By now, everyone has heard the news of The Crow remake. Most fans of the franchise have seen the trailer that sees Bill Skarsgard taking up the role of Eric Draven in this modernized revival of the 90s cult classic. Based on a graphic novel series, in the world of The Crow, those who have died unjustly can be brought back to life for one night by a crow to right the wrongs surrounding their death.

The first movie of the franchise became a beloved piece of cinema. It was the very last performance of Brandon Lee, who brought the character of Eric Draven to life with a near perfect performance. The success warranted a few sequels, which were not loved by all fans. Before the new movie drops, it is important to examine the originals, and see how they rank among each other.

4 The Crow: Wicked Prayer

Feels Less Like a Crow Movie Than All Other Sequels

• Release Date: July 19, 2005
• Runtime: 1hr 39m
• Director: Lance Mungia

The second The Crow movie had big shoes to fill, considering the excellence of the first movie. But for subsequent sequels, the heat had died off considering how distanced they were from the original, and how much they had been putting their own spin on things. This allowed room for experimenting with new ideas and building on the mythos surrounding The Crow, and those that rise from the dead to kill their killers.

This led to Wicked Prayer's unique take, toting the Crow and those that it revived as part of Native American folklore. Jimmy is the resurrected killer of killers in this movie, facing off against a demonic cult, of all things. It had a very different feel from all other movies, in part due to its setting, which lacked the dark grit that the Los Angeles setting brought. The performance of the main villain, played by David Boreanaz, lacked charisma and intimidation. He came off as a rather goofy and unserious villain, despite being a commendable actor. The fault lies mostly with the script, but to say Wicked Prayer is a complete waste of time is too hars. If fans don't think of it as a Crow movie, they may find some enjoyment in its shlocky acting.

3 The Crow: Salvation

Doesn't Capture the Magic of the First

• Release Date: January 23, 2000
• Runtime: 1hr 42m
• Director: Bharat Nalluri

Once more, viewers find themselves embroiled in a plot of vengeance. Alex Corvix is framed for the murder of his girlfriend and sentenced to death, executed by the electric chair to give him a painful and unfair death. The titular crow is here to right the wrong and give Alex a chance to put things right, wreaking revenge on those in the police force that were responsible for Alex's conviction. But, it is unlikely that viewers will give this movie a second chance after their first watch.

Salvation plays things safe by keeping the story similar to Eric's. The difference is that the corrupt police force who the villains here, rather than street thugs. While this subversion is clever and unexpected, the movie outstays its welcome with its runtime, which isn't helped by its mediocre quality. Still, there is some good acting on display, and an enjoyable soundtrack. While it is not the worst Crow, it's not the best either.

2 The Crow 2: City of Angels

A Commendable Sequel Bringing Back a Familiar Character

• Release Date: August 30, 1996
• Runtime: 1hr 24m
• Director: Tim Pope

After the original Crow movie, it was hard to fathom attempting to continue its legacy. Brandon Lee had tragically lost his life on set, and the first movie was of such high quality that approaching a sequel would be a terrifying prospect. Yet, Tim Pope decided to set up a second movie set in the City of Angels, and bring back a character from the first movie: Sarah, all grown up. The return of a star character helps the audience become more invested in the movie, and it doesn't hurt that the movie isn't bad either.

A character by the name of Ashe is returned to life by the crow. With Sarah's help (since she has witnessed such a miracle before), Ashe exacts vengeance on those that killed him. The tone and aesthetic of the movie is suitable dark and grungy. The audience getting to see what happened to Sarah after the events of The Crow is a treat to fans who were wanting more following the first movie. They were tough shoes to fill, and they were never going to overtake that success, but City of Angels is still an enjoyable experience for fans.

1 The Crow

One of the Greatest Movies of All Time

• Release Date: May 13th, 1994
• Runtime: 1hr 42m
• Director: Alex Proyas

Unsurprisingly, the first The Crow movie is the best of all the current movies in the franchise. This was where it all started, delivering stories, themes, and characters from the graphic novels to the big screen in a skillful manner. Eric Draven and his fiance are brutalized by a group of thugs the night before Halloween, resulting in both of their deaths. One year later, a crow brings Eric back to life, so he can avenge himself and Shelley.

This is just a snapshot of all the excellent scenes that make up this movie. Fans learn to care about Eric's crusade through flashbacks that show their loving relationship and how they care for a young neglected girl, Sarah. The costume design sells Eric as a fearful avenger. His white-and-black face makeup and all-black clothing have become one of the most iconic looks in cinema. The film is supplemented with an excellent soundtrack, which may be the best licensed movie soundtrack of all time. Every actor gives the performance of their life to sell the story to their audience. Tragically, this would be Brandon Lee's last role, as he was shot on set with some scenes left to film. However, the passion of the crew pushed this movie past the finish line. This movie is a must-watch for all to experience the near-perfection of this dark and gritty action fantasy flick.