VHS Retro Art Round-up: Serpico, They Live, Killer Crocodile, and more!

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

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.

THEY LIVE

My favorite John Carpenter film features one of the best fight scenes of all time along with the awesome one-liners courtesy of Roddie Piper. A film that will forever remain a classic, these box arts definitely work on different levels. The first, painted cover looks cool and would make a great poster while the second is instantly recognizable for anyone who has visited a video store in their day. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.

KILLER CROCODILE

Before the days of SyFy original movies, we had to make do with ridiculous movies released on home video. Featuring over the top titles like KILLER CROCODILE, these movies were either really good or really bad. I have not seen this particular movie, but if that first cover is any indication, this one is so bad, it is good. Not currently available.

SUBCONSCIOUS CRUELTY

A film that was considered obscene when it was first completed, Karim Hussain's surreal horror film took five years to complete and has become a cult classic on home video. These Japanese covers definitely play up the body horror aspects of the film in a less subtle manner than the domestic versions. Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.

LASERBLAST

A movie so bad it was featured on Mystery Science Theatre 3000, this film about a teenager who goes on a rampage when he finds an alien weapon is pretty damn awful, but that first poster is better than the film deserves. I am pretty sure that is supposed to be a teenager but it looks a lot like Klaus Kinski.  Click here to purchase on Blu-ray/DVD.

SERPICO

Another film instantly recognizable by the box art, this Al Pacino classic is one of the best cop movies ever made. That first cover has been replicated for every release of the film, but that second box is a rate European version that somehow makes the movie look even cooler. Click here to purchase on VHS.

NIGHTMARE BEACH

Whether you call it NIGHTMARE BEACH or WELCOME TO SPRING BREAK, this movie looks like something Quentin Tarantino would love. A killer in a motorcycle helmet with a Garotte wire preying on co-eds in bixinis? What could be better. Both covers are pretty damn intriguing. 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]