10 Best Horror Franchise Movies from the ’90s

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In my opinion, it’s truly astounding how several horror intellectual properties (IPs) that were born in the ’70s, ’80s, or even the ’90s continue to maintain a strong presence today. Among the ’90s horror movies that left an indelible mark are those that I’ve highlighted here. It’s important to mention that I didn’t limit this list to just sequels; franchise-starters were also included, provided they were released between 1990 and 1999. There were many contenders, some falling just short, but they were definitely worth mentioning. These include “Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III,” “Alien 3,” “Child’s Play 3,” “Predator 2,” “Candyman 2: Farewell to the Flesh,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Urban Legend,” and “Return of the Living Dead 3.” Each of these has its own unique charm, but none quite made it to the top.

These movies fell far short, failing to make an impression: Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation, Hellraiser: Bloodline, Alien Resurrection, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, and Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday. It’s important to note that these were theatrical releases, so films like Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest, Leprechaun 3 (none of the Children of the Corn or Leprechaun movies would have made the cut), or Tremors II: Aftershocks were not even in contention.

10) Army of Darkness

The movie titled “Army of Darkness” is a subject of debate, yet it holds a special place in the hearts of many horror enthusiasts – a sentiment I can certainly appreciate. Regardless of whether it surpasses or falls short when compared to “The Evil Dead” or “Evil Dead II”, there’s no denying its merit, and sometimes even exceeding their level of respect.

The live-action Looney Tunes horror movie known as Evil Dead II slightly altered the genre compared to its predecessor, essentially remaining a cabin-in-the-woods horror film. However, Army of Darkness takes a considerable leap by transitioning to a Medieval setting and transforming Bruce Campbell’s character Ash into a full-fledged action hero. This movie does a remarkable amount with its limited runtime, featuring several entertaining, outrageous sequences that could only be found in a Sam Raimi production.

9) Night of the Living Dead

Tom Savini’s remake of George A. Romero’s 1968 horror classic “Night of the Living Dead” closely follows the original storyline, even replicating its bleak finale. However, throughout the film, there are subtle alterations, including modifications to the ending scene.

This movie shares some similarities with Gus van Sant’s unsuccessful attempt at remaking “Psycho” in 1998, but it manages to pull off the concept effectively. It isn’t a carbon copy of the original, but it has several compelling aspects. The production value is modest, much like the original, and there are endearing quirks that stem from the directorial debut of a makeup artist. Performances by Tony Todd and Patricia Tallman are exceptional. The film feels like an intriguing experiment, and it’s hoped that the rumors of a future director’s cut (with potential additions suggested by Savini during production) prove to be true. Moreover, a cameo from Bill Moseley and connections to “Night of the Living Dead” make this a satisfying treat for horror enthusiasts, rather than a simple cash grab based on an established IP.

8) Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth

Originally in “Hellraiser”, Pinhead and the Cenobites make a brief appearance. In “Hellbound: Hellraiser II”, they have expanded roles. However, it’s in “Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth” that Pinhead truly takes center stage, and it delivers nicely. As for continuing with the “Hellraiser” movies, I’d recommend stopping at this point. “Hellraiser: Bloodline” is a confusing mess, and while the subsequent direct-to-video films (only four of which star Doug Bradley as Pinhead) are forgettable at best, the Hulu reboot, despite being more ambitious, falls short of effectiveness compared to “Hell on Earth”.

Some viewers might dismiss this series as “Hell on Earth,” but I view it as an ambitious attempt by the franchise to break into mainstream popularity. It’s characterized by grandeur and a lighthearted feel, with noticeably improved production quality. Paula Terry Farrell delivers a strong lead performance (though Ashley Laurence is conspicuously absent), the narrative arc of Pinhead / Captain Elliott Spencer is well-developed, and some of the Cenobite designs are truly inventive. Moreover, there’s arguably no more despicable character in these films than the sleazy J. P. Monroe.

7) Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Is it accurate to classify “Gremlins 2: The New Batch ” solely as a horror movie? While it does contain elements of monster movies, it seems to veer more towards the realm of a comedic and animated production, similar to a Looney Tunes cartoon. In fact, it appears to be even closer in style to Looney Tunes than Evil Dead II. As a matter of fact, there’s an appearance by characters from Looney Tunes.

The New Batch is enjoyable for a number of reasons. It has a clear vision and aims to be both unforeseen and humorous, much like the original film. Innovative elements such as the Spider-Gremlin and other surprising transformations of the Mogwai’s hideous end form are introduced in this sequel, adding to its uniqueness. Despite my preference for the first movie over The New Batch, I admire that the creators chose not to simply replicate what made the original film successful (and also controversial). Moreover, it’s intriguing to note that while Gremlins earned a PG rating in its time, The New Batch carries a PG-13 classification.

6) Wes Craven’s New Nightmare

Among the top-notch “A Nightmare on Elm Street” films, and arguably the superior of the two that were produced in the ’90s, “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare” unfortunately underperformed financially. However, it played a crucial role in Craven’s filmmaking career, and luckily, its commercial flop didn’t discourage him from revisiting meta themes with “Scream,” which hit theaters two years later and enjoyed substantial success at the box office.

Although New Nightmare has its shortcomings – such as occasional slowness and a somewhat uninspired kill count, with some scenes feeling like a less impactful reprise of Tina Gray’s memorable death – it is important to remember that this film was remarkably innovative when it was released in 1994. Therefore, it deserves recognition for its originality.

5) Bride of Chucky

After enjoying the entertaining yet absurd film M3GAN 2.0, Bride of Chucky could be a fitting movie to watch next. It provided just the right boost that the Child’s Play franchise required following the stale period after Child’s Play 3. The secret was to maintain the tone while keeping the murderous and sinister qualities of the main villain intact.

The strength of “Bride of Chucky” lies in Jennifer Tilly’s performance. With Brad Dourif’s iconic portrayal of Chucky being so deeply connected to the character and crucial to the franchise’s success, it seemed challenging to find a match for his maniacal charm. However, as Tiffany, Tilly demonstrates that she is exactly what was needed.

4) The Exorcist III

If you skipped over “The Exorcist III” because “Exorcist II: The Heretic” was so disappointing, you truly missed a gem. It’s one of the most outstanding horror films from the 1990s, regardless of whether it’s part of a larger franchise or not.

The film is inspired by William Peter Blatty’s novel “Legion”, which is almost as powerful as his famous work, “The Exorcist”. However, some argue that the movie version (directed by Blatty) surpasses the novel. This is because the movie features Brad Dourif, and many find it hard to resist watching him. It’s said that the director’s cut of this film is more impressive than its theatrical release.

3) Child’s Play 2

Child’s Play 2″ stands out as not only the top sequel in the Chucky series but also the best film across the entire franchise. The memorable and chilling voice performance by Brad Dourif truly established Chucky as a terrorizing figure in the horror genre, leaving an indelible fear in countless young minds.

In my perspective, Child’s Play 2 was the film that hinted at Chucky’s potential for terror, despite being an early installment in the series. Chucky wasn’t yet fully realized as a fearsome figure, but there were signs he could become the next Freddy Krueger. This is similar to how A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors served as a pivotal step forward for the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.

2) Candyman

A film that sent shivers down the spines of many ’90s children, “Candyman” is undeniably one of Clive Barker’s finest adaptations, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with classics like “Hellraiser” and “Nightbreed.” Moreover, it provided the late, exceptional actor Tony Todd with the most memorable role of his career as the titular character.

Thematically, “Candyman” carries a profound emotional impact. It’s a horror film for those who appreciate thoughtful storytelling, much like Nia DaCosta’s unrecognized 2021 reboot. However, in essence, it stands out most as a demonstration of Todd’s skill in transforming a terrifying, formidable character into one that evokes sympathy.

1) Scream (& Scream 2)

Wes Craven’s movie “Scream” significantly revitalized the slasher film genre during its time, and it’s hard to overstate the impact that both “Scream” and “Scream 2” had on keeping the genre thriving throughout the late ’90s. It’s no wonder that countless other films sought to imitate its success, ranging from quality productions like “Urban Legend” to less substantial ones like “Valentine”. Even Michael Myers, who is often considered the original slasher character, followed suit with “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later”. Essentially, the first two “Scream” films set horror’s mood for nearly half a decade.

Credit should be given generously to Craven for his significant contribution, as his mastery of the horror genre undeniably played a crucial role. However, Kevin Williamson’s script, particularly for the original films, was equally brilliant and deserving of a substantial share of credit. The energy in these movies is palpable, and the suspense surrounding the masked figure remains captivating even with multiple viewings. Personally, I lean towards the original Scream, but Scream 2 comes very close. The opening scene rivals that of Jaws, and while Scream 2 may have had some challenges due to a leaked script, the fact it was completed at all is impressive. What’s even more astounding is that most viewers consider it on par with the original—a truly mind-boggling accomplishment.

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2025-08-01 20:48