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Was 1981 The Best Year For Horror Movies Ever?
Horror was hot in the ’80s. Slashers, possessions, werewolves, ghosts, demons—you name it, the ’80s had it! 1981 was the year we saw two iconic killers get a sequel, the beginning of the slasher trend, and not one but four werewolf movies. As we wait for new horror films to be released, I thought it would be the perfect time to take a look back at these classic horror films. These are just some of the horror movies turning 40 this year.
Scanners (1981)
There are 4 billion people on earth. 237 are scanners. They have the most terrifying powers created… and they are winning. Their thoughts can kill. David Cronenberg’s literally mind-blowing sci-fi horror film about people who can read minds, transmit brain waves and kill by concentrating on their victims.
In the film, “scanners” are people with telekinetic and telepathic abilities that can cause an enormous amount of pain and damage to their victims. ConSec, a source for weapons and security systems wants to use “scanners” for their own diabolical plan.
Scanners is a must-see 80’s film mainly for its jaw-dropping head exploding scene. Scanners is Cronenberg’s journey into the workings of the human mind. After 40 years Scanners is still as shocking and thought-provoking as it was in 1981.
The Howling (1981)
1981 was the year of the werewolf movie with Full Moon High, Wolfen, and American Werewolf in London all being released within the same year. But the first to kick off the year of the werewolf was Joe Dante’s The Howling.
Breaking away from traditional werewolf movies, The Howling finds television news reporter Karen White (Dee Wallace), traumatized after a deadly encounter with serial killer Eddie Quist. In order to help cope with her trauma, Karen is sent to a remote retreat called The Colony, where the residents may not be entirely human.
This werewolf classic combines just the right amount of horror and tongue-in-cheek humor along with some impressive werewolf transformation effects. Originally not a success, it has become a classic in its own right.
My Bloody Valentine (1981)
Back in 1981, no holiday was safe, as the holiday slasher trend was just emerging with films like Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Terror Train dominating the box office. Valentine’s Day was no exception.
Set in a small mining town, My Bloody Valentine centers around a town haunted by the legend of Harry Warden, a miner who is dead set on killing anyone who celebrates Valentine’s Day. As that day approaches, hearts in boxes arrive and bodies begin to pile up. The real mystery is, has Harry Warden returned, or has someone picked up where he left off?
A lean and mean slasher that goes straight for the heart, My Bloody Valentine doesn’t skip out on the gore and disturbing imagery. The filmmakers used an actual mine which gave the film another element of fear. In the end, My Bloody Valentine is a bloodcurdling thrill ride that keeps you guessing right up until the end.
The Funhouse (1981)
Funhouses can make you laugh and scream. They can be weird and obscure. And no one does weird and obscure better than Tobe Hooper. After successes with Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Salem’s Lot, Tobe Hooper returned to the slasher genre with his 1981 underrated slasher gem, The Funhouse; a dark, violent film that goes on a wild journey into the world of the macabre.
Taking place at a traveling carnival, two couples decide to spend the night in a funhouse. Once locked in for the night, they witness a murder committed by a deformed carnival worker wearing a Frankenstein mask. With no way of escape, the foursome must fight for their lives as they are picked off one by one.
The Funhouse stacks up with other slashers such as Texas Chainsaw and Halloween, its clever and fun with unnerving sequences that lead up to a brutal final act. It doesn’t get much better than this disturbing early 80’s slasher.
Friday the 13th part II (1981)
The Friday the 13th franchise dominated the 80’s. Coming off the heels of the original, Part II has a new set of counselors being picked off by a mysterious killer. But (spoiler alert) with Mrs. Voorhees dead who is killing the new counselors at Crystal Lake?
This entry saw the proper introduction of Jason after only appearing in a dream sequence at the end of the original. No explanation is given on how Jason is alive, as he was known to have drowned as boy, but do we need an explanation? This is a Friday the 13th movie after all. We have some iconic kills, baghead Jason, and a strong and resourceful final girl, what more could you want from a Friday the 13th film?
