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.
RETURN TO OZ
I have a place in my movie memory for the horror show that was Disney's sequel to THE WIZARD OF OZ. Quite terrifying for a children's film, RETURN TO OZ may not be the same lasting masterpiece as the original musicla film, but this is a movie that every kid should see if you want them to have nightmares. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
RETURN OF THE DRAGON
I love the films of Bruce Lee. My dad shared these with me as a kid and one day I will share them with mine. ENTER THE DRAGON may be the superior film, but nothing can beat Bruce versus Chuck Norris within the Coliseum. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
OVER THE TOP
A movie about arm wrestling. Yeah, this actually happened. In fact, OVER THE TOP may be the CITIZEN KANE of arm wrestling movies. Plus, any movie with Sylvester Stallone with a falcon behind him on every variant of the box art is essential for any film library Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
FUTURE-KILL
There are more people who have seen the box art for FUTURE-KILL than the movie itself A scifi comedy that is widely panned but has become a cult favorite. The first cover below is the H.R. Giger designed poster while the second is incredibly cheesy. Both are still B-movie perfection. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
FREDDY'S DEAD: THE FINAL NIGHTMARE
The original "ending" to the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise, FREDDY'S DEAD pulled out all the stops, including a 3D end sequence. Not a great movie, but a fun one, FREDDY'S DEAD is worth watching within the series if you are binge-watching the franchise. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.
JAGUAR LIVES
James Bond crossed with GYMKATA, JAGUAR LIVES looks beyond terrible. Still, that feathered hair and explosive box art, this is a movie I will seek out as soon as I can find it. 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 alexmaidy@joblo.com