Best Horror Films of 1989
- HaHa Horrors
- Jun 10
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 21
1989 marked the end of a horror-packed decade—and it did so in gloriously weird, self-aware fashion. After a ten-year rollercoaster of slashers, monsters, body horror, and surrealism, horror in 1989 took stock of itself. Filmmakers pushed the genre’s tropes to absurd, often comedic extremes, while others embraced surreal imagery, practical FX excess, and straight-to-video madness. This was the year horror became the punchline—and proudly owned it.
The Horror Landscape in 1989
Genre Burnout Becomes the Punchline
Years of slashers, mutants, and dream demons culminated in films that intentionally mocked horror conventions—sometimes hilariously, sometimes bizarrely.
Surrealism Meets Splatstick
Effects reached maximum gooeyness. Melting bodies, talking heads, and grotesque transformations were played for laughs, shrieks, or both.
Straight-to-Video Cult Hits Flourish
Video stores overflowed with low-budget, high-imagination horror films that bypassed theaters but became sleepover staples.
Top 10 Horror Films of 1989
Society
Runtime: 1hr 39min
A surreal, satirical body horror film where a privileged teen discovers the wealthy literally consume the poor in orgiastic fashion.
Society (1989), directed by Brian Yuzna, is a surreal and grotesque body-horror satire that blends social commentary with outrageous practical effects. The film follows teenager Bill Whitney, who begins to suspect that his wealthy Beverly Hills family and their elite social circle are hiding a horrifying secret. As Bill digs deeper, he uncovers a nightmarish conspiracy in which the rich literally consume the poor—culminating in a famously revolting “shunting” sequence that showcases the film’s inventive, slimy, and unsettling special effects. Society stands out as a bold critique of class disparity and privilege, wrapped in a disturbing and unforgettable horror package.
Warlock
Runtime: 1hr 43min
Julian Sands stars as a time-traveling warlock pursued across centuries in this dark fantasy-horror adventure.
Warlock (1989), directed by Steve Miner, is a dark fantasy-horror adventure that blends supernatural thrills with time-travel elements. The story centers on a 17th-century warlock (Julian Sands) who escapes execution by traveling to modern-day Los Angeles, where he seeks pieces of a magical tome that can undo creation itself. Pursuing him is a relentless witch-hunter (Richard E. Grant), also transported through time, who must stop the warlock before he unleashes apocalyptic evil. Combining gothic atmosphere, sharp performances, and inventive special effects, Warlock became a cult favorite for its blend of folklore, action, and eerie charm.
Parents
Runtime: 1hr 21min
A nightmarish suburban satire about a boy who suspects his 1950s-style parents are cannibals.
Parents (1989), directed by Bob Balaban, is a darkly comic suburban nightmare that blends 1950s nostalgia with psychological horror. The film follows young Michael Laemle (Bryan Madorsky), a boy growing increasingly suspicious of his seemingly perfect parents (Randy Quaid and Mary Beth Hurt), who harbor a disturbing secret. As Michael’s paranoia grows, he begins to suspect that the leftovers in the family fridge might be more sinister than they appear. With its unsettling tone, deadpan humor, and eerie portrayal of childhood dread, Parents serves as a biting satire of the idealized American family, turning the comforts of home into a source of creeping terror.
Intruder
Runtime: 1hr 28min
A gory, suspenseful slasher set in a grocery store, with Sam Raimi and some of the most inventive kills of the decade.
Intruder (1989), directed by Scott Spiegel, is a brutal and stylish slasher set almost entirely within a late-night grocery store. The plot follows the store’s employees working the closing shift, only to find themselves stalked and gruesomely murdered by a mysterious killer. With inventive camera work, dark humor, and spectacular practical gore effects courtesy of KNB EFX Group (including future legends Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger), Intruder stands out in the late-’80s slasher wave. Its claustrophobic setting, over-the-top kills, and gleeful exploitation style have earned it a strong cult following among genre fans.
Puppet Master
Runtime: 1hr 30min
The launch of a long-running franchise, filled with deadly stop-motion puppets and occult weirdness.
Puppet Master (1989), directed by David Schmoeller and produced by Charles Band’s Full Moon Features, launched one of the most enduring cult horror franchises of the video era. The film centers on a group of psychics who gather at a secluded inn once owned by a mysterious puppeteer, André Toulon, who had discovered an ancient Egyptian formula to bring inanimate objects to life. Soon, they find themselves hunted by Toulon’s sinister animated puppets—including Blade, Tunneler, Leech Woman, and Pinhead—each with their own deadly abilities. Combining a gothic atmosphere with creative stop-motion effects and memorable creature designs, Puppet Master turned its killer dolls into horror icons and established a beloved straight-to-video series that thrives to this day.
