15 Horror Movie Trilogies That Truly Kill It
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Vote up the horror trilogies that are great all the way through.
There is an old adage in Hollywood that goes: "If at first you succeed, make a sequel." And if that sequel does well, then make another, then another, then another, until the well runs dry and everything outstanding about the original film is successfully destroyed.
But sometimes, rarely, that is not the case.
In these horror movie trilogies, fans found these films to be pretty great from the first film to the third for a myriad of reasons. Even if the tone shifts, the story goes sideways, or the leads don't return, the fanbase has embraced these terrifying trios. Some of these are plucked from larger franchises, but within those are a solid trilogy of films.
Original trilogy: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985), A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
Rarely does the third part of a series outshine the original movie, but for many Elm Street fans, that is exactly the case with the third installment, Dream Warriors.
Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street is a powerful and important entry in the horror movie scene, giving us a bold new concept as well as a new boogeyman to fear. The second entry is a lot of fun, and has recently been embraced by the LBGTQ+ community due to the queer subtext of its story.
However, it's the third chapter, Dream Warriors, that truly spotlights Freddy Krueger's (Robert Englund) sarcastic, sadistic side by highlighting the creativity of his kills - while also offering a bit of backstory. It also brings back final girl Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) from the first film and has Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette as Freddy's new dream girl.
Dream Warriors would become the standard for later Elm Streets to follow.
Want more? Check out: A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988), Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994), and Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
- 2235 VOTES
Original trilogy: Final Destination (2000), Final Destination 2 (2003), and Final Destination 3 (2006)
The film series that convinced an entire generation of drivers to never, ever get behind a logging truck on the freeway.
The Final Destination trilogy is a delightfully dreadful run of flicks for people who love their gruesome deaths with a little variety. Each film features the same formula, but offers its own peculiar set of dastardly demises so entertaining that it is difficult to not smile at the sheer camp of it.
The formula is simple: A group of teens narrowly escape Death's grasp by avoiding a situation (plane crash, car accident, rollercoaster mishap), but Death will not be ignored. One by one, Death hunts down each person that managed to circumvent their fate by killing them in a series of bizarre and morbid "accidents." This includes death by tanning bed, pool drain, decapitation via elevator, falling pane of glass... the list goes on.
For those who love a good amount of camp in their horror, the Final Destination is one to binge again and again.
Want more? Check out: The Final Destination (2009) and Final Destination 5 (2011)
- 3260 VOTES
Original trilogy: Scream (1996), Scream 2 (1997), and Scream 3 (2000)
Wes Craven reinvented the slasher film with his 1996 megahit Scream. From the first 10 minutes to the twist ending, the Master of Horror once again turned the horror genre on its head with this fresh and frightening template, the birth of a new and enduring franchise, and a brand spanking new icon for horror hounds to worship at the next convention.
Scream breathed new life into the horror genre with its meta take on movie culture, and raised the bar on what can be accomplished when it comes to slashing through teenagers.
The first three films follow final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she and her friends are stalked by a sadistic killer in a ghost-faced mask. Someone posing as the killer then follows her to college in the second outing, and then to a movie set on the making of events from the first movie for Part 3.
Witty yet brutal, the Scream series quickly became the new standard in horror.
Want more? Check out: The second trilogy of the series Scream 4 (2011), Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023), and the TV show Scream (MTV/VH1)
- 4260 VOTES
Original trilogy: The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and Army of Darkness (1992)
The trials and tribulations of Ashley Joanna "Ash" Williams (the one and only Bruce "The Chin" Campbell) and his battle against Deadites, the Evil Ashes, his evil hand, and one mighty cranky Kandarian Demon.
The first Evil Dead is regarded a perfect example of how to make a low-budget horror film. Created by Sam Raimi, the story follows dumb college kids who visit a remote cabin and inadvertently release demons galore thanks to the Necronomicon.
