10 Forgotten 80s Horror Movies You MUST Watch

3. Dolls

Another entry from Stuart Gordon, 1987's Dolls does not hit the dizzying heights of its his earlier work but it still functions as an entertaining and disconcerting reimagining of Hansel and Gretel, but with possessed puppets and dolls housing the souls of violent criminals.

The movie kicks off with six individuals (a family of three, two hikers and a businessman) seeking shelter in a mansion following a particularly intense thunderstorm. The mansion's owners, Gabriel and Hilary Hartwicke (Guy Rolfe and Hilary Mason, respectively) readily welcome the weary travellers but they gradually learn that the elderly couple's toys are far more sinister and paranormal than one would expect.

Admittedly, this feature lacks the polish of Re-Animator or even From Beyond, but the puppetry and stop-motion work are solid and enhanced by its dark fantasy tone and sensibilities which elevates it above standard haunted house fare.

Beyond its gnarly and violent doll-fueled imagery, Dolls features solid performances from the cast with Carolyn Purdy embodying spiteful rage as stepmother Rosemary Bower and Ian Patrick Williams as neglectful father David Bower being the standouts.