Best Slasher Movie Franchises of All Time

Key Takeaways

• Slasher movies like Halloween and Terrifier birthed iconic villains and gruesome kills.
• Friday the 13th took strange turns but remained essential viewing with notable sequels.
• Scream cleverly dissected the horror genre with self-aware humor.

As a connoisseur of all things horrifying and suspenseful, I can confidently say that the Good Guy doll turned menacing, Chucky, has left an indelible mark on the horror genre. From his humble beginnings in 2004’s “Child’s Play” to his recent resurrection in the 2021 TV series, this little killer has proven time and again that size isn’t always a determinant of terror.

For several decades, movies with a focus on terror have been a staple within the realm of horror, their roots dating back to the 1960s and the debut of Psycho, often recognized as the inaugural slasher movie. Since then, this subcategory of horror has experienced significant growth, eventually leading to some of the most iconic film series ever created, and spawning unforgettable slasher antagonists that continue to haunt the dreams of viewers.

As a thrill-seeker, I must confess that the chilling allure of slasher films never fails to captivate me. These movies are a rollercoaster ride of fear, gore, and at times, dark humor. The relentless pursuit of a cold-blooded killer armed with an array of weapons is both terrifying and exhilarating. Typically, these films follow a familiar pattern: the wild teenagers meet their untimely demise first, but the resilient final girl manages to survive despite being submerged in blood and guts, ultimately emerging victorious.

6 Friday the 13th

Though the Series Takes a Few Strange Turns, the First Movies Remain as Essential Viewing

The 1980s stood out as an exceptional era for horror movie enthusiasts, marking the birth of numerous films that have become timeless classics, including the inception decade of one of the most recognizable slasher series: Friday the 13th. The saga commences with its namesake first film, where a band of camp counselors experience a series of gruesome murders at Camp Crystal Lake. A palpable fear and suspicion envelop the group as they are systematically eliminated, only for a shocking twist to unfold in the finale: it is revealed that Pamela Vorhees, Jason’s mother, was avenging her son’s drowning death by murdering all the counselors.

Following the initial film, Jason assumes the chilling and exceptionally strong role of the relentless killer, leaving a significant number of victims in his wake across the series. The Friday the 13th franchise occasionally veers off into peculiar directions, such as depicting him wreaking havoc in a bustling city, journeying to space, or confronting another iconic slasher antagonist. Despite not quite recapturing the original’s captivating essence, there remains ample entertainment if viewers approach these movies with a light-hearted spirit.

5 A Nightmare on Elm Street

Freddy’s One-Liners Make Him One of the Most Popular Slashers

Slasher films usually stick to straightforward horror or veer towards absurd humor, but “A Nightmare on Elm Street” definitely leans strongly towards the absurdly comical. After being burnt alive by an enraged mob following his release from police custody for murdering kids, Freddy Krueger didn’t stay deceased. Instead, he returned as a vengeful demon, continuing his terrorizing ways on Elm Street by invading people’s dreams. This makes him one of the more distinctive serial killers in film history.

As a die-hard fan, there’s no denying that Freddy Krueger’s terrifying visage sends shivers down my spine. Yet, what makes him truly special is his knack for delivering hilarious one-liners that turn the terror into laughter, earning him a place among the greatest slasher icons. The movies only get weirder and more bizarre as the series progresses, like they’re straight out of our collective dreams. Sadly, the 2010 remake introduced an unnecessary change to his character, effectively retiring this nightmare demon for good. But luckily, I can always revisit the original masterpieces whenever I want.

4 Terrifier

Art the Clown Executes the Most Gruesome Kills in Cinema History

The character Art the Clown and the Terrifier series have been stirring up conversations within the horror community. Some adore them, while others dislike them, but it’s clear that this franchise has left a lasting impact on horror movie history and is likely to be viewed as a classic in the future. Although Art the Clown is mainly recognized for his violent and gruesome actions in the Terrifier films, he actually made his debut in a short film titled The 9th Circle, and also appeared in the anthology All Hallow’s Eve.

