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The '80s were responsible for some of the most iconic and frightening horror flicks in film history. We had to sleep with a nightlight after watching movies like Hellraiser, Friday The 13th and Pet Sematary. Today's horror flicks are all about CGI and special effects, but back when we were growing up, it was corn syrup and titties − Those were the days. The promotional art also turned out some of the best movie posters of the decade. These prints are quite collectible and an original can be worth some serious guap. Since Halloween is approaching, we decided to showcase a collection of our favorites.
Grab some popcorn and a flashlight because were counting down 25 Classic Horror Movie Posters From The '80s.
RELATED: 80 Fashion Trends From the 80's You Can Still Appreciate
critters
Critters
Film: Critters
Year: 1986
Part "Where the Wild Things Are" and part classic sci-fi poster, this art signifies the titular creatures as dangerously cuddly.
firestarter
Firestarter
Film: Firestarter
Date: 1984
The fiery backdrop is a bright foreshadowing of things to come in this Dino de Laurentis film.
swamp
Swamp Thing
Film: Swamp Thing
Date: 1982
Reminiscent of classic B-movie posters, the twist here is that the monster is actually the hero.
shing
The Shining
Film: The Shining
Date: 1980
HEEEEEEEEEERRRRE'S JOHNNY... hamming it up on this poster, encapsulating one of the film's most classic moments.
halloween
Halloween II
Film: Halloween II
Date: 1981
Here's a great candidate for one of our Craziest Carved Pumpkins Ever.
dolls
Dolls
Film: Dolls
Year: 1987
Eyeless dolls = creepy. Eyeless dolls holding eyeballs with a skull mouth = terrifying. Thanks Dolls, you've ruined someone's childhood.
cannibal
Cannibal Holocaust
Film: Cannibal Holocaust
Year: 1980
We imagine this movie poster meeting went like this:
"Jesus Christ! This film is fucked up."
"Uh... yeah. So we were thinking of making the poster look like a metal album cover."
"Oh, good call. Put a tribesman on the front with a dead hot chick, and make the background black."
"Done. Man, people are gonna be in for one sick surprise."
Cannibal Holocaust: the original rickroll.
evildead
The Evil Dead
Film: The Evil Dead
Date: 1981
Before Bruce Campbell became the franchise's star, the film promoted babes in negligees being grabbed by undead hands. We're thankful this poster didn't depic the graphic tree rape scene.
fly
The Fly
Film: The Fly
Date: 1986
Besides originating the phrase "Be afraid. Be very afraid," this Cronenberg film unleashed another horror on the world: a naked Jeff Goldblum.
Cujo
Cujo
Name: Cujo
Date: 1983
That ain't paint on that white picket fence. Shit is about to get real in suburbia.
puppet
Puppet Master
Film: Puppet Master
Date: 1989
If you value your life, you'll keep these suckers in the box.
children
Children of The Corn
Film: Children of The Corn
Date: 1984
This film isn't about Communism is it? Oh god, OH GOD what did that kid just do with that sickle?!
tex
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Film: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Date: 1986
Don't they all look like one happy family? The only one missing is Sister Sledge.
childs
Child's Play
Film: Child's Play
Date: 1988
Well, we're not buying our kids any redheaded dolls. Ever.
toxie
The Toxic Avenger
Film: The Toxic Avenger
Date: 1984
Your typical superhero movie... minus the dashing good looks. Toxie's got a face so fugly they couldn't even put it on the poster.
13th
Friday The 13th
Film: Friday The 13th
Date: 1980
The devious silouette of the film's main antagonist provides an eerie outline to the otherwise serene scene of these campers. Take it away, and all you have is some sort of folk album cover about making moonshine at midnight.
gremlins
Gremlins
Film: Gremlins
Date: 1984
Yes! Mogwai in a box! Just what we wanted for Christmas! What the hell is this paper? Instructions? Fuck 'em!
blob
The Blob
Film: The Blob
Date: 1988
Fact: replace The Blob with a random band name and you will get every other rock album cover of the '90s.
monkey
Monkey Shines
Film: Monkey Shines
Date: 1987
This ominous poster once again flips innocent imagery into something more devious. The couplets sum up the film pretty concisely but playfully.
pet
Pet Sematary
Film: Pet Sematary
Date: 1989
Pretty self-explanatory cover. Zombie man, gravestones, creepy cat.
polt
Poltergeist
Film: Poltergeist
Date: 1982
"Honey, you're too close to the TV."
"Honey, back away you'll ruin your eyes."
"Geez! For the last time! Back away from th--AHHHHH!"
hellraiser
Hellraiser
Film: Hellraiser
Date: 1987
Yep. That's decidedly creepy.
theylive
They Live
Film: They Live
Date: 1988
One part sci-fi horror film, one part sunglasses advertisement, 100% '80s.
sleepaway
Sleepaway Camp
Film: Sleepaway Camp
Date: 1983
OH MY GOD THEY KILLED MY FAVORITE SHOE!
elm
A Nightmare On Elm Street
Film: A Nightmare On Elm Street
Date: 1984
Great job, those eyes at the top of the poster, combined with the claw and implied blood, means that people are not only going to wanna know what's up with this film, they may lose sleep over it. You know, to keep killers out of their dreams.