VHS Vault: Hellraiser (1987)

 

"He'll tear your soul apart."

You pull this one off the shelf and instantly know you’re in for something twisted. Chains on the cover, a pale figure with nails in his skull, and that eerie tagline whispering from the box.

Hellraiser (1987) is Clive Barker’s blood-soaked dive into pleasure, pain, and interdimensional torment. This horror classic redefined body horror with its mix of sadism, surrealism, and unforgettable creatures like Pinhead.

It’s art-house horror wrapped in VHS grit; equal parts disturbing and mesmerizing, the kind of movie you weren’t supposed to rent but did anyway.

Vault Fact File

• Title: Hellraiser
• Year: 1987
• Director: Clive Barker
• Runtime: 94 minutes
• Rating: R
• Tagline(s): “He’ll tear your soul apart.”
• Studio / Distribution: New World Pictures
• Cast: Doug Bradley, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Andrew Robinson
• Fun Fact: Pinhead’s official name in the credits is simply “Lead Cenobite.” Fans gave him the name “Pinhead,” which Clive Barker originally disliked.
• Extra Trivia: The infamous puzzle box, the Lament Configuration, was handmade for filming—its golden glow achieved using camera tricks and glass reflections.
• Legacy: Spawned a massive horror franchise, cemented Doug Bradley as a genre icon, and proved that 80s horror could be philosophical and grotesque at the same time.

⏪ Rewind or Fast Forward?

Rewind. Hellraiser is a fever dream soaked in blood and leather. It’s sensual, smart, and totally deranged, the kind of movie that burns into your brain like a Cenobite’s hook. This tape deserves a spot on the top shelf, though maybe keep it out of reach of the faint-hearted.

⚡ Watch It

Summon Hellraiser (1987) on Amazon, or unlock the Hellraiser Blu-ray to experience every scream and chain in glorious high definition.

official Trailer for hellraiser

Back to the Vault: Craving more 80s nightmares? Rewind to Poltergeist (1982) or keep digging deeper into the darkness of the VHS Vault.

vhs vault: poltergeist (1982)

 

The tracking flickers, static hums, and then...they’re here. Few tapes scream early-80s horror like Poltergeist (1982). This classic haunted-house film is the suburban nightmare that convinced every kid their TV could turn on them.

Produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper, Poltergeist remains a masterclass in supernatural suspense—equal parts heartwarming and horrifying, with just enough ghostly chaos to keep your popcorn airborne.

Vault Fact File

• Title: Poltergeist
• Year: 1982
• Director: Tobe Hooper
• Runtime: 114 minutes
• Rating: PG (somehow!)
• Tagline(s): “They’re here.”
• Studio / Distribution: MGM / United Artists
• Cast: JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke, Zelda Rubinstein
• Fun Fact: Spielberg was heavily involved in production—so much that many believe he secretly co-directed the film alongside Tobe Hooper.
• Extra Trivia: The infamous skeletons in the pool scene were real human skeletons used as props, because they were cheaper than plastic replicas at the time. No wonder this film has a “curse.”
• Legacy: A landmark in supernatural cinema that spawned sequels, a remake, and decades of ghostly imitators—but none capture the original’s eerie suburban charm.

⏪ Rewind or Fast Forward?

Rewind. Poltergeist is still one of the most polished haunted-house thrillers ever made. It’s Spielbergian wonder meets Hooper’s horror grit—genuinely spooky yet strangely cozy. From spectral TVs to vengeful toys, this one earns its permanent place in the Vault. Just make sure your TV’s unplugged before bed.

⚡ Watch It

Rent or buy Poltergeist (1982) now on Amazon, or grab the Poltergeist Blu-ray to relive every ghostly glitch in the comfort of your couch.

Official Trailer for Poltergeist

Back to the Vault: Still hearing voices through the static? Rewind to Creepshow (1982) for more spine-tingling VHS memories inside the VHS Vault.

VHS Vault: Creepshow (1982)

 

"Oh, I can hold my breath for a long, long time!"

