13 Horror Franchises with the Most Movies

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must say that no film genre leaves as lasting an impact on its viewers as horror does. Horror movies serve as a chilling manifestation of our deepest fears and darkest nightmares, turning them into living, breathing terrors that stalk the unsuspecting, and leaving a trail of innocent victims in their wake. The antagonists and monstrosities that inhabit this genre are some of the most indelible characters ever created, capable of invading our dreams and causing even the bravest among us to flee from the cinema in terror. Indeed, these chilling tales continue to haunt us long after the credits have rolled, serving as a stark reminder that sometimes, the scariest things are those lurking just beyond the realm of our perception.

Over countless horror films that have been produced, it’s clear that quality always shines through. One of the longest-running and most profitable genres in cinema is the horror saga, featuring iconic characters like the undead slasher or the dangerous convicts who terrorize unsuspecting towns. Some series are fortunate enough to have multiple sequels made. Here’s a list of some horror franchises with the highest number of films.

8. Nightmare On Elm Street (8 Films)

Home Of Freddy Krueger, The Living Nightmare

Movies Release Date
Nightmare On Elm Street 1984
Nightmare On Elm Street 1985
Nightmare On Elm Street 1987
Nightmare On Elm Street 1988
Nightmare On Elm Street 1989
Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare 1991
Wes Craven’s New Nightmare 1994
A Nightmare On Elm Street 2010

Nightmare on Elm Street” is one of the timeless horror movie series that significantly rejuvenated the genre with its unique and chilling premise, sending shivers down audiences’ spines. In a quaint town, a select band of teenagers are haunted by dreams that lead to their untimely demises.

In secret, every teenager seems to be shadowed by the vengeful figure of Freddy Krueger, a tormentor from our nightmares. This terrifying character has the power to infiltrate our dreams and inflict excruciating pain until reality can no longer bear it. The “Nightmare on Elm Street” series gained legendary status, spawning numerous sequels, thanks to Freddy Krueger’s chilling design and Robert Englund’s captivating portrayal.

7. Alien (9 Films)

Set In Space Where No One Can Hear You Scream

Movie Release Date
Alien 1979
Aliens 1986
Alien 3 1992
Alien Resurrection 1997
Alien Vs. Predator 2004
Alien Vs. Predator Requiem 2007
Prometheus 2012
Alien: Covenant 2017
Alien: Romulus 2024

The Alien series, masterminded by Ridley Scott, stands out as one of the most groundbreaking horror franchises that redefined terror beyond our planet and left an indelible mark in history with its unique alien concept. The initial Alien film is set against a future backdrop where a group of marines find themselves stranded on a spaceship inhabited by swarms of deadly extraterrestrial creatures.

Sigourney Weaver made a remarkable debut as Ellen Ripley, the solitary survivor from an alien attack, who bravely confronted hordes of the relentless monster in order to protect a young girl. This movie spawned a whole cinematic universe that remains vibrant and thriving today, delving into the mythology and background of the Alien species known as Xenomorphs.

6. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (9 Films)

Getting Stuck In The Wrong Town

Movie Release Date
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 1986
Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III 1990
The Return Of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1995
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning 2006
Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D 2013
Leatherface 2017
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is infamously known for its horror elements, often regarded as one of the most brutal horror film series in cinema history. The storyline involves innocent teenagers who find themselves trapped in a remote town, where they are relentlessly pursued by a ruthless and depraved family of killers.

The initial movie, often considered among the greatest horror films ever made, launched one of the prominent ensembles in the horror genre known as “The Final Girl“. In this film, Marilyn Burns portrays Sally Hardesty, the lone survivor among her group of friends who met a gruesome fate at the hands of the Sawyer family.

5. Hellraiser (11 Films)

An Interdimensional Horror Masterpiece

Movie Release Date
Hellraiser 1987
Hellbound: Hellraiser II 1988
Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth 1992
Hellraiser: Bloodline 1996
Hellraiser: Inferno 2000
Hellraiser: Hellseeker 2002
Hellraiser: Deader 2005
Hellraiser: Hellworld 2005
Hellraiser: Revelations 2011
Hellraiser: Judgement 2018
Hellraiser 2022

Hellraiser is an underestimated horror franchise, often overlooked by mainstream film viewers, but it maintains a devoted fanbase who appreciate the collection of movies produced over time. The storyline of Hellraison centers around a puzzling box, which has the power to summon terrifying entities known as Cenobites from another realm, wreaking havoc and unimaginable turmoil upon our world.

