10 Most Underappreciated '80s Horror Movies

Those who know, know - Pumpkinhead is an utter delight!

Unfortunately, not enough people know this fact, for this 1988 Stan Winston feature is often overlooked by the masses when delving into the world of '80s horror. Granted, some simply presume that with a name like Pumpkinhead, the film has to be a piece of mindless trash. Alas, that is far from the case, though.

Here, Lance Henriksen devours plenty of scenery as Ed Harley, a widow whose young son ends up accidentally killed by some dirtbike-riding young adults. Seeking revenge, Ed locates an eerie witch in the woods, with our grieving father desperate for this maniacal sort to resurrect a creature he once saw as a boy; a creature known as Pumpkinhead.

Of course, after a quick spot of grave-digging and magic, Pumpkinhead is resurrected and does indeed carry out Ed's mission of vengeance, but at the cost of Ed's own physical well-being and dwindling sanity.

So impressed by the film's script, SFX legend Stan Winston decided to make his directorial debut with Pumpkinhead, having previously impressed with his effects work on the likes of Gargoyles, The Thing, The Entity, The Terminator, and Aliens - work which, amongst other accolades, nabbed Winston an Academy Award.