Franchises based on horror films have been a mainstay of the cinema business for decades, giving viewers the thrills and chills they crave. There is a wide variety of horror film series to pick from, from the older ones like Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street to the newer ones like The Conjuring and Insidious. In this post, we’ll examine several of the most critically acclaimed horror film series and discuss what makes them so compelling to viewers even now.

1. Introduction

Numerous horror film series featuring horrific monsters, murders, and otherworldly beings have become mainstays in the film business. Some of these series are still going strong, decades later, and they have millions of fans all around the world. In this piece, we’ll take a look back at some of the best horror film series ever made. We will go into the world of horror, from the earliest slasher films to the most recent supernatural stories, and discuss what makes each one so compelling and unforgettable.

1.1. Definition of horror movie franchises

Franchises in the horror film genre are collections of films that share a common setting, plot, or characters. Horror enthusiasts tend to enjoy them, and they can last for years or even decades with several parts. The horror genre can take many forms, from the graphic and horrific to the supernatural and unsettling. Films like “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” are all instances of this subgenre.

1.2. The popularity of horror movie franchises

Many of the names associated with horror film franchises have become iconic figures in popular culture. There is usually a dedicated fanbase for these series that await each new edition with bated breath. But why do people enjoy watching sequels to horror films so much? Why do you go to horror movies? Those famously evil people? Or maybe it’s the comforting familiarity that comes with sticking with a well-established series. In this piece, we’ll investigate the allure of horror movie series and examine the critical consensus surrounding some of the best films in the genre.

1.3. The purpose of the article

This article aims to do just that, giving readers an in-depth look at some of the best horror film series currently being produced. We’re going to go into each series, including the finest and worst films in the franchise. Our goal is to educate the reader about the many horror franchises and their respective contributions and distinctions. This post is perfect for you if you’re a fan of the horror genre or you’re just in the mood for a good shock. Relax in the dark with me as we explore the history of horror film franchises.

2. Classic Horror Movie Franchises

Audiences have been terrified by the same classic horror film series for decades. These horror film series have become classics, either for their memorable antagonists or their use of supernatural horror (think Halloween, Friday the 13th, The Exorcist, or Poltergeist). Fans look forward to each new edition, anticipating the return of their favorite characters and the return of their fear. You don’t have to be a horror expert or even a fan to enjoy these legendary franchises.

2.1. The Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise

Scaring moviegoers since 1984, the Nightmare on Elm Street films are a staple in the horror genre. Freddy Krueger, a scarred and disfigured serial killer who appears in his victims’ dreams, is at the center of the franchise. With a total of nine films (and counting) under its belt, the Nightmare on Elm Street series has firmly established itself as a go-to for horror fans. The famous glove with blades and Freddy’s quips have made an indelible mark on horror fans everywhere.

2.2. The Friday the 13th Franchise

The Friday the 13th films are among the most recognizable in the history of horror cinema. The film follows Jason Voorhees as he terrorizes a group of campers while wearing a mask. There are a total of 12 films in the series, released between 1980 and 2009. The franchise has a devoted fan base and has entered the cultural mainstream despite receiving some negative critical reception. Each film contains thrilling and horrifying sequences that make them essential viewing for any aficionado of the horror genre.

2.3. The Halloween Franchise

The Halloween films are among the most recognizable in the annals of horror cinema. The first Halloween film, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and directed by John Carpenter, was released in 1978 and set the ball rolling. The film’s success led to the creation of numerous spinoffs. The films in the series tell the tale of Michael Myers, a crazed killer who terrorizes his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, after breaking out of a mental institution. The series has had its ups and downs, but it is still well beloved by horror aficionados and widely terrifying.

2.4. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Franchise

Since the debut of the first film in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series in 1974, viewers have been terrified by the films in the series. The Sawyer family, lead by Leatherface, are cannibals who terrify and slaughter innocent people throughout the films in the series. Over the years, the franchise has spawned a slew of spinoffs, including both successful and unsuccessful sequels, prequels, and remakes. Despite this, the first film is still widely regarded as a masterpiece among horror fans.

2.5. The Saw Franchise

One of the most profitable film series of all time is the Saw franchise, also known as the “Jigsaw” franchise. There have been eight films in the series so far, with the first appearing in 2004 and the most recent in 2017. John Kramer, a serial murderer who sets complicated traps and puzzles for his victims to solve, serves as the protagonist throughout the flicks. The series has been lauded for its study of topics like morality, repentance, and the repercussions of one’s choices, as well as for its imaginative and grisly death scenes. The Saw films are horror classics, even though the subsequent installments have been panned.

3. Modern Horror Movie Franchises

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3.1. The Conjuring Franchise

With the debut of 2013’s The Conjuring, New Line Cinema launched a successful modern horror film franchise. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga played Ed and Lorraine Warren, real-life paranormal investigators, in this James Wan film. Since then, additional offshoot films like Annabelle, The Nun, and The Curse of La Llorona have been added to the franchise. The Conjuring movies have a reputation for its eerie tone, startling scares, and plots inspired by true events. The franchise has been lauded for successfully establishing a horror film universe where individual films belong to a larger whole. The latest installment, 2021’s The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, is still terrifying viewers all across the world.

