While we have been kept up all night by fantastic horror movies from every decade, the 1980s were without a doubt the strongest decade for the genre. The 1980s saw the creation of the majority of the horror classics, and the year 1982 holds a special position in the history of the horror subgenre.
Everything from slashers to science fiction was available. There were a ton of horror movies to select from, whether you liked aliens, animals, or disjointed twins. I am referring to the 1982 release of John Carpenter’s historical movie about a team of scientists battling a 100,000-year-old alien.
You probably understand what I am talking about. However, the year also included a number of films that explored paranormal themes such the poltergeist and incubus. We will take you on a roller coaster ride through the 11 deadliest movies that came out in 1982 in this video. Shall we get started?
The Thing
The film opens in Antarctica, where we observe a helicopter pursuing a dog while also grenading it and attempting to kill it. After landing in an American research facility in search of the dog, one of the Norwegian pilots blows up the helicopter and himself, while the other is killed by a self-defense shooting. Now, a pilot and physician from the United States fly to the Norwegian outpost where they discover numerous corpses and the remnants of a humanoid, which they bring back with them. The station dogs are now all absorbed by the dog when it transforms, which is disruptive.
The biologist examines the creature and becomes alarmed when he learns that in a couple of years, this dog species might consume all life on Earth. The issue starts at this point. Nobody can tell who is infected and who is not since an alien-like creature is on the loose, which raises the question of who they can trust. US Outpost 31 is experiencing severe claustrophobia and paranoia.
The script for this science fiction horror movie from 1982 was written by Bill Lancaster and directed by John Carpenter. John Carpenter’s The Thing, which is based on the 1938 novella Who Goes There by John W. Campbell Jr., is a masterwork in the genre of claustrophobic and paranoid movies. And shockingly, the production began somewhere in the 1970s, with several writers and directors, along with their different approaches to this story.
John Carpenter, who finally directed this film, admitted that out of all the films that he had ever made, this was his personal favorite. The Thing is one of the best alien films out there and packs all the best elements like the horrific body horror of the Hellraiser franchise and gut-churning suspense from the Alien franchise. CGI in films only became popular in the 2000s, which is why this film is proof that an entire audience can be scared without any CGI too. By the way, do not forget to check out our playlist on The Thing franchise.
Creepshow
This film is an anthology, which makes it a collection of short stories, and in this case, five of them. The titles of these five short films are “Father’s Day,” “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill,” “Something to Tide You Over”, “The Crate,” and “They’re Creeping Up On You!” The premise of this film is about a young boy called Billy Hopkins who is greatly invested in reading a comic book titled Creepshow.
However, his father disapproves of it, calling it horror crap as he takes it away from Billy. Now, as Billy sits near his window, wishing hell on his father, he hears a sound. Turns out, it is Creep, the host of the comic book, who asks Billy to come closer, which then transitions into the first short film.
Each film has something unique and sinister about it. The first one, titled Father’s Day is about an old man’s corpse that comes back to seek revenge on his family, but especially his daughter who killed him, as he asks for the Father’s Day cake that he never got.
The second film, titled The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill, is about a meteor, alien vegetation, and not the brightest farmer. The third film is far more sinister; Something To Tide You Over is about a husband seeking revenge on his wife and her lover as he buries them neck-deep on the beach. The fourth film, The Crate, is about an unusual beast that resides in the crate at Horlicks University. And the fifth and final film, They’re Creeping upon you, is a rather interesting one, about a businessman and cockroaches.
Not the most common genre, but yet a class, Creepshow is one of the best examples of a horror-comedy directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King, making it all the more significant because this was his screenwriting debut. A fun fact about these films is that in the second film, Stephen King himself plays the role of Jordy. The film is the perfect Halloween watch for someone who is in the mood to get spooked with a side of laughter.
The Entity
This supernatural horror film with several trigger warnings and an extremely tragic plot was directed by Sidney J. Furie and written by Frank De Felitta. The plot revolves around Carla Moran, who is sexually assaulted in her own home by an invisible entity. After facing a near-death experience in a car accident, Carla’s friend urges her to go see a psychiatrist. Doctor Sneiderman reviews bruises on Carla and learns about her extremely traumatic past, and concludes that the paranormal experiences that she is going through are simply delusions and manifestations of her past.
