Can You Name These ’80s Horror Movies From a Screenshot?

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Name These ’80s Horror Movies From a Screenshot?
Image: United Artists

About This Quiz

The 1980s was the golden age of slasher films. Horror movie icons jumped from the screen and gave us everything we were looking for in tension and sheer terror. The slow walk of your favorite killers as teenagers screamed and hid may be a cliche, but audiences loved seeing it over and over again. 

From the rise of Stephen King films to the rumors of the "Poltergeist" franchise curse, audiences of the 1980s loved the horror films of the decade for their amazing makeup and jump scares with piercing music. If you're a horror enthusiast, there is no doubt that you have spent a lot of time reviewing the movies of the '80s and understanding the formula that made a great scary movie back then. Wes Craven, John Carpenter and David Cronenberg must hold a special place in your heart.

Writers, directors and slashers aside, if you grew up in the 1980s, you definitely know a thing or two about horror movies. We dove pretty deep to find some of these films, but we finally narrowed our quiz down to 40 of the craziest horror films of the decade. Do you think you can name all of them from a screenshot?

Poltergeist
SLM Production Group/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Do you remember this movie about the Freeling family?
"Ghosts Next Door"
"Hellraiser"
"Poltergeist"
"The Exorcist"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are a lot of rumors flying around that the "Poltergeist" films are cursed in some way. However, this film doesn't require any additional hype, because it is terrifying enough when a five-year-old contacts evil spirits in the television set.

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A Nightmare on Elm Street
New Line Cinema/Media Home Entertainment/Smart Egg Pictures
Our first introduction to this crazy slasher was in 1984. What is the name of this movie?
"A Nightmare on Elm Street"
"Friday the 13th"
"Freddy Krueger"
"Fright Night"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"A Nightmare on Elm Street" was released in 1984. The Wes Craven classic brought fear to our dreams and kept it there. There was nothing like teenagers doing everything they could to stay awake and not die.

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Friday the 13th
Georgetown Productions
A famous slasher's mother kills everyone in the first movie of which franchise?
"Friday the 13th"
"Halloween"
"Pumpkinhead"
"Skate Slashers"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Few people realize that the "Friday the 13th" franchise began with Jason's mother murdering camp counselors because her son drowned in the lake. Jason Voorhees doesn't kill anyone until the second movie.

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The Shining
The Producer Circle Company/Peregrine Productions/Hawk Films
Which Stephen King film is all about the slow fall into insanity?
"Storm of the Century"
"The Thing"
"Christine"
"The Shining"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When "The Shining" was released in 1980, people were appalled by what they saw. It wasn't necessarily a movie about murder and slashers — the storyline could happen to anyone. It was all about cabin fever and a haunted hotel that took over your mind.

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Childs Play
United Artists
Can you name this terrifying movie where a doll comes to life?
"Chucky"
"Child's Play"
"My Bloody Buddy"
"Wanna Play?"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1988, we were introduced to the horror industry's smallest slasher: Chucky. In "Child's Play" we see that a terrible criminal has put his soul into a child's doll. The doll comes to life and things get pretty chaotic.

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The Lost Boys
Warner Bros.
In which film do attractive teens turn into vampires?
"The Boys' Club"
"Boys on the Side"
"Vamp Night"
"The Lost Boys"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Lost Boys" (1987) included some teen heartthrobs of the '80s. With both Coreys and a young and buff Jason Patric, who could forget this iconic teen horror movie? If you're thinking about this movie right now, you're probably not going to eat rice for a week.

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Gremlins
Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment
Do you remember this horror film about a kind of pet that came with strict rules?
"Goonies"
"C.H.U.D."
"Gremlins"
"Gizmo"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Gremlins" is often looked upon as a horror film with a light twist. There are some comedic moments in the film that give you the sense that everything is going to be just fine ... that is, until the gremlins appear.

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Halloween II
Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
Which sequel was made in 1981 and includes a survivor from the original film?
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 2"
"Halloween II"
"Mike Returns"
"Jason Goes to Hell"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the success of the first "Halloween" movie in 1978, it only made sense to bring the characters back for another slash-tastic film. When the film begins, we see Laurie in a mental institution, which shows that the events from the first film truly affected her.

