The Video Verdict

#48 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

A group of children win a tour of a mysterious chocolate factory run by a mad genius—and where most of them suffer terrible (but well-deserved) fates. Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this whimsically dark musical has gone from box office disappointment to cult classic to beloved favorite. This week, we explore the sweetly sinister world of Willy Wonka and wonder…were the kids really THAT bad?

#47 Cold Prey

A snowboarding outing spells disaster for a group of friends who run smack into a deranged backwoods killer. Sound familiar? Cold Prey might seem like a run-of-the-mill 80s slasher but this 2006 Norwegian homage levels the playing ground by being genuinely intense—and its snowy landscape gives the movie an extra chilly vibe for the season.

#46 Silent Night, Deadly Night

This infamous slasher might seem tame by today’s standards, but back in 1984 it became the topic of parental outrage when it was released over the holiday season. Now considered a cult classic, SNDN has spawned four sequels, a loose remake in 2012, a comic book series, action figures, and a loyal fanbase. Merry Christmas!  

#45 March of the Wooden Soldiers

In a nursery rhyme world, two bumbling brothers protect their sister, Bo-Peep, from an evil miser—and a literal army of monsters. This Laurel and Hardy vehicle is perhaps an early example of a cult classic, achieving notoriety as a holiday favorite for TV viewers of a certain age. A musical for children adapted from a 1903 operetta, its lighthearted humor and storybook warmth rest alongside some heavily nightmarish aspects—including horrific creatures called the Bogeymen. Cozy up, kids. It’s storytime.

#44 Blood Rage

Turkey. Stuffing. A decapitated head. These are just some of the ingredients that make 1987’s Blood Rage a ridiculously fun splatter epic released in the last part of the glorious slasher boom. Set during the typically cheery Thanksgiving holiday, Blood Rage delivers a full-throttle gore ride wrapped in quirky comedy (“It’s not cranberry sauce!”) and an anxiety-ridden performance by Mary Hartman herself, Louise Lasser.  

#43 Exorcist II: The Heretic

Often considered the ultimate bad sequel, Exorcist II: The Heretic defied expectations by delivering a non-scary, special FX-light, and confusing film that drove audiences away by the millions. Ignoring many of the plot elements that made The Exorcist so memorable, John Boorman’s follow-up wallows in cold characters, meandering exposition, and just plain bad decision making.

#42 An American Werewolf in London

Before werewolves were turned into sexual metaphors for the YA generation they were terrifying monsters in John Landis’s gory groundbreaker, An American Werewolf in London. Along with The Howling, American Werewolf took the wolf man out of the misty swamps of the B&W classics and into the modern era thanks to Rick Baker’s Oscar-winning make-up work and a self-referential screenplay that’s both humorous and scary.    

#41 Blacula

Blacula was once viewed as nothing more than a forgettable entry in the “blaxploitation” genre, but in recent years has garnered admiration among film fans as a genuine work of importance. A horror classic worthy of respect, featuring an honest and nuanced performance by William Marshall, Blacula is an example of a vampire story done well. 

#40 Halloween III: Season of the Witch

Ditching Michael Myers in place of an evil Irish mask maker, Halloween III: Season of the Witch surprised audiences by removing the most recognizable character from his own horror series. Instead, Halloween III delivers a story of witchcraft and robots, and has divided fans ever since into the love it, or hate it categories. There’s no denying Halloween III is an 80s cult classic and a perfect viewing experience for the spooky season. 

#39 Friday the 13th Part 3

It might be the second outing for Jason but Part 3 is the first time the big guy dons his trademark hockey mask in this 1982 3-D threequel. Picking up exactly where Part 2 left off, Jason tosses his sack mask to the side and ventures back to the wilds of Crystal Lake where he discovers another load of bouncing teens, and a shiny new disguise in the form of a sporting goods accessory. But, does Part 3 live up to the previous twosome’s gory expectations?