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Horror movies from the 80s hold a special place in my heart, and the cheesier, the better. If it’s got over-the-top kills, ridiculous one-liners, and a synth-heavy soundtrack, I’m all in. Among the mainstream classics, my favorites, in order, are:

1. Friday the 13th
2. A Nightmare on Elm Street
3. Halloween
4. Child’s Play
5. Hellraiser

I know there are plenty more that I haven’t listed, but that’s because I haven’t seen them yet. If there’s any horror-loving ladies out there who want to change that, I’m single and open to a movie marathon!

Jason Voorhees: The Ultimate Slasher
Speaking of single, single-handedly, Jason Voorhees is my favorite slasher. Freddy Krueger comes in at a close second, but there’s just something about Jason’s silent, relentless pursuit that makes him the ultimate horror icon for me. So, when Freddy vs. Jason came out in 2003, I geeked out hard.

At the time, I had just finished earning a degree in Audio Engineering, so I knew exactly where to sit in the theater for the best sound experience (if you’re curious, it’s about two-thirds of the way back from the screen, dead center—pun intended). When Jason first comes alive and starts walking, the THUD… THUD of his heavy footsteps in high definition gave me chills. The movie itself was a blast, and I’m firmly in the camp that says Jason won. (I mean, Freddy winked, sure, but c’mon, Jason walked away with his head in hand.)

Jason X: So Bad It’s Good
I’ve loved every Friday the 13th movie, even the absurdly cheesy Jason X. That’s right—Jason Voorhees in space. If you go into it expecting high art, you’re doing it wrong. Just sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy Jason slashing victims in a futuristic spaceship. It’s campy, ridiculous, and so much fun.

In fact, I love Jason so much that I wear my hockey mask every time there’s a Friday the 13th. For those wondering, there’s only one this year on June 13th, but next year we get three! I’m beyond excited.

My Favorite Jason Kill
Of all the incredible kills in the Friday the 13th series, my absolute favorite comes from Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. There’s a scene where Jason is hiding in an RV bathroom. A young couple, oblivious to the horror that awaits them, is freaking out and speeding away in the RV. The guy is too busy vibing to the music and admiring the RV to notice what’s happening. Meanwhile, Jason grabs the girl, drags her into the tiny bathroom, and after a brief struggle, smashes her head so hard into the wall that her face leaves an imprint in the metal from the outside. Absolute peak cheese. It’s so gloriously over-the-top, and I love it.

Horror from the 80s just hits different. The combination of practical effects, synth scores, and outrageous premises make them endlessly entertaining. Whether it’s slashers, supernatural nightmares, or killer dolls, there’s something special about that era of horror that keeps me coming back for more. And if you’re down for a cheesy horror marathon, you know where to find me.