The Ultimate Ranking of the Scariest and Most Influential Horror Movie Franchises

Highlights

Horror franchises have been a staple of the genre, with iconic characters and themes recurring throughout each iteration.

The Universal Pictures Monster Movie Franchise revolutionized the horror film genre by exploring different subgenres and achieving tremendous success.

The Conjuring Universe has become the most financially successful horror franchise ever, captivating audiences with its incorporation of real-life stories and heightened level of terror.

Horror films have been a part of the cinematic world since its inception, captivating audiences with thrilling experiences. Filmmakers have eagerly embraced the opportunity to provide these scares, especially as the industry expanded. Consequently, studios found it convenient to bank on established properties that guaranteed audience anticipation and enjoyment.

This marked the emergence of horror franchises, offering viewers the reassurance of recurring characters or themes in each installment. These franchises have become pillars of the horror genre, introducing iconic figures that have etched themselves into the annals of cinematic history.

10 The Universal Pictures Monster Movie Franchise

Considered by many as the original horror franchise, this iconic series dominated the genre for over two decades, showcasing some of the most well-known figures in horror. From Dracula to the Wolf Man, Frankenstein to the Mummy, the Invisible Man to the Creature from the Black Lagoon, this franchise experienced tremendous success and left an indelible mark on the world of horror.

Not only did this franchise revolutionize the horror landscape, but it also paved the way for future films, exploring various subgenres and leaving a lasting cultural impact. Universal Studios has continued to breathe new life into the franchise, rebooting beloved characters in recent years with movies like "Renfield" in 2023 and "The Invisible Man" in 2019.

9 Scream Franchise

When the initial Scream installment was released in 1996, the slasher genre was considered to be obsolete. Nevertheless, renowned horror director Wes Craven revitalized the genre with his franchise, infusing a captivating whodunit element that has carried through every subsequent installment.

Instead of completely transforming the slasher tropes, the franchise cleverly embraced them, resulting in each film becoming a captivating example of meta-horror that was perfectly suited to the prevailing trends in the genre at that time. With the inclusion of an MTV series, six movies, and a seventh currently in production, the series continues to thrive.

8 The Ring Franchise

During the late 90s and early 00s, there was a remarkable surge in technology, captivating people with the increasing reliance on screens. This brings us to Ringu, released in 1998, which revolves around a cursed videotape capable of causing the death of viewers after one week.

The franchise, featuring the iconic character Sadako dwelling in a well, quickly gained worldwide popularity and is widely regarded as the catalyst for the J-horror phenomenon throughout the 2000s. With a total of eight films, manga adaptations, video games, and television series in Japan, the movies also received remakes in English and Korean.

7 Halloween Franchise

John Carpenter's 1978 film Halloween had humble beginnings, with a small budget, an unknown Jamie Lee Curtis, and a script written in just 10 days. However, it quickly made an impact, sending shockwaves across the nation.

The character Michael Myers became synonymous with slasher films, leading to a series of movies centered around him. Over the course of thirteen films, the Halloween series has maintained a devoted following among horror enthusiasts. Not afraid of change, the series has undergone reinvention with entries like Halloween III: The Season of the Witch, the Rob Zombie films, and the reboot trilogy. This constant evolution has kept the franchise feeling as fresh as Michael's initial visit to Haddonfield, Illinois.

6 The Conjuring Universe

The creator of the Saw franchise and director of Malignant (2021), James Wan, is well-versed in horror. However, it was with the release of The Conjuring in 2013 that he solidified himself and the series as quintessential horror. The franchise has become the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time, earning over two billion dollars from its main series and spinoffs, which include The Nun and Annabelle.

Drawing direct inspiration from the real-life experiences of demonologists Lorraine and Ed Warren, the series' incorporation of actual events and true stories amplifies the terror. With nine films already released and one currently in development, the future of the franchise holds infinite possibilities.

5 Friday The 13th Series

The hockey mask worn by Jason Voorhees is one of the most iconic symbols in film. Throughout the franchise, Jason serves as the primary antagonist, inflicting fear upon teenagers in twelve movies, video games, and a television series. Friday the 13th established the blueprint for subsequent teen slasher films, introducing various tropes and themes.

Notably, the franchise is known for its consistent display of audacity. In one installment, Crystal Lake is left behind for the streets of Manhattan, while another film crosses paths with A Nightmare on Elm Street. The series even ventures into space, embracing a science fiction atmosphere.

4 Alien Franchise

Science fiction and horror frequently showcase the finest qualities of both genres, seamlessly blending sci-fi's groundbreaking concepts and immersive world-building with the intense suspense and exhilaration that horror delivers.

Ever since Ripley's initial confrontation with the extraterrestrial creatures, the iconic aliens have become inseparable from the realm of science fiction movies. However, it would be remiss to overlook their significant influence on the horror genre. With a total of eight movies and numerous video games, the Alien franchise has firmly established itself as a crucial intersection between these two essential film categories.

3 Godzilla And Friends

The monster movie genre cannot be discussed without acknowledging the colossal Godzilla franchise. Originating from Japan in 1954, this series has brought forth numerous colossal creatures such as Mothra and Hedorah.

With its presence in video games, books, television series, and a remarkable 38 films from both Japan and America, this franchise holds the esteemed title of being the longest-running franchise according to the Guinness World Records.

2 The Evil Dead Franchise

Before The Last of Us or The Walking Dead graced television screens, The Evil Dead presented audiences with an unprecedented portrayal of the undead. This original trilogy, spanning over ten years, became iconic for its distinctive craftsmanship, eccentricity, and exaggerated depiction of its world.

The Evil Dead has further expanded its reach onto the small screen with Ash Vs. Evil Dead, as well as inspiring numerous video games throughout the 2000s. With Bruce Campbell embodying the iconic character of Ash Williams, excluding the two reboot films released in 2013 and 2023, the series has solidified itself as the quintessential franchise within the realm of zombie horror.

1 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, released in 1974, was a low-budget slasher film that shared similarities with Halloween. However, what sets it apart from other films of its time is its intense realism and graphic violence. Over the years, the series has explored the backstory of the Sawyer family and their terrifying killing sprees in Texas.

Furthermore, the franchise has experienced multiple reboots and revivals over time, with a new installment set for release in 2022. Whether it's his presence in the video game Dead by Daylight or the exploration of his origin story in various films, Leatherface has become a celebrated horror icon, deserving of his reputation as a deadly antagonist.