Summary
Given it is one of cinema’s most storied and beloved genres,horrorpossesses some of the most iconic and enduring franchises ever seen on the silver screen. Spawning an array of sequels and inspiring countless imitations, the success of these franchises has been highlighted by their impressive box office returns, superb reception, and their lasting impact on popular culture.
In a genre that has become somewhat over-reliant on jump scares, gross-out tactics, and horrifically graphic violence, the best horror films are those that channel the best aspects of the genre to terrify their viewers while producing legitimately superb movies at the same time. Producing one such offering is impressive enough, but engineering aquality horror franchisefull of them is a legitimately inspiring achievement.
5A Nightmare On Elm Street
Cinema’s Most Iconic Slasher Series
Chronicling the blood-chilling exploits of a hideously burned killer who relentlessly hunts his victims in their dreams, theA Nightmare on Elm Streetfranchise is an iconic genre staple for a reason. Wes Craven’s 1984 original outing is universally regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever created, with the harrowing supernatural slasher going on toinspire multiple sequels, a remake, and a crossover with its wildly popular slasher contemporary,Friday the 13th.
TArguably, the franchise is also home to horror’s most memorable and instantly recognizable antagonist — Robert Englund’s Freddy Krueger. Perpetrator of some of the most unforgettably terrifying moments in horror history, the scissor-handed Krueger is renowned for the morbidly inventive nature of his depraved kill sequences, an attribute that has helped his parent franchise carve out a niche as one of the genre’s best offerings, and one that presents the perfect opportunity fora reboot.
4Night Of The Living Dead
Home to some of the most seminal horror films ever made, no list in this vein would be complete without thelate, great George A. Romero’sNight of the Living Deadfranchise. Chronicling an array of desperate fights for survival in the face of a zombie apocalypse across six films along with numerous spin-offs and remakes, Romero’s franchise is renowned for its trademark combination of undead horror interspersed with razor-sharp social commentary.
While the original series has fallen off in quality with 2009’s disastrous entry,Survival of the Dead, the remainder of Romero’s magnum opus constitutes a case-study in masterful horror film-making. In particular, 1968’sNight of the Living Deadand 1978’sDawn of the Deadare regarded as some of the greatest andmost influential horror filmsof all time. Providing a blueprint for virtually every zombie outing in the history of cinema,Night of the Living Deadis an indispensable entry when it comes to discussing the greatest horror franchises ever made.
3Evil Dead
A Bloody Medley Of Terror And Humor
While it may not measure up to the longevity or commercial success of the likes ofHalloween, Saw,orA Nightmare on Elm Street,Evil Deadstands as the ultimate blend of wicked humor, industrial amounts of gore, and indescribably gratuitous violence. The success of Sam Raimi’s 1981 original, depicting five college students beset upon by demonic forces in an isolated cabin in the woods, led toan array of acclaimed horror filmsand a television series all set in the same universe.
The acclaim forEvil Dead’suniquely weird style and premise has carried into the 21st Century. Starz seriesAsh vs Evil Deadreceived rave reviews throughout its three-year run; a status quo that extended to later films. 2016’sEvil Deadremake/reboot received very positive feedback for horror virtuoso Fede Alvarez’s interpretation of Raimi’s original premise, while 2023’s spectacularly gruesomeEvil Dead Risewas lauded as one of thefinest horror films of the yearand became the highest grossing outing in the franchise to date.
2Alien
Taking Horror To Outer Space
Undoubtedly the greatest sci-fi horror offering of all time,Alienis also one of the most influential movie series of all time. Period. Set in the near future and chronicling a series of deadly encounters with a species of predatory extraterrestrial known as the Xenomorph, 1979’s wildly successful debut outingAlienprovided the bedrock foreight further films, including a prequel series, a standalone entry set in the same universe, and two non-canonical crossovers with fellow legendary sci-fi franchise,Predator.This, without mentioning the video games, comic books, and upcoming FX TV series that are also set in theAlienuniverse.
Channeling a unique brand of claustrophobic realism, theAlienfilms are renowned for their unique blend of horror and science-fiction, as well as using stunning practical effects to bring the Xenomorphs to life in horrifyingly unforgettable fashion. It also doesn’t hurt that Sigourney Weaver’s iconic protagonist,Ellen Ripley, is one of the most celebrated female characters to ever grace the silver screen. Simply put, it’s hard to find a horror franchise that can even begin to compete withAlien’slofty accolades.
1Scream
Horror’s Finest Franchise
Depicting the murderous exploits of a masked serial killer known only as Ghostface, Wes Craven’s 1996 offeringScreamushered in a new age for horror films and is credited with revitalizing the flaggingslasher sub-genre. As self-aware as it was terrifying, the film’s blend of black comedy and cutting meta commentary against the backdrop of a legitimately thrilling horror premise led to widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike.
The commercial and critical success of Craven’s original outing was such that it spawned five lauded sequels (with more on the way) and even a separate television series. The franchise’s iconic Ghostface mask has become virtually synonymous with the wider slasher genre, highlightingScream’scultural impact and status as the greatest horror franchise ever made in sharp relief. It’s a franchise that shows no sign of slowing down despite approaching its 30th birthday; 2023’sScream 6received glowing reviews upon release, while a seventh installment in the legendary series is currently in the works.
