2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of writer/director Michael Mann’s classic serial killer thriller Manhunter, and Rialto Pictures is celebrating the occasion by bring a “new Mann-approved version designed to enhance the film’s depth, visual clarity, and sound” to theatres. This new version, called Manhunter: The Final Cut, will be reaching theatre screens in the United States on July 24th, with a UK release from StudioCanal following on September 25th.

You can see the trailer for the re-release above, and the film was screened in its restored form at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles last month. No news yet on exactly what was changed, but early reactions on social media say the changes were numerous but relatively small, with no major changes noted. At any rate, hopefully, both versions of the film will be presented when it hits 4K disc later this year because the theatrical cut is perfection (the later director’s cut was notoriously clunky).

What is Manhunter about?

Based on the novel Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, the film has the following synopsis: Will Graham, a former FBI profiler, comes out of retirement to track a vicious serial killer known as the “Tooth Fairy.” To catch him, Graham must risk his sanity by entering the killer’s mind—and seek help from the incarcerated cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecktor, the very monster who nearly killed him years before

William Petersen stars as Will Graham and is joined in the cast by Tom Noonan, Dennis Farina, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, and Stephen Lang, with Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor.

What has been said about The Final Cut?

IndieWire notes that “a new 4K scan of the original 35mm negative (with a few shots from an interpositive) was conformed and digitally restored at L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna. Both the theatrical version and the UHD HDR & SDR video color gradings were performed by Stefan Sonnenfeld at Company 3 in Los Angeles under Mann’s supervision. Sound restoration was done at Audio Mechanics from an original 35mm magnetic 6-track printmaster to release a new 5.1 mix by Luke Schwartzweller at Fox. Technical coordination and deliveries were managed by L’Immagine Ritrovata. The project was supervised by Becca Mann and StudioCanal’s Jean-Pierre Boiget and Delphine Roussel.”

Mann provided the following statement: “Forty years ago — though armed with Thomas Harris’ excellent novel, Red Dragon — its subject matter, the profiling of serial killers, as well as being shocking and raw, was unknown. When adapting, I wanted to make its storytelling deliver audiences into a certain state of threat and emotional engagement. Integral to that was the visualization and use of music with lyrics sometimes working like a libretto. If the picture was left the way it was, it would be interesting, but you’d feel some distance. You’d be observing it somewhat. I’m more interested in its original intent impacting you the same way it may have in 1986 … that is, to bring you into it again in the original way. We have carefully remastered the film to try to evoke that mood and intensity, heightened with audio sourced from the original 5.1 35mm analog masters. This latest iteration is that version of the film with which I’m most satisfied.“

Are you interested in seeing Manhunter: The Final Cut on the big screen? What do you think of Michael Mann tinkering with Manhunter for its 40th anniversary? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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After years of development and a behind-the-scenes shake-up that saw original showrunner Bryan Fuller replaced by Brad Caleb Kane, Crystal Lake is finally becoming a reality. Peacock has released the first teaser trailer for the highly anticipated Friday the 13th prequel series, along with a collection of first-look images featuring Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees, the woman whose grief ultimately launched one of horror’s most iconic franchises.

The eight-episode A24-produced series premieres October 15, and if the teaser is any indication, Crystal Lake is leaning heavily into psychological horror while also unleashing the bloodshed fans expect from the franchise.

Crystal Lake tells Pamela Voorhees’ story before the original Friday the 13th

Rather than a retelling of the 1980 classic Friday the 13th, Crystal Lake explores what happened before the events of that film. The teaser indicates that the story picks up one year after the drowning of Jason Voorhees – which should mean that it takes place in 1958, but the show took the artistic liberty of shifting the setting forward into the ’70s “to touch on all the pop-culture artifacts that were tangential to the America from which these movies were born.“

Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane says the series examines Pamela’s emotional collapse after the loss of her son Jason, gradually building toward the events that horror fans already know.

“We wanted to dive into Pam’s psychology. We wanted to see her unraveling. … We wanted to see her relationship with Jason and what his death kicks off in her — her trying to find some sort of equilibrium in her life after the thing that ostensibly she lives for, her son, was taken away from her, and how all the people around her and the circumstances surrounding her make that impossible to do. So it’s really a character piece.”

Linda Cardellini says Pamela Voorhees was unlike any other role she has played

Cardellini admitted she was surprised to be approached for the series, since this is different from anything else she has ever done. Still, she was intrigued, because she is a horror fan – and because Pamela Voorhees has remained one of the franchise’s biggest mysteries, despite launching the entire saga.

“She’s an important piece of the puzzle, but a relatively unknown one.”

She also joked that returning to horror after 2019’s The Curse of La Llorona reminded her just how physically exhausting the genre can be, thanks to long nights of filming, practical effects, and getting covered in fake blood.

Although this is clearly an origin story, Kane has assured fans that Crystal Lake is still “100 percent” a slasher series at heart.

Crystal Lake release date and cast

Premieres: October 15
Streaming: Peacock
Studio: A24
Showrunner: Brad Caleb Kane

Cast includes:

• Linda Cardellini
• Callum Vinson
• William Catlett
• Devin Kessler
• Cameron Scoggins
• