1980s horror was so iconic for the genre that it has become its own specific subgenre. Bombastic and unsubtle, the decade is known for its heavy blood and big effects. There was also bosoms and sex aplenty, along with the birth of the majority of horror's iconic villains — except for the respectfully older Leatherface and Michael Myers, the 1980s introduced Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Pinhead, Chucky, and the Predator. But that's not to say that every great horror movie of the decade has gotten its due.

In a time when so many monsters, vampires, werewolves, and killers got their stars on Hollywood Boulevard, oversaturating the horror market would only inevitably mean that other villains would slip under the radar, go underappreciated, or worse, be missed entirely. Below, we rank just some of the hidden gems from the '80s that absolutely must be sought out and rediscovered by any and all horror heads.

Updated October 6th, 2023, by Sean Shuman: If you're a fan of underappreciated '80s horror greats, then you'll be happy to know this article has been updated with additional content and films.

20 Evil Dead Trap (1988)

Evil Dead Trap is the closest we're ever going to get to a J-Horror and Giallo mash-up. No, we're not joking. This overlooked Japanese slasher film sees a talk-show host, played by Miyuki Ono, investigating the potential creation of snuff films at an abandoned factory. But as she brings her camera crew in tow, what they'll find is something more terrifying than she could've possibly imagined.

Colorful cinematography, moody synthesizers, and creatively brutal kills all coalesce into a terrifying mish-mash of contrasting ideas. It's a horror film that only could exist in the 1980s, as its sense of style and grungy setting feel perfect for the era. With how many conflicting ideas are present here, it's miraculous that they combine into a cohesive whole. Combine that with a shocking surprise ending, and you end up with one of the most overlooked J-Horror films of the 1980s.

19 Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)

Though it came out towards the tail end of the 1980s, you can't deny that 1989's Tetsuo: The Iron Man is one of the most overlooked horror movies from the decade. Written and directed by Shinya Tsukamoto, this harrowing science-fiction story sees an ordinary white-collar worker waking up to a terrifying discovery. Pieces of metal are mysteriously bursting from his body in all sorts of places, with more and more appearing as the days go by. When he discovers that the victim of a car crash is suffering from a similar affliction, he may find his only hope in reversing the condition.

An experimental horror film through and through, this 60-minute parade of body horror doesn't hold a conventional narrative. Despite this, its iconic imagery and unique style immediately prompted comparisons to the works of David Lynch and David Cronenberg. The utilization of stop-motion for its numerous effects would also draw praise for their unsettling presentation.

18 Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

Michael Rooker's first feature-length performance is certainly a doozy. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer was originally released in 1986, with Rooker playing our titular killer. After drifting through the countryside, Henry eventually settles into Chicago with his roommate, Otis. But as Henry continues his less-than-legal hobby, the introduction of Otis' sister into the household may prove to be a deadly mistake.

An ultra-low-budget production, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer creates a grimy atmosphere through its guerrilla filming techniques and frequent allusions to Henry's murderous exploits. Rooker's two-faced performance, lined with cold expressions and seemingly warm behaviors, makes him into a captivating monster that you can't help but be terrified of. It was a critically divisive film during its original release, but you can find its influence in a plentiful number of serial killer-oriented stories since.

17 Possession (1981)

Possession is a movie that has undergone a significant reappraisal since it initially debuted in 1981. The film, which stars Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill, sees a married couple's relationship slowly and painfully fall apart against the backdrop of the Cold War. As the two drive each other more and more mad with each of their interactions, reality starts to blur with fantasy as impromptu killings, bizarre doppelgängers, and horrifying monsters start to infest the duo's lives.

After a brutal United States cut that sliced off more than 40 minutes of the original runtime, Possession has since become more readily available to view in its original state. It's a movie that you can't neatly fit into a single category, though horror in varying forms can be found throughout its strange plot progression. Even if it wasn't successful at the box office, it has since garnered a strong cult following for its unique elements and numerous interpretations.