I, Madman
Runtime: 1hr 29min
A visually rich meta-horror film about a killer leaping off the page of a pulp novel.
I, Madman (1989), directed by Tibor Takács, is a stylish and underrated blend of psychological horror and dark fantasy. The story follows Virginia (Jenny Wright), a bookstore clerk obsessed with pulp horror novels. When she reads I, Madman, about a deranged surgeon who mutilates himself to win a woman’s love, fiction bleeds into reality—as the book’s villain seemingly comes to life and begins a killing spree. With striking practical effects, eerie atmosphere, and a metafictional twist, I, Madman explores the dangers of obsession and the porous line between imagination and madness, earning a cult following for its clever premise and visual flair.
Dr. Caligari
Runtime: 1hr 20min
A bizarre, avant-garde quasi-sequel to the German Expressionist classic, oozing surreal sex and science.
Dr. Caligari (1989), directed by Stephen Sayadian, is a bizarre, avant-garde reinterpretation of the classic silent film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Set in a surreal, hyper-stylized world, the film follows the granddaughter of the original Dr. Caligari, who runs an experimental insane asylum where she performs radical psycho-sexual treatments on her patients. Blending eroticism, camp, and grotesque visuals, Dr. Caligari defies traditional narrative and embraces a theatrical, dreamlike aesthetic—full of garish sets, expressionist lighting, and surreal dialogue. Though divisive and unconventional, the film has become a cult favorite among fans of experimental cinema for its fearless weirdness and visual inventiveness.
Meet the Feebles
Runtime: 1hr 34min
Peter Jackson’s deeply disturbing and grotesque puppet horror-comedy—The Muppets on acid.
Meet the Feebles (1989), directed by Peter Jackson, is a gleefully twisted, puppet-filled black comedy that skewers show business with outrageous vulgarity and dark humor. Set behind the scenes of a variety show starring anthropomorphic puppets, the film exposes the sordid lives of its cast—rife with sex, drugs, violence, and betrayal. As the increasingly chaotic production spirals out of control, dark secrets and brutal truths come to light, culminating in a gloriously unhinged finale. With its grotesque puppetry, biting satire of celebrity culture, and boundary-pushing content, Meet the Feeblesbecame a cult classic and a fascinating early showcase of Jackson’s fearless, anarchic filmmaking style.
The Horror Show (a.k.a. House III)
Runtime: 1hr 35min
A supernatural execution revenge story with slasher and haunted house elements.
The Horror Show (1989), also known as House III, is a gritty supernatural slasher directed by James Isaac. The film follows Detective Lucas McCarthy (Lance Henriksen), who captures and witnesses the execution of sadistic serial killer "Meat Cleaver" Max Jenke (Brion James). However, Jenke’s death is only the beginning—his vengeful spirit returns to haunt and torment McCarthy and his family through increasingly violent and surreal manifestations. Though marketed as part of the House series in some territories, The Horror Show takes a darker, more serious tone, focusing on intense psychological horror and gruesome effects. It stands out for Henriksen’s committed performance and its nightmarish portrayal of a relentless, spectral killer.
Dead Calm
Runtime: 1hr 36min
A tense, slow-burn psychological thriller with horror elements, starring Nicole Kidman and a chilling Billy Zane.
Dead Calm (1989), directed by Phillip Noyce, is a taut and suspenseful psychological thriller set against the isolating backdrop of the open sea. The film stars Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman as a grieving couple who set sail to heal after a personal tragedy, only to encounter a drifting boat carrying the sole survivor Hughie Warriner (Billy Zane). They soon discover that Hughie is a dangerously unhinged murderer. As he traps the wife aboard their yacht and strands the husband, a deadly cat-and-mouse game ensues across the vast, unforgiving ocean. With tense direction, strong performances, and a minimalist yet gripping atmosphere, Dead Calm became a standout thriller, showcasing Kidman’s breakout role and delivering sustained, nerve-wracking suspense.
Underrated Picks Worth Your Time
Pledge Night
Runtime: 1hr 26min
A college hazing slasher with a supernatural twist and a punk-rock killer.
Pledge Night (1989), directed by Paul Ziller, is a gory and irreverent slasher that blends college fraternity hijinks with supernatural revenge horror. The story centers on a group of fraternity pledges enduring increasingly cruel hazing rituals—until the vengeful spirit of a former pledge, Sidney “Acid Sid” Schneider, who died during a hazing gone wrong, returns from the grave. One by one, the frat brothers meet gruesome and inventive deaths as Sid exacts his bloody revenge. Known for its punk-rock soundtrack (featuring music by Anthrax), tongue-in-cheek tone, and over-the-top gore, Pledge Night has become a cult favorite for fans of splattery late-’80s horror with a satirical edge.