After Carla goes through more of these episodes, Doctor Sneiderman asks her to admit herself to a psychiatric hospital, to which she disagrees. Soon enough, she runs into two parapsychologists and convinces them to come to visit her home, eager to seek any kind of help, and they eventually agree to study her home and the paranormal activity.
As events unfold, Carla’s boyfriend ends their relationship after a disturbing attack, and the parapsychologists agree to experiment to get rid of the supernatural entity. However, will they succeed? Or will Carla continue to be tormented by this entity for the rest of her life, losing her sanity as the days goes by?
In 1974 in Culver City, California, a woman named Doris Bither was allegedly raped by the ghosts of three men. The curious case inspired Frank De Felitta to pen a book named The Entity in 1978, and this film is an adaptation of the same. Martin Scorsese included this film in his list of top 11 scariest movies of all time and is based on the case of Doris Bither, who was sexually assaulted by an entity in the year 1974.
Although this film might not be everyone’s cup of tea, those who can stomach an extremely disturbing concept should add it to their must-watch list. Director Sidney J. Furie failed to create enough jumpscares, but the fact that it is based on a true story manages to keep the audience riveted to their seats.
The Incubus
The film takes place in a small town in rural Wisconsin, where Mandy Pullman and her boyfriend Roy are swimming at the lake when an unseen figure attacks and kills Roy and then proceeds to sexually assault Mandy, because of which she is then taken to the hospital due to severe trauma. Meanwhile, Tim Galen, a teenager living in the same town, has recurring premonitions about a woman being attacked by an unnoticeable figure.
As Mandy is being treated, Carolyn Davies, who is the local librarian, is brutally assaulted and murdered, and during her autopsy, Mandy’s doctor discovers similar wounds in both of them. While the doctor, sheriff, and reporter all have their theories on what might have happened, another woman is killed after Tim has another vision about it.
Jenny, who is Tim’s girlfriend and the doctor’s daughter, learns about these premonitory visions; she confides in her father about it, who, along with the reporter, learns a dark secret about the Galen family. Who is truly responsible for these murders and the violent assault of all these women? And will they be punished for their crimes, or only cause more trouble?
This 1982 Canadian supernatural slasher film was directed by John Hough, written by George Franklin, and based on the 1976 novel by Ray Russell. It is known for being an underrated slasher film of its time, but it deserves far more respect and love. I mean, the chilly, autumnal, Gothic setting and the camerawork make it a treat for horror fans. The camera follows the film’s victims just as a predator hunts its prey. While it may have some disturbing scenes that make you cringe, it does have an incredible plot and cast which keep you on the edge of your seats at all times.
The Beast Within
The Beast Begins with Caroline being sexually assaulted by the chained creature, who breaks free and escapes. Now, seventeen years later, Caroline’s son, Michael, who was conceived because of the assault, has become incredibly ill, and the family returns to the town where Caroline was assaulted to find more information about the man who did that to her, just in case Michael’s illness was genetic and linked to him.
They learn about the unsolved murder of a man named Lionel Curwin, which happened seventeen years ago, but no one tells them anything about it. At this point, Michael is most likely possessed as he murders and eats Edward Curwin, a newspaper editor. Michael collapses as soon as he reaches the house of Amanda Platt, and the doctors advise him to plenty of rest.
As the events unfold, we uncover that the spirit possessing Michael is that of a man named Billy Connors, and he will stop at nothing to continue the cycle of impregnating another girl in the town. But will he succeed? Or will the townspeople be able to control this beast from causing havoc and torment? And more importantly, who is Billy Conners?
This American horror film, directed by Philippe Mora, is a very loose adaptation of Edward Levy’s 1981 novel. The tagline for this film states that this motion picture contains scenes of graphic and violent horror; beware! And it stays completely true to the same.
An underrated cult classic, this film has been overlooked several times because of just how many horror films were released that year. Director Phillipe Mora’s film may not be as good as a few titles made by the likes of Cronenberg, Carpenter, Romero, or Raimi, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked and underpraised. We suggest you watch it to know it.
Basket Case
The story revolves around Duane Bradley, who arrives in New York City with a locked basket and gets a room at a cheap hotel. He takes some hamburgers and feeds them to whatever creature is in his basket that talks to him telepathically. Duane takes his basket to see Dr. Harold Needleman, where he befriends his assistant Sharon.