16 Lifeforce (1985)

Based on Colin Wilson's novel The Space Vampires, the sci-fi horror extravaganza Lifeforce chronicles the arrival of an alien vampire species that infiltrates the planet and wreaks havoc on the city of London, with one of the extraterrestrials taking the form of a beautiful woman who sucks the life force out of her victims. The off-kilter film was directed by Tobe Hooper, who helmed the iconic horror greats The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist and is an often forgotten project from his impressive cinema catalog.

A box office dud and the recipient of some less-than-desirable reviews, Lifeforce has gained recognition in recent years for its delightfully bizarre premise and for being a guilty pleasure for horror fans. Many feel it was misunderstood and critic Gene Siskel regarded it as a "guilty pleasure" and expressed that though the screenplay was rocky, Hooper was in full control and that he "knows how to scare and how to amuse."

15 Next of Kin (1982)

Set in the sprawling Australian countryside where a rural estate and retirement home dwells, Next of Kin follows a young woman as she travels to the remote residence after her estranged mother's passing and discovers her perplexing diaries in which she describes being targeted by a menacing presence. After settling in to get her mother's affairs in order, Linda Stevens begins to experience the same unnerving events her mother described in her journals, as the home's residents begin to start dying one by one, and more strangeness ensues.

Next of Kin is a slow burn that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats as Linda begins to question her own sanity and the unexplainable events grow increasingly frightening. Though it didn't receive the kudos it deserved upon initial release, the chilling ghost story has since been praised and has aged well compared to others of the decade.

14 The Company of Wolves (1984)

Leaning hard into the werewolf fantasy, you know The Company of Wolves is going to be pretty good when someone's entire role is dubbed solely "Animatronic Wolf" in the opening credits. Following a series of vignettes centered on the lore of werewolves, the film's progress can often feel stalled and random, but stick around for both the second and third-best werewolf transformation scenes ever put to film (after An American Werewolf in London, obviously), along with the imaginative direction from Neil Jordan.

This Labyrinth-esque fantasy horror features some truly haunting imagery and some very impressive acting from the animals involved. Also, The Company of Wolves is the only film on this list where the great Angela Lansbury's head is punched off and then smashed into a million pieces for some reason. Actor David Warner, who plays the father in this film, also features in another underrated '80s horror movie below.

13 Gothic (1986)

With a stacked cast including Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, and Natasha Richardson (in her cinematic debut), the British psychological horror film Gothic is a fictional retelling of influential English novelist Mary Shelley's life-altering visit to Lord Byron's estate in Switzerland during the summer of 1816, as the two writers compete to create the ultimate terrifying tale. Shelley's time spent at the Villa Diodati inspired her to write her masterpiece, Frankenstein, as a group of friends and gifted minds gathered to tell ghost stories over four days.

The movie offers a more imaginary depiction of Shelley's profound visit and features supernatural elements like ominous apparitions, grotesque creatures, and a dark presence haunting the grand estate. Richardson made quite an impression as the famed novelist, and though it was a box office dud Gothic went on to win two accolades at the International Fantasy Film Awards.

12 Pumpkinhead (1988)

After invoking the wrath of a bloodthirsty, vengeful demon that goes on a violent rampage, a grief-stricken father has second thoughts in the cult classic Pumpkinhead, which chronicles the revenge-seeking parent's efforts to stop the titular monster after he summons it to target a group of teenagers responsible for the death of his son. Renowned special effects makeup creator Stan Winston came up with the terrifying demon's appearance, and the horror flick also served as Winston's directorial debut.

Though it failed to make a major impact at the box office, Pumpkinhead has since acquired a reputation as an underrated '80s horror masterpiece that is full of spine-tingling visuals, a chilling movie monster, and compelling insight into grief and vengeance. The film helped establish a horror franchise that consists of three sequels and a video game, with a potential remake in the works as well.

11 Bad Dreams (1988)

Escaping a cult where all of its members died by mass suicide at the behest of their leader, a man named Franklin Harris, Cynthia awakes from a coma and must attempt to recover from the horrors that were forced upon her. But as Cynthia acclimatizes to life again, is Harris really dead...?