Evil Dead II is a "re-quel," (part remake, part sequel) and far funnier than the first outing, truly embracing the comedy in “horror comedy.” Making the most out of Ash's innate ability to make a fool out of himself, every scene in which Ash takes on Deadites is pure gold. The film ends with Ash accidentally transported back to the Middle Ages, which is where Army of Darkness begins. In the third installment, Ash now has to battle the Deadites on horseback with King Arthur and Merlin.
The series is considered by most to be the cornerstone of horror comedy, with each chapter receiving high praise from the fandom for various reasons. It also made a name for Raimi, who as since gone on to Strange new endeavors.
Want more? Check out: Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise (2023), and Ash vs. Evil Dead (AMC)
- 5237 VOTES
The 'Fear Street' Trilogy
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Original trilogy: Fear Street Part One: 1994 (2021), Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021), and Fear Street Part Three: 1666 (2021)
Netflix's teen slasher trilogy was inspired by the book series from R. L. Stine went above and beyond fan expectations for the adaptation, providing more gruesome gore, high-end horrors, thrills, and chills than most folks expected.
Subverting tropes by elevating well-worn horror cliches as its focus, the series targets teen horror of the 1990s, camp slashers for the '70s, and historic horror. Mixed with clever writing and over-the-top kills that would make any horror-head happy, the end result is one hell of a series that seemed to come out of nowhere.
The story follows the cursed town of Shadyside and its twisted history with the twin burg of Sunnyvale that resulted in the brutal murders of teens for hundreds of years. The three films are a must-binge for any fan of retro slashers with tons of gore, but also yields a soft, romantic side with its love story.
Want more? Check out: R.L. Stine's other adaptation Goosebumps (Disney+)
- 6247 VOTES
Original trilogy: The Conjuring (2013), The Conjuring 2 (2016), and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
While the Warrens might be a divisive subject in the real world, James Wan's Conjuring Universe remains a top-tier terror for horror aficionados who enjoy a good ghost story. Centering on a fictionalized version of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) each chapter focuses on a "true" story of a haunting involving the demonologist duo.
The first film focuses on the Perron family, who were the subject of an extreme haunting in their house in Rhode Island. The second film centers on the Enfield poltergeist, while the third film explores the murder trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, in which he claimed demonic possession as his defense.
Well written and crafted, the series also offers peak performances from both Wilson and Farmiga. The Conjuring Universe has since generated two other franchises: Annabelle and The Nun.
Want more? Check out: Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017), and The Nun (2018)
- 7191 VOTES
Original trilogy: Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1978), and Day of the Dead (1985)
George Romero's undead classic changed the horror genre entirely, as it officially introduced zombies into the zeitgeist. But Night of the Living Dead also stands as an important film thanks to the strong messaging.
Night of the Living Dead focuses on a small group of people trapped in a remote house who resort to savage means for survival. Denoting themes of racism, necessary violence, and a brutal takedown of American police and military, Romero's horror masterpiece became a cornerstone of horror culture.
Dawn of the Dead was more of a critique of American capitalism, as the zombie apocalypse spreads and survivors take shelter in a mall, which at first is filled with the undead as they mindlessly wander from shop to shop.
The third movie Dawn of the Dead is about the plight of humanity as a whole, and how their collective hubris causes their own downfall. Romeo himself has stated that the film is a “tragedy about how a lack of human communication causes chaos and collapse even in this small little pie slice of society.”
Romero's Dead trilogy not only unleashed the concept of zombies on an unsuspecting moviegoing public, but is also considered the prototype for the splatter film genre.
Want more? Check out: Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead (2004), Land of the Dead (2005), Diary of the Dead (2007), and Survival of the Dead (2009)
- #27 of 399 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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- 8214 VOTES
The Original 'Halloween' Trilogy
Original trilogy: Halloween, Halloween II, then it's dealer's choice to watch either Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) as part of the official trilogy, or Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and make it an all-Mike sort of night.
So, the Halloween trilogy is tricky because technically speaking, Halloween III: Season of the Witch is the third official film (and a glorious one at that), but it doesn't have anything to do with Michael Myers. This is because, originally, the Halloween series was meant to be an anthology series, with each movie focusing on a different horror story or boogeyman. But since the first Halloween with Michael Myers and his attempt to murder Laurie Strode was so successful, Hollywood opted to make a sequel to that film rather than continue with the original plan.
