Top 15 Scariest Horror Franchises Ranked!

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Here are fifteen to one rankings for some top-notch horror film series, including classics like Halloween, Scream, Alien, and Final Destination.

This ranking is a personal opinion and may vary among fans of the genre.

15. Final Destination
14. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
13. A Nightmare on Elm Street
12. Friday the 13th
11. Saw
10. Alien
9. Scream
8. Halloween (original)
7. Candyman
6. The Conjuring Universe
5. IT
4. The Fog
3. The Exorcist
2. Psycho
1. The Shining

These iconic horror series have left a lasting impact on the genre, with memorable characters, terrifying scenes, and innovative storytelling.

The horror genre stands out as the superior one, evidenced by its numerous dedicated festivals worldwide, a whole month set aside for celebration during October, iconic figures in film history that are hard to forget, and an impressive collection of 102 truly terrifying movies.

Horror genres can last for decades, with each passing generation adding its own chilling horror characters or refreshing the old monstrous figures from the past.

The horror genre continues to thrive over multiple decades, as each new generation contributes their unique terror-inducing villains and updates classic frightening creatures that have been around for a long time.

Our preferred horror movie series stand out due to their high quality, long-lasting impact, unwavering consistency, and most importantly, their ability to frighten us.

quality, longevity, consistency, and effectiveness in scaring the audience.

15. Terrifier

The Terrifier series centers around Art the Clown, a mute, malevolent, almost supernaturally evil character who finds joy in brutally killing anyone he meets, growing increasingly gruesome and disturbing with each encounter.

We adore it because: Terrifier stands out as a horror series, with its creator Damien Leone recognizing a niche for extreme horror and delivering on it through budget-friendly films bursting with blood and gore. The trilogy is further elevated by the captivating portrayal of Art, played by David Howard Thornton, who manages to both entertain us with humor and haunt our dreams at night.

14. Psycho

Number of Films: 6

The Subject Matter: Norman Bates has an intense affection for his mother that led him to preserve her decaying body in the motel’s attic. He then deceives and murders unsuspecting visitors while wearing her clothing.

What makes it special: Alfred Hitchcock, known as the ‘Master of Suspense,’ played a significant role in creating the slasher genre by adapting Robert Bloch’s graphic novel in an unconventional way. Since then, there have been sequels, prequels, and even a remake that wasn’t necessary, but apart from the TV series Bates Motel, Psycho has truly shone when Anthony Perkins was portraying Norman.”

This version aims to keep the original meaning while using simpler language and more natural phrasing.

13. Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Number of Movies: There are 9 films in the series
What it’s about: Similar to several movies on this list, which were inspired by the real-life serial killer Ed Gein, the Chainsaw Massacre franchise revolves around a family of cannibals who engage in gruesome acts such as torture, murder, and sometimes consumption of their victims.

We adore it because Tobe Hooper’s initial Massacre film established Leatherface as an instant horror icon and set horror conventions that have been followed by many others since. The blackly comical sequel brilliantly subverted the original, while a new installment has come along every few years. However, nothing has matched the brilliance of the first movie.

12. Chucky

A notorious serial killer’s soul gets trapped in a child’s doll named Chucky. The doll embarks on a killing spree, initially targeting a boy named Andy, then forming an alliance with ‘Bride’ Tiffany and producing a child called Glen/Glenda.

What we adore about it: The Child’s Play series, masterminded by Don Mancini and now widely recognized as the Chucky franchise, skillfully combines horror and humor. Brad Dourif lends his chilling voice to the character of Chucky, making him all the more terrifying. The more appalling things he says and does, the more endearing he becomes to audiences. A failed reboot demonstrated how easily this story could lose its appeal without Mancini’s influence, while his television series served as a fitting continuation of the films, with events becoming increasingly bizarre and outrageous.

11. The Exorcist

Number of Films: 6

Their Themes: A narrative unfolds where a young girl is believed to be possessed by the devil named Pazuzu, leading a priest who’s lost faith to perform an exorcism. This marks the start of a prolonged struggle between good and evil forces.

What makes it special: The Exorcist franchise is quite unpredictable, starting with an original masterpiece that’s filled with genuine horror, which was unfortunately followed by one of the worst sequels ever made in cinema. Part 3 managed to be truly terrifying, and there were actually two Part 4s – both of them disappointing. However, a recent prequel titled ‘Believer’ has been successful critically and commercially, hinting that The Exorcist may still have some longevity left in it.

10. Friday the 13

Number of Films: 12

The Friday the 13th series revolves around a series of brutal murders that occur at and around Crystal Lake, perpetrated by Jason Voorhees, an indomitable slasher in a hockey mask. In these films, he targets both counselors and campers during his summer rampages. However, it’s important to note that another character was the actual killer in the first film…

We appreciate it because: The Friday the 13th series follows a consistent pattern, featuring naive teenagers yearning for a fun summer, only to encounter a ruthless killer instead. This predictability is what keeps it from ranking higher on this list, but there’s a certain comfort in knowing exactly what to expect. If you prefer straightforward and impactful horror films, the Friday the 13th movies can be endlessly re-watched.

9. Hannibal

Number of Films: 5

The initial Hannibal Lecter films revolve around a cunning serial killer (occasionally consuming his victims) who assists the FBI in apprehending other ruthless murderers. Subsequent installments and prequels depict him operating independently.

What makes them special: The Hannibal Lecter film series started off in two distinct ways when adapting Thomas Harris novels. Manhunter, based on Red Dragon, took a chilly and atmospheric approach, with the exceptional Brian Cox in the lead role. On the other hand, The Silence of the Lambs turned out to be an outstanding suspenseful film that gained worldwide acclaim and earned Anthony Hopkins an Academy Award. Subsequent films based on the novels were forgettable, but the most impressive adaptation recently was the gruesome Hannibal series shown on NBC.

8. Saw

Number of Films: 10

The Plot: The story revolves around a murderer known as Jigsaw, who designs deadly traps for individuals he perceives as morally flawed. He frequently provides his victims with an opportunity to cheat death, by challenging their determination to endure.

Reason we appreciate it: Originating from Australian filmmakers Leigh Whannell and James Wan, Saw initially followed the path of a serial killer thriller similar to Se7en. However, as the traps took center stage, each annual installment showcased increasingly intricate puzzles. Despite its complex timeline, the series offers an enjoyable experience watching all 10 films, unlike some others on this list.

7. The Conjuring

Number of Films: 3

Topic Description: These films are inspired by real events and center around Ed and Lorraine Warren, a duo known for their investigations into the mysterious and otherworldly.

We adore it because James Wan has created another universe called ‘The Conjuring’, which features high-budget movies that consistently offer scary moments. The success of these films led to spin-offs focusing on Annabelle and The Nun, based on the work of the Warrens. Starting with Frank and Lorraine, this series is now concluding with their fourth and final film, ‘Last Rites’, set for release in September.

6. Evil Dead

Number of Films: 5

Description: A band of youths enjoy a getaway at a forest lodge, unwittingly conjuring demons using the Book of the Dead. The evil spirits gradually eliminate the group, leaving only protagonist Ash to battle them in a showdown against Evil Dead.

What makes it special: The Evil Dead series is known for its unpredictable storyline, yet maintains a consistently high level of quality. The original film is a remarkable low-budget production, while the remake might just be the best horror-comedy ever made. The third installment takes us on an unusual journey to Medieval times. Even though Evil Dead is synonymous with director Sam Raimi and actor Bruce Campbell, the 2013 and 2023 reboots managed to recapture some of its original charm.

5. Halloween

The narrative revolves around a character named Michael Myers, who as a boy, murders his sister. He is subsequently institutionalized for his crime. Fifteen years later, Michael manages to escape and returns to his hometown where he resumes his killing spree. Over the sequels, the storyline remains largely unchanged.

What we adore about it: The initial Halloween movie by John Carpenter and Debra Hill stands out as an exceptional slasher, with Michael Myers making an unforgettable impression as the villain, and Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) proving to be a formidable adversary. Sequels introduced elements such as curses, cults, and in the third installment, lethal masks that targeted children. The latest Halloween trilogy provided a fitting end to Laurie’s story.

4. A Nightmare on Elm Street

Number of Films: 9

Description: The story revolves around Freddy Krueger, a vengeful spirit and former child murderer who was slain by the parents of his victims. Now, he haunts the dreams of teenagers, using a razor-sharp glove to terrorize them in their sleep.

We adore it for several reasons: The original Nightmare on Elm Street film brought Freddy Krueger, now recognized as horror’s ultimate icon (portrayed brilliantly by Robert Englund), into existence. Moreover, the dream setting allowed writer-director Wes Craven to create a visually captivating slasher movie unlike any other in the genre. Although subsequent sequels were enjoyable, they grew progressively more absurd. Yet, New Nightmare managed to add a postmodern twist to the series that continues to influence modern horror films even today.

3. Final Destination

Number of Films: 6

In the inaugural Final Destination, a teenager experiences a premonition that their school trip plane will explode, prompting them to leave before the aircraft actually explodes. However, this event thwarts Death’s design, leading the personification of death to systematically track and eliminate the survivors through a pattern that became a recurring motif in subsequent films.

One reason we enjoy it is because death serves as the antagonist, making the ‘Final Destination’ series lacking in traditional villains. However, this unique idea also leads to imaginative ways of killing off characters, which can take various forms and involve complex sequences reminiscent of intricate Rube Goldberg devices. Furthermore, after a long break, the franchise returns with ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’.

2. Alien

Number of Films: 9

The spaceship Nostromo discovers a mysterious alien life form on a deserted vessel. The crew is subsequently infected, then hunted by the creature, whose sole purpose is survival and reproduction.

What makes it special: The original Alien film is a timeless classic, boasting exceptional design for its creatures and sets, as well as Ridley Scott’s masterful direction that maximizes tension from its premise. This was followed by James Cameron’s action-packed sequel, Aliens. Although the Predator crossover didn’t fully capture the essence of the xenomorph, later installments like Prometheus and Covenant have taken the Alien franchise to unique and unpredictable realms that keep it feeling fresh.

1. Scream

Number of Films: 6

Subject Matter: A character known as ‘Ghostface’, a masked killer, slaughters teenagers on the anniversary of Sidney Prescott’s mother’s death. This murderer is replicated by imitators in subsequent Scream films.

We adore The Scream series because it masterfully combines humor with terror, taking jabs at slasher films while standing as a prime representative of that genre. For instance, Drew Barrymore’s unforgettable demise in the first movie sets the tone for the gruesome killings to follow. Unlike other series where the villain is often predictable, Ghostface’s identity remains a secret in most installments, which adds an element of suspense that keeps viewers on their toes until the very end. This mystery-driven approach has been a hallmark of the franchise and will continue in Scream VII set for release in 2026.

If you’re looking for spine-tingling experiences, check out top-ranked horror movies shot in the found-footage style, ideal choices for introducing children to the genre, as well as films that are based on real-life events. Enjoy the chills!

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2025-05-10 11:47