The Burning (1981)
After the release of the original Friday the 13th there was a slew of imitators but The Burning is no imitator. After a prank gone wrong, a summer caretaker is horribly burned and left for dead. Years later, he returns seeking revenge on the ones who wronged him.
At first glance, The Burning looks like a Friday the 13th rip-off with a similar plot: a camp being terrorized by a vengeful killer. The Burning is more suspenseful, atmospheric, and vicious. The Burning is slasher perfection with its ruthless and savage kills including the film’s infamous raft scene done by special effects genius Tom Savini. Often overlooked, The Burning is a smart and effective slasher that is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Considered one of the greatest werewolf movies of all time, An American Werewolf in London, tells the story of two American backpackers who are viciously attacked by a werewolf. Leaving one dead and the other doomed to become one himself.
There’s no doubt that An American Werewolf in London is one of the most iconic werewolf movies of all time. Ranking right up there with Lon Chaney’s Wolfman and Joe Dante’s The Howling.
The film revitalized the werewolf genre with its ground-breaking werewolf transformations created by Rick Baker and features some of the best werewolf attacks captured on screen. After 40 years, the film is still beloved for its off the wall humor and special effects while also paving the way for other genre films like Ginger Snaps and Dog Soldiers.
Evil Dead (1981)
One of the crazier, and more creative films to come out of 1981 was Sam Rami’s The Evil Dead.
Sam Rami’s debut film, The Evil Dead focuses on five friends vacationing in an isolated cabin. After they arrive, they find an audiotape along with a book called the Necronomicon (Book of the Dead) that unleashes unspeakable evil.
Undoubtedly one of the scariest films of all-time, The Evil Dead is a relentless film involving demonic possession, a gratuitous rape scene involving a tree, beheadings, mutilations, gore – what doesn’t this movie have?
This low-budget masterpiece shows us what you can do with an innovative idea, very little cash, and some ingenuity.
Halloween II (1981)
After Halloween was released in 1978 it would be another three years before we would see Michael Myers slash his way through Haddonfield. Picking up minutes after the original, Halloween II has final girl Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) rushed to the hospital after her encounter with Michael Myers.
Replacing the suspense with gore, Halloween II is still undeniably scary. Memorable kill sequences involving a needle to the eye, a stabbing in the back with a scalpel while being raised off the ground and boiled to death in a hydrotherapy tub. Halloween II also introduced a story element that would carry on through the rest of the franchise until 2018’s Halloween that Laurie is Michael’s sister.
Ghost Story (1981)
After a year of werewolves, demons, and slashers it was a nice change of pace when Ghost Story was released in 1981.
Based on the Peter Straub novel, Ghost Story revolves around four old friends, who meet every year to tell ghost stories. When one of their sons mysteriously dies before his wedding, a ghostly apparition of a woman appears. The four old friends have to piece together one final story but unraveling this ghost story may be the scariest of them all.
Rounded out with a legendary cast, Ghost Story is a beautiful and frightening tale wrapped with mystery and romance. Evoking atmosphere and mood, Ghost Story is a love letter to gothic horror that still haunts after all these years.
Other horror films released in 1981:
Graduation Day
The Prowler
Happy Birthday to Me
Madhouse
Road Games
[This article is from our archives]
News
ShoStak Opens the Door for Filmmakers to Build and Own Their Stories
A new player is stepping into the space, but ShoStak is making one thing clear right away.
It is not trying to be the next Netflix. It is not chasing TikTok.
“Cinema does not need another platform. It needs a new model.”
That idea sits at the core of what ShoStak is building. Not just a place to watch content, but a system where creators and audiences connect in a way that feels very different from what we are used to.
The First 150 Competition Is Already Underway
ShoStak is kicking things off with its First 150 Competition, giving filmmakers a chance to present their story worlds and compete for the opportunity to move into production.
