Best Horror Films of 1981
- HaHa Horrors
- Jun 2
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 20
1981 was the year horror let loose—bloodier, bolder, and beastlier than ever. If 1980 cracked the door open to a new era, 1981 kicked it off the hinges. Slasher films hit overdrive, practical effects reached jaw-dropping new heights, and monsters—especially werewolves—came roaring back. With Hollywood and international filmmakers both embracing genre experimentation, horror in 1981 proved it could be terrifying, stylish, and wildly entertaining all at once.
The Horror Landscape in 1981
Slashers Go Mainstream
Following Friday the 13th’s success, the slasher craze exploded. 1981 saw an avalanche of masked killers, creative kills, and holiday-themed mayhem as filmmakers scrambled to stake their claim.
The Year of the Werewolf
Not one but three major werewolf films premiered, each redefining lycanthropy with groundbreaking makeup, emotional storytelling, and fresh mythologies.
Effects Artists Become Stars
Names like Rick Baker, Tom Savini, and Rob Bottin became legends as practical effects became the real headline. Gore wasn’t just a tool—it was a spectacle.
Top 10 Horror Films of 1981
An American Werewolf in London
Runtime: 1hr 37min
John Landis’s horror-comedy hybrid with groundbreaking transformation effects and tragic bite.
An American Werewolf in London (1981) is a genre-defining horror-comedy directed by John Landis that blends visceral terror with sharp wit. The film follows two American backpackers, David and Jack, as they travel through the English countryside and are attacked by a mysterious creature. Jack is killed, while David survives—only to discover he’s been cursed to become a werewolf. As David struggles with nightmarish hallucinations and warnings from Jack's undead spirit, his transformation into a beast becomes inevitable. Famed for its groundbreaking practical effects, particularly the iconic werewolf transformation by Rick Baker, the film masterfully balances gruesome horror with ironic humor and remains a landmark in both horror and special effects history.
The Evil Dead
Runtime: 1hr 20min
Sam Raimi’s relentless, low-budget cabin-in-the-woods classic that launched a franchise.
The Evil Dead (1981), directed by Sam Raimi, is a ferocious, low-budget horror classic that launched a franchise and a cult following. The story follows five friends who retreat to a remote cabin in the woods, where they unwittingly unleash demonic forces after discovering the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis—the Book of the Dead—and playing a tape of its incantations. One by one, the group falls victim to possession, leaving only the hapless Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) to battle the relentless evil. Known for its wildly inventive camera work, over-the-top gore, and unrelenting intensity, The Evil Dead redefined independent horror with its raw energy and DIY ingenuity, setting the stage for decades of cabin-in-the-woods terror.
The Howling
Runtime: 1hr 31min
Joe Dante’s slick, satirical take on werewolves, filled with smart humor and jaw-dropping effects.
The Howling (1981), directed by Joe Dante, is a stylish and suspenseful werewolf horror film that blends psychological thrills with sharp satire. The story follows news anchor Karen White, who survives a traumatic encounter with a serial killer and retreats to a secluded therapy retreat to recover—only to discover that the residents are hiding a dark, primal secret. As Karen uncovers the truth, she’s drawn into a terrifying world of werewolves and ancient rituals. Featuring groundbreaking transformation effects by Rob Bottin, a clever script laced with media commentary, and a moody, atmospheric score, The Howling revitalized the werewolf genre and set a new bar for creature horror in the 1980s.
My Bloody Valentine
Runtime: 1hr 30min
A gritty Canadian slasher with a mining-town setting and a devoted cult following.
My Bloody Valentine (1981), directed by George Mihalka, is a gritty and atmospheric Canadian slasher that delivers a chilling twist on the holiday-themed horror trend. Set in the small mining town of Valentine Bluffs, the film follows a group of young adults preparing for a Valentine’s Day dance—an event not held in decades due to a tragic mining accident and a murderous rampage that followed. When the killings begin again, seemingly at the hands of a vengeful figure in mining gear, the townspeople are gripped by fear and paranoia. With its claustrophobic setting, inventive kills, and iconic heart-shaped Valentine motifs, the film stands out for its blue-collar realism and effective suspense, earning cult status as one of the era’s most memorable slashers.
The Beyond
Runtime: 1hr 20min
Lucio Fulci’s surreal, gory descent into madness and the afterlife.
The Beyond (1981), directed by Italian horror maestro Lucio Fulci, is a surreal and nightmarish descent into supernatural terror. Set in Louisiana, the film follows Liza, a woman who inherits an old hotel built over one of the seven gateways to Hell. As she begins renovations, bizarre and horrifying events unfold—rising corpses, ghostly apparitions, and gruesome deaths—blurring the lines between reality and the afterlife. Renowned for its dreamlike atmosphere, haunting imagery, and graphic gore effects, The Beyond eschews traditional narrative logic in favor of visceral, otherworldly horror. With a moody score by Fabio Frizzi and Fulci’s signature eye for the macabre, it has become a cult classic, celebrated for its bold visual style and apocalyptic vision.
