Directed by:
William Lustig Written by:
C.A. Rosenberg, Joe Spinell Starring:
Joe Spinell, Caroline Munro and Abigail Clayto Cinematography by:
Robert Lindsay Score by:
Jay Chattaway
I warned you not to go out tonight
This film is a little disturbing. Spinell's performance is what makes this movie, I think. This may sound weird, and it is, I guess, but Spinell plays one of the best psychopathic slashers I have yet seen. And then to top off his performance, we have some great effects from Tom Savini, as well as an atmospheric score, and haunting theme, by Jay Chattaway, and some stylish cinematography by Robert Lindsay. Plus I like the gritty New York setting. One of Lustig's best, I think, and easily one of the better slashers to emerge from the 80s slasher craze.
Directed by:
Sean S. Cunningham Written by:
Victor Miller Starring:
Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King and Jeannine Taylo Cinematography by:
Barry Abrams Score by:
Harry Manfredini
They were warned...They are doomed...
And on Friday the 13th, nothing will save them.
Credited by a lot of people for really kicking off the 80s slasher binge, this movie is actually one of the better of the bunch. Not a great film, by any means, but the score, and in particular the main theme, by Harry Manfredini, is iconic. Plus it's got some nice twists. Many a slasher afterward would use the "alone in the woods, with a maniac" theme. A few are in this list, actually.
Directed by:
Wes Craven Written by:
Wes Craven Starring:
Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp and Robert Englund Cinematography by:
Jacques Haitkin Score by:
Charles Bernstein
If Nancy Doesn't Wake Up Screaming
She Won't Wake Up At All
Reinvented the tired slasher formula by introducing some fantasy into it. A very good example of a fantasy / horror film. This is the one that got me interested in slasher films. Obviously known best for creating the iconic Freddy Kreuger, this film also boasts one of my favourite horror scores of all time, by Charles Bernstein. In terms of 80s slasher synth scores, this is the cream of the crop, I think. It adds a lot of atmosphere to the film. Overall not a great movie or anything, but will always be one of my favourites.
Directed by:
Tony Maylam Written by:
Harvey Weinstein, Tony Maylam, Peter Lawrence, Bob Weinstein Starring:
Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres and Brian Backer Cinematography by:
Harvey Harrison Score by:
Rick Wakeman
A legend of terror is no campfire story anymore!
I'm sure everyone thinks this is just a knockoff of Friday the 13th, but it's more than that. In fact, according to the director, the screenplay for this movie existed before Friday the 13th came out, but it wasn't made until after. I'm sure many people pass this one up thinking it's just a knockoff, but it's worth a watch. It has a great score by Rick Wakeman, of Yes fame, and some occasionally stylish cinematography, by Harvey Harrison. Plus the effects are done by Tom Savini. The acting is all pretty solid as well, and it even features a young Jason Alexander (George, from Seinfeld), with a full head of hair!
Directed by:
William Lustig Written by:
Larry Cohen Starring:
Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell and Laurene Landon Cinematography by:
James Lemmo, Vincent J. Rabe Score by:
Jay Chattaway
Directed by:
Jeff Lieberman Written by:
Mark Arywitz, Jeff Lieberman, Jonas Middleton Starring:
George Kennedy, Mike Kellin and Chris Lemmon Cinematography by:
Dean King, Joel King Score by:
Robert Q. Lovett
Directed by:
Lewis Jackson Written by:
Lewis Jackson Starring:
Brandon Maggart, Jeffrey DeMunn and Dianne Hull Cinematography by:
Ricardo Aronovich Score by:
N/A
This Christmas you better believe in Santa... or he'll slay you.
Directed by:
Joe Giannone Written by:
Joe Giannone, Gary Sales Starring:
Gaylen Ross, Tony Fish and Harriet Bass Cinematography by:
James Lemmo Score by:
Stephen Horelick
Directed by:
George Mihalka Written by:
Stephen A. Miller, John Beaird Starring:
Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier and Neil Affleck Cinematography by:
Rodney Gibbons Score by:
Paul Zaza
Directed by:
Robert Hiltzik Written by:
Robert Hiltzik Starring:
Felissa Rose, Jonathan Tiersten and Karen Fields Cinematography by:
Benjamin Davis Score by:
Edward Bilous
...you won't be coming home!
Grisly Atoms's rating:
Work in progress.
This list is subject to change, as I haven't seen every slasher flick ever made - and probably never will - and there may be better ones out there that I haven't seen yet.
My top 10 slasher choices from the heyday of slasher films, the 1980s. I will attempt to explain why I chose each one.
Most of these will share at least a couple of things in common, such as a good score, and / or good cinematography. I am a sucker for both, and even more so in combination.
Nice to see Maniac at the top of the list. That's one hell of a film. For '80s slashers it'd sit right under Nightmare on Elm Street for me (the film that inspired my interest in horror & slashers). Savini on effects is always a good thing in my book, so glad to see love thrown his way a couple times here.
I'd love to see your notes on the rest of these, especially since I've seen the ones that currently have them. :)
Explore
Forums
Join Listal
Movies
TV Shows
DVDs
Music
Books
Games
Lists
Reviews
Images
167 
7.1 
6.3 
I'd love to see your notes on the rest of these, especially since I've seen the ones that currently have them. :)