After Halloween II, the plan for the anthology was resumed, but it only confused moviegoers. It was then scrapped in an effort to make Myers the central focus, and thus we have Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.
So, feel free to pick your own adventure based on which Halloween film you choose for the third slot. You can be a Myers purist or go with the always dependable and mustached Tom Atkins. There is no wrong answer.
Want more? Check out: Halloween H20 (1998), Rob Zombie's Halloween (2007), Rob Zombie's Halloween II (2009), and Halloween (2018)
More Halloween Franchise
- Dig Deeper...Michael Myers's Best Kills In The 'Halloween' Franchise
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- 9214 VOTES
Original trilogy: Friday the 13th (1980), Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981), and Friday the 13th Part III (1982)
The masked maniac that inspired a whole new generation of filmmakers to create cinematic lunatics, slip on some sports gear, and start slashing at teenagers. The legacy left behind by Friday the 13th and its franchise is hard to measure. It seems to have been a guiding force for many modern horror filmmakers. It helped create the “killer camp” subgenre while defining future tropes in horror.
Before Jason Voorhees started displaying paranormal abilities, going to space, or visiting Manhattan, the original Friday the 13th was a simple revenge film in which his mother did most of the horrible handiwork. Angry at horny young camp councilors for neglecting her child and allowing him to drown, she sought her revenge in gruesome ways. It wasn't until the second film that Jason took over for dear old mom, and not until the third film that he finally got his iconic hockey mask. Together, the three films form an origin story for the camper killer and are highly regarded by genre fans.
Want more? Check out: Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984), Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989), Jason X (2002), and Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
- 10136 VOTES
Original trilogy: REC (2007), REC 2 (2009), and REC 3: Genesis (2012)
The Spanish-language found footage horror series managed to remain as terrifying from the first film to the third without running out of steam or doubling-back on its own lore. The first two REC films were both written and directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza and take place in the same quarantined apartment building, where the inhabitants have gone incommunicado. In the first film, a news crew goes in to investigate the situation, while in the second film, government officials are sent in.
What they find is a sickness that has taken over the community. A mutated enzyme from a demonically possessed little girl has become contagious and spread, turning people (and puppies) into ghouls.
The third film takes place outside the apartment building, but in the same universe. A possessed dog bites its vet, who happens to be on his way to a wedding. The virus breaks out during the nuptials of Clara and Klodo (Leticia Dolera and Diego Martín).
The films are considered a masterclass of the found footage horror genre, both in filmmaking and acting. The series has gone on to yield a comic series, as well as a fourth movie.
Want more? Check out: REC 4: Apocalypse (2014)
More REC- #198 of 399 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- #70 of 107 onThe Best Intelligent Horror Movies
- #1 of 73 onThe 65+ Best Found Footage Movies
- 11137 VOTES
Original trilogy: The Return of the Living Dead (1985), Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988), and Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993)
Not to be confused with George Romero's Dead franchise (from which it was inspired), The Return of the Living Dead offers a fresh take on zombies. The undead get an '80s makeover in this punk rock cult classic that reinvents the ghastly ghouls into a whole new type of monster.
Instead of the slow, silent corpses craving human flesh, these zombies are fast, clever, and have very particular feeding needs: brains. They want brains, and only brains. These zombies can talk, but more importantly, they can run. Where before the sheer number of the undead was the issue, here it is a combination of numbers, speed, and having to outsmart them, as well.
The Return of the Living Dead features a group of rowdy rockers as they battle zombies created by military-issued toxic gas. The sequel deals with the aftermath of the first film, while the third goes on its own unique journey as a love story set within that universe.
Want more? Check out: Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis (2005) and Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave (2005)
- #263 of 399 onThe Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
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- #141 of 399 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- 12176 VOTES
Original trilogy: House of 1000 Corpses (2003), The Devil's Rejects (2005), and 3 from Hell (2019)
Rob Zombie's perverse yet highly entertaining trio of splatter pics follows the Firefly family from their humble origins as backwoods trash killers who murder and maim for their roadside attraction to the subject of a nationwide manhunt.