Scanners
Runtime: 1hr 43min
David Cronenberg’s telekinetic thriller, known for that unforgettable head explosion.
Scanners (1981), directed by David Cronenberg, is a cerebral and unsettling blend of science fiction and body horror that explores the terrifying potential of the human mind. The film centers on Cameron Vale, a troubled man with powerful psychic abilities—known as a "scanner"—who is recruited by a shadowy corporation to infiltrate and stop a rogue scanner named Darryl Revok, who leads a violent underground movement. As Cameron delves deeper, he uncovers disturbing truths about the origins of his powers and a government conspiracy involving a drug called Ephemerol. Famous for its legendary exploding head scene and Cronenberg’s signature themes of bodily mutation and corporate control, Scannersdelivers both visceral shocks and philosophical intrigue, cementing its place as a cult sci-fi horror classic.
Hell Night
Runtime: 1hr 42min
A haunted house/survival mashup starring Linda Blair and killer atmosphere.
Hell Night (1981), directed by Tom DeSimone, is a gothic-tinged slasher that combines haunted house atmosphere with classic college horror tropes. The story follows a group of fraternity and sorority pledges—including Linda Blair as the resourceful Marti—who must spend a night in the eerie Garth Manor as part of a hazing ritual. Legend has it the mansion was the site of a brutal family massacre, and as the night unfolds, the students realize they're not alone—something monstrous still lurks within the decaying estate. With its fog-drenched setting, elaborate Victorian architecture, and a slower, suspenseful build, Hell Night stands out from its slasher peers by blending traditional horror aesthetics with early ’80s teen terror.
Dead & Buried
Runtime: 1hr 34min
A haunting, twisty tale of a town with dark secrets and resurrected corpses.
Dead & Buried (1981), directed by Gary Sherman, is a moody and mysterious blend of supernatural horror and murder mystery. Set in the fog-shrouded coastal town of Potters Bluff, the film follows Sheriff Dan Gillis as he investigates a series of gruesome killings—only to discover that the victims mysteriously reappear in town as seemingly normal residents. As the bizarre puzzle unravels, Dan is drawn into a sinister conspiracy involving black magic, necromancy, and the town’s eerie mortician, played by a chilling Jack Albertson. With its unsettling atmosphere, slow-burning tension, and shocking twists, Dead & Buried defies slasher conventions to deliver a uniquely haunting tale that has since earned cult classic status.
Friday the 13th Part 2
Runtime: 1hr 27min
Jason Voorhees dons the burlap sack and takes up the machete, cementing his legacy.
Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981), directed by Steve Miner, continues the bloody legacy of Camp Crystal Lake and introduces audiences to the now-iconic killer, Jason Voorhees. Set five years after the original massacre, the film follows a new group of camp counselors attending a training program near the infamous site—unaware that Jason, presumed drowned years earlier, has survived and is now a grown man seeking vengeance for his mother's death. Wearing a sack over his head and wielding various deadly tools, Jason stalks and slaughters his way through the group in increasingly brutal fashion. With its eerie woodland setting, tense atmosphere, and the debut of Jason as the central antagonist, Part 2 cemented the franchise’s formula and helped solidify the slasher genre's dominance in the early ’80s.
Possession
Runtime: 2hr 4min
Andrzej Żuławski’s disturbing psychological horror, part breakup drama, part cosmic nightmare.
Possession (1981), directed by Andrzej Żuławski, is a harrowing psychological horror film that blends domestic drama with surreal body horror in a descent into madness. Set in Cold War-era Berlin, the story follows a crumbling marriage between spy Mark (Sam Neill) and his increasingly unstable wife Anna (Isabelle Adjani), whose behavior grows erratic and violent after she asks for a divorce. As Mark investigates, he uncovers a grotesque secret: Anna is hiding a bizarre, otherworldly creature that embodies her emotional torment. Featuring one of the most intense performances in horror history—particularly Adjani’s infamous subway meltdown—Possession is a visceral, symbolic exploration of grief, identity, and obsession. Disturbing, operatic, and unforgettable, it defies genre boundaries and has become a cult masterpiece.
Underrated Picks Worth Your Time
The Funhouse
Runtime: 1hr 36min
A creepy carnival slasher with style and sleaze from Tobe Hooper.