It appears that this series of terror continues unabated, as a third film was released in early October, with a fourth already confirmed. The violence depicted is extremely graphic, portraying brutal deaths of Art’s character, leaving no one immune, be it man, woman, or child. Some might argue that the violence is excessive, but the skillful application of practical effects is truly remarkable, drawing viewers back for more.

3 Halloween

One of the Most Influential Horror Franchises of All Time

Even those who don’t know their horror know Michael Myers and his series of movies, Halloween, as his influence is not merely confined to the franchise. A killer who started his deadly career as a child, Michael spent 15 years in Smith Grove’s Sanitarium before escaping, donning an eerie mask and blue overalls that would become his staple look, and reigning terror down on Laurie and her friends on Halloween night. Michael would be put down time and time again, but thanks to a druid’s curse as revealed in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, he is not so easy to kill.

Despite some viewers finding the conclusion of “Halloween Ends” unsatisfactory, the overall reputation of the series as a must-watch for slasher and horror enthusiasts remains undiminished. Even though we might be waiting for more “Halloween” installments, fans can still enjoy the franchise, albeit with a bit of caution. Not every movie in the series is equally compelling; some, like “H20” or “Halloween Resurrection”, are particularly strong, while others, such as “Halloween 3” and “Halloween 3: Season of the Witch”, while standalone movies, have minimal impact on the “Halloween” and Michael Myers lore.

2 Child’s Play

Though Small in Size, Chucky Terrorizes Countless People in His Franchise

The doll that sparked the trend of killer toys in films is none other than Chucky. Although Dead of Night holds the title of the first possessed doll, it’s Chucky who has become a household name when it comes to discussing murderous doll movies. Inside the seemingly innocent Good Guy doll, purchased by Andy’s mother Karen from a shady vendor, lies the spirit of serial killer Charles Lee Ray. The doll’s homicidal tendencies are quickly revealed, leading to conflicts between Karen and Chucky. However, this is just the beginning for this deadly toy, as his death is not the end of the story.

From his funny exploits, a franchise was born, with Tiffany and Glen/Glenda joining the cast in the sequels “Bride of Chucky” and “Seed of Chucky”. The 2019 reboot gave the doll a fresh, contemporary feel, but it’s the earlier movies that truly stand out in the series. Brad Dourif and Jennifer Tilly deliver outstanding performances in their roles, making viewers almost sympathize with them instead of their victims.

1 Scream

A Self-Aware Slasher Comedy with Excellent Meta Commentary

“What’s your favorite scary movie?” The infamous line uttered by Ghostface in Scream is right up there with Jigsaw’s “I want to play a game” as one of the most quoted lines from horror movies, and Scream is also a perfectly acceptable answer to this question. It is a textbook whodunnit murder mystery, with plenty to say about the slasher and horror genre as a whole. It plays perfectly in the tropes, remaining self-aware enough to pull it off in a very tongue-in-cheek manner, and with 6 movies under the belt and a 7th to come, the gimmick still isn’t too tired, especially with later movies poking fun at the ‘requel’ phenomena taking over many famous franchises.

In terms of movie franchises, it stands among the most robust due to its extensive collection of high-quality films, surpassing series like Halloween in quantity, though it draws some inspiration from these cinematic predecessors. The Ghostface character undergoes a transformation not only in mask design but also in the identity and motivation of the person wearing it. With each new Scream film, viewers are challenged to engage in an intriguing game of deduction, attempting to identify which member of the group is disguising themselves as the killer.

Read More

• LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
• BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
• USD PHP PREDICTION
• BICO PREDICTION. BICO cryptocurrency
• USD ZAR PREDICTION
• USD COP PREDICTION
• USD CLP PREDICTION
• VANRY PREDICTION. VANRY cryptocurrency
• SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
• CKB PREDICTION. CKB cryptocurrency

2024-10-09 01:35