Though 3D (three-dimensional) images and such have been around in some form since the mid-1800s, 3D films and movies are still a relatively new phenomenon. The skills and technology it took to make it appear as if the characters and settings from the film would pop out at the audience took quite a few decades to perfect (early 3D tech for film was in development since at least 1915). But in the ’50s, the practice was finally perfected (for it’s time), and audiences began to go to see the spectacle that was 3D movies.

Alas, however, with most new and exciting technology, the novelty of 3D movies faded from worldwide consciousness. Considered the “Golden Era” of 3D, the 3D tech would be on the back burner until roughly the late ’70s and ’80s, when it experienced a massive resurgence, due to the new IMAX theaters and cameras. With amazingly new camera work, and popular genres such as horror, combining to make 3D cool again. Here are some ’80s horror films that used 3D technology to help the resurgence of cinema.

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5 Parasite (1982)

     Koch Entertainment

Though not well-received (17% on Rotten Tomatoes; 3.9/10 on IMDB), Parasite, directed by Charles Band, was one of earlier ’80s horror movies to use 3D technology. Parasite follows Dr. Paul Deen as he tries to find a cure for a flesh-eating virus that he created (forced to, by the criminal organization that now runs the United States) and trying to save a small, deserted town that the parasite is now ravaging through. The movie was panned, calling it a “B-film with unconvincing special effects”. The parasite itself was horrific to see, and watching in 3D as it bursts through stomachs ala Alien, was one of it’s better moments.

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4 Friday the 13th: Part 3 (1982)

     Paramount Pictures

Another horror film from 1982, and one that’s arguably more well-received (5.6/10 on IMDB), is Friday the 13th: Part 3. The only Friday the 13th film to be released in 3D, Part 3 follows the story of a teenage girl named Dana Kimmell and her friends, who take a trip to Camp Crystal Lake. Unbeknownst to them, the serial killer known as Jason Voorhees is hiding there as well. As most can expect, a murder spree of guts and gore occurs. The first 3D film to receive a mass, widescreen debut, Part 3 became one of the highest-grossing films of 1982.

3 Amityville 3D (1983)

     Orion Pictures

Amityville 3D is a horror film that’s based on a true story (the Amityville Horror), and part of a multi-film franchise. After hearing all the rumors and myths, a man by the name of John Baxter decides to buy the Amityville house, to prove that it is not haunted. As expected of a horror movie, and of the Amityville franchise, Baxter and family do learn that the house is haunted. With unexplained events, ghosts, and more, terrorizing the family. The film was panned when it was released (with a 4/10 on IMDB), with critics calling it one of the worst films of 1983.

2 Jaws 3D (1983)

     Universal Pictures

The third film in the Jaws franchise debuted in 1983, directed by Joe Alves. The film follows the Brody children (protagonists in the first film) to their jobs at Sea World in Florida. Before the opening of the park, however, a great white shark manages to end up in the park, and cause chaos and havoc with the animals and employees. 3D was well-used for the shark’s destruction, with pieces flying at the audience. Though it did well at the box office ($88 million off of a $18 million budget), the film received an overwhelming amount of negative reviews. Critics said the film felt “gimmicky”, and there was no build-up for suspense with the shark. Alas, this would not be the last Jaws film.

1 Silent Madness (1984)

     Almi Pictures

A very unknown film from the ’80s is the horror thrasher known as Silent Madness. It has a simple premise: Dr. Joan (played by Belinda Montgomery) must go and re-capture (dressed as a sorority sister) a murderous patient from her psychiatric hospital, before he can go and commit more crimes. Terrifying, disturbing, and downright gory, Silent Madness may have the most well-received reviews of any movie on this list (5.1/10 on IMDB; 3/5 on Letterboxd). It managed to do all of this on a measly budget of $600,000 USD.

Horror films, and 3D horror films in general, continued to get better and better as the resurgence of 3D ensued for the following decades. As directors and producers managed to improve on scares, suspense, and gore; as well as figuring out what works in 3D, and what doesn’t, has come together to give us some true horror classics off the past few decades. But, without the trailblazing 3D horror films above, we may have never gotten them.