Horror franchises are big business. If a movie or a monster does well, theyalmost always come back for more. In most cases, diminishing returns are a given (especially after a fourth or fifth entry into a series). In a bid to keep a property fresh, writers and directors often expand or add to the existing mythology of the films and characters. Sometimes this works. Other times though, it can stain a perfect film or take away some of the mystery established in the original.
RELATED:Underrated Blumhouse Horror Sequels
Of course, many sequels also offer up some gems, and occasionally rival or even better the movies they spawned from. The list below boasts several such originals that were since bettered by follow-ups. With all that being said though, these movies also exist beautifully on their own, away fromdrastic tonal changes, bizarre character choices, and decreasing production values. This list features a host of movies that are perfect standalones, regardless of how good their sequels are.
10The Howling
Released in the same year asAn American Werewolf in London,The Howlingis a fast and fun ride through werewolf lore. Packed with horror in-jokes, plenty of gore, and great performances from the likes of Dee Wallace, Dick Miller, and Patrick McNee, it’s a more than welcome entry into theever-expanding world of lycanthropy.
Unfortunately, the sequel didn’t live up to expectations in spite of a guest turn from Christopher Lee. More follow-ups ensued, with a whopping eightHowlingmovies altogether. The original has never been bettered.
9The Blair Witch Project
The Blair Witch Projectmight not have invented the"found footage" subgenre, but it certainly propelled it into the mainstream. For a time, some audiences actually thought the movie was real, such was the power of its presentation.
RELATED:Horror Subgenres & Their Entry-Level Movies
The sequel went down a meta route and eschewed the found footage angle. As with many of the movies on this list, it took away some of the mystery and genuine horror that the first film cleverly built up.
8Paranormal Activity
Much likeThe Blair Witch Project,Paranormal Activitygave thefound footage subgenrea welcome kick with a simple, chilling movie about ghosts and possession. Of course, its huge popularity spawned a host of prequels and sequels in a bid to cash-in on the latest big thing in horror.
Aside from a massive suspension of disbelief that people would catch so much on their cameras, the sequels also tried to delve deeper into the mythology of the spirits and demons haunting the protagonists. Any of the intrigue that made the first movie so powerful was stripped away.
7Jaws
Changing the face of blockbuster cinema forever,Jawswas a real force of nature with a simple, terrifying premise:A killer sharkattacking the residents of a seaside town. It was packed with memorable characters, iconic quotes, and a whole host of exciting thrills.
The sequels became much sillier as time went on, culminating in the fourth entry:Jaws: The Revenge, in which a shark goes after the Brody family in an act of vengeance.Jaws 2was a good, if unnecessary sequel though, and garnered decent reviews.
6The Exorcist
The Exorcistis a story of good vs. evil, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Despite the enclosed spaces, with most of the action taking place in a young girl’s bedroom, the stakes feel huge. A truly frightening experience that still resonates today.
RELATED:The Exorcist: What The Upcoming Sequel Needs To Do To Succeed
The sequels and prequels diminished the impact of the first movie (althoughTheExorcist IIIis held in high regard for tackling a different approach). It will be interesting to see where David Gordon Green’s legacy trilogy will take the concept.
5American Psycho
American Psychois a darkly funny exploration of consumerism and young professional culture. Violent, twisted, and often hilarious, it is elevated further by aninspired performance from Christian Bale. He truly sinks his teeth into the role and relishes every demented line.
With an ending open to interpretation,American Psychois a perfect standalone movie. The sequel not only insulted the original by killing off Patrick Bateman in the opening scene, but it also went down the teen slasher route in a complete tonal break.
4Candyman
Much like Leatherface, theCandymanalso became something of a cheap slasher in his later movies. The original is a gorgeous exploration of a deadly urban legend, rich in mythology and character complexities. Tony Todd’s villain of the title wasa tragic figure, and the characters that populated Cabrini-Green felt real.
RELATED:Horror Movies That Teased Sequels That Never Happened
Candyman 3: Day of the Deadwas a particularly poor entry in the series, and a planned sequel was quickly canceled. Fortunately, Nia DeCosta’s 2021 sequel was a return to form, bringing back the mystery and depth of the original, whileexploring its timely themes.
3A Nightmare On Elm Street
As with villains in most long-running horror franchises,A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy Krueger became something of an icon by the late 80s. He appeared in music videos, games, and comedy sketches –a figure of funrather than a demon of fear.
But in the first entry in the series, he is just a deformed man who stalks your dreams. Haunting, mysterious, and cruel.A Nightmare on Elm Streetterrified a generation, and for a time, Freddy’s name alone was enough to evoke nightmares.Part 3: Dream Warriorsis another strong entryin the franchise though, just before Freddy became a popstar.
2Halloween
Many long-running series have their ups and downs, andHalloweenis no exception. Some of its sequels are excellent, in particular the left-fieldSeason of the Witchand therecent legacy trilogy. Some of the other entries tried too hard to turn the main antagonist, Michael Myers, into something other than the force of nature established in the original.
Halloweenis extremely simple and scary in its straightforward realism.Michael Myersis nothing more than a moving shape, unknowable and completely emotionless. When he vanishes at the end, the audience has no idea where he might turn up next.
1The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Texas Chainsaw Massacreis a grueling horror movie that was steeped in grime and grit. The Sawyer family was strange but all-too real, and the atmosphere of the film was one of unending dread. The first sequel marked a huge tonal change but remains an absolute classic in its own right. Unfortunately though, from Part 3 onwards, things began to slide.
Later sequels either put too much emphasis on Leatherface, trying to turn him into a Jason Voorhees-type character (eschewingthe mystery and complexityof his early appearances) or just trying to retread old ground, rehashing what had gone before.