I remember the first time seeing Creepshow (1982) in a friend's basement with the lights off. Definitely had some fun, creepy episodes.

Cracked spine, faded box art, and that eerie glow when you slide it into the VCR—this classic horror anthology from George A. Romero and Stephen King brings EC Comics to life, one terrifying tale at a time.

It’s ghoulish, colorful, and drips with Saturday-night-on-the-couch horror fun that every VHS junkie and fan of 80s horror will appreciate.

Vault Fact File

• Title: Creepshow
• Year: 1982
• Director: George A. Romero
• Runtime: 120 minutes
• Rating: R
• Tagline(s): “The most fun you'll ever have being scared.”
• Studio / Distribution: Warner Bros. / Laurel Entertainment
• Cast: Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Leslie Nielsen, Ted Danson, and Stephen King
• Fun Fact: Stephen King not only wrote the screenplay but also stars as the doomed farmer Jordy Verrill in “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill.”
• Extra Trivia: The vivid comic-book style was achieved with colored lighting gels and comic panel transitions, Romero’s tribute to 1950s EC horror comics like Tales from the Crypt.
• Legacy: A cult favorite that spawned sequels, a TV revival, and endless nostalgia for practical gore and ghoulish humor.

⏪ Rewind or Fast Forward?

Rewind. This one’s a must-have on any horror fan’s shelf. Each story oozes pulp horror charm, from killer crates to vengeful corpses. With its blend of comic-book flair and dark humor, Creepshow proves horror can be both campy and classy. You’ll want to rewind this one again and again, just don’t leave the lights off.

⚡ Watch It

Streaming now on Shudder and Tubi, or available for rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Collectors can find it on Blu-ray and 4K from Scream Factory.

official Trailer for creepshow

Back to the Vault: Can’t get enough of comic-book carnage? Rewind to Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) for more strange and seasonal chills in the VHS Vault.

VHS Vault: Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

"The night no one comes home." 

Just when you thought you knew what Halloween meant, you pull this tape off the shelf and realize, wait, where’s Michael Myers? 

Halloween III: Season of the Witch is the black sheep of the franchise, the one that traded butcher knives for killer masks and ancient tech-magic mayhem. 

It’s pure early-80s weirdness: flashing pumpkins, sinister jingles, and a dash of sci-fi conspiracy that could only come from a VHS horror shelf in 1982.

Vault Fact File

• Title: Halloween III: Season of the Witch
• Year: 1982
• Director: Tommy Lee Wallace
• Runtime: 98 minutes
• Rating: R
• Tagline(s): “The night no one comes home.”
• Studio / Distribution: Universal Pictures
• Cast: Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy
• Fun Fact: This was the only entry in the Halloween series without Michael Myers — producer John Carpenter wanted to turn the franchise into an anthology series of unrelated Halloween tales.
• Extra Trivia: The Silver Shamrock jingle was inspired by “London Bridge Is Falling Down” and intentionally made to be maddeningly catchy — mission accomplished.
• Legacy: Once booed for ditching the Shape, it’s now a cult favorite for fans of retro tech-horror and synth soundtracks.

⏪ Rewind or Fast Forward?

Rewind. It’s the Halloween sequel that dared to be different — and while it confused fans in 1982, it’s aged into one of the most bizarrely lovable cult films in horror history. Between the factory robots, exploding pumpkin masks, and that hypnotic TV broadcast, this one’s worth a spooky season rewatch. Just… don’t put on the mask.

⚡ Watch It

Currently streaming on Peacock and available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Also part of several Halloween Collection Blu-ray box sets for the hardcore collectors.

Official Trailer for Halloween III: Season of the Witch

Back to the Vault: Still humming that Silver Shamrock tune? Check out our last tape, The Fly (1986), and keep the weirdness going in the VHS Vault.

VHS Vault: The Fly (1986)

 

“Be afraid. Be very afraid.”

