Top 10 80's Horror Movies That Deserve A Remake
These horror movies deserve a chance to scare us all over again. From "Children of the Corn", to "Silver Bullet", to "Pumpkinhead", these films would be extra terrifying with contemporary production values. WatchMojo counts down the top 80s horror movies that deserve a remake.
Special thanks to our user bobbylashley18 for suggesting this idea! Check out the voting page at WatchMojo.comsuggest/Top+10+80s+Horror+Movies+That+Shoud+Get+A+Remake
Top 10 80’s Horror Movies That Deserve A Remake
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These eighties horror gems might do well with a fresh take. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 80’s Horror Movies That Deserve A Remake. For this list, we’ll be looking at horror films from the eighties that we’d like to see a modern version of. We’re not saying these movies are bad, just that we’d be intrigued to see a new interpretation of them.
#10: “Children of the Corn” (1984)
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Based on the Stephen King short story of the same name, this cult-classic tells the story of a Nebraska town that is beset by a demonic entity who convinces the town’s children to murder all the grown-ups. Believing the ritual killing of the adults will yield a bountiful harvest, the youngsters also set about trying to sacrifice a young couple who stumble upon their cult. Despite numerous sequels, “Children of the Corn” never reached the heights of more successful King adaptations. However, the renewed cinematic interest in his work could potentially make for an innovative remake with a more star-studded cast.
#9: “Near Dark” (1987)
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Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this gritty vampire film blended gothic horror with a rugged western aesthetic to create something wholly original. “Near Dark” tells the story of Caleb, a bored farmer’s son who falls in love with a woman who happens to be a part of a travelling family of bloodsuckers. After being infected with vampirism himself, Caleb is torn between the thrill of being an undead outlaw and returning to his wholesome roots. Unlike a lot of 80's horror films, “Near Dark” has a timeless quality reminiscent of a dark fairy tale, which makes it a great remake candidate.
#8: “Child’s Play” (1988)
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Before the sequels camped into silliness, “Child’s Play” introduced us to a Chucky that was eerie, sadistic and terrifying. After transferring his soul into the body of a Good Guy doll, serial killer Charles Lee Ray poses as the harmless toy while attempting to possess a little boy named Andy. Despite its ludicrous premise, “Child’s Play” succeeded in being a truly suspenseful horror film that capitalized on many moviegoers’ fear of creepy-looking dolls. A modern remake could therefore reintroduce Chucky to a whole new generation and explore previously untapped themes within the “Child’s Play” franchise that were watered down by the sequels’ comedic tone.
#7: “Silver Bullet” (1985)
If “It” has taught us anything, it's that Stephen King’s stories are versatile enough to warrant multiple interpretations. Based on King’s novella “Cycle of the Werewolf”, “Silver Bullet” tells the story of Marty Coslaw, a paraplegic boy whose hometown is plagued by a series of murders during full moons. Despite featuring a memorable performance by Gary Busey, “Silver Bullet” tends to take a backseat to more acclaimed films based on Stephen King’s work like “Carrie” and “The Shining”. However, a remake could take advantage of modern special effects to craft a terrifying re-imagining of “Silver Bullet” for a new audience.
#6: “They Live” (1988)
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A tough-as-nails rejection of mindless conformity, this John Carpenter film remains as relevant today as it was in the late 80's. “They Live” tells the story of drifter John Nada, who uncovers a plot by malevolent aliens to enslave humanity through subliminal messages and corporate propaganda. Despite its initial meteoric rise at the box office, “They Live” never achieved the bonafide classic status of some of Carpenter’s other horror films. With big businesses wielding even more power these days than ever, a remake of “They Live” could be a welcome reminder to read between the lines when it comes to advertising.
#5: “The Return of the Living Dead” (1985)
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The originator of the brain-eating trope, “The Return of the Living Dead” also injected a welcome dose of humor into the zombie subgenre. Set in Kentucky, the unintentional release of a toxic gas begins reanimating the dead with an insatiable appetite for brains. Since a lot of modern zombie films have set aside humor for terror, a remake of this campy classic would be a breath of fresh air in the era of more overly serious zombie fare. Also, it would be a lot of fun to see what a modern soundtrack for “The Return of the Living Dead” would sound like.
#4: “Pet Semetary” (1989)
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Based on yet another Stephen King story, “Pet Semetary” became a classic in its own right after its release in 1989. The plot follows the story of the Creed family as a series of tragedies that befall them are worsened by a supernatural burial ground. Despite a solid cast and some genuinely chilling moments, “Pet Semetary” didn’t quite live up to the reputation of its source material as an uber-dark tale of death and loss. With this shortcoming in mind, a remake that isn’t afraid to go to the harrowing depths that the novel went to could make for an exceptionally frightening experience.
#3: “Pumpkinhead” (1988)
Directed by Stan Winston – who is best known for his incredible special effects work – “Pumpkinhead” adds a supernatural twist to the classic revenge tale formula. After his son is killed by a group of teenagers, Ed Harley seeks the aid of a witch who helps him summon a grotesque demon. The monster then sets out to kill the teens, but the catch is Ed must witness each murder through its eyes. Despite its impressive effects and a remarkable performance from Lance Henriksen, “Pumpkinhead” only managed to attain cult-classic status. However, a contemporary remake with the right cast and the right script could make “Pumpkinhead” a household name.
#2: “The Lost Boys” (1987)
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A dark twist on Peter Pan, “The Lost Boys” tells the story of a pair of brothers who discover their new hometown is inhabited by vampires. Directed by Joel Schumacher, “The Lost Boys” was one of the first films that relinquished the gothic tropes of classic vampire films for a more youthful and contemporary appeal. Featuring iconic performances from Corey Haim, Corey Feldman and Kiefer Sutherland, “The Lost Boys” also maintained a grisly edge that later “sexy” vampire movies lacked. In a post-“Twilight” era, a remake of “The Lost Boys” could be the bridge between fans of both horrifying and seductive creatures of the night. Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honourable mentions: “The Stuff” (1985) “Re-Animator” (1985) “Sleepaway Camp” (1983)
#1: “Creepshow” (1982)
A collaboration between two masters of terror, “Creepshow” was George Romero and Stephen King's homage to the horror comics of the 1950’s. A five-part anthology film, “Creepshow” featured a star-studded cast and the legendary makeup effects of Tom Savini to bring these tales of creepy fun to life. With each story serving as a metaphor for a common fear or phobia, Romero and King crafted a film that delivered the scares while also not taking itself too seriously. With anthology films being a rarity these days, a remake of “Creepshow” could tap into some present-day fears while also providing some tongue-in-cheek thrills.
