Universal made history throughout the 1930s and 1940s, bringing to life some of the greatest monsters of all time. In 1931,Draculawas considered one of the scariest films ever made. This may come as a big surprise, being thatDraculaplays more like a drama than ahorrormovie today. The time that would later be known as the Golden Age of Hollywood emerged alongside the Great Depression, and boomed with the birth of sound films. According toFilm Making Lifestyle, historians categorize Hollywood’s Golden Age between the years of 1930 through 1989. Although broad, this time frame checks all the boxes as far as great cinema is concerned. Films likeThe Wizard of Oz, Citizen Kane,andJawsare just a few honorable mentions that help flaunt the era’s mindful masterpieces.
Yet, what happens when breaking the industry down to the very meat and bones? Focusing in on genre-specific films, horror in particular seems to harken a Golden Age of its own. There is arguably no greater pairing than the1980sand horror films. Directors like Wes Craven gave audiences a villain that they couldn’t defeat, and David Cronenberg defined what it truly means to make your skin crawl. The decade produced some of the most iconic slasher villains of all time, and introduced a slew of cult classics built on practical effects alone. To this day, directors still pay homage to films of this decade easily categorizing it cinema’s Golden Age of Horror.
The 1970s introduced horror films of a relatively violent nature. Directors in the 70s introduced more grotesque, real-life inspired horror than any other decade. According toStory Map, a trickle-down response from the Vietnam War and the deconstruction of American family values helped shape the decade’s change in the genre. The arthouse nature of 70s horror produced some of the greatest classic horror movies, but more importantly paved the way for the decade to come.
When VHS took off in the 1980s, so did the market for B-movies. Filmmakers no longer needed a theatrical release to get their creations on the market, and it is because of VHS that cult classics likeSleepyaway CampandKiller Klowns from Outer Spaceexist. Stephen Chiodo’s quirky clown circus is a big top favorite in the 80s line-up. From creative circus spoofs to the costume design of the alien clowns,Killer Klownsis just an outright good time.
Related:The 10 Greatest Slasher Movies of the 1980s
Another bonkers plot that is an absolute love letter to B-horror is a film that contrary to common belief, doesn’t get enough credit.Night of the Creepswas released in 1986 and blends all the greatest spices mixed together to create a typical 80s feature. The film blends the likes of slashers, aliens, and zombies to deliver unbeatable comedy. The use of face splitting gore, body horror, and just enough heart helps keep the film relatively lite for the average horror audience.
UnlikeNight of the Creeps,1989’sSocietytakes on a heavier premise. The film was well-received in Europe, but didn’t see an American release until 1992. Commentary on socially elite and overall social customs, seems like the basis for a John Carpenter plot. However,Societydoes just that and then some—delivering some of the most disgusting special effects of the decade.
Blunt Force Practicality
Some of the bestpractical special effectscan be seen in 80s horror. Practical effects happen physically without any post-production add-ons. Convincing an audience with an effective special effect can post as a challenge if not done right.Film School Rejectsoutlined the tedious process that ensued to make the head explode inScanners,and how important it was not to use pyrotechnic explosives.Scannerstakes telekinesis to a level that surpasses any Stephen King plot, and the exploding head is only one of the many gruesome body horror segments.
That same year, Sam Raimi’sThe Evil Deadhit the Redford Theater in Detroit, completely unaware of the impact the film would have on horror. Raimi’s film changed the formula for demonic possession and infused the likes of comedy with gore. To kill a deadite, one must dismember the body and burn the remains. Sounds easy enough, right? The franchise, now five films and a television series in, spawned a generation of horror fans that would recognize a necronomicon any day.
Influential Ripple
From chainsaws to knives to power drills, the 1980s left no weapon undiscovered and no terrain unexplored. Directors navigated their way through summer camps and slumber parties, making sure that audiences knew that any place could be a breeding ground for murder. More than any decade before, the 1980s took on zombies, serial killers, and alien infiltrators from space. John Carpenter’sThe Thingwas released in 1982 and was considered one of thescariest films of the timeperiod.
Today,The Thingholds a great deal more weight than just fear. Paranoia and isolation are two themes that resonate most with audiences, all while delivering an ending that is unarguably bleak. The adaptation of King’sThe Shiningwould fill the same shoe prints asThe Thing,just on a different scale. Focusing on a similar theme like isolation, Stanley Kubrick’s film structures itself more on madness rather than practical effect.
Related:The 10 Most Influential Horror Movies of All Time
Often overlooked by the casual eye, vampire films of the 1980s were of a different breed. Tom Holland’sFright Nightis a touchstone of 80s cinema, and potentially one of the greatest vampire films ever recognized. What makes the film standout from the rest is theVHS cover art, which depicts a vampire’s face in smokey clouds above a suburban home.
Two years afterFright Night,Joel Schumacher took a successful bite into the vampire sub-genre withThe Lost Boys —which reads like a horror adaptation ofPeter Pan.To note every cult classic and practical effect to emerge from 80s horror would be a tremendous feat. However, there is no doubt that the decade delivered some of the greatest horror films of all time and perhaps is the Golden Age of Horror as a whole.
