In the fall of 1978, John Carpenter released one of the most famous slasher horror movies of all time, Halloween and effectively changed the direction of horror films in the next decade.
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The film wasn't the first slasher film ever made, but it was the first slasher film to bring the genre to mainstream audiences in a way that had never happened before. The success of the movie helped to reignite the growing horror film genre.
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By the early 80s, more and more horror films were gory, aggressive, some were comedic, and most were just ripping each other off, hoping for a lucky break.
Few movies of the 80s became bonafide classics. Most movies in fact were written as 'high-concept' films. Plots that can be summarized in about one or two sentences. Most horror movies available for streaming on Amazon Prime are part of this category.
Most 80s movies weren't trying to be classics or innovative. They were there for the shock effect, following similar plotlines, rather than depth of story and cinematography. And the majority just happened to be low-budget films trying to capitalize on the success of Carpenter's Halloween.
The Cost of Film Production in the 80s and The Rise of Low-Budget Films
The growing cost of producing films became increasingly obvious by the 1980s, when film budgets began expanding and widening the gap between the production value of low-budget B-movies and feature films.
Films backed by private studios and investors have the best opportunity to become great films that sell tickets and draw eyes. Mainstream promotion for these feature films made it increasing possible that they would bring in large returns.
Since the 80s, film budgets have grown from a few million dollars to well over 100 million dollars in the early 20th Century. While new movies break gross box office profits almost on a yearly basis.
A low-budget film, conversely means that the film is most likely being produced independently without outside funding from a film studio. With a budget of less than a million dollars. Some low-budget films have become box office hits and essential film classics while some have become cult classics.
Related: Frank Reynolds: A Study in Nihilism
And then there are the many films that haven't been forgotten entirely by the average film consumer.
Not all low-budget films released during the era became box office hits, but they were neither all equally awful and mediocre. Because most of them are. Neither did they all manage to create long lasting characters the way Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees have become long-lasting cultural phenomenons. Those guys don't die and they keep coming back for more sequels every decade.
Low-budget movies allowed creatives the opportunity to create their own cheap films much easier than they had been able to previously.
A handful of low-budget horror and Halloween films from the era managed to catch on with mainstream audiences. Halloween and the subsequent film franchise that followed might have had the greatest influence on the rise of the low-budget 80s horror film. The film showed everyone that a low-budget movie can be a box office hit.
They didn't have to be cheap, gory, mediocre films that only offered young viewers of the 80s a shock effect, although many films still relied on it.Regardless of how good or bad many low-budget 80s horror films were, sometimes even the worst low-budget films can be a fun way to pass the time.
And we have plenty of time to spare right now that everyone is socially distancing at home. Might as well put some low-budget 80s movies on the TV.
Low-Budget 80s Halloween Movies on Amazon Prime
Somewhat lucky for us, if we're having trouble passing the time, we can spend the next couple weeks indoors watching low-budget 80s horror movies. Amazon's on demand video streaming service is the place to find a library of great (or really bad) cheap 80s films. Low production value and everything else you would expect. Some films even offer the original trailer before you click watch on your screen. And why wouldn't you watch the trailer first?
Some 1980s Halloween Movies Streaming On Amazon Prime
- Final Exam (1981)
- Chopping Mall (1986)
- The Slumber Party Massacre II (1987)
- Trick or Treats (1982)
- Splatter University (1984)
- Demon Wind (1989)
Amazon Prime and Amazon's collection of low-budget 80s horror movies includes some of the era's more well known horror films like The Evil Dead ( Unfortunately Friday the 13th is no longer available on Amazon or Prime, otherwise it would be included here) and a large library of lesser known films such as The Slumber Party Massacre and Class of Nuke Em High.
The Evil Dead (1983)
The Evil Dead is one of the most popular low-budget films of all time. Produced with a budget of less than four hundred thousand dollars. The film was directed by Sam Raimi. And follows a group of friends going to a cabin to spend the night there. While at the cabin, they find an old book that brings back the dead when it is read aloud.
Sounds a lot like a 2010s movie about a cabin in the woods or something like that, doesn't it? But this is a much better movie.
80s Shows On Amazon Prime
The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)
'Someone with a power drill shows up uninvited to Trish's high-school pajama party.'
The Slumber Party Massacre was written by Rita Mae Brown and directed by Amy Holden Jones with a budget of $220,000 dollars. An eighteen year old high schooler named Trish invites her freinds over for a slumber party at her house but an escaped murder crashes their party with a power drill in hand. He slowly kills everyone around them before reaching them.
Best 80s Movies On Amazon Prime Video
Class of Nuke Em High (1986)
'Tromaville's honour students are transformed into rampaging freaks when toxic waste leaks into the water supply.'
Class of Nuke Em High is a science-fiction horror comedy movie that was made with a budget of $400,000 dollars. Mid-1980s stereotypical high school teenagers attending a high school that happens to be next to a nuclear plan begin developing strange symptoms after a spill occurs. The film is funny and ridiculous the whole way through as everyone goes through weird changes. I mean, it is an 80s teen movie with toxic waste.
There's more of a cult appeal surrounding these old horror movies because not many people like them. They're different, wacky, absurd at times, and sometimes sexist and misogynistic. It was the 80s and that was still a common thing during those times, though that is never an excuse for that type of behavior.