Later that night, Duane goes back to Needleman’s and empties the creature, who is revealed to be his twin brother Belial, onto the floor, then kills Needleman by gutting him with his claws rather effortlessly. Duane and Sharon now begin to form a romantic relationship, which angers his twin Belial and prompts him to cause havoc and kill someone.
Later, we learn more about Duane and Belial, who were conjoined at birth but were surgically separated at a young age by some doctors, one of them being Doctor Needleman, thus explaining the reason for killing him. As events unfold, Belial and Duane kill the other doctors responsible for their separation; however, things go haywire when Belial grows jealous of Sharon and Duane spending time together. Will Duane realize it’s time he separated from his twin for good? Or does Belial take Duane down with him?
Written and directed by Frank Henenlotter, this cult horror film has two sequels which were released in 1990 and 1991, respectively. The crew of this film only consisted of three to four people, so most of the names you see in the credits are fake. Despite having a very low budget and little production, this film was scary enough to make a teenager wet their pants while still keeping them hooked and entertained throughout. The Basket Case franchise might be forgettable, but the original will forever be remembered for the nasty special effects and the crudely disgusting and sinister villain in the form of Belial.
Poltergeist
The story revolves around the family of Steven and Diane Freeling living in Cuesta Verde, a California-planned community along with their three children, Dana, Robbie, and Carol Anne. One night, Carol Anne begins conversing with the family’s television, and a similar thing occurs the next day when we see a ghostly hand emerge from the screen. This event is followed by bizarre occurrences in the family house, which lead to Parapsychologist Dr. Martha Lesh and two team members investigating the house after Carol Anne is sucked into a portal.
As they come to the conclusion of a poltergeist intrusion in the house, Steven learns that the Cuesta Verde development was built on a cemetery, and the graves were moved to a location close to their home. Dr. Lesh calls in Tangina Barrons, who is a spiritual medium, and determines that these spirits are attracted to Carol Anne’s life force along with detecting a presence called the beast. The family decides to pack and leave the house, but Steven briefly leaves the house before that, and mayhem ensues. Is it the beast who causes trouble, and will it let anyone from the family survive, especially Carol Anne?
This supernatural horror film was directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor. Poltergeist was a critical and commercial success and became the eighth-highest-grossing film of the year, and has been recognized as a horror classic. Many people have described this film as their favorite horror experience, with its truly terrifying plot, stunning visuals, and exceptional acting from the entire cast. The film is rather a drama on horror and psychology and excels on both fronts because of its practical and honest intent.
Xtro
The story begins with Sam Phillips and his son Tony playing outside when Sam is suddenly abducted by a bright light. We fast forward to three years later when the light returns and plants a seed. A half-human, half-alien creature develops from the seed and is hit by a car, and it isn’t long before the couple in the car dies. This strange creature then goes to a cottage nearby, where it attacks and impregnates a young woman before dissolving.
When she awakens later, her belly rapidly grows to a gigantic size until she gives birth to a fully formed Sam Philips, who washes up and leaves in the car. His first instinct is to find Tony, who lives in an apartment building in London with his mother, her boyfriend, and an au pair.
Sam picks Tony up from school and eventually goes to live with the family, claiming that he can’t remember anything. He ends up drinking Tony’s blood, and Tony soon discovers he has paranormal powers. Things go haywire when Sam and Rachel visit the farm they used to live on, leaving Tony behind with the au pair, who is eventually used as a womb for alien eggs. Sam takes an alien form, ready to take him and his son to the alien world, but will he succeed? Will Rachel be left behind alone after all is done?
This British science fiction horror film was directed by Harry Bromley Davenport and has become an interesting part of British cinema and the horror genre. Although it didn’t do very well critically, people have praised it for its twisted plot and surprisingly good special effects.
At first, the film might be reminiscent of a pulpy B Movie, but then it has great ingredients like an unbreakable father-son bond, some frontal nudity, and most importantly, decently efficient special effects of the alien. Funnily enough, the film has one of the most bizarre sequences depicting coitus. If there’s one reason you’ll watch Xtro, make it this sequence.
