Ten Horror Movies That Turn 30 in 2017

Were you born in 1987? You’re in good horror company, as the year saw the release of many now iconic scary movies. Ready to feel old? Here’s ten horror movies that will be celebrating their 30th birthday in 2017!

Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn

The film that made Bruce Campbell a fan favourite, raising both the gore and dark humour of the first Evil Dead film. Dead by Dawn cemented Sam Raimi’s series in horror history, and is just as watchable in 2017. It’s perhaps even one of those rare horror sequels that actually surpasses the original.

Near Dark

Ddirected by Kathryn Bigelow, Near Dark follows a young man in a small midwestern town who becomes involved with a family of nomadic vampires. Teen vampire films have definitely gone downhill in the past 30 years, so go back to the 80s for some gorgeous gore.

Bad Taste

Before he was making big-budget epics and winning awards, Peter Jackson mad a few very strange horror/splatter movies. One of these is the weird, low-budget Bad Taste. Much of the film was shot in and around Jackson’s hometown of Pukerua Bay, New Zealand using a 25-year-old 16mm camera and with a budget of around $25,000.

Prince of Darkness

While not as well known as John Carpenter’s most famous horror classics, there’s a lot to like in Prince of Darkness. The film is the second installment in Carpenter “Apocalypse’s Trilogy”, which began with The Thing (1982) and concludes with In the Mouth of Madness (1995). It’s perhaps the weirdest (and most 80s) incarnation of Satan you’ll find.

Hellraiser

Yup, the first entry in Clive Barker’s iconic series is soon to reach it’s 30th birthday. What can we say about this one? It’s a body horror masterpiece, the practical effects will still make you squirm, and it’s the first time we were introduced to one of the biggest badasses in horror – Pinhead!

Predator

Sharing a birthday cake with Pinhead is another 30 year old horror heavyweight. Predator was also released in 1987, with stunning transformation effects for it’s day. The sequels have been a mixed bag, but there’s always a reason to go back and watch the original.

Jaws: The Revenge

Speaking of sequels, the worst movie in the Jaws franchise is also turning 30. In fact, Jaws: The Revenge is considered by many to be among the worst films ever made. It won the Worst Visual Effects at the Golden Raspberries, with propellers and mechanisms visible on the world’s worst shark model. But in a way, it almost crosses in to the ‘So Bad it’s Good’ category.

Nekromantik

One of the most frequently banned horror films was also released in 1987. Nekromantik is the controversial story of a necrophiliac couple, and it’s subject matter has been shocking audiences since it’s release.

The Stepfather

Although not a huge sucess on release, Joseph Ruben’s film is now considered a cult classic. A film to make you fear your relatives, it’s about a psychotic man who marries into fatherless families in order to carry out brutal murders. He’s not a slasher icon like Pinhead or Freddy, but the introduction to his character was just as chilling.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

Freddy was back in 1987 with what’s often considered his best sequel. With more elaborate, imaginative deaths and the character of Krueger fully realised – Dream Warriors was a hit with horror fans. It’s such a quoteable movie – “Welcome to prime time, bitch!”, “I AM the Wizard Master.”, “The souls of the children…give me strength.” 

Which of your favourites are turning 30 this year? And what horror movies from the 80s do you think hold up best today?