The Top 10 Slasher Movie Sequels, Ranked

In the realm of horror cinema, I’ve found myself drawn to the legendary subgenre often referred to as “Slasher.” Pioneered by classics like “Psycho” and “Peeping Tom” back in 1960, it began to gather momentum in the ’70s with films such as “Black Christmas,” “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” and John Carpenter’s groundbreaking “Halloween” of 1978. Much like an action genre, it’s known for birthing franchises, some good, some not-so-good. The sequels that I believe belong to the former category are what I will be discussing ahead. These, as far as my perspective is concerned, live up to the original Slasher spirit.

In my opinion, it can be convincingly argued that both Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3 could fit in this category, but I’m sticking with the original classics. Some sequels that came close but are still worth mentioning include Psycho II, Halloween H20: Years Later, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, Scream VI, Friday the 13th Part 2, and Friday the 13th Part III. Then there are those that aren’t quite a traditional slasher franchise, but they come close enough to deserve a mention, such as Saw II, Saw X, Pearl, MaXXXine, Candyman (2021), Final Destination 2, and Final Destination 5. For now, here are my favorite slasher sequels, listed from the least effective to the most effective.

Halloween II (1981)

Despite being criticized by some, particularly for its unexpected twist with Laurie Strode, “Halloween II” nonetheless nearly matched the original’s power as created by Carpenter. The decision to set it directly after the first film and using a hospital backdrop were both effective choices for this sequel.

Despite its shortcomings, such as Laurie being largely immobile throughout and a deliberate lack of subtlety in the death scenes, which were more pronounced than the previous film, the overall positive aspects far surpassed the negatives. Moreover, it could have served as an excellent conclusion to the series. The scene where Laurie shoots out Michael’s eyes and Doctor Loomis sacrificing himself was particularly effective, as was the chilling image of a burning Michael stumbling down the corridor, accompanied by “Mr. Sandman” playing softly in the foggy hospital parking lot.

Bride of Chucky (1998)

Wes Craven’s “New Nightmare” excels where Ronny Yu’s “Bride of Chucky” triumphs flawlessly. The key to its success is Jennifer Tilly, who delivers one of the most captivating performances in horror movie history. As the series progressed, she continued to shine brightly, coming close to salvaging the rather dramatic leap in quality that was “Bride’s” follow-up, “Seed of Chucky.

In Yu’s movie, every scene featuring Chucky and Tiffany is particularly effective. However, it falls slightly lower in the rankings due to a couple of reasons: firstly, the film could have benefited from an additional 10 to 15 minutes; secondly, the characters played by Katherine Heigl (Jade Kincaid) and Nick Stabile (Jesse Miller). They were crucial for the storyline, but it becomes problematic when doll serial killers appear more relatable or authentic than actual human characters.

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

Indeed, Halloween II brought a satisfying conclusion to the franchise, but Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers serves as an impressive revival. Although its later sequels may have diminished its impact (it masterfully portrays the Fall season in a way that is second only to the original film), Halloween 4 stands out on its own merits. Unlike Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, this film is much more effective, and it establishes Danielle Harris’ Jamie Lloyd and Ellie Cornell’s Rachel Carruthers as enduring icons in the slasher genre.

It’s truly unfortunate that the film Halloween 5 prematurely ended a beloved character (Rachel), as their sibling bond was one of the series’ most captivating relationships. Similarly, Halloween Return effectively continued the controversial Laurie twist, which has now become part of the franchise’s history. After all, is there anything more terrifying than a mindless killer targeting teenagers? Well, perhaps a mindless killer targeting a child.

Child’s Play 2 (1990)

There’s a strong case to be made that Chucky is the top slasher villain, and if any movie reinforces this claim, it’s “Child’s Play 2.” This sequel skillfully builds on the original film, demonstrating a sense of timing and understanding of Chucky’s already established iconic status. In almost every aspect, it outshines the solid foundation laid by the initial movie.

Without subsequent hits such as “Bride of Chucky”, “Curse of Chucky” and the television series, there’s a compelling case that the franchise should have ended after “Child’s Play 3”. Despite my fond memories of it from late-night viewing sessions with a bowl of ice cream, I must admit that “Child’s Play 3” falls short in comparison. The creator of the franchise, Don Mancini, has openly admitted that he ran out of ideas after “Child’s Play 2”, and this lack of creativity is evident. However, “Child’s Play 2” does have one saving grace – the final act in the Good Guy factory is its strongest point. Additionally, the last scene showing Andy Barclay walking away from the factory with his new sister Kyle provides a satisfying conclusion to the storyline.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

In my experience, fully grasping the genius behind Tobe Hooper’s work in “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2” requires more than one viewing. Far from being a traditional sequel, this movie is a wild, mind-bending journey with an unorthodox rhythm and a deeper exploration of the Leatherface character.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, much like Child’s Play 2 (Bride of Chucky), excels more as a comical film than it does as a horror one, but the initial highway scene is undeniably tense and terrifying. However, what truly elevates this sequel to the top of the franchise, alongside the original, is its exceptional casting. Caroline Williams delivers an outstanding performance as “Stretch,” Bill Moseley sends chills down our spines as “Chop Top,” and Dennis Hopper’s eccentric portrayal of “Lefty” demonstrates a clear grasp of the roles’ demands.