In House of 1000 Corpses, four friends on a road trip go looking for urban legend Dr. Satan, formerly Dr. S. Quentin Quale, a supposed mad surgeon who started a cult after attempting to create his own legion of "super humans." Along the way, the group meets Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig), Otis B. Driftwood (Bill Moseley), and Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie), who have been using the story of Dr. Satan to lure travelers to their roadside attraction in order to add to their menagerie of mutilation.
The Devil's Rejects features the family on a murder spree as they attempt to outrun the law. They don't, which sets up the third film, 3 from Hell, in which the trio escape from prison and make for the southern border.
Want more? Check out: Rob Zombie's Halloween (2007)
- 13131 VOTES
Original trilogy: Psycho (1960), Psycho II (1983), Psycho III (1986)
So, before you judge…
Often overlooked and unappreciated, the Psycho franchise is far more of a tribute to the original film than a mere money grab. With original star Tony Perkins returning in both sequels as Norman Bates, the story continues the character's journey as he grapples with reacclimatizing to the world outside of a psyche ward and, eventually, reuniting with his "mother."
While most people know the first film, not many people know the plot of the sequel, which follows Bates as he adjusts to life on the outside years after that nasty business at the motel. But soon, people in his life begin disappearing one by one as evidence of Mrs. Bates' return becomes clearer.
For the third film, Perkins slid into the director's chair to show what happens to Norman now that dear old mother is back.
Want more? Check out: Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990) and the TV show Bates Motel (AMC)
More Psycho- #9 of 252 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #332 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
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- 14119 VOTES
Original trilogy: Ginger Snaps (2000), Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004), and Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004)
A teen wolf homage that equates the phases of werewolf metamorphosis to puberty is an underappreciated Canadian gem from director John Fawcett. Centered on demented by delightful sister duo Brigitte and Ginger Fitzgerald (Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle), the series follows the siblings after Ginger is bitten by a creature and begins to exhibit bizarre changes in her attitude and appetites.
The sequel Unleashed focuses on Brigitte's transformation and her attempts to combat the inevitable. Starring future She-Hulk star Tatiana Maslany, the sequel is less of a satire on the werewolf genre as it brought gore to the forefront.
The third outing Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning was a prequel that once again focuses on the sisters, but this time dropping them in 1815.
Want more? Check out: Need more femme fatales in your life? Try Jennifer's Body (2009) or The Craft (1996).
- 15106 VOTES
Original trilogy: Re-Animator (1985), Bride of Re-Animator (1990), and Beyond Re-Animator (2003)
Stuart Gordon's over-the-top take on H. P. Lovecraft's "Herbert West: Reanimator" was the perfect blend of outrageous gore and campy horror humor that made the film an instant cult classic. A modern day narcissistic Frankenstein discovers a serum that can reanimate the dead, but with just a few side effects. A fun romp for those with a strong stomach, the Re-Animator films are a must-watch for any and all connoisseurs of the genre, or lovers of alt cinema in general.
In Re-Animator, Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) and his roommate Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott) get into heaps of trouble when West kills his nemesis Dr. Carl Hill (David Gale), re-animates him, and the doctor comes back even worse than he was before.
Bride of Re-Animator takes place eight months later, when West and Cain continue their experiments by building the perfect woman. Hill has returned, as well, but this time, he's just a decapitated head with bat wings, so that's fun. And Beyond Re-Animator takes place in prison, where West has been living for over a decade due to his habit of creating undead zombies. Over the years, he's managed to perfect his serum and is now ready to test it. Again.
A favorite among the midnight movie crowds and horror fans alike, Re-Animator has also spawned a comic book and a musical.
Want more? Check out: Try the other films of director Stuart Gordon like Castle Freak (1995), or if you want more from actor Jeffrey Combs, try From Beyond (1986) or The Frighteners (1996)
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- #253 of 399 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
