Finally this can end…wait, I have to do the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s? Well, the idea of not doing anymore of these lists was fun for the split second…What am I talking about, I love ranking movies!
1989 is obviously the end of the 1980s cycle of horror. There were some hold over film styles and series, but be 1991 the 80s were firmly in the rearview mirror. Movies like Freddy’s Dead kind of put a nail in the coffin of the 1980s slasher craze. Jason would get one more movie and Michael Myers would get two and one is kind of a sequel reboot.
1989 was an the writing was on the wall. Some of the worst sequels were series killers and released in 1989. Not to mention some swings and misses. We will try to weed out the bad and only mention the goodish movies. But before we get on with the ranking of the films of 1989, let’s rank the years of the decade.
10. Shocker (1989)
If you’ve followed the Horror Syndicate for a while you’ll know my love for Shocker is really lacking. Wes Craven seems to only really have a few good films prior to 1996’s Scream. For me, there is so much that could have been done and Shocker falls way short for me. I do see how others can love this movie.
9. Howling V: Rebirth (1989)
There are few Holwing films that are worth talking about in my opinion, Rebirth being one of them. It has a great setting, interesting characters and a pretty emmersive story. Give it another shot.
8. Puppet Master (1989)
The movie that starts the Puppet Master Franchise. Really, it is not as good as some of the others. It has a slow pace that you can really get lost at times. But the ending is worth the journey.
7. Halloween 5 Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
We’ve said so much about Halloween 5 at this point. It’s one of the worst in the series. Halloween 5 really had tons going for it, but it is lackluster and I think it begins with the director and the early death of Rachel. Tina shouldn’t be the main protagonist and Dr. Loomis shouldn’t be psychotic. One stand out us Don Shanks as Myers. His mask sucks, but he did a great job.
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street 5 Dream Child (1989)
The year of the part 5s. I wish Alice would have had a better movie to exit on. I can see why Freddy’s Dead was made, but ultimately this movie fails to deliver. Englund’s make-up is an issue, the story is one of the worst in the series. But, Dan’s death was kick ass.
5. Friday the 13th part VIII Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)
I have a ton of love for Jason Takes Manhattan. It is stupid and fun. The characters all suck, even the few we like. Rennie as a final girl is kind of, blah and the only real standout gets his head knocked off after playing hero. RIP Julius.
4. The Fly II (1989)
Underrated. The Fly II is a different creature to the original and it can almost stand on its own. It’s bit dated, but in ways it has a better story than the 1986 film. But, ultimately it isn’t better. I really enjoyed this and the effects are really great. Give it another shot.
3. Society (1989)
The shunt. That is the only thing about this movie that puts it here at #3. It’s gross and Screamin Mad George puts on a a clinic of effects. The social standing story is ok and the mystery angle is fine, but nothing can prepare you for the Shunt.
2. The Church (1989)
This is one of three movies also referred as Demons 3. The Church being the best of the three it really shows how Michele Soavi has grown as a director and you really get a feeling of where his career goes after this. The Church never gets discussed and that is a damn shame, it’s pretty great. It is an Italian film, that may be why you or most haven’t seen it. Fix that problem.
1. Pet Sematary (1989)
I’ve seen Pet Sematary so many times. I love it the more I see it. Mart Lambert brings to life one of Stephen King’s darkest tales and it is brilliant. I know some complian about Dale Midkiff’s performance, but I like it. There are some many things going on, I think it makes sense why he is the way he is. Not to mention Fred Gywnne turns in a fantastic preformance.
So, 1989 wasn’t the best year for horror. I do believe the genre began to run out of steam here and led to a slow and weak start to the 1990s. If I had to rank the years of the 1980s, 1989 would likely rank at #10.
Thanks for reading and I hope you stick with us as we move on to the 1990s next.