The Slumber Party Massacre
The film begins when 18-year-old Trish Deveraux’s parents leave her home alone for the weekend, and she decides to host a slumber party for her basketball teammates, but they’re in for a surprise. It turns out to be less of a party and more of a fight for their lives when Russ Thorn, the “Driller Killer,” escapes from prison.
Unbeknownst to the others, one of the girls is killed after school before the party even begins, and chaos further ensues when they smoke marijuana and drink alcohol at the party. Russ gets to just about everyone, from the basketball coach to a telephone repairwoman, from the next-door neighbor Mr. Contant to the pizza delivery boy, who, unfortunately, has both of his eyes drilled out.
The film is funny in certain parts since it originally was written as a parody of slasher films by feminist activist and author Rita Mae Brown, even though it ultimately was not filmed as a parody. You can even see Rita’s latest novel at the time, Six of One, on the character Courtney’s nightstand at one point. The movie is suspenseful with a classic yet original killer and grisly murders.
Directed by Amy Holden Jones and written by Rita Mae Brown, this is one of the many underloved slasher films that were released in the year 1982. It is the first installment in the Slumber Party Massacre trilogy. Perhaps because of the feminist work of the screenwriter, it is not filled with gratuitous nudity, unlike other slasher films featuring young women as victims.
Starring the late Robin Stille in her film debut, The Slumber Party Massacre is a good choice if you’re looking for something to watch while you sit back and relax. This is also the first credit for scream queen Brinke Stevens. Grab some popcorn and find out if anyone can escape the Driller Killer in this very 80s flick.
Forbidden World
This film takes place in the distant future at a genetic research station located on the remote planet of Xarbia, where a research team has created an experimental lifeform called Subject 20. This lifeform was built out of a synthetic DNA strain and was intended to avert a galaxy-wide food crisis.
However, it mutates rapidly and kills all of the laboratory subject animals before cocooning itself within an examination booth. Soon enough, military officer Mike Colby and his robot assistant are called in to investigate the problem. After Colby settles in, his decision to terminate Subject 20 to prevent further deaths is met with resistance. Eventually, Subject 20 hatches from its cocoon and goes on a killing spree. Will Colby be able to prevent Subject 20 from killing everyone, or will he also become a victim?
This science fiction-horror film was written by Tim Curnen and directed by Allan Holzman, who also co-edited it. People often compare this to Ridley Scott’s films, which itself is a very high honor. But we will be honest with you. While it is nowhere close to the classics that Mr. Ridley has made, Allan Holzman’s film knows what it is, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. To watch the film, you need to expect very little from it, and you’ll find yourself enjoying its story, acting, as well as its stark lighting. Forbidden World can be best described as trashy fun, giving the audience a classic to remember.
Nightbeast
A small alien spaceship is cruising around the Solar System but when it reaches close to Earth, it is struck by an asteroid and crashes in the small town of Perry Hall, and the sheriff of the town, Cinder, is soon alerted. However, the pilot from the spaceship emerges and kills some people who were around.
Cinder confronts the beast with his men; however, the beast appears invincible when bullets are fired at it and they lose many men to the disintegrator, whose rays kill them. The next morning, they get more help and manage to disarm the beast. The next step that follows is evacuating the town but they are unable to convince mayor Bert Wicker to cancel his party for the governor.
Meanwhile, the beast appears at the office of Doctor Price and kills a few men, but Price and the nurse manage to hide in the basement and devise a plan to try and trap the beast. There is complete and utter chaos in the town as they all must come together to try and get rid of this beast in order to save their town, but do they succeed?
Nightbeast is a 1982 science fiction horror film which was directed by cult director Don Dohler, and it can be considered a remake and sequel of sorts to his first film, The Alien Factor, which was released in 1979. While this film is notable for being another classic, it is also the film that features J.J Abrams’s first screen credit ever. This film is action-packed from start to finish, with no dull moments. Even though this film can be passed as a cheesy attempt at science fiction horror, with a beast that looks like a hairless gorilla, it still manages to keep everyone entertained for the entire duration.
So, that was our list of the best horror films from 1982, but the list will be absolutely incomplete if we don’t give an honorable mention to two films from the greatest horror franchises ever. These would be Halloween III: Season of the Witch and Friday the 13th, Part 3. Both Halloween and Friday The 13th franchises transformed the way horror films were made and watched.