The Funhouse (1981), directed by Tobe Hooper, is a stylish and atmospheric slasher that trades gore for tension and creepy carnival vibes. The story follows four teenagers who sneak into a traveling carnival’s funhouse for a night of mischief, only to witness a brutal murder committed by a masked figure with a grotesque secret. Trapped inside the labyrinthine ride, the teens are hunted one by one by the deformed killer and his sinister father. With its lurid color palette, eerie mechanical noises, and unsettling carnival backdrop, The Funhouse stands apart from more conventional slashers by embracing slow-burn suspense, grotesque set design, and a twisted sense of spectacle—all under Hooper’s seasoned direction.
Ghost Story
Runtime: 1hr 51min
An elegant, old-fashioned haunting tale with veteran actors and chilling atmosphere.
Ghost Story (1981), directed by John Irvin and based on Peter Straub’s bestselling novel, is a chilling, atmospheric tale of guilt, revenge, and the supernatural. The film centers on four elderly men in a small New England town who form the "Chowder Society," gathering to share ghost stories—only to find themselves haunted by a real specter from their past. Decades earlier, they were involved in the mysterious death of a woman named Eva Galli, whose vengeful spirit has returned, causing a string of eerie deaths. Featuring a distinguished cast—including Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, and John Houseman—and a haunting score, Ghost Story blends classic ghost tale traditions with themes of aging, buried secrets, and retribution. Its wintry visuals and gothic tone make it a standout in early ’80s supernatural horror.
Night School
Runtime: 1hr 28min
A stylish Boston-set slasher with a motorcycle-riding killer and giallo influences.
Night School (1981), directed by Ken Hughes, is a sleek and underrated slasher set against the gritty backdrop of Boston. The story follows a series of gruesome decapitations targeting young women enrolled in a local night school, with the police scrambling to catch a killer who may be hiding in plain sight. As suspicion falls on a charismatic anthropology professor with a fascination for tribal rituals, the film weaves a tense mystery with psychological undertones. Distinguished by its urban setting, moody atmosphere, and stylish cinematography, Night School sets itself apart from its rural-slasher contemporaries with a more polished, almost giallo-inspired aesthetic. While not as widely known, it’s a chilling entry in the early ’80s slasher wave.
The Prowler
Runtime: 1hr 29min
Known for Savini’s vicious gore effects, it's a standout slasher with a brutal streak.
The Prowler (1981), directed by Joseph Zito and featuring special effects by Tom Savini, is a brutal and visually striking slasher that helped define the genre’s early '80s heyday. Set in a small town during a college graduation dance, the film centers on a mysterious killer dressed in World War II military gear who begins slaughtering students with ruthless efficiency. As the bodies pile up, a young deputy and his date scramble to uncover the identity of the masked murderer. Notable for its intense atmosphere, suspenseful pacing, and some of the most realistic and gruesome kills of the era, The Prowler is a standout slasher that delivers relentless tension and a haunting sense of dread, making it a cult favorite among hardcore horror fans.
Wolfen
Runtime: 1hr 55min
A cerebral, socially conscious spin on werewolves and urban decay.
Wolfen (1981), directed by Michael Wadleigh, is a cerebral and atmospheric blend of horror, crime thriller, and ecological parable. The film follows NYPD detective Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney) as he investigates a string of savage murders in New York City that appear to be the work of wild animals. As the case unfolds, he uncovers a hidden threat: an ancient species of intelligent, supernatural wolves that have lived undetected alongside humanity for centuries, protecting their territory against encroachment. With its moody urban landscapes, striking thermal-vision cinematography, and thought-provoking themes about gentrification, nature’s revenge, and indigenous mythology, Wolfen stands apart from traditional werewolf films, offering a unique and haunting take on primal fear.
Horror Highlights & Trivia
Rick Baker won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Makeup for An American Werewolf in London.
The Evil Dead was famously labeled "video nasty" in the UK—but became a cult classic around the world.
Three Werewolf Films (The Howling, American Werewolf, Wolfen) sparked debate over which had the best transformation.
Sam Raimi’s DIY Brilliance on The Evil Dead inspired an entire generation of indie horror filmmakers.
Where to Watch These Today
An American Werewolf in London: Available on Tubi and restored 4K Blu-ray.
The Evil Dead: Streaming on Prime and in multiple collector's editions.
The Howling: On BFI Classics.
The Beyond: Streaming on Shudder, with restored versions from Grindhouse Releasing.
Scanners: On Max, Criterion, and Arrow Video editions.
Closing Thoughts
1981 proved horror could be innovative, outrageous, and emotionally resonant all at once. The genre was no longer niche—it was everywhere, and evolving fast. Whether through howling monsters, creeping dread, or low-budget mayhem, the films of 1981 expanded horror’s range and influence in ways still felt today.