Blood Salvage
Runtime: 1hr 38min
A grotesque Southern-fried horror about a deranged family harvesting organs from “accident victims.”
Blood Salvage (1989), directed by Tucker Johnston, is a quirky and gruesome Southern-fried horror tale with strong cult appeal. The film follows Jake Pruitt (Danny Nelson), a deranged yet charming backwoods mortician who, along with his sons, preys on travelers by orchestrating car accidents and then abducting the victims. Rather than killing them outright, Jake uses them in his twisted quest to create a fortune by selling human body parts and developing bizarre "cures." When he targets a young woman in a wheelchair and her family, things spiral into a battle of survival. With its offbeat tone, grotesque humor, and inventive practical effects, Blood Salvage stands out as an oddball entry in late-’80s horror, offering a blend of suspense, satire, and splatter.
Death Spa
Runtime: 1hr 28min
A techno-horror set in a haunted gym, full of neon lighting and killer fitness equipment.
Death Spa (1989), directed by Michael Fischa, is a gloriously over-the-top supernatural slasher set in a high-tech health club. The film follows Michael Evans (William Bumiller), the owner of a futuristic gym where a series of bizarre and brutal accidents begin to plague the clientele. As the bodies pile up, Michael discovers that the gym’s computerized system has been possessed by the vengeful spirit of his deceased wife. What follows is a neon-lit spree of electrocutions, melting flesh, and workout equipment turned into deadly traps. With its absurd premise, vibrant '80s aesthetic, and a mix of techno-thriller and supernatural horror, Death Spa has become a cult favorite for fans of campy, stylish, and delightfully cheesy horror.
The Church
Runtime: 1hr 50min
An eerie, stylish Italian film produced by Dario Argento about evil unleashed beneath a cathedral.
The Church (1989), directed by Michele Soavi and produced by Dario Argento, is a visually stunning and atmospheric Italian horror film that blends gothic horror with supernatural dread. The story centers on an ancient cathedral built atop the mass grave of medieval heretics. When a young librarian (Tomas Arana) and a restorer (Barbara Cupisti) accidentally unleash a demonic force sealed within, the church becomes a nightmarish trap for the people inside. As evil spreads, reality fractures, and the survivors face grotesque visions and gruesome deaths. Known for its striking cinematography, eerie score by Keith Emerson and Goblin, and surreal, operatic tone, The Church is a standout in the Italian horror canon, delivering an evocative blend of religious symbolism, haunting imagery, and visceral scares.
Leviathan
Runtime: 1hr 38min
An underwater creature feature that blends Alien, The Thing, and Cold War anxiety.
Leviathan (1989), directed by George P. Cosmatos, is a tense underwater sci-fi horror film often compared to Alien and The Thing—but set on the ocean floor. The story follows a crew of deep-sea miners who discover a sunken Soviet vessel carrying a dangerous genetic experiment. When exposure to a mysterious mutagen triggers grotesque mutations among the crew, they must battle a monstrous, shape-shifting creature while trapped in the claustrophobic depths. Featuring a strong ensemble cast (including Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, and Ernie Hudson), impressive practical effects, and a suffocating atmosphere, Leviathan delivers an entertaining blend of creature horror and Cold War-era paranoia, earning cult status as a solid entry in the “underwater horror” subgenre.
Horror Highlights & Trivia
Society’s infamous “shunting” scene remains one of horror’s most grotesque and unforgettable body horror sequences.
Puppet Master kicked off one of the most enduring direct-to-video horror franchises of all time.
Intruder’s practical gore effects were done by KNB EFX, who would later dominate '90s horror and beyond.
Dr. Caligari (1989) has no real narrative—it’s more of a living fever dream, blending eroticism, horror, and performance art.
Where to Watch These Today
Society: Streaming on Shudder and in Arrow Video editions.
Warlock: Available on Prime Video and Vestron Blu-ray collections.
Intruder: Streaming on Tubi; restored by Synapse Films.
Puppet Master: Streaming on Full Moon Features, Tubi, and available in franchise box sets.
Parents: On Tubi, and boutique Blu-rays via Vestron.
Closing Thoughts
1989 sent the ’80s out with a wink, a scream, and a pile of viscera. It was the final gasp of a decade that made horror messy, personal, and proudly strange. Though many of its films flew under the radar at the time, they’ve become cult legends—proof that even as the horror boom slowed, its creativity never did.