Projects are introduced as series concepts or pilots, then advance through multiple stages. Audience voting plays a role, but it is only part of the process.
Selections are ultimately shaped by a mix of audience engagement, creative execution, and overall project readiness. It is not just about popularity. It is about building something that can actually move forward.
For creators, it is a rare chance to get in front of both an audience and a structured development path at the same time.
One Platform, Built Around a New Model
Everything now lives under ShoStak.tv, where both creators and audiences come together.
Creators can sign up, develop their projects, and begin building their audience. Viewers can discover new series, follow story worlds, and engage with projects as they evolve.
ShoStak describes this as a cinematic ecosystem. Stories are not treated as disposable content designed to spike and disappear. They are built to grow over time.
And that growth happens in public.
Ownership Without Losing Structure
One of ShoStak’s core ideas is giving creators more control over what they build.
Filmmakers are positioned to:
- Retain ownership of their intellectual property
- Build direct relationships with their audience
- Grow projects based on real engagement
At the same time, this is not a free-for-all.
There is still structure. Projects are evaluated, developed, and refined through a process that blends audience input with creative and strategic decision-making.
Instead of removing the system entirely, ShoStak is reshaping how creators move through it.
Development Happens in Public
This is where things start to separate from the traditional model.
Instead of developing behind closed doors, ShoStak allows projects to evolve in front of an audience.
Creators introduce their ideas, build a following, and expand their worlds over time. As engagement grows, so does the project.
It is less about waiting for approval and more about proving momentum.
Over time, that turns the platform into something larger than a development program. It becomes an open ecosystem where creators and audiences push stories forward together.
More Than Just Testing Ideas
Micro-series are a big part of ShoStak’s approach, but they are not just a testing ground.
They can be the final product.
The format allows creators to:
- Tell complete stories in shorter form
- Build long-term story worlds
- Expand into larger projects when it makes sense
It is not about proving an idea and moving on. It is about giving that idea room to grow in whatever direction fits.
Why This Matters for Horror
Horror has always thrived outside the system.
Some of the most memorable films in the genre came from creators taking risks, working with limited resources, and finding their audience without waiting for permission.
ShoStak’s model fits naturally into that mindset.
It gives horror creators a space to:
- Build original story worlds
- Connect directly with fans
- Grow projects without losing control
And with early content like Civilian and Liminal already rolling out, it is clear the platform is aiming for more than just quick-hit content.
A Different Path Forward
ShoStak is not trying to compete by doing the same thing better.
It is trying to change how stories are created, developed, and sustained.
By combining creator ownership, audience engagement, and a structured development path, it offers something that feels closer to a creative ecosystem than a traditional platform.
Whether it works long-term is still unknown.
But for filmmakers looking for a new way in, it is opening a door that has been closed for a long time.
News
The Clayface Teaser Just Made October Feel Very Far Away
Clayface is a character whose face changes. Or rather, he is a man whose body can transform into whatever is required in the moment. He primarily uses this skill to land acting jobs and murder people. Fun Guy.
Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, an actor whose face gets destroyed in a gangster attack. Naomi Ackie is the scientist who hands him something that fixes the problem by making it considerably worse. Bandages. Blood. Then a face that begins to melt. You know where this ends.
Who Made This
The director is James Watkins, who made Speak No Evil in 2024 and before that Eden Lake, which is one of the more quietly devastating horror films of the last twenty years. Watkins does not make comfortable films. He makes films that stay in the room with you after you leave the theater and this one is about a DC villain whose body does not hold its shape anymore.
The script is from Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. Flanagan built the language of prestige horror television with The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass before moving back into features with The Life of Chuck. He writes characters who are being destroyed from the inside and the outside simultaneously.
The October Play
Clayface opens October 23, which puts it squarely in Halloween season and makes it the first DC film that actually belongs there. The project is likely rated R. The trailer confirms why.
There is a face melting off.
