If you're a fan of the 1981 slasher classic 'Graduation Day,' you're in for a treat! This article explores 10 thrilling movies and shows that capture the same suspense, high school horror, and nostalgic '80s vibes. Whether you love the cheesy kills, the eerie atmosphere, or the retro charm, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Black Christmas (1974)
Description: A pioneering slasher set during the holidays, featuring obscene phone calls, a sorority house setting, and an unseen killer.
Fact: Considered by many to be the first true slasher film. The killer's disturbing phone calls were improvised by the actor playing him.
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Halloween (1978)
Description: The film that defined many slasher tropes, featuring a stalking killer, babysitter victims, and a suburban setting during a holiday.
Fact: The famous mask was a modified William Shatner Captain Kirk mask painted white. The entire film was shot in just 21 days.
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Friday the 13th (1980)
Description: The archetypal summer camp slasher featuring a mysterious killer picking off counselors, with creative kills and a shocking final reveal.
Fact: The iconic hockey mask wasn't introduced until the third film - the killer in this one wears a sack. The film was made on a shoestring budget of about $550,
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Terror Train (1980)
Description: A slasher film set during a college graduation party on a train, featuring masked killers and a focus on suspenseful, isolated settings.
Fact: The film was shot in Canada during winter, adding to its chilling atmosphere. It features one of the earliest uses of a killer disguising themselves among the victims.
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The Burning (1981)
Description: A summer camp slasher with a focus on teenage victims and a vengeful killer, blending gore with suspenseful chase sequences.
Fact: The movie was based on a real-life urban legend. Special effects were done by Tom Savini, who turned down Friday the 13th Part 2 to work on this film.
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Happy Birthday to Me (1981)
Description: A mystery slasher with a twisty plot involving a group of friends being killed off one by one, featuring elaborate death scenes and a shocking reveal.
Fact: The film's iconic 'kebab' death scene was almost cut for being too gruesome. It was one of the highest-grossing Canadian films at the time of its release.
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My Bloody Valentine (1981)
Description: A holiday-themed slasher with a killer in mining gear, focusing on a small town's dark secrets and Valentine's Day celebrations gone wrong.
Fact: The film was heavily censored upon its original release, with over 9 minutes of gore cut to avoid an X rating. Many of the cut scenes were considered lost until a 2009 DVD release.
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The Prowler (1981)
Description: A WWII-themed slasher with a killer in military gear, featuring elaborate spear kills and a small town setting.
Fact: Tom Savini's special effects in this film are considered some of his best work. The film was originally titled 'Rosemary's Killer' in some markets.
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Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Description: A summer camp slasher with particularly brutal kills and one of the most shocking twist endings in horror history.
Fact: The film's infamous ending was kept completely secret from most of the cast and crew. It was shot at the same camp used for Friday the 13th Part
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April Fool's Day (1986)
Description: A slasher with a mystery twist, featuring wealthy college students at a remote island mansion during the titular holiday.
Fact: The film was originally conceived as a much darker, more violent story before being reworked. It features one of the earliest 'meta' twists in slasher films.
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