Every child of the 80s will remember going to the video store and trying to find a movie to rent. Back before the days of Blu-ray and On Demand, selecting a movie usually meant finding the flick with the coolest box art. Like modern posters, classic VHS art has been lost but thanks to the Internet there are countless reminders of these cool creations. This column will be dedicated to bringing you reminders of a bygone era and a look at how cool some of these movies looked on store shelves.
DIGITAL MAN
Not sure exactly how or why this guy is digital but I am sure it is poorly explained in the movie. This doesn't look like a very good film but you cannot deny the 1980s glory of these boxes. The only difference I can see is the size of the mushroom cloud. That and the size of our main character on the front. Click here to purchase on Amazon.com
AMSTERDAMNED
This film never made it Stateside, but the art looks like it could have been the inspiration for last year's KUNG FURY. I can't tell you if this movie is very good, but that first box would make a damn fine poster. Click here to purchase on Amazon.com
SPIDER LABYRINTH
Sometimes a title is so bizarre and nonsensical that you have to see the movie. But, the cover art here is so good that I would consider watching this without a title and just that big ass spider. If anyone has seen this, can you tell me what a spider labyrinth actually is? Available to purchase on Amazon.com
DEATH SHOCK
There was some disagreement on my end as to whether these were two covers for the same movie or not, but after some digging, I can confirm they are. Either way, these are some very DIY looking covers with a very alien skull. I am also not entirely convinced this isn't a porno. Click here to purchase on Amazon.com
ROBOT NINJA
Robots and ninjas in the same movie? F*ck that! This is a robot who IS a ninja! Yeah, there is no way this movie can be bad with such an awesome concept and Power Rangers-esque cover. Right? Right?! Click here to purchase on Amazon.com
THE DEVIL WALKS AT MIDNIGHT
This movie is a cult classic but the box art doesn't really give you much to work with. The first cover looks like a bad vinyl album cover while the second just has some bewbs and skeletons. Unless you read the synopsis, you cannot really tell what this movie is about. But, I am still intrigued by that skull with a full head of hair. Click here to purchase on Amazon.com
Feel free to pop us your favorite VHS box art and come back for each future column. You can send your finds or photos of your own VHS tapes to alexmaidy@joblo.com
The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.
What’s Not Allowed