4. Pumpkinhead (1988)
This movie received mixed reviews upon its release but has since developed a cult following and has become a true classic with one of the most iconic horror killers in the history of a genre (a mere tier below the likes of Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers). The film was inspired by the following poem by Ed Justin:
Keep away from Pumpkinhead, Unless you're tired of living, His enemies are mostly dead, He's mean and unforgiving, Laugh at him and you're undone, But in some dreadful fashion, Vengeance, he considers fun, And plans it with a passion, Time will not erase or blot, A plot that he has brewing, It's when you think that he's forgot, He'll conjure your undoing, Bolted doors and windows barred, Guard dogs prowling in the yard, Won't protect you in your bed, Nothing will, from Pumpkinhead.
The movie sees a group of city kids go into the country to relax. While they are there, one of them is involved in a biking accident that takes the life of the son of the local storekeeper who had left his son in charge while he went to run an errand. The storekeeper remembers seeing a witch controlling a mysterious creature when he was a boy and, in a fit of rage, he goes to see the witch and asks her to unleash the creature - an unstoppable demon called "Pumpkinhead" - to kill the group. She warns him that vengeance comes with a consequence, but he insists she goes through with his request and follows her instructions to dig up a disfigured corpse from an old pumpkin patch in order to raise the demon. When he realises that he's gone too far, the storekeeper attempts to save the kids, but is continually afflicted by visions of peoples' deaths through the eyes of the monster. Three sequels were spawned - none of which got a cinematic release and all of which should be avoided. This film, however, is a must watch for horror fans around Halloween.