6 Best Sam Raimi Horror Movies, Ranked

As a die-hard fan of Sam Raimi’s work since his early days in the horror genre, I must say that his filmography is nothing short of remarkable. From the gritty and unstable anti-hero in Darkman to the terrifying and nightmarish journey of Christine in Drag Me To Hell, and finally, the iconic 80s horror sequel Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn, Raimi has left an indelible mark on the genre.

Director Sam Raimi has established a reputation across diverse genres, including superhero movies such as Spider-Man and stylish westerns like The Quick And The Dead. Nevertheless, it is his horror films that have earned him the most recognition, starting with his roots in 1981 through The Evil Dead, which ignited a series now widely recognized.

Ever since then, Sam Raimi is widely regarded as a horror genre maestro, having directed numerous films over the years, each marked by his distinctive visual flair, quirky characters, and cinematography featuring Dutch angles. Among the many horror productions he has handled, some have garnered more fame than others.

6 The Evil Dead

Sam Raimi Introduced Ash Williams And The Deadites To The World

Release Date: October 15, 1981
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly
Budget: $375,000
Box Office: $29.4 Million

After graduating from college, Sam Raimi, along with his friend Bruce Campbell, made their film debut with a low-budget supernatural horror movie titled “The Evil Dead“. As a skilled director, Raimi made the most of a limited budget by employing practical effects and a single location to create an intense and humorous horror experience that left audiences shivering in 1981.

Despite sequels often excelling across various elements, numerous modern horror movies owe their existence to none other than The Evil Dead. Ever since its debut, it has been imitated, paid tribute to, or served as a source of inspiration for countless other horror flicks. In essence, The Evil Dead has significantly shaped the notion of the Necronomicon Ex Mortis within popular culture.

5 Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

Sam Raimi Injected Horror Into The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Release Date: May 6, 2022
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez, Rachel McAdams
Budget: $414.9 million
Box Office: $955.8 million

In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Sam Raimi replaced Scott Derrickson as director, with Doctor Strange battling against the Scarlet Witch. This film is still a superhero-themed adventure but Raimi introduced horror aspects, such as graphic violence, intense kill scenes, and chilling visuals primarily from Wanda Maximoff, who plays the antagonist.

In contrast to the consistent tone in the majority of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is particularly distinguished by its darker atmosphere compared to most Marvel productions. Moreover, director Sam Raimi incorporated elements reminiscent of his work on the “Evil Dead” series, such as peculiar camera angles and a zombified Doctor Strange wielding demonic forces to combat Wanda, which cackled menacingly.

4 Army Of Darkness

Sam Raimi’s Comedy Became The Forefront Of The Threequel

Release Date: February 19, 1993
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Ian Abercrombie, Marcus Gilbert
Budget: $11 Million
Box Office: $21.5 Million

In the third installment of the “The Evil Dead” series, titled “Army Of Darkness,” Ash Williams finds himself trapped in a medieval era, battling evil forces. While Sam Raimi maintained his signature style with undead creatures and demons called Deadites, the horror aspect took a backseat to more comedic elements such as slapstick humor and goofy antics. This shift may have contributed to its lower box office earnings compared to other films in the franchise.

In simpler terms, Bruce Campbell continues to be a memorable figure due to his notable lines from “Army of Darkness,” proving that this horror-comedy blend remains potent. Notably, Campbell excels not just as Ash Williams but also as an evil Deadite clone commanding a horde of skeletal soldiers, thereby playing both the hero and the antagonist in the same film.

3 Darkman

Sam Raimi’s First Superhero Movie Was Far From Regular

Release Date: August 24, 1990
Starring: Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Larry Drake, Ted Raimi
Budget: $14 Million
Box Office: $49 Million

Prior to directing Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, Sam Raimi had initially been considered for a Batman film in the 80s, but that position was given to Tim Burton. Consequently, Raimi decided to develop an original superhero character, which later became Darkman. This character embodies elements of dark heroes like Batman, The Spirit, and The Shadow, and is infused with inspiration drawn from classic Universal monsters of yesteryears.

In the movie “Darkman,” the protagonist is more complex than your typical hero, as he battles against evil. However, Liam Neeson brilliantly portrays this character as a man who has endured traumatic experiences – being subjected to cruelty and burned alive by criminals. Yet, there’s a twist; this character lacks the ability to feel pain. This fueled anger, along with his questionable methods of seeking revenge, gives him an eerie resemblance to an antagonist in a horror film, albeit unintentionally. Director Sam Raimi adds a touch of humor reminiscent of comic books to the movie, creating a unique homage to this genre.

2 Drag Me To Hell

Sam Raimi Made A Knockout Return To Horror Movies

Release Date: May 29, 2009
Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, Adriana Barraza
Budget: $30 Million
Box Office: $91 Million

In numerous aspects, the movie “Drag Me To Hell” seems like it could be part of the same world as the Evil Dead series, with its employment of gore and darkly humorous twists as a character is tormented by an otherworldly force. However, unlike the Book of the Dead, this time a young woman named Christine is cursed by a witch following an act of self-centeredness.

Drag Me To Hell” is one of Sam Raimi’s more ominous works, where humor takes a back seat, intensifying Christine’s ordeal by skillfully combining physical and digital effects. Critics admired Raimi’s comeback to the horror genre, having directed dramas and action films predominantly during the 2000s.

1 Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn

Sam Raimi Made An Iconic 80s Horror Sequel

Release Date: March 13, 1987
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Ted Raimi
Budget: $3.5 Million
Box Office: $6 Million

Sam Raimi initially showcased his unique horror approach in the first movie, but it was with “Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn” that many fans believe he truly mastered it. In essence, this film is less of a traditional sequel and more like a reimagining, or soft reboot. As for “Evil Dead 2 “, it not only makes the Deadites more terrifying than before, but also funnier, with the level of gore significantly increased.

In the initial film, Ash was a commendable lead character, but it was “Evil Dead 2” that truly elevated Bruce Campbell’s persona to iconic status, armed with his signature chainsaw hand and shotgun while delivering memorable one-liners. The combination of horror and humor reached its perfect equilibrium in this movie, offering genuine laughter interspersed with spine-chilling moments, creating a film that remains a favorite among fans as the best in the “Evil Dead” series.

2024-10-17 19:34