Watch the teaser. Then clear your calendar for October 23.
News
‘Behind the Mask 2’ Slays Kickstarter
If you are hardwired into the horror community there is no doubt you heard the gasp around the internet earlier this month when Behind the Mask II: The Return of Leslie Vernon was announced. The announcement of the long anticipated sequel came at a screening of the original at American Cinematheque in Los Angeles.
That same evening we also learned that Behind the Mask’s director Scott Glosserman as well as writer David J. Stieve will be returning to the film. Furthermore, cast members Nathan Baesel, Angela Goethals, and Robert Englund will be reprising their roles from the original.
A Kick into Overdrive
While the sequel is happening one way or another, a Kickstarter campaign was established. The money pledged would allow the filmmakers to create a movie that goes above and beyond their original budget.
As the campaign’s page states;
“The film is happening, that’s no-take-backs. If we hit these goals, it makes it possible to do it bigger, bloodier, and bolder.”
The campaign goes on, saying;
“This is not a “save the movie” campaign. The movie is happening. Kickstarter is how we make it our way. “
Roughly two weeks after the sequel’s announcement, the campaign launched with a modest day one goal of $20,000. To say that fans crushed this number is an understatement. In 9 minutes they reached their goal. In less than 24 hours the amount of backers climbed to over 300, and the pledges donated totaled more than $100,000!
Get to the Good Stuff!
For pledging, the moviemakers have included incentives that are truly in line with what the horror community wants.
The rewards begin at $25 with a digital streaming link of Behind the Mask II: The Return of Leslie Vernon. Tiers continue on as the pledge amounts increase. T-shirts, posters, Blu Rays and scripts are just some of the middle tier goodies. The larger donation amounts are rewarded with on screen “Special Thank You”s and various producer credits.
It is the ‘Exclusive Add Ons’ where things get really interesting. Once a backer has already pledged, they can add on additional perks. These additions include
“accessories, autographs, props, and truly unique, fan forward in-person experiences… all intended to complement your chosen reward tier!”
One of the unique add on perks includes VHS tapes of the original Behind the Mask or the sequel, your choice! Given the fact the first movie was created right on the heels of when VHS was truly dead, older horror fans will especially find this perk an exciting addition to their vintage collection.
The reward add-ons also have the horror prop collectors in mind. You can purchase Leslie Vernon’s weapon of choice, a scythe, as well as his mask. Both of these are signed by actor Nathan Baesel.
For more personal experiences, you can add on a visit to the Behind the Mask II set during filming! You can also choose a cast and crew screening in LA or New York, complete with an after party. Finally, for the crème de la crème; you can be killed onscreen by Leslie Vernon himself!
Powered by the Fans
Behind the Mask II: The Return of Leslie Vernon is the little slasher movie that could!
For two decades the creators tried to find ways to make Leslie’s legacy continue. A failed first Kickstarter, rumors, teases, and false starts all led to the delay of a dream.
For twenty years the movie’s cult gathering slowly formed, cultivated, and grew louder and louder. Too loud to be ignored.
As soon as the campaign went live, horror fans donated their hard earned money. And let’s face it; we are currently living in a time where the dollar doesn’t stretch as far. The fact that the long awaited sequel gained so much traction and backing, so quickly, really demonstrates the community’s love, support, and anticipation for Behind the Mask II: The Return of Leslie Vernon.
It looks like Leslie Vernon will finally be returning!
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Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner Star in Romantic Crime Thriller ‘Carolina Caroline’ [Trailer]
ShoStak Opens the Door for Filmmakers to Build and Own Their Stories
The Clayface Teaser Just Made October Feel Very Far Away
‘Behind the Mask 2’ Slays Kickstarter
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News2 days ago
The Evil Dead Burn Trailer Is Here and It Is Everything
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News6 days agoThis Week in Horror: CinemaCon Delivered, Nicolas Cage Is Coming Back, and Someone Let Ti West Near a Christmas Story
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