Best Horror Films of 1985
- HaHa Horrors
- Jun 6
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 20
1985 was a horror-comedy explosion—bloody, bizarre, and brilliant. With the slasher boom fading and audiences hungry for novelty, filmmakers leaned into the weird. Horror in 1985 became louder, funnier, and more experimental—whether through punk rock zombies, self-aware vampires, or gooey alien satire. This was the year horror learned to laugh without losing its teeth, creating a legacy of inventive, genre-defying cult classics.
The Horror Landscape in 1985
The Rise of Horror-Comedy
Instead of grim dread, many horror films in 1985 embraced absurdity, irony, and outrageous special effects. Laughs and screams coexisted—and often came from the same scene.
Franchise Fever
With Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Re-Animator, sequels and new icons solidified horror as a serialized pop culture machine.
Independent Madness Thrives
Low-budget filmmakers got bolder, blending gore with satire and launching underground hits that pushed creative boundaries far beyond Hollywood norms.
Top 10 Horror Films of 1985
Re-Animator
Runtime: 1hr 26min
Stuart Gordon’s gleefully gory Lovecraft adaptation blended mad science, undead mayhem, and pitch-black comedy into instant cult status.
Re-Animator (1985), directed by Stuart Gordon and based on H.P. Lovecraft’s Herbert West–Reanimator, is a gleefully gory horror-comedy that became an instant cult classic. The film follows Herbert West, an eccentric medical student obsessed with conquering death through a glowing green serum that can reanimate corpses. As West’s experiments spiral out of control, the dead return with grotesque, violent results—dragging fellow student Dan Cain and his fiancée into a nightmarish descent of blood-soaked chaos. Blending outrageous practical effects, pitch-black humor, and a fearless performance by Jeffrey Combs as West, Re-Animator pushed the boundaries of gore and satire, helping define the wild, transgressive spirit of mid-1980s horror.
Fright Night
Runtime: 1hr 46min
A clever, stylish vampire film that pits a horror-loving teen against his suave, undead neighbor.
Fright Night (1985), directed by Tom Holland, is a stylish, self-aware blend of vampire horror and coming-of-age comedy. The film follows Charley Brewster, a horror-obsessed teenager who becomes convinced that his suave new neighbor, Jerry Dandrige, is a centuries-old vampire. When no one believes him, Charley turns to washed-up TV vampire hunter Peter Vincent for help. As the battle between good and evil escalates, Fright Night delivers a potent mix of suspense, humor, and impressive practical effects. Celebrated for its clever meta-horror approach and charismatic performances—especially Chris Sarandon’s seductive villainy—Fright Night remains a beloved touchstone of ’80s horror that deftly balances scares with a knowing wink to genre fans.
Day of the Dead
Runtime: 1hr 43min
George Romero’s bleak, brilliant zombie epic about survival, science, and human collapse.
Day of the Dead (1985), directed by George A. Romero, is the grim and uncompromising third entry in his legendary Living Dead series. Set in a world where the undead have all but overrun civilization, the film centers on a small group of military personnel and scientists holed up in an underground bunker, desperately seeking a solution. Tensions run high as the living clash over control, morality, and survival, while Dr. Logan conducts unsettling experiments—most notably attempting to domesticate a zombie named Bub. With groundbreaking practical effects by Tom Savini, an unrelentingly bleak tone, and sharp social commentary on authority and dehumanization, Day of the Dead stands as one of the most powerful and thought-provoking zombie films ever made.
The Return of the Living Dead
Runtime: 1hr 35min
Punk rock zombies, exploding corpses, and brain cravings—Dan O’Bannon’s riotous twist on the undead.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985), directed by Dan O’Bannon, is a wildly entertaining punk-infused horror-comedy that both parodies and reinvents the zombie genre. When two bumbling workers at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a toxic gas, the dead begin to rise—hungrier and harder to kill than ever before. As the infection spreads to a nearby cemetery, a group of teens find themselves trapped in a night of chaotic, flesh-eating terror. Known for its kinetic pacing, irreverent humor, iconic soundtrack, and groundbreaking depiction of fast, talking zombies who crave brains, The Return of the Living Dead remains a cult favorite that helped redefine zombie cinema with gonzo energy and a gleefully anarchic spirit.
Cat’s Eye
Runtime: 1hr 34min
A Stephen King anthology linking multiple eerie tales with a feline wanderer and Drew Barrymore.
