Every horror fan has one year that feels like it was made just for them. For me, that year was 1988.
But what was the best horror movie released in 1988?
Three of my all-time favorite franchise movies arrived within months of one another. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers is still my favorite Halloween movie. Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood remains my favorite Jason film. And A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master still tops the Elm Street series for me.
With those three movies alone, 1988 would have been unforgettable. But the film that ultimately became my favorite horror movie released that year was not the one I expected.
1988 Was a Monster Year for Horror
The lineup was stacked. Some movies became franchise favorites, while others found their audience years later through VHS rentals and late-night cable.
- Child’s Play
- Night of the Demons
- Pumpkinhead
- Fright Night Part 2
- 976-EVIL
- A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master
- Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
- Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood
- Critters 2: The Main Course
- The Blob
- Poltergeist III
- Phantasm II
Movies such as Critters 2 and The Blob made for an entertaining Friday night at the Marlow Heights Cinema. I would buy my ticket hoping for something great, but I was usually perfectly content if the movie was simply fun.
The Movie I Couldn’t Wait to See
Poltergeist III was the movie I expected to remember most.
It opened in June 1988, shortly after my final day of sixth grade. Besides saying goodbye to friends for the summer, almost all I could talk about was seeing the new Poltergeist movie.
I had loved Poltergeist II: The Other Side, so I went into the theater expecting another mind-blowing experience.
Instead, the disconnected story and lack of a strong connection to the first two films left me disappointed.
The high-rise setting had potential, and the mirror effects were impressive, but the movie never came together in the way I had hoped.
Why Phantasm II Wins
Phantasm II was the complete opposite experience.
I had never seen the original Phantasm, so I walked into the sequel without expectations. That turned out to be the perfect way to experience it.
It was a Friday night, possibly opening weekend. My cousin and I were at my uncle’s house playing a competitive game of Sorry! when the college-age neighbors came over and asked whether we wanted to see a movie.
Phantasm II? Hell yes.
The movie was dark, haunting and completely unpredictable. Its bleak imagery, disturbing kills and creepy music created the kind of theater experience that stays with you.
Holy sh—this movie was awesome. I had no idea what to expect, and it delivered a full-strength horror joyride.
Phantasm II has everything I want from a horror adventure.
Reggie is a tough, trash-talking hero. The story sends him through graveyards, abandoned towns and funeral homes while the Tall Man, corpse reanimation and the deadly silver spheres keep the movie moving.
Even the alcohol-guzzling priest adds to the strange atmosphere.
The movie blends horror and action in a way that reminds me of Predator and Aliens. It feels bigger than its budget, with memorable effects and a world that seems grim, lonely and dangerous.
Fans of the original sometimes criticize the sequel for repeating too much of the first film. I understand that perspective now that I have seen the original. But because Phantasm II was my introduction to the series, it felt completely fresh.
Looking Back at the Best Horror Movie of 1988
There is no shortage of strong competition. Child’s Play, Pumpkinhead, The Blob, Night of the Demons and The New Blood all gave horror fans something memorable.
But Phantasm II delivered the biggest surprise. I entered the theater knowing almost nothing and left completely won over by its atmosphere, action, creatures and unforgettable villain.
That unexpected experience is why, for me, Phantasm II remains the best horror movie released in 1988.
For more late-1980s horror, visit the VHS Vault or check out my essential horror sequels from the ’80s and ’90s.