UNFORGETTABLE HORROR FILMS THAT ARE BEST TO WATCH ON VHS TAPE

There was a particular thrill in watching a horror movie on VHS tape that can’t be replicated by DVD or Blu-ray. Whether it was a personal favorite you owned or one that you rented from Blockbuster for a scary movie night with friends, there was something about popping in a VHS tape and hitting play the VCR that just hit all the buttons. So today we’re celebrating this upcoming Halloween by going through our top ten favorite horror movies to watch on VHS!

Will your favorites make the cut?

THE SHINING (1980)

First on the list is the thriller classic, The Shining. Based on Stephen King's 1977 novel by the same name, this is a slow-burn psychological film that’s perfect on VHS tape.

Though perhaps not scary by today’s standards, The Shining is charmingly creepy - instead of jumpscares that break the tension, the movie uses a steady pace and an unnerving soundtrack to gently suck you into the story as you watch Jack Nicholson’s hypnotic descent into insanity. And even if you somehow haven’t seen this film, you’re almost guaranteed to have heard someone quote “Heeeeere’s Johnny!”

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)

One, two, Freddy's coming for you…. Is A Nightmare on Elm Street the best slasher film ever created? No, probably not. But in it we get an introduction to one of the greatest horror icons of all time: Fred Krueger. 

Released in 1984, it soon became a classic. If you remember renting or owning the VHS tape and digging it out for a slasher movie night with friends, you’re not alone! It’s imaginative, fun, and a bit silly at times - yet who could resist the supernatural storyline of a reanimated serial killer with knives on his fingers who goes around killing people in their dreams? Thanks to Freddy, this VHS movie is certainly an icon of 80s teen cinema!

THE BRAIN (1988)

A low-budget brain monster that eats people? Yes, please! A late 1980s film, The Brain is known for a lack of budget, some laughable effects…and being quite a bit better than one would think.

It’s got decent music, a simple storyline, and an interesting concept. More of a cult classic, this movie was typically owned on VHS only by those lovers of all things horror. The effects, like many 80s horror films, do look better on VHS after all. The Brain also offers some actual substance and can be taken as a comment on how mindlessly people sometimes take what they hear on television as the unspoiled truth. So if you haven’t seen it on VHS yet, you should! Just some “food for thought.”

THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933)

The oldest movie we have on this list goes to the 1933 film, The Invisible Man. Starring Claude Rains as Dr. Jack Griffin (aka “The Invisible Man”), this is a science fiction horror about a scientist who works out how to become invisible - bet you couldn’t have guessed that one from the title - and turns murderously insane in the process. Why?

Well, “An invisible man can rule the world. Nobody will see him come, nobody will see him go. He can hear every secret. He can rob, rape, and kill!” So basically, the perfect villain. Whether you read the original novel or you simply always dreamed of having the power of invisibility, this black-and-white VHS film stole the attention of audiences and remains an old-school psychological horror for the ages.

THE THING (1982)

Thought of as one of the best sleepover movies, The Thing definitely belongs on our list! This psychological horror movie was an incredibly fun watch on VHS, especially with friends.

A John Carpenter film starring Kurt Russell as MacReady, this film revolves around a research team in Antarctica who soon become hunted by a shape-shifting alien that can turn into any of its victims. Right from the starting scene with a couple of humans chasing a dog, you get shown a story full of isolation, anxiety, suspense, and terror. The slow-burning dread and the thrilling mystery leave you shaken for hours. Despite being over forty years old, this horror is still considered one of the best VHS movies that you can ruminate and debate with friends about for hours.

CHILD'S PLAY (1988)

“Hi, I'm Chucky. Wanna play?” Who could forget Chucky, a doll come to life after a dying serial killer transfers his soul into it using voodoo? A gloriously campy horror movie, Child’s Play was a terror for many kids and teens during the late 1980s era of VHS.

Chucky comes to life thanks to the wonderful voice talent of Brad Dourif. Between his voice, the perspective we’re given through low camera shots, and the slow tension build, Child’s Play was certainly a well-paced thriller that had you eyeing any toys in the house suspiciously when you went to bed. The sequels turned Chucky into more of a murderous comedian that grew on you as a goofy character, but at the end of the first one, you couldn't help but cheer at Andy’s “This is the end, friend!”

THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999)

One of the creepiest films out there, you can find The Blair Witch Project on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray - but it’s best on VHS. Why? The movie is about three students filming a documentary on the local Blair Witch legend - but only their footage remains. Watching this on old-school VHS creates a creepy, realistic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re seeing the actual footage that was left behind.

While watching a few college students wandering lost around in the woods does get a bit old, the movie does a nice job with no soundtrack, but only dialogue and the sounds of the woods.

THE EVIL DEAD (1981)

A violent splatter film, The Evil Dead is everything a classic horror film should be. Stock full of gore, violence, and genuinely beautiful camera shots, you get a menacing and disturbing atmosphere that’s fun to watch - especially when watching it at home on VHS for the first time.

This movie takes place at a cabin in the woods, where five friends looking to have fun for a weekend unwittingly release evil demons that take over their minds and bodies. The violence feels grounded and painful, rather than violent for violence’s sake, and the practical effects successfully make the audience uncomfortable. Considering the low budget, it’s a well-shot, well-directed horror movie that shines when you’re checking it out using a VCR.

ALIEN (1979)

We would be remiss not to mention this classic science fiction horror favorite. One of the top-rated horror movies of all time, Alien quickly became a cultural icon once released on VHS in 1979. It remains today as a masterpiece of horror filmmaking.

Instead of cheap jumpscares or tasteless shock, Alien creates a moody, slow-burning tension by taking advantage of the settings: the Nostromo’s tight, claustrophobic corridors along with the planetoid’s derelict, isolated location in deep space leave the audience feeling unsettled. You also get a landmark movie that combines body horror with science fiction with psychological thriller, resulting in a masterpiece that revolutionized the genre. And who can resist watching smart, resourceful, yet ultimately human protagonists facing off against the “perfect organism,” the apex predator of the alien Xenomorph?

HALLOWEEN (1978)

And, of course, to round out our Top Ten list and to usher us into Halloween is…Halloween! Say what you will about the sequels, the original 1978 movie was a classic. Many people have memories of watching this movie on VHS as a teenager, huddled on the couch with friends on a dark Friday night, trying to spot an uncouth Michael Myers hidden in the background.

While the first hour may drag, the last thirty minutes are ripe with tension and dread. Between Carpenter’s iconic, disturbing soundtrack and Jamie Lee Curtis’ role as the quick-thinking Laurie Strode, this is a classic film for horror moviemakers and fans, and it remains a great VHS to dig out and watch on Halloween night. After all, “It's Halloween. Everyone's entitled to one good scare.”

SUMMARY

Most old-school horror movies are simply better to watch in that lo-fi VHS quality. While modern 4K UHD streaming has its place, most of the effects in the horror movies of old are best seen on tape. So whether you rented any of these movies for a Friday night horror-thon or you owned your own copy on VHS, we hope you enjoyed reading through our Top Ten list!

Thanks for reading! We hope you have a wonderfully spooky Halloween this year!