Slide this one off the dusty VHS shelf and prepare for a mix of science, tragedy, and grotesque body horror. David Cronenberg’s The Fly is the kind of tape you watch with a bowl of popcorn clutched in both hands; equal parts fascination and horror as Jeff Goldblum’s scientist loses himself in the name of science.

Seth Brundle thinks he’s on the verge of a breakthrough with teleportation… until one tiny fly changes everything. Mutation, transformation, and hair-raising practical effects turn this rental into a “don’t watch alone” experience that still creeps under your skin decades later.

Vault Fact File

• Title: The Fly
• Year: 1986
• Director: David Cronenberg
• Runtime: 96 minutes
• Rating: R
• Tagline(s): “Be afraid. Be very afraid.” / “The ultimate man-to-monster story.”
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• Cast Highlights: Jeff Goldblum as the doomed Brundle, Geena Davis as the sweetly unsuspecting Veronica, and John Getz as the doomed colleague. Goldblum’s charm makes the horror hit even harder.
• Special FX Magic: Chris Walas’s practical effects were groundbreaking; from Brundle’s first grotesque mutations to the horrifying final form, it’s body horror perfection on VHS.
• Fun Vault Trivia: Goldblum and Cronenberg spent hours in prosthetics to achieve the mutation effects, some so realistic that crew members fainted on set. This tape turned nightmares into an art form.

⏪ Rewind or Fast Forward?

Rewind. If you love horror that creeps under your skin while making you feel for the monster, this one’s a must-play. Tragic, creepy, and visually unforgettable, The Fly is a VHS classic that still makes you squirm in the best possible way.

⚡ Watch It

You can stream The Fly on Max or Shudder, rent it on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, or snag the Collector’s Edition Blu-ray for that glorious practical effect experience in high definition.

Official Trailer for The FLy

Back to the Vault: Want more VHS horrors? Check out our last tape, The Thing (1982), and see what other nightmares lurk in the shadows of the Vault.

VHS Vault: The Thing (1982)

“Man is the warmest place to hide.”

Crack open that clamshell case and brace yourself, this isn’t your average creature feature. The Thing is the kind of tape you rent once, never return, and hide under your bed just in case it starts moving on its own. John Carpenter’s icy masterpiece still crawls under your skin with its mix of isolation, paranoia, and practical effects that make most CGI blush.

At an Antarctic research station, a group of men find something they can’t explain: a shape-shifting alien that absorbs and imitates any living being. Trust collapses, blood tests bubble, and flamethrowers become best friends. By the time the tape ends, you’ll be staring at the static, wondering who you can trust.

Vault Fact File

• Title: The Thing
• Year: 1982
• Director: John Carpenter
• Runtime: 109 minutes
• Rating: R
• Tagline(s): “Man is the warmest place to hide.” / “The ultimate in alien terror.”
• Studio: Universal Pictures
• Cast Highlights: Kurt Russell as R.J. MacReady, Keith David as Childs, and Wilford Brimley before the oatmeal commercials. Every face looks ready to snap.
• Special FX Magic: Rob Bottin (only 22 at the time!) nearly worked himself into the hospital creating the grotesque transformations. The effects still hold up as some of the best in horror history.
• Fun Vault Trivia: The movie bombed in 1982 — released the same summer as E.T. — but became a cult legend on VHS, where horror fans finally embraced its cold genius.

⏪ Rewind or Fast Forward?

Rewind. Hard. This one deserves a permanent spot in your player. The tension is ice-cold, the effects are jaw-dropping, and Carpenter’s score (with a little help from Ennio Morricone) thumps like a heartbeat in the snow. Every rewatch hits like the first time you hit “Play” on that warped tape — unnerving, unforgettable, and absolutely unskippable.

⚡ Watch It

You can stream The Thing on Peacock or AMC+, rent it on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV, or grab the 4K UHD Collector’s Edition if you want those frozen guts in glorious detail.

Official Trailer for The Thing

Back to the Vault: Ready to keep flipping through the shelves? Check out our last tape, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and see what other horrors lurk in the shadows of the VHS Vault.