SHOCK selects 10 of our favorite 80’s movie posters.
When reminiscing about the wild, wonderful 80s and the impact it had our lives as fanatical horror fiends, one only has to conjure up the vast inventory of memorable movie posters designed for theatrical marquees nationwide.
Indeed, there are so many posters that seduced us into forking over our cash to see these films, it’s hard to whittle down a definitive list.
So here’s 10 of our favorites, rare in the sense that these posters also by and large cloaked quality, classic pictures as well.
Have a look and lay your own faves on us in the comments below the gallery!
80's Movie Posters
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THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, PART II (1988) Dir. Ken Wiederhorn
Even though the first ROTLD was far superior, and the poster was pretty much cooler than shit, ROTLD2's poster art is just as impressive.
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THE FLY (1986) Dir. David Cronenberg
Even with all the other amazing posters from Cronenberg (SCANNERS, THE BROOD), THE FLY outshines them all. The sheer simplicity of the poster makes it ultimately terrifying; many of Cronenberg's film posters had a similarly minimal flare making it more like a piece of art rather than a simple advertisement.
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THE CHANGELING (1980): Dir. Peter Medak
An incredible Canadian entry that still packs a terrifying punch, aided by incredible poster art that merely heightens and solidifies the film's timeless and haunting staying power. Just looking at that iconic wheelchair is enough to send chills down one's spine.
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THE SENDER (1982): Dir. Roger Christian
Another sad example of a brilliant film with minimal marketing support from Paramount, it is almost as if they sunk all their coin into creating kick ass posters instead of properly pushing their product. Incidentally, THE SENDER is Quentin Tarantino's favorite horror flick of 1982.
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A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984) Dir. Wes Craven
Even though he left a hefty legacy, Wes Craven's original ELM STREET still reigns supreme. His haunting tale of the dream demon Fred Krueger is perfectly captured in the brilliant poster art and design: bone chilling and classic.
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THE THING (1982) Dir. John Carpenter
Though nominated for several Raspberry Awards in 1982, one can only scratch their heads and wonder what the hell people were thinking? This Carpenter remake is incredible, the score by Ennio Morricone is fabulous, and yes, the poster kicks ass too; memorable and terrifying.
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THE KEEP (1983) Dir. Michael Mann
Despite being a wildly misunderstood early entry from the man who brought us MANHUNTER and based on the series of books from F. Paul Wilson. Whether you despise it, or absolutely love The KEEP, there's no denying the posters potency even though Paramount did little to push the film, perhaps in response to the largely negative reviews.
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FRIGHT NIGHT (1985) Dir. Tom Holland
A surprise horror hit with audiences and horror junkies in 1985, followed up by a mediocre sequel and a terrible remake. The original Peter Vincent and Charley Brewster adventure still has a special charm and the poster is completely top notch, incorporating a Amanda Bearse's climactic vampire with a dose of PSYCHO in there for good measure.
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POLTERGEIST (MGM, 1982) Dir. Tobe Hooper
Although the alternate POLTERGEIST poster is equally impressive (the one with a suburban landscape) it simply cannot compete with the image of Carol Anne sitting in front a snow-covered television set. Ominous and super scary!
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THE HOWLING (1981) Dir. Joe Dante
Easily one of the most horrifying and most iconic horror movie posters of the 80s. Joe Dante's cult classic werewolf tale and its blood-curdling poster still mesmerizes and would be welcome in todays boring market of lame theatrical advertisements. Hollywood should really take its marketing cues from the eighties!
