The horror genre has produced some pretty beefy franchises over the years. Not counting the original film, which franchise has had the best run when it comes to sequels? Which is your favorite? I'm only counting series that have four or more films, sorry Evil Dead fans!
Universal's Frankenstein series, without question. I'm basing this on comparing the sequels to the original, and Uni's Frankenstein is the only series that really sticks out as having consistently fantastic sequels. Son is just as good, House and Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman are total blasts, and Bride is even better than the original. I do have fun with the Friday sequels, and even think Part II is head-and-shoulders better than the original, but the consistency in quality varies greatly after the first four (hell, even 3 isn't that hot when compared to 2 and 4).
Ouch!! This is a TOUGH one for me, as both the Friday and Halloween sequels are both very dear to my heart of darkness. I went with Halloween by the slimmest of margins.
Definitely Friday the 13th. Most of the sequels are better then the original and up to part 7 were all very good. I have watched this series more times then any other movie.
I really can't decide, but I will say The Omen and Universal Frankenstein would be way up there for sure.
Not all of them in either series are classics, but I've enjoyed Hammer's Dracula and Frankenstein films the most. I would give the Frankenstein sequels a slight edge. Halloween III: Season of the Witch is one of my favorite horror films and easily my favorite Halloween sequel. I also think that Psycho II is very underrated.
My thoughts exactly. They are also all to me the defining slashers of the 80s. There have been better slasher movies than some of the sequels, but if you want the perfect slasher formula then just watch a Paramount Friday the 13th release.
As far as franchises go, I don't think it gets any better that the first 4 Hammer Frankenstein films. Each one seemed to build on undercurrents of the previous film so well that it almost seems as if they were planned that way. Yeah, they all had their weak points, but pushing Dr. Frankenstein instead of the monster into the foreground was such a brilliant step that it gives those first four films a very interesting and satisfying arc. So that wins by sheer numbers, even though I think Exorcist III is still one of the best sequels ever.
Friday the 13th wins easily. Some of the later ones are kinda weak, but man I can watch Parts 1 thru 7 for the rest of my life and never get sick of them. I love the Halloweens too.
Definitely Romero's Dead series. Night is my favorite but Dawn and Day are superb as well. Each of these films has held up very well over the years and represent landmark horror films IMO. I only wish Land, Diary, and Survival were even half as good.
Romero's Dead films, based on the strength of Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead. Plus, I don't know the Hammer franchises nearly as well, having seen only a handful of those films.
Gotta agree with you here. I really wanted to go Hammer, but just couldn't. I was close with Hammer's Dracula or Frankenstein and even Romero's Dead series, but could only pull the trigger on Universal's Frankenstein. The rest of the list wasn't even really close. While I enjoy the F13, Halloween and some of the other series, I just don't think that the quality of the sequels is as solid.
