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.
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT
The movie world lost a giant in Wes Craven. The man behind numerous classic horror films started his career with this violent revenge thriller. Censored and banned when it was released, the box art proudly proclaims how subversive it is all over the cover. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
HOUSE II: THE SECOND STORY
I loved watching the HOUSE movies when I was a kid. Like THE EVIL DEAD, the first movie is scary while the second is more humorous. These covers don't quite hint at the comedy inside the package, but that floating hand unlocking the door is an iconic and lasting image. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
INVASION OF THE BLOOD FARMERS
A movie that I have never seen (but it is on DVD) that just looks like B-movie magic. The painted cover looks like a homage to Roger Corman films while the black and white art looks like a homemade cover which just increases the uniqueness of it. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
NIGHT OF THE CREEPS
Fred Dekker's movie has long been a cult classic with countless variations on the box art. These two are favorites of mine. One looks like a zombie horror movie while the other is like INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS on acid. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
WITCHBOARD
Every guy wanted to bang Tawny Kitaen in the 80s. This movie spawned several sequels but the first is a soft-core porn mixed with a horror flick. The end result is a title and art that is better than the product included. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
ROLLER BLADE
You may have trouble finding this movie anywhere but don't you want to see it based on that cover? The images on the back of both boxes feature scantilly clad babes and dudes with big ass 1980s hair. What more do you need? Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
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 [email protected]
