Episode 25 of 80s Horror Memories looks back at the original A Nightmare on Elm Street

Last Updated on November 4, 2023

JoBlo.com recently launched a new weekly documentary series called 80s Horror Memories, where each year of the 1980s has five episodes dedicated to it. Looking back at 1980, we discussed Maniac, Dressed to Kill, Alligator, Friday the 13th, The Shining, Prom Night, and The Fog. The second five episodes were a journey through 1981, covering The Funhouse, The Burning, Friday the 13th Part 2, My Bloody Valentine, Halloween II, The Evil Dead, The Howling, and An American Werewolf in London, as well as the careers of horror hosts Elvira and Joe Bob Briggs. The next five were, of course, all about movies that came out in 1982: Conan the Barbarian, The Thing, Halloween III: Season of the Witch, and Poltergeist, with an examination of the short-lived 3-D boom along the way. For 1983, we talked about a trio of Stephen King adaptations, Jaws 3-D, Sleepaway Camp, the rise of TV horror anthologies, and Psycho II. Moving on to 1984, we’ve talked about the creation of the PG-13 rating, categorized James Cameron’s The Terminator as a slasher movie, celebrated Christmas in October with Gremlins, and revisited the supernatural comedy classic Ghostbusters. With the new episode, we’re looking back at a film that introduced one of horror’s greatest icons. That character is named Freddy Krueger, and of course the film was called A Nightmare on Elm Street. To hear all about it, check out the video embedded above!

New episodes of 80s Horror Memories are released through the YouTube channel JoBlo Horror Originals every Friday. 

Here’s the info on 80s Horror Memories: It’s been over 40 years since the decade that shaped the horror movie industry began and having lived through most of those years personally, we at JoBlo/Arrow in the Head have decided to create a 10-part documentary series in which not only cover every nook and cranny of the biggest horror themes from 1980 to 1989 but also what was happening in the world at the time. Join us as we walk down Horror Memory Lane!

And here’s the info on this particular episode: Wes Craven was not new to the world of horror. He had previously shocked everyone with his penchant for deviant behavior in The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes. While Craven was known to us genre fans, it wouldn’t be until A Nightmare on Elm Street that he would be a household name. So keep the coffee maker running and stock up on no-doze as we dive into the world of A Nightmare on Elm Street.

This episode of 80s Horror Memories was written by Niki Minter, narrated by Tyler Nichols, edited by Mike Conway, produced by Berge Garabedian and John Fallon, co-produced by Mike Conway, and executive-produced by Berge Garabedian. The score was provided by Shawn Knippelberg. Special Guests: Darren Lynn Bousman (Spiral), Craig Perry (Final Destination), and Eric Red (The Hitcher).

Let us know what you thought of this episode, plus share some of your own ’80s horror memories by leaving a comment!

Two of the previous episodes of 80s Horror Memories can be seen below. To see more of our shows, head over to the JoBlo Horror Originals channel – and subscribe while you’re at it!