Cat’s Eye (1985), directed by Lewis Teague and based on short stories by Stephen King, is a darkly whimsical horror anthology linked by the perspective of a stray cat. The film weaves together three tales: in Quitters, Inc., a man faces extreme consequences for trying to quit smoking; in The Ledge, a gambler is forced to traverse a perilous building ledge by a vengeful crime boss; and in General, the titular cat must protect a young girl from a malevolent troll that steals her breath at night. Blending suspense, dark humor, and fantasy, Cat’s Eye delivers a playful yet chilling ride through King’s twisted imagination, buoyed by inventive storytelling and strong performances.
Silver Bullet
Runtime: 1hr 35min
A small-town werewolf mystery told through the eyes of a boy in a wheelchair; both tender and terrifying.
Silver Bullet (1985), directed by Daniel Attias and based on Stephen King’s novella Cycle of the Werewolf, is a gripping blend of coming-of-age drama and creature feature. Set in a small American town plagued by a series of brutal murders, the story follows wheelchair-bound young Marty Coslaw, who suspects that a werewolf is behind the killings. With the help of his sister Jane and their hard-drinking Uncle Red (played by Gary Busey), Marty sets out to uncover the monster’s identity and stop it before the next full moon. Featuring heartfelt performances, atmospheric small-town tension, and impressive practical effects, Silver Bullet is a fan-favorite that balances heartfelt character moments with thrilling, old-school horror.
Lifeforce
Runtime: 1hr 41min
Vampiric space aliens invade London in this wild sci-fi/horror hybrid from Texas Chain Saw’s Tobe Hooper.
Lifeforce (1985), directed by Tobe Hooper, is a bold, visually spectacular blend of science fiction and gothic horror. The film follows a team of astronauts who discover an alien spacecraft hidden inside Halley’s Comet, containing humanoid creatures in suspended animation. When brought back to Earth, the seemingly beautiful alien leader awakens—draining life energy from her victims and triggering a city-wide plague of vampiric reanimation. As the contagion spreads, it’s up to a small group of survivors to stop the apocalypse. Known for its ambitious scope, striking practical effects, and a fearless performance by Mathilda May, Lifeforce is a fascinating and audacious entry in ’80s horror, combining cosmic terror with eroticism and grand spectacle.
Demons
Runtime: 1hr 28min
Lamberto Bava’s Italian gore-fest traps moviegoers inside a theater with literal movie monsters.
Demons (1985), directed by Lamberto Bava and produced by Dario Argento, is a frenetic, gore-soaked Italian horror film that revels in pure cinematic mayhem. The story unfolds in a mysterious movie theater where a special screening draws an eclectic group of patrons. But when a cursed mask turns one viewer into a bloodthirsty demon, the infection spreads rapidly—trapping the audience in a nightmarish battle for survival. As the line between the film on-screen and the chaos in the theater blurs, the movie becomes a visceral rollercoaster of practical effects, relentless pacing, and heavy metal-fueled carnage. Demons is celebrated for its gleeful abandon, inventive set pieces, and its unashamed love of all things outrageous in horror cinema.
The Stuff
Runtime: 1hr 33min
Larry Cohen’s gooey satire of consumerism—what if yogurt ate you?
The Stuff (1985), directed by Larry Cohen, is a razor-sharp satirical horror-comedy that skewers consumer culture and corporate greed. The film follows industrial spy David “Mo” Rutherford as he investigates the meteoric rise of The Stuff—a mysterious, delicious, and highly addictive dessert that’s taken the country by storm. But beneath its creamy allure lies a dark secret: The Stuff is a living, parasitic organism that consumes its hosts from within. As Mo uncovers the corporate conspiracy behind it, he teams up with a ragtag group to stop the spread. Blending B-movie thrills with biting social commentary and inventive practical effects, The Stuff stands out as a uniquely clever and entertaining entry in 1980s horror.
Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf
Runtime: 1hr 31min
Ridiculous, unforgettable, and full of 1980s vampire-werewolf mayhem (plus Christopher Lee in a leather jacket).
Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf (1985), directed by Philippe Mora, is a campy, over-the-top sequel to Joe Dante’s The Howling that dives headfirst into B-movie excess. The film picks up after the events of the first movie, as journalist Ben White and occult investigator Stefan Crosscoe (played by Christopher Lee) travel to Transylvania to confront the powerful werewolf queen Stirba—who also happens to be Ben’s sister. What follows is a surreal mix of gothic horror, gratuitous nudity, synth-heavy soundtrack, and outlandish set pieces. Though critically panned upon release, Howling IIhas since gained cult status for its unabashed absurdity, unintentional humor, and Christopher Lee’s deadpan performance amid the lunacy.
