Summary
- The '80s gave birth to iconic slasher villains like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Chucky, leading to cult followings despite negative reviews.
- Films like "April Fool's Day" played with the slasher genre, mixing comedy, mystery, and horror, but disappointed audiences with its marketing.
- "Child's Play" introduced the killer doll Chucky, standing out with terrifying kills and a balance between horror and comedy for consistent scares.
The '80s are best known for neon colors, MTV, and some of the best slasher movies in the horror genre. As expected with any classic horror film, slashers are full of thrills and suspense but usually include more gore and a handful of characters being killed by the film's antagonists. Some of the more recognizable slasher villains from this decade include Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Chucky. Many of the best slasher films starring similar antagonists have gained cult followings over the years, despite several of them earning a wave of negative reviews.
The unexpected dangers in everyday settings such as high school dances or summer camps add a layer of suspense and have led to a variety of slasher movie remakes in recent years. A few slasher movies aren't made to be taken too seriously, but rather to play into the ridiculousness of the genre, increasing the amount of blood spilled throughout the entirety of the movie. However, other slasher movies, notably those from the "Golden Age" from the late '70s to the mid '80s, have helped define the horror genre.
10 Best Slasher Movie Remakes, Ranked
Over the years, slasher movies have become bigger than ever in the horror genre. So, it's no surprise that some of their remakes are also brilliant.17 April Fool's Day (1986)
Leaned A Little Too Far Into Its Titular Holiday
Meant to make fun of the slasher film genre itself and embrace the playfulness of the film's titular holiday, April Fool's Day combines comedy, mystery, and horror. The plot twists and ending of April Fool's Day left audiences incredibly disappointed. The film's director, Fred Walton, placed the blame on the marketing surrounding the film, which led audiences to believe they were in for a standard slasher movie (via Collider). However, April Fool's Day is still worthy of mention due to its ambition and attempt to do something new among the many slasher films that had already come out in the years prior.
16 The Prowler (1981)
A Formulaic Slasher Film With Exceptional Special Effects
The Prowler isn't the most daring slasher, but a few aspects of the film make it a standout among others from the decade. Many of the violent scenes in The Prowler, which are a critical highlight, were cut from the film's release in Europe and Australia, in addition to the film's menacing score being replaced with sounds of nature. The Prowler is also praised by many for its use of special effects by famous prosthetic makeup artist Tom Savini. Along with The Prowler, Savini is responsible for special effects work in other slasher films such as Friday the 13th, The Burning, and Maniac.