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The Evil Dead
Renaissance Pictures
In 1981, this movie that includes the "Necronomicon" was released. What is it called?
"Raising the Dead"
"Dead Man Walking"
"The Evil Dead"
"Into the Woods"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anyone who has seen "The Evil Dead" (1981) probably did whatever they could to stay away from the woods and old books for a while. This movie is all about awakening the dead when reading certain words aloud. It teaches us not to mess with the Latin language ... ever.

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Aliens
20th Century Fox/Brandywine Productions
What is the name of this classic space thriller?
"Aliens"
"Deep Space"
"Lost In Space"
"Alien Nation"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Aliens" (1986) was the sequel to the 1979 film "Alien" that started the franchise. In this second film, we don't just see a single alien terrorizing a ship; we see hundreds of them, making us think that this crew will never see their home planet again.

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The Thing
The Turman-Foster Company
Can you name this movie about a brutal killing machine?
"The Thing"
"The Fly"
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers"
"Re-Animator"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The majority of early-1980s horror films were about being secluded, far away from anything that could help you. "The Thing" (1982) shows us what happens when a creature can take on the form of its prey.

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The Changeling
Associated Film Distribution
In which psychological thriller do we see a man experiencing grief and a ghost at the same time?
"The Others"
"The Changeling"
"The Forbearance"
"Forgoing Love"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not to be confused with "Changeling" (2008), starring Angelina Jolie, "The Changeling" (1980) is about a man who lost his wife and daughter. He retreats to a secluded area and learns that there is a ghost living with him. He then tries to figure out how the ghost died.

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Children of the Corn
Angeles Entertainment Group/Cinema Group/Hal Roach Studios/Inverness Productions/Planet Productions
What is the name of this Stephen King film about a town with no adults?
"Village of the Damned"
"The Burning"
"It"
"Children of the Corn"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While there were sequels to this film later on, nothing was more terrifying than seeing children go absolutely crazy in the original "Children of the Corn" (1984). Unlike most Stephen King stories, this one is set in the Midwest instead of Maine.

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Halloween III Season of the Witch
Dino De Laurentiis Corporation/Debra Hill Productions
Can you name the film from the "Halloween" franchise that doesn't include Michael Myers?
"Halloween H20"
"Halloween III: Season of the Witch"
"The Death of Michael Myers"
"Halloween II: The Rendering"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The original concept of the "Halloween" movies was that each of them would be different and have different antagonists (or slashers). However, with the success of Michael Myers as a character, it was hard to keep that original concept.

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The Fog
Debra Hill Productions
Which film has a little bit of supernatural mystery mixed in with the horror?
"The Horn"
"The Bells"
"The Fog"
"The Fly"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Fog" (1980) is a John Carpenter classic that shows us that things aren't always as they seem. As strange things start happening in a small town, a fog settles over everything, and people start dying.

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Evil Dead II
Rosebud Releasing/Renaissance Pictures
What sequel includes a possessed girlfriend?
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 2"
"Evil Dead II"
"Halloween 2"
"The Return of the Living Dead"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Evil Dead II" has the same main character as the first film. This time, the main character Ash Williams hears a tape of voices reading from the "Necronomicon," and his girlfriend gets possessed. Suddenly, he has to kill more demons.

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pet sematary
Paramount Pictures
Animals come back to life in which Stephen King movie?
"Judgment Day"
"Animal Resurrection Land"
"Pet Cemetery"
"Pet Sematary"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While the actual spelling is "cemetery," we have to remember that in both the book and the film, the name of this magical place is the "Pet Sematary," which King addresses in his novel. We all seem fine with the incorrect spelling, as the place was created by children.

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Sleepaway Camp
American Eagle Films
Do you remember this film that scared kids away from camp?
"Cabin Fever"
"Cabin in the Woods"
"Camp Nowhere"
"Sleepaway Camp"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you weren't afraid of going to camp before you saw this movie, everything changed as soon as you hit the play button. The movie shows a stabber who likes to kill teenagers in their bunks and showers while they're at camp.

