Ranking the Scariest 'Nightmare on Elm Street' Movies

The Nightmare on Elm Street series, which gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, stands out as one of the most consistently enjoyable horror franchises. In total, there are nine movies associated with this series. Between 1984 and 1991, six films were released, followed by a unique meta sequel/spin-off in 1994, a crossover versus movie with another series in 2003, and a remake of the first movie in 2010.

The movies in the Nightmare on Elm Street series vary in quality and provide different types of enjoyment. Some prioritize horror, while others offer a more fantastical and action-packed experience. Additionally, certain films lean towards comedy rather than pure horror. In the following list, an attempt is made to rank these nine movies based on their level of scariness. It is important to note that this list does not reflect the movies' overall quality, but rather aims to assist horror fans in identifying the most chilling entries in the series.

9. 'Freddy vs. Jason' (2003)

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After seven films centered around the infamous antagonist Freddy Krueger tormenting individuals, the question arose as to how this character could continue to remain impactful and gripping. Whether for better or worse, the decision was made to pit Krueger against another iconic horror figure, Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise, resulting in the appropriately titled film, Freddy vs. Jason. As expected, the movie embraces its premise, delivering ridiculous and entertaining moments when the two horror legends clash.

However, the remaining aspects of Freddy vs. Jason tend to be tiresome, featuring characters who feel generic even within the context of slasher film victims. While there is some enjoyment to be found in its better moments, it fails to truly frighten or resonate with horror enthusiasts seeking something that can be taken even remotely seriously. Freddy vs. Jason is an intentionally silly and campy film, which ensures it lacks genuine scariness. Nevertheless, it can provide bursts of amusement for those seeking a lighthearted and goofy experience.

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8. 'Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare' (1991)

Contrary to its title, Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare was not the end of Freddy's reign of terror. In fact, three more films were released after 1991, each adding a different twist to the Nightmare on Elm Street series. Among them, one introduced a unique concept, another pitted Freddy against Jason, and the final installment was a remake, effectively concluding a storyline that originated in 1984.

The sixth installment of Nightmare on Elm Street aims to bring the franchise back to its original location at the house on 1428 Elm Street. It features a cameo from Johnny Depp, who appeared in the first film, as well as clips from the entire series during the end credits. However, much of the film fails to deliver, lacking both scares and humor. The lack of creativity is also disappointing. By The Final Nightmare, the series is clearly suffering from fatigue, becoming increasingly silly as it progresses. Stream it on Max.

7. 'A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child' (1989)

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The Dream Child, the fifth installment in the A Nightmare on Elm Street series, may not be considered a standout, but it surpasses its successor, Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare. At this point, the series was only mildly worn-out and lacking in inspiration, unlike at the release of the sixth film. Additionally, The Dream Child manages to be more unsettling and effective as a horror movie.

The story revolves around Alice, a survivor from the previous film, who once again becomes a target for Freddy Krueger. This time, he employs a strategy of manipulating the mind of her unborn child to gain access to her. Although this concept is not always fully utilized, it still provides an uncomfortable atmosphere. The movie explores cruel moments and showcases a peculiar-looking infant version of Freddy, both of which contribute to The Dream Child avoiding the label of being the least frightening entry in the franchise.

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6. 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master' (1988)

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No matter how you judge it, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master typically falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to ranking the Nightmare on Elm Street films. It offers a balanced mix of goofy moments, horror-focused elements, and fantastical elements within a series of creatively designed dream sequences (which are often the most important aspect of a Nightmare on Elm Street film).

When watching it, one can clearly observe a significant transformation in the character of Freddy Krueger from his initial introduction. In this film, Freddy appears rather comical (and so in films #5 and #6), which diminishes the overall fright factor. However, The Dream Master nonetheless manages to evoke unease, primarily due to the extreme and gruesome nature of certain deaths and violent scenes, even though it may not reach the level of terror seen in previous installments. Stream on Max.

5. 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (2010)

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1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street is often regarded as a timeless and iconic horror film that did not require a remake. However, in 2010, the trend of remaking popular horror franchises led to the release of a remake for this film, similar to what happened with Friday the 13th in 2009 and Halloween in 2007.

