The best horror films of 1981

37 horror films from 1981, ranked by a 0–100 score from IMDb ratings, critics, major awards and box office, compared with every film from the same year.

  1. An American Werewolf in London Score 66.7 · IMDb 7.5 · Tomatometer 80% · Metascore 55 · Comedy, Horror, Fantasy
  2. The Evil Dead Score 65.1 · IMDb 7.3 · Tomatometer 85% · Metascore 71 · Horror
  3. Possession Score 52.4 · IMDb 7.2 · Tomatometer 87% · Metascore 75
  4. Scanners Score 45.1 · IMDb 6.7 · Tomatometer 69% · Metascore 60
  5. The Howling Score 43.5 · IMDb 6.5 · Tomatometer 76% · Metascore 68
  6. Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker Score 41.1 · IMDb 6.3 · Tomatometer 93% · Metascore 71
  7. Wolfen Score 36.8 · IMDb 6.3 · Tomatometer 72% · Metascore 64
  8. Dead & Buried Score 35.2 · IMDb 6.5 · Tomatometer 71% · Metascore 71
  9. Basket Case Score 35.0 · IMDb 6.2 · Tomatometer 78% · Metascore 77
  10. Halloween II Score 33.8 · IMDb 6.5 · Tomatometer 27% · Metascore 40