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Fright Night
Vistar Films
In which film does a teen believe his neighbors are vampires?
"Fright Night"
"Vamps Among Us"
"Vampire Chronicles"
"The Shining"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Fright Night" (1985) could be considered the first horror film that is a little self-aware. It starts out about a teenage boy that absolutely loves horror films. After he notices his new neighbors are a little weird, he finds out he's right about them.

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Night of the Creeps
TriStar Pictures
Can you name this '80s horror film about a prank gone wrong?
"Night of the Creeps"
"Creepshow"
"Creepy Crawlers"
"Campus Creep"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Night of the Creeps" (1986) was about a couple of fraternity pledges who wanted to make a name for themselves. They get a frozen body and try to play a prank. Unbeknownst to them, they accidentally set a plague of slugs onto campus, and chaos ensues.

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The howling
International Film Investors/Wescom Productions
What is the name of this werewolf movie from 1981?
"The Full Moon"
"The Howling"
"The Following"
"Report Me"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Its special effects weren't necessarily the best thing to hit the big screen. However, "The Howling" did some different things with horror creatures than any other movie of its time, showing the creature in closeups and full-length shots.

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Creepshow
Laurel Entertainment
This movie was five short horror films in one. What was it called?
"Rocky Horror Picture Show"
"Friday the 13th"
"Creepshow"
"Night of the Demons"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Creepshow" (1982) gave us five terrifying stories. With every concept, from the boogeyman to monsters to revenge plots, "Creepshow" is all about getting creepy on a Friday night with friends.

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Day of the Dead
Dead Films Inc./Laurel Entertainment Inc./Laurel-Day Inc.
This horror movie shows what happens when people from different walks of life are facing the end of the human race. What is it called?
"Dawn of the Dead"
"28 Days Later"
"Night of the Living Dead"
"Day of the Dead"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Day of the Dead" (1985) gets to the heart of the human reaction to chaos. As the zombie apocalypse is upon them, a team of scientists and soldiers argue over the best ways to salvage the human race.

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Pumpkinhead
De Laurentiis Entertainment Group
What is this monster movie from 1988?
"Pumpkinhead"
"The Thing"
"It"
"More Where That Came From"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This movie includes witchcraft, a terrifying monster and a revenge plot. Though it was a low-budget film, it essentially encapsulated everything that a 1980s horror movie fan could ever want.

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From Beyond
Empire Pictures
This movie is about a parallel universe. Do you know what it's called?
"The Other Side"
"Darkside Tales"
"From Beyond"
"More Than You Know"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"From Beyond" (1986) was adapted from an H.P. Lovecraft novel and directed by Stuart Gordon. It is about a scientist who is obsessed with reaching a parallel universe. This movie shows what happens when obsession and terror meet up.

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Night of the Demons
Aldan Company
Can you name this movie about reaching people on the other side?
"The Seance"
"Ouija"
"Across the Planes"
"Night of the Demons"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're into teen horror movies, this one is a must. It's about a couple of crazy teenage girls who want to scare their friends. On Halloween night, they go to an old funeral parlor and hold a seance. Then things get ugly.

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The Burning
Miramax Films
Do you remember this movie about killing campers?
"Summer Camp"
"Sleepers"
"The Burning"
"Cropsy"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you took Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees and made them into one slasher, you'd have Cropsy from "The Burning" (1981). He carries around shears, stalks campers and kills them out of vengeance. He's a classic slasher who has sadly been forgotten.

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Cujo
Taft Entertainment/Sunn Classic Pictures
Can you name this horror film about an out-of-control dog?
"Christine"
"Sampson"
"Cujo"
"Murphy's Law"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In another Stephen King classic film of the 1980s, we see a dog that has gone off the deep end. In "Cujo" (1983), a St. Bernard is bitten by a bat and starts getting a little crazy with the people around town.

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A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 Dream Warriors
Heron Communications/Smart Egg Pictures
This "Nightmare on Elm Street" movie takes place in a psychiatric ward. Do you know the name?
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors"
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Child"
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: Dream Warriors"
"A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: The Dream Child"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There were some intense moments throughout the Nightmare on Elm Street series, but when you are supposed to be in a safe space like a psychiatric ward, things get a little crazy. Luckily, a member of the original cast comes along to help.