While Bad Dreams' themes are dated, the film is a little-known '80s romp that horror hounds should seek out immediately. Richard Lynch as Harris is superb, equal parts charismatic, and scary as the cult leader, and the shots of the communion house set alight are tremendously well done.

10 Monkey Shines (1988)

After star athlete and law student Allan Mann (Jason Beghe) is hit by a truck and rendered quadriplegic, he receives a Capuchin monkey as a service animal and finds comfort with his new companion, but the promising bond is rocked when the primate begins to exhibit Allan's underlying frustrations and pent-up anger. Initially intended to help the young man around the house and to assist him with everyday activities, the monkey Ella quickly begins to act on Allan's rage-filled impulses and desires, leading to deadly results.

Monkey Shines is an offbeat and out-of-the-box film from Romero, not only delivering plenty of thrills and chills but also showcasing the bond between man and animal that gives the tale a sentimental quality. The horror film is also one of Stanley Tucci's earliest roles and remains a delightfully bizarre entry in the phenomenal director's illustrious catalog.

9 White Dog (1882)

The king of pulp, Sam Fuller, proved his glory days weren't behind him with the uncomfortable '80s masterpiece White Dog. Unbeknownst to Julie, the dog she has just hit with her car was previously trained to attack Black people. Bringing the Shepherd home as her place is broken into, the dog defends Julie from her attacker. From there, however, this movie essentially moves like a slasher as the dog carries out attacks before Julie finally, with the help of a Black trainer (the legendary Paul Winfield, of The Terminator and Wrath of Khan fame), attempts to fix the creature with exposure therapy.

Asking whether an evil like racism can be unlearnt, White Dog presents hard questions in the guise of rip-roaring Hollywood means. A movie that doesn't feel dated per se, as its theme was already something so controversial, nowadays, this is a film that is practically begging for a Jordan Peele remake.

8 Prince of Darkness (1987)

Horror master John Carpenter directed the underappreciated supernatural horror flick, Prince of Darkness, centering on a brilliant quantum physics professor and his star pupils who are tasked with identifying a mysterious liquid discovered by a Catholic priest, only to come to the stunning realization of the peculiar vile contains the essence of Satan. As the students begin to transform into horrific zombified murderers after coming into physical contact with the substance, one of the scholars becomes the human vessel of the Devil and carries out his nefarious deeds and desires.

A modest success at the box office, Prince of Darkness became an often overlooked creation from the celebrated director and alongside his fellow flicks The Thing and In the Mouth of Madness (known as his "Apocalypse Trilogy"), it is noteworthy for its grim endings for their main characters. The spine-tingling picture has since garnered acclaim for its unnerving atmosphere, anxiety-inducing camerawork, and satisfying storyline, and is now regarded as a cult classic.

7 Bad Taste (1987)

Long before he was directing hobbits and dwarves for Lord of the Rings or monstrous monkeys in King Kong, filmmaker Peter Jackson was known as a gory mischief-maker from New Zealand. In his gonzo, low-budget feature debut, Bad Taste, a small town is invaded by very rubbery-looking aliens with a penchant for heavy artillery, and Jackson finds his feet with a tremendously silly directorial voice.

Not enough people have seen this picture, and it's so far away from Jackson's later work that it may not go down as smoothly as his newer movies, but sit back and let the ridiculousness of it all wash over you. Looking for a double bill? Team this with Jackson's other schlocky 'splatter' horror film, 1992's Braindead, for a wild, nasty night.

6 The Entity (1982)

Though often overshadowed by fellow horror classics like Poltergeist and The Exorcist, the unsettling and downright spooky supernatural ghost story The Entity features Barbara Hershey as a struggling single mother who finds herself sexually targeted by an unseen malevolent spirit that pushes her to the brink of insanity. The film and the Frank De Felitta novel it's based upon took inspiration from a real-life 1970s case and study involving Doris Bither, who claimed she was being sexually assaulted by an invisible entity.