3.2. The Insidious Franchise

The plot and animation in animated films have advanced greatly in recent years. This article will take a look at some of the best animated movies ever made, as judged by critics. These movies have won over fans all over the world with their moving stories and action-packed escapades. So unwind, settle in, and get ready to be immersed in fantastical places and stories that will stay with you forever.

3.3. The Purge Franchise

In recent years, the modern horror film franchise The Purge has become extremely popular. The films in this series examine the implications of a culture in which criminal activity is sanctioned for one night annually. There have been multiple sequels to the first film, which came out in 2013. Action scenes and societal themes are staples of The Purge film series. Its originality as well as its ability to suspense viewers have been lauded.

3.4. The Paranormal Activity Franchise

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3.5. The Annabelle Franchise

Despite their popularity and financial success, animated films are sometimes excluded from discussions of critical praise. However, there are numerous animated films that are intended for both adults and children, despite the common misconception that animation is only for kids. Thematically and narratively, these films can compete with the best live-action films. This article will take a look at some of the best animated movies ever made, as judged by critics.

4. Foreign Horror Movie Franchises

Since its inception, animation has undergone tremendous development. It’s evolved from a form reserved for kid-friendly fare to a venue for adult-friendly tales with universal appeal. Therefore, it’s vital to include animated films in the discussion about Oscar-worthy fare. Many of the best-reviewed movies of all time are cartoons, and their reputations as masterpieces are well-deserved. Animated films have often shown their cinematic prowess, from their gorgeous visuals to their nuanced characters and deep plot.

4.1. The Ju-on Franchise

The Japanese horror film series Ju-on, or The Grudge in the United States, has become an international phenomenon. Whenever a person dies under the influence of strong fury or intense grief, a curse is born, and this curse takes the form of a supernatural monster that terrorizes and kills anyone who enters the cursed house. The movies, TV programs, and even video games in the Ju-on franchise have all done quite well both financially and critically. The series has received high marks for its originality in the horror genre and its ability to make viewers feel uneasy and fearful. All in all, the Ju-on films are essential viewing for any fan of the horror genre who wants to be properly scared.

4.2. The Ringu Franchise

The 1998 release of Ringu marked the beginning of what is now known as the Ring franchise, a series of Japanese horror films. Directed by Hideo Nakata, the first film was an enormous hit in Japan and quickly became a cultural phenomenon there. Due to its overwhelming popularity, it spawned not one but two American remakes and a Korean one. The novels by Koji Suzuki provide as inspiration for the franchise. The plot centers on a cursed VHS tape that guarantees the death of its viewers after just seven days. The franchise is well-known for its chilling atmosphere, gripping plots, and unforgettable villain, Sadako Yamamura. The Ringu films continue to be a staple of the Japanese horror market, and its legacy can be seen far beyond Japan.

4.3. The Train to Busan Franchise

South Korea has produced a number of successful horror films under the Train to Busan banner. Train to Busan, the first of these films, premiered in 2016 and rapidly found an audience because to its fresh take on the zombie genre. During a zombie outbreak, the film follows a group of people on the train from Seoul to Busan. Released in 2020, four years after the events of the first film, Peninsula is the sequel. The Train to Busan films have received high marks for their exciting action scenes, touching stories, and insightful societal commentary. It’s become a landmark series among international fright flicks.

4.4. The The Grudge Franchise

The Grudge is an American horror film series based on a series of Japanese horror films. The original Ju-On films, which debuted in Japan in the early 2000s, quickly attracted a devoted fanbase because to their unsettling tone and fresh take on the horror genre. Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in the 2004 American adaptation of the film, which was dubbed The Grudge. A relaunch is scheduled for 2020, and there were two sequels. The plot of each film in the series revolves around a cursed house and the angry ghosts who reside there. Horror aficionados love the flicks because of the tense pace and frequent usage of jump scares.

4.5. The REC Franchise

The REC films are a series of Spanish horror films that have become internationally cult favorites. The first film in the series premiered in 2007, and there have been three more since then. A television reporter and her cameraman investigate a viral outbreak that turns people into vicious monsters in this series. Both the found footage method and the stressful, claustrophobic setting are hallmarks of the REC series. The first film is revered as a masterpiece of the horror genre, and the sequels have carried on the tradition of terrifying audiences and expanding the genre via inventive storytelling. The REC films are must viewing for any fan of international horror.

Conclusion

For the most part, the scares, thrills, and storytelling in the best horror film series are what keep viewers coming back for more. Horror lovers have a wide variety of films from which to pick to satisfy their need for suspense and chills, from the decades-old Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street series to the more current The Conjuring and Insidious.