, in different ways each time. Henry shares an apartment with Otis. When Otis’ sister comes to stay, we see both sides of Henry: “the guy next door” and the serial killer.

Few movies disturb me like this one. So much so that whenever I see Michael Rooker in a movie I always think of his role as the title character.

Available to stream on: Prime; Shudder

1987

Hellraiser

Directed by Clive Barker

He’ll tear your soul apart. A pivotal, life-changing movie for me when I saw it growing up. To me, it’s one of those movies where I fell in love with the horror genre. Hellraiser is dark and gruesome with of the genre’s most iconic characters, Pinhead.

Available to stream on: Hulu; ConTV; Shudder

Stagefright: Aquarius

Directed by Michele Soavi

I didn’t see this movie until recently, and I’m ashamed that it took so long to watch it. Super fun slasher involving a killer wearing a gigantic owl mask. One of my favorites from this entire list.

Available to stream on: Prime; Shudder; Vudu

1988

Child’s Play

Directed by Tom Holland

A single mother gives her son a beloved doll for his birthday, only to discover that it is possessed by the soul of a serial killer.

Who doesn’t like Child’s Play?! And with both a reboot and a TV show (although the former has nothing to do with the franchise creator) coming soon, it’s a good time revisit the original.

Available to stream on: Prime, Starz

Scarecrows

Directed by William Wesley

I actually was surprised by this one – it delivers on the creep factor despite being low budget. Death scenes are good. An underrated ’80s horror IMO.

Available to stream on: Prime

1989

The ‘Burbs

Directed by Joe Dante

A Tom Hanks classic.

When secretive new neighbors move in next door, suburbanite Ray Peterson and his friends let their paranoia get the best of them as they start to suspect the newcomers of evildoings and commence an investigation. But it’s hardly how Ray, who much prefers drinking beer, reading his newspaper and watching a ball game on the tube expected to spend his vacation.

Available to stream on: Prime

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Streaming Platforms

Subscription: Netflix | Prime | Shudder | Starz

Free: Tubi TV | Shout Factory | Popcorn Flix | SnagFilms