Scream (2022)

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, also known as Radio Silence, have truly crafted something extraordinary with their 2022 “Scream”. It excels in every aspect to such an extent that it seems more like a complementary piece to the original film than “Scream 2” was. The movie skillfully balances past and present, effectively utilizing returning characters Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers, Judy Hicks, and particularly Dewey Riley, without losing sight of the importance of the new characters.

It’s been confirmed that “Scream VII” will include at least one member of the original four characters, suggesting that storylines from the 2022 reboot and upcoming “Scream VI” may continue. However, it’s a pity that Radio Silence (and the duo of Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera) won’t be part of this new installment anymore. Despite the seemingly illogical cameo of de-aged Skeet Ulrich, the return of Ghostface in “Scream V” was a refreshing revival for the franchise following the underwhelming third and fourth films.

Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)

The Friday the 13th series has thrived for an impressive 45 years by not shying away from reinvention, as seen in the now-defunct Friday the 13th: The Game or Tom McLoughlin’s cleverly innovative Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. Eight years before Wes Craven introduced a self-reflective aspect to slasher films with New Nightmare, McLoughlin surpassed him with Jason Lives. This film was so visionary that even the franchise’s harshest critics had to acknowledge its merits.

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve witnessed the esteem for this film steadily climb over the years, rightfully so in my opinion. Nestled between the universally criticized (but not by me) and budget-constrained “Friday the 13th: A New Beginning” and the mutilated “Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood” by the MPA, it stands out as a beacon in Paramount’s tenure with Jason. I can’t help but wonder why McLoughlin wasn’t given control of the franchise from this point forward, considering his craftsmanship in both writing and direction is nothing short of impressive.

Scream 2 (1997)

It’s remarkable how effectively “Scream 2” flows. A leak of its script could have been its undoing, much like the iceberg for the Titanic. However, instead, the sequel feels like a perfectly natural extension of the superior original film. From the movie theater-style opening (one of the best in the franchise); the creation of the “Stab” series as a self-reflective movie within a movie; to the surprising twist of a key character’s (Randy’s) demise, “Scream 2” is engaging from start to finish.

In one scene, there’s an instance that seems slightly out of place, and that’s the death of Sidney Prescott’s roommate Hallie. Initially, she was intended to be one of the two killers along with Sid’s roommate Derek. However, in the movie, she simply walks into the middle of the road near a spot where Ghostface could hide, and tragically gets stabbed. When you consider that this is the only scene worth questioning in a two-hour slasher film, it indicates just how exceptional this slasher movie truly is.

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)

Much like the relentless vampire antagonists in captivating horror films, Jason Voorhees seems to defy death at every turn. Unlike his bloodthirsty counterparts who meet their demise with a wooden stake through the heart, poor Mr. Voorhees has endured a machete to the face and even a studio’s discomfort with their own successful franchise. Indeed, Joe Zito’s Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter was meant to be the last installment in the series (as was Friday the 13th Part III) but fate had other plans. Remarkably, the gap between this John Hughes-inspired slasher and A New Beginning was the shortest in the entire franchise’s history.

Among the initial eight films produced by Paramount, “The Final Chapter” comes across as the most complete and well-rounded film in terms of its structure. While the original film is undeniably superior at creating a 24-hour nightmare experience that fully immerses the viewer, the case for “The Final Chapter” being the pinnacle of the Zito quadrilogy is compelling and hard to refute.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

Similar to “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives,” Chuck Russell’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” is considered as progressive for its time. It’s a film so inventive that even the harshest critic of slasher movies would find it hard to deny its brilliance, except perhaps for a few minor points. This installment is also notable for transforming Freddy Krueger from an enigma into a cultural icon (though this transformation would later prove to have its pros and cons).

In the first film’s sequel, “Dream Warriors,” it’s delightful to see Nancy Thompson, portrayed by Heather Langenkamp, and Donald Thompson, played by John Saxon, return. However, it’s the new characters that truly shine. It’s rare for a slasher film to excel in acting, but “Dream Warriors” does not miss a beat. If a reboot ever happens, “Dream Warriors” could serve as an excellent blueprint. Heather Langenkamp’s character meets her end in this installment, but the series has had more surprising twists. Additionally, Patricia Arquette, who played a role in “Dream Warriors,” has expressed interest in returning, which is worth considering. Lastly, the music by Dokken adds a beautiful touch to the film.

What are your top 10 slasher-horror films?

2025-01-08 02:40