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The Fly
Brooksfilms/SLM Production Group
Can you name this movie about a man who tries to teleport?
"The Human Fly"
"The Transporter"
"All Gone"
"The Fly"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a scientist believes that he has solved the mystery of teleportation, something terrible happens. He doesn't realize that a fly was in his transporter with him, and he takes on the characteristics of said fly. That's when things get weird.

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The Stuff
New World Pictures
In 1985, we were given a movie that was clearly a warning against consumption. What was it called?
"The Stuff"
"The Ooze"
"The Booze"
"Trippers"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Of course someone is going to capitalize on a sweet dessert-like treat that magically oozes from the Earth. However, when it turns people into addicted zombies, things take a turn for the worse.

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Basket Case
Basket Case Productions
Do you recognize this movie about the separation of conjoined twins?
"Worlds Apart"
"Basket Case"
"Back Together"
"Get Rid of Him"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1982, horror movies didn't necessarily need a great plot — they just needed a memorable terrorizing element. With "Basket Case" (1982), that element was a man carrying around his twin who had been surgically separated from him.

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Near Dark
F/M Entertainment
In which movie do we see a man fall in love with a vampire?
"Cowboy Killer"
"Beneath the Moon"
"Near Dark"
"Wishing Star"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Near Dark" (1987) shows a love story between a cowboy and a beautiful woman. However, that woman turns out to be a vampire, and things get complicated when she bites her boyfriend and changes him.

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Motel Hell
United Artists
This movie will make you never eat hot dogs again. Can you name it?
"Under the Sheets"
"Our Home"
"National Sausage"
"Motel Hell"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you ever stop at a small-town motel for the night, you should probably ask what's in the food. In this movie, we see motel guests being ground into sausage and cooked for patrons and travelers.

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The Gate
Alliance Entertainment
Can you identify this movie about opening the gate to hell?
"The Tree"
"The Gate"
"The Party"
"The Seance"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anyone who has watched the horror movies of the 1980s knows that when you see a teen having a party, things are about to go south. In "The Gate" (1987), we see just how far south, as the teen's little brother discovers something evil in a hole in their backyard.

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Friday the 13th The Final Chapter
Paramount Pictures
Do you know which "Friday the 13th" installment made us think the movies were over?
"Friday the 13th Part 2"
"Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives"
"Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter"
"Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A total of eight "Friday the 13th" movies were released in the 1980s, including the fourth one, "The Final Chapter," which was released in 1984. This led to audiences not believing that there could be four more films with Jason in the coming five years, but they were wrong.

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An American Werewolf in London
PolyGram Pictures/The Guber-Peters Company
This film is all about man versus nature and man versus self. What is it called?
"The Fly"
"An American Werewolf in London"
"C.H.U.D."
"Psycho"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As horror films transitioned away from monsters, we did get to see the internal struggle of a man who is turned into a werewolf while abroad. When director Edgar Wright was asked about creating a remake, he said, "It's a perfect movie as far as I'm concerned, and I have nothing to add to it."

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Friday the 13th Part 2
Paramount Pictures
We first see the iconic slasher Jason Voorhees actually slashing in this movie. Do you remember the name?
"Friday the 13th Part 2"
"Friday the 13th Part III"
"Jason X"
"Friday the 13th"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As if the stigma of Friday the 13th wasn't enough, director Sean S. Cunningham brings a little more terror to the night with his memorable slasher film series Friday the 13th. Starting with Part 2, Jason was one of the original slashers that brought buckets of blood to the big screen.

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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
The Cannon Group, Inc.
In which sequel do we see Leatherface again?
"Christine 2"
"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2"
"Pumpkinhead 2"
"The Chainsaw Massacre II"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A full 12 years after the original movie, Leatherface and his band of maniacs are ready to go on another killing spree. Let's not forget Chop Top's role in all of this; after all, he was just as crazy as Leatherface.

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Hellraiser
Film Futures
Can you name this movie about a man who opened a naughty box?
"Pinhead"
"Hellraiser"
"Pandora's Box"
"Raise Hell"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Hellraiser" (1987) is the first installment of the series. It shows a man named Frank who accidentally unleashes hell when he messes around with a toy. As with a lot of horror films of the time, the main character is a sexual deviant.

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You Got:
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United Artists