With Prime, you get access to thousands of movies, TV shows, and music to stream online or download for offline, plus unlimited access to over a thousand top Kindle books, and more! Customers who verify their valid eligibility receive access to all Prime benefits, discounted to just $5.99/month. Join now at amazon.com/qualify. See what being an Amazon Prime member is all about. Free delivery, exclusive deals, tons of movies and music. Start your 6-month trial and then enjoy Prime at half the price. As a member, you'll get access to fast FREE shipping, Prime Video originals, exclusive deals for students, and more! Customers can continue to enjoy the cell phone service plan even if they are no longer Prime members; however, they will no longer be eligible to receive their 10% credit benefit (in the form of an Amazon gift card). Customers will keep any unused Amazon.com gift card balance credit already accrued if they cancel their Prime membership.
These films show the 80s in a not so expansive or great way. And this is what makes these films unique and appealing. They show us a part of the human experience of the 1980s that comes through when we see these films.
And then there are the many films that haven't been forgotten entirely by the average film consumer.
Not all low-budget films released during the era became box office hits, but they were neither all equally awful and mediocre. Because most of them are. Neither did they all manage to create long lasting characters the way Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees have become long-lasting cultural phenomenons. Those guys don't die and they keep coming back for more sequels every decade.
Low-budget movies allowed creatives the opportunity to create their own cheap films much easier than they had been able to previously.
A handful of low-budget horror and Halloween films from the era managed to catch on with mainstream audiences. Halloween and the subsequent film franchise that followed might have had the greatest influence on the rise of the low-budget 80s horror film. The film showed everyone that a low-budget movie can be a box office hit.
They didn't have to be cheap, gory, mediocre films that only offered young viewers of the 80s a shock effect, although many films still relied on it.Regardless of how good or bad many low-budget 80s horror films were, sometimes even the worst low-budget films can be a fun way to pass the time.
And we have plenty of time to spare right now that everyone is socially distancing at home. Might as well put some low-budget 80s movies on the TV.
Low-Budget 80s Halloween Movies on Amazon Prime
Somewhat lucky for us, if we're having trouble passing the time, we can spend the next couple weeks indoors watching low-budget 80s horror movies. Amazon's on demand video streaming service is the place to find a library of great (or really bad) cheap 80s films. Low production value and everything else you would expect. Some films even offer the original trailer before you click watch on your screen. And why wouldn't you watch the trailer first?
Some 1980s Halloween Movies Streaming On Amazon Prime
- Final Exam (1981)
- Chopping Mall (1986)
- The Slumber Party Massacre II (1987)
- Trick or Treats (1982)
- Splatter University (1984)
- Demon Wind (1989)
Amazon Prime and Amazon's collection of low-budget 80s horror movies includes some of the era's more well known horror films like The Evil Dead ( Unfortunately Friday the 13th is no longer available on Amazon or Prime, otherwise it would be included here) and a large library of lesser known films such as The Slumber Party Massacre and Class of Nuke Em High.
The Evil Dead (1983)
The Evil Dead is one of the most popular low-budget films of all time. Produced with a budget of less than four hundred thousand dollars. The film was directed by Sam Raimi. And follows a group of friends going to a cabin to spend the night there. While at the cabin, they find an old book that brings back the dead when it is read aloud.
Sounds a lot like a 2010s movie about a cabin in the woods or something like that, doesn't it? But this is a much better movie.
80s Shows On Amazon Prime
The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)
'Someone with a power drill shows up uninvited to Trish's high-school pajama party.'
The Slumber Party Massacre was written by Rita Mae Brown and directed by Amy Holden Jones with a budget of $220,000 dollars. An eighteen year old high schooler named Trish invites her freinds over for a slumber party at her house but an escaped murder crashes their party with a power drill in hand. He slowly kills everyone around them before reaching them.
Best 80s Movies On Amazon Prime Video
Class of Nuke Em High (1986)
'Tromaville's honour students are transformed into rampaging freaks when toxic waste leaks into the water supply.'
Class of Nuke Em High is a science-fiction horror comedy movie that was made with a budget of $400,000 dollars. Mid-1980s stereotypical high school teenagers attending a high school that happens to be next to a nuclear plan begin developing strange symptoms after a spill occurs. The film is funny and ridiculous the whole way through as everyone goes through weird changes. I mean, it is an 80s teen movie with toxic waste.
There's more of a cult appeal surrounding these old horror movies because not many people like them. They're different, wacky, absurd at times, and sometimes sexist and misogynistic. It was the 80s and that was still a common thing during those times, though that is never an excuse for that type of behavior.
With Prime, you get access to thousands of movies, TV shows, and music to stream online or download for offline, plus unlimited access to over a thousand top Kindle books, and more! Customers who verify their valid eligibility receive access to all Prime benefits, discounted to just $5.99/month. Join now at amazon.com/qualify. See what being an Amazon Prime member is all about. Free delivery, exclusive deals, tons of movies and music. Start your 6-month trial and then enjoy Prime at half the price. As a member, you'll get access to fast FREE shipping, Prime Video originals, exclusive deals for students, and more! Customers can continue to enjoy the cell phone service plan even if they are no longer Prime members; however, they will no longer be eligible to receive their 10% credit benefit (in the form of an Amazon gift card). Customers will keep any unused Amazon.com gift card balance credit already accrued if they cancel their Prime membership.
These films show the 80s in a not so expansive or great way. And this is what makes these films unique and appealing. They show us a part of the human experience of the 1980s that comes through when we see these films.
Related: The Art of Film Adaptation: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge to La Rivière du hibou
They make us laugh at them, because they rarely take themselves seriously. They laugh at the times. At the human experience. Even when they do take themselves seriously, there's something far out about watching these films that makes them comedic.
They disconnect us from everyday life, from modern films, from the times, and it takes us back to the 1980s in a very nonchalant way that is still very much needed at the moment.
If we missed any essential low-budget 80s Halloween films available on Amazon or Amazon Prime on this piece, let us know in the comments.
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