A comprehensive list of the 70 scariest horror movies from 1960 till today—the scariest film of each year plus honorable mentions.
—1980—
The Shining
Friday the 13th
1980 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Maniac
Motel Hell
The Changeling
—1981—
The Evil Dead
An American Werewolf in London
1981 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Hell Night
Madman
The Beyond
Halloween 2
The Howling
Friday the 13th: part 2
—1982—
Poltergeist
1982 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Thing
Creepshow
Halloween III
—1983—
Sleepaway Camp
1983 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Cujo
Videodrone
The Hunger
—1984—
a Nightmare on Elm Street
1984 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Children of the Corn
In the Company of Wolves
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
—1985—
Fright Night
1985 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Reanimator
The Return of the Living Dead
a Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge
—1986—
The Fly
1986 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Aliens
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Night of the Creeps
—1987—
a Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors
1987 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Hellrasier
Evil Dead 2
The Lost Boys
—1988—
Hellbound: Hellraiser 2
Pumpkinhead
1988 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
a Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master
The Serpent and the Rainbow
Child’s Play
—1989—
Pet Sematary
1989 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Society
Shocker
Warlock
Horror Revival 