Underrated Picks Worth Your Time
House
Runtime: 1hr 33min
A surreal haunted house tale blending war trauma, slapstick, and monsters in closets.
House (1985), directed by Steve Miner, is a clever blend of horror, comedy, and surreal fantasy that became a cult favorite of the decade. The film follows Roger Cobb, a troubled author and Vietnam veteran, who inherits his late aunt’s eerie old house after her mysterious death. As Roger struggles with writer’s block and the trauma of his past, the house reveals itself to be a gateway to bizarre, otherworldly horrors—complete with grotesque monsters, undead soldiers, and twisted visions. Balancing genuine scares with quirky humor and inventive practical effects, House stands out for its playful tone and imaginative approach, offering a fun and unpredictable ride through haunted house tropes with a distinctly ’80s flair.
Warning Sign
Runtime: 1hr 39min
A biohazard thriller set in a lab where a virus outbreak turns workers homicidal.
Warning Sign (1985), directed by Hal Barwood, is a tense, underrated sci-fi horror thriller that explores the dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation. Set in a secret government agricultural research facility, the story begins when a deadly bio-engineered virus is accidentally released, triggering a lockdown. The containment fails, and the exposed personnel begin to exhibit violent, psychotic behavior. As a small group of survivors—including a local sheriff and the facility’s security chief—scramble to prevent the infection from spreading, they confront both the horrors inside and the government’s ruthless efforts to cover it up. With its claustrophobic setting, strong performances, and smart mix of suspense and paranoia, Warning Sign delivers a gripping, low-key entry in the tradition of bio-horror films.
Ghoulies
Runtime: 1hr 21min
Pint-sized toilet-dwelling monsters bring chaos in this video store staple.
Ghoulies (1985), directed by Luca Bercovici, is a mischievous horror-comedy that capitalized on the 1980s creature feature craze. The film centers on Jonathan Graves, a young man who inherits his late father’s eerie mansion and becomes drawn to the occult. During a ritual gone wrong, he inadvertently summons a gang of mischievous, goblin-like creatures—the titular Ghoulies—who wreak havoc on the house and its unsuspecting guests. With a playful tone, rubbery practical effects, and a now-iconic marketing image of a Ghoulie emerging from a toilet, Ghoulies became a cult hit despite its low budget. Its mix of supernatural silliness and creature-driven chaos helped cement it as a beloved oddity in ’80s horror.
The Bride
Runtime: 1hr 59min
A Gothic spin on Frankenstein starring Sting and Jennifer Beals with romantic flair.
The Bride (1985), directed by Franc Roddam, is a gothic horror romance inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, offering a stylish and emotionally driven take on the classic tale. The film stars Sting as Baron Charles Frankenstein, who creates a female companion—Eva, portrayed by Jennifer Beals—for his original monster. When Eva rejects her monstrous intended, the two creations embark on separate journeys: Eva struggles to find her identity and humanity under Frankenstein’s controlling influence, while the creature, Viktor, forms an unlikely friendship with a kindhearted dwarf. Lavishly shot with rich period detail and a haunting score, The Bride explores themes of love, loneliness, and what it means to be truly human, standing out as a more romantic and tragic entry in the Frankenstein mythos.
Horror Highlights & Trivia
"Brains!" – Return of the Living Dead introduced the now-iconic idea that zombies crave human brains.
Re-Animator’s infamous head scene nearly got the film banned—but cemented its cult legend status.
Fright Night’s FX and creature design earned it critical praise and lasting fan loyalty.
Lifeforce flopped in theaters, but its wild mix of nudity, gore, and sci-fi spectacle gained it later appreciation.
Where to Watch These Today
Re-Animator: Streaming on Shudder and Arrow Player; also in multiple Blu-ray collector’s editions.
Fright Night: Often available to rent digitally; physical releases are highly sought-after cult treasures.
Day of the Dead: Streaming on Tubi and Max; widely available on Blu-ray.
Return of the Living Dead: Streaming on Prime and Scream Factory Blu-ray.
Demons: Available on Shudder and in Arrow Video boxed sets.
Closing Thoughts
1985 wasn’t just a good year for horror—it was a turning point. The genre got stranger, funnier, and more subversive than ever before. It was the year horror truly embraced its wild side—delivering monsters with a wink, stories with subtext, and effects that reveled in goo, gore, and gonzo energy. If you like your horror smart, silly, and soaked in fake blood, 1985 is essential viewing.