Due to the horror picture's graphic depictions of assault and edgy subjects, it was heavily protested by women's rights groups upon its initial release but has since been retrospectively evaluated as an allegory for female sexual victimhood. Martin Scorsese ranked The Entity as the fourth-scariest movie of all time, edging out fellow horror triumphs like The Shining and Psycho in his ranking.

5 Day of the Dead (1985)

Arguably the most well-known movie on this list, it still ranks as the black sheep of the great zombie movies from George A. Romero and never got the acclaim as Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead. It's a shame, as Day of the Dead closes off one of the best trilogies in the film canon, ending on this complete downer of a piece set in an army bunker during the zombie apocalypse.

Day of the Dead is a surprisingly bleak film through and through; the soldiers who are still stuck at the military base rule under the threat of violence and rape, while conflict and danger refuse to let up on both sides of the fence. Showing its legacy position, Day of the Dead also features a healthy dose of mad scientists, arguably the best on-screen zombie ever in "Bub," and one of the most magnificent (and often replicated) deaths in a villain you can't wait to see get what's coming to him.

4 Society (1989)

A high school kid doesn't believe that his upper-class family is what they claim to be in Society, a satirical body horror film. The film follows an upper-class boy who stumbles upon a vast conspiracy that may implicate his family.

As the viewer becomes more involved, we see in grim detail the extent to which special effects had evolved in the '80s, as human beings are shown meshed and contorted into an uncanny valley of disgusting shapes and positions. In a list where every single movie features some kind of incredible practical special effects, Society arguably beats them all. Director Brian Yuzna would also have a hand in 1986's From Beyond, which quite easily could have also made this list.

3 Waxwork (1988)

In the horror anthology movie Waxwork, a bunch of high school kids enter a wax museum where they pass into the creepy world of its exhibits. Thankfully, every new vignette punches so hard, with trips into the worlds of werewolves, vampires, and mummies all on display for us. Even 35 years later, viewers can still marvel at the werewolf segment (featuring John Rhys-Davies of Indiana Jones and Lord of the Rings fame) and ask — just how did they do it?

Not to be confused with the Paris Hilton remake of House of Wax or one of the first color films, 1933's Mystery of the Wax Museum, Waxwork is an inventive and entertaining watch that should have so much more love to its name and also stars Gremlins' Zach Galligan.

2 Opera (1987)

Arguably one of Dario Argento's most overlooked cinematic triumphs, the Italian giallo slasher Opera tells the pulse-pounding tale of a gifted soprano vocalist (Cristina Marsillach) who is the star of Verdi's Macbeth and finds herself entangled in a series of grisly murders at the opera house committed by a mysterious masked figure. The singer is forced to witness the violent slayings of those closest to her when the homicidal assailant ties her up and tapes rows of needles to her eyes, much to her profound horror and fear.

Opera is an excitingly bizarre and fast-paced picture that features stunning cinematography and an off-the-wall storyline that pushes audiences to witness the gruesome nature of death through the eyes of a helpless ingénue. Numerous critics have dubbed Opera as being one of Argento's last masterpieces, complete with some of the most intricate kills in his extensive filmography.

1 Night of the Creeps (1986)

Night of the Creeps was the movie that finally gave Tom Atkins his due. The white-haired, dark-mustached Atkins never succeeded in the same way as his leading man peers in the '80s like Russell, Gibson, or Baldwin. That's a shame because Atkins put in solid and accountable (if a little dry) performances as a memorable player in Halloween 3: Season of the Witch and Lethal Weapon.

But Night of the Creeps was his moment in the sun, and he completely crushes it as the shotgun-toting savior. Admittedly, this is a B-movie, but one done right. Night of the Creeps chronicles an alien as it crash-lands on Earth and infects one of the inhabitants, with a zombie outbreak hitting the small town as a result. The film is in bad taste and silly but somehow transcends this to become a true '80s cult classic and proper '80s fare.