The main antagonist of the series significantly contributes to its popularity, given that Pinhead is among the most captivating horror characters, standing alongside Freddy Kruger in terms of iconic design. Moreover, Pinhead offers some uniquely gruesome and self-inflicting methods of inflicting and receiving pain.

4. Saw (11 Films)

A Deadly Game Of Hubris

Movie Release Date
Saw 2004
Saw II 2005
Saw III 2006
Saw IV 2007
Saw V 2008
Saw VI 2009
Saw 3D 2010
Jigsaw 2017
Spiral 2021
Saw X 2023
Saw XI Coming Soon

One of the more recent horror films, titled “Saw,” exposed a whole new generation to some of the grisliest death traps ever depicted on screen. The initial “Saw” movie revolved around a tight-knit group who were abducted and mysteriously found themselves in an unspecified location. The central character, Jigsaw, aimed to make others appreciate their lives more deeply and never take them for granted.

The character employs tactics that involve mentally, physically, and emotionally tormenting others, effectively destroying their mental wellbeing and leading to their downfall. Speaking of the Saw franchise, there’s a lot of buzz about future installments, but will we see a Saw 11?

3. Friday The 13th (12 Films)

The Silent Machete In The Night

Movie Release Date
Friday The 13th 1980
Friday The 13th Part 2 1981
Friday The 13th Part III 1982
Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter 1984
Friday The 13th: A New Beginning 1985
Friday The 13th Part VI: Jason Lives 1986
Friday The 13th Part VII: The New Blood 1988
Friday The 13th VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan 1989
Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday 1993
Jason X 2002
Freddy Vs. Jason 2003
Friday The 13th 2009

The Friday the 13th movie series, renowned as a horror genre icon, often comes to mind when people discuss fearsome villains in cinema. Among countless moviegoers worldwide, Jason Voorhees stands out as the ultimate horror antagonist. The Friday the 13th franchise, with its impressive longevity and box office success, boasts one of the most enduring and profitable horror film series to this day, having initially introduced an unstoppable, soundless killing machine that targeted numerous teenagers in its debut film.

In the initial film, Jason was a disregarded child with special needs who tragically drowned at summer camp due to the negligence of the counselors. This event ignited a series of bloody revenge killings by his mother, culminating in her demise in the final scene. Yet, Jason wasn’t finished – he came back to life in the sequel as an enormous, undead being wearing a hockey mask, brought back by the spirit of his deceased mother. This resurrected monster embarked on the longest killing spree ever seen in horror movies.

2. Halloween (13 Films)

The One Who Just One Die

Movie Release Date
Halloween 1978
Halloween 2 1981
Halloween 3: Season Of The Witch 1982
Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers 1988
Halloween 5: The Revenge Of Michael Myers 1989
Halloween: The Curse Of Michael Myers 1995
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later 1998
Halloween: Resurrection 2002
Halloween 2007
Halloween 2 2009
Halloween 2018
Halloween Kills 2021
Halloween Ends 2022

Michael Myers, one of cinema’s infamous masked slasher villains, has been leaving a trail of terror and gore in the horror genre for more than two decades. The “Halloween” movie series has repeatedly resurrected this troubled figure, driven by an insatiable desire to cause bloodshed.

Originally, Michael Myers was a disturbed young boy who ended up in a psychiatric hospital, where he transformed into a merciless and remorseless murderer. After breaking free, he aimed to retaliate against the family who left him behind and murdered his last surviving sibling. Now, the series has reached an end as his sister, Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis), is the one who ultimately brought it to a close.

1. Puppet Master (15 Films)

Murderous Marionettes Wreak Havoc

Movie Release Date
Puppet Master 1989
Puppet Master 2 1990
Puppet Master 3: Toulon’s Revenge 1991
Puppet Master 4 1992
Puppet Master 5 1993
Curse Of The Puppet Master 1998
Retro Puppet Master 1999
Puppet Master: The Legacy 2003
Puppet Master Vs. Demonic Toys 2004
Puppet Master Vs. Axis Of Evil 2010
Puppet Master X: Axis Rising 2012
Puppet Master: Axis Termination 2017
Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich 2018
Blade: The Iron Cross 2020
Puppet Master: Doktor Death 2022

The Puppet Master series, spanning more than four decades and boasting over fifteen films, is the longest-running horror franchise ever created. These movies follow the story of tiny puppets that become sentient due to an ancient Egyptian enchantment, leading them to cause chaos and destruction.

In the initial movie, the antagonist is Adam Toulon, who perishes and is resurrected within a puppet’s body, spearheading a vengeful crusade for the rest. The gruesome actions carried out by these miniature figures have transcended into sequel films and underwent a reboot to breathe new life into the series.

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2025-03-26 05:16