The retelling of the well-known story about Freddy Krueger targeting a group of teenagers for personal reasons somewhat diminishes the level of fright and surprise. This repetitive nature might make 2010's A Nightmare on Elm Street the weakest installment in the entire series. Nevertheless, the remake does make an effort to bring Freddy back to his original roots and approach him with a greater level of seriousness compared to certain sequels of the original film. This attempt to create a darker and more terrifying atmosphere earns some recognition, even though it may be disappointing that much of it feels familiar.

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4. 'A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge' (1985)

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Following up on one of the most iconic horror movies of the 1980s and releasing it just one year later is no easy task. The creators of A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge surely pondered this question multiple times. The original film was a satisfying standalone experience, despite its enigmatic and somewhat controversial ending. As a result, Freddy's Revenge takes us on an unexpected journey.

The focus of this story is not so much on dreams, but rather on Freddy possessing a teenage boy and causing him to engage in terrible acts, which ultimately leads to the boy's life descending into chaos. Although this movie dares to take a slightly campier and more lighthearted approach, the unsettling concept of being controlled by someone/something like Freddy Krueger remains intact. Consequently, the sequel's unpredictable and unconventional qualities contribute to its status as one of the more disturbing Nightmare on Elm Street films.

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

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While the goofier entries in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise have their own charm and can be enjoyable, the three most exceptional films in the series are also considered the most terrifying. Among these top three, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors may be the least likely to induce Freddy-related nightmares due to its heavy reliance on fantasy and action elements, distinguishing it from other movies in the franchise. However, it still maintains a chilling atmosphere.

This sequel is widely regarded as a resounding success, bringing back Nancy Thompson, the main character from the first movie, who is now working as a psychiatrist. At the psychiatric hospital where she practices, some of the young patients have experienced encounters with Freddy in their dreams. As a result, Nancy mentors them on how to confront and defeat him. The film offers a fresh perspective on the series, revealing an exciting and intense narrative where the characters actively take the fight to Freddy. This approach adds a level of enjoyment and raises the stakes significantly.

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2. 'New Nightmare' (1994)

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Apart from the inaugural film, New Nightmare stands as the sole installment in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise to be helmed by Wes Craven. In addition to directing, he also played a role in the writing and production of Dream Warriors, which likely contributed to its exceptional quality within the series. It can be argued that no one excels at capturing the essence of these films better than the creator himself. However, it is also noteworthy that lead actress Heather Langenkamp has been intricately involved in all three of these paramount Nightmare on Elm Street movies.

In films #1 and #3, she portrays Nancy Thompson, but in New Nightmare, she takes on a fictionalized version of herself. The storyline is very meta, with a potentially different Freddy Krueger infiltrating the real world and targeting Langenkamp herself. Similar to Dream Warriors, New Nightmare takes the series in a new and interesting direction, blending occasional humor with predominantly eerie elements. Additionally, Freddy himself is portrayed as more menacing in this film, further emphasizing the notion of a different version of the character. His redesigned appearance also reinforces this concept.

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1. 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984)

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The original Nightmare on Elm Street film remains an iconic R-rated horror classic and one of the standout films of 1984, regardless of the genre. It is widely regarded as the best installment in the series, thanks to its unparalleled originality and ability to captivate and unnerve viewers. The impact of the first appearance of the menacing villain, Freddy Krueger, is undeniably the most terrifying, as observed in many horror franchises with sequels.

If we look at other timeless movies from previous decades, such as the Alien series, none of the subsequent installments were able to achieve the level of fear and intensity portrayed in the 1979 original. The same can be said for the first antagonist in 1984's The Terminator, which focused more on horror than any of its sequels (although it was later surpassed in action). Freddy's terror in A Nightmare on Elm Street never reached greater heights than it did in the original, making it essential for viewers to watch the series in chronological order to fully appreciate the fear it instills and the unique concept of horror within dreams it introduces.

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