After the success of the first two *Halloween* movies, Jamie Lee Curtis starred in *Prom Night*, a film that, along with *The Fog* and *Terror Train*, cemented her status as a leading scream queen. *Prom Night* was also a financial success, earning ten times its production budget and guaranteeing a sequel. However, while the initial movie proved profitable, subsequent installments didn’t perform as well. The sequels were loosely connected only by the shared theme of a prom and its associated parties, meaning that out of the four main *Prom Night* films, only the original is a traditional slasher movie.
The sequels were unique and surprisingly good. Their willingness to get really weird helped establish *Prom Night* as a fascinating slasher franchise, even if it didn’t reach the same level of popularity as classics like *Halloween*, *Friday the 13th*, and *A Nightmare on Elm Street*-films it often tried to copy later on.
It Swung for the Fences
The first *Prom Night*, released in 1980, came out during the rise in popularity of slasher films. It’s a solid example of the genre, featuring a surprisingly lengthy dance sequence and a compelling relationship between the main character and the killer – a connection that’s actually stronger than the one explored in *Halloween II* the following year.
After a significant break, the next film, *Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II*, is arguably the strongest in the series, even though it barely connects to the first movie. It moves away from the typical slasher elements of the original, trading a knife-wielding stalker for a vengeful, undead killer reminiscent of *Carrie*. This killer is the spirit of a girl burned at her prom, now possessing the girlfriend of the man who originally attacked her – who is all grown up and now the school principal. That principal is played by Michael Ironside, a frequent collaborator with director Paul Verhoeven, known for films like *Total Recall*, *Starship Troopers*, and *Top Gun*.
Several factors make *Hello Mary Lou* a standout film in the series. Firstly, its clear influences from movies like *Carrie* and *A Nightmare on Elm Street* are effectively executed. Secondly, the acting is arguably the strongest of all the films. And finally, Mary Lou is a genuinely frightening villain when she fully appears in the final act.
Mary Lou was so good in her first role that the filmmakers brought her back three years later for *Prom Night III: The Last Kiss*. This sequel, like the one before it, doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. It’s unique in the series for its comedic approach, playfully poking fun at the tones of the previous two films. Similar to *The Return of the Living Dead III*, it’s a wild and surprisingly effective horror story centered around a love story.
That leads us to *Prom Night IV: Deliver Us from Evil*. This fourth movie removed Mary Lou as a character, abandoned the humor of the third film, and attempted to recreate the feel of the original. Unfortunately, released in 1991, it arrived a bit late in the slasher film trend and doesn’t really stand out as a memorable entry in the series. Still, it does have a unique villain: a priest.
There Were Still Low Points
Out of all five *Prom Night* movies, the 2008 version is widely considered the worst. It doesn’t really feel like a remake at all-it’s just a very generic slasher film that doesn’t try anything new. And because it’s rated PG-13, it lacks the thrills and intensity you’d expect from the genre. Even fans of cheesy horror movies can safely skip this one without missing anything.
While the 2008 version isn’t very well-regarded, the other films in the series have a certain campy appeal. This even includes *Prom Night*, released in 1994 as *The Club*. It was originally intended as part of the *Prom Night* franchise, but producer Peter Simpson decided the name wasn’t commercially valuable anymore.
The movie definitely feels like one of the later *Prom Night* sequels. It’s all about prom, includes supernatural happenings, and has a playfully low-budget feel. Plus, it features Kim Coates from *Sons of Anarchy* and Zack Ward from *A Christmas Story*, which is a nice bonus.
The *Prom Night* films aren’t classics of the horror genre, but they’re comparable to other solid slasher franchises like *The Burning*, *My Bloody Valentine*, and *Sleepaway Camp*. Speaking of *Sleepaway Camp*, that series is also often overlooked, mainly because of its creative kills and strong performances from Felissa Rose and Pamela Springsteen as Angela Baker. However, it’s best to skip *Sleepaway Camp IV: The Survivor* and *Return to Sleepaway Camp*.
Watch *Prom Night* (1980), *Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II*, *Prom Night IV: Deliver Us from Evil*, and *The Club* on Tubi – all for free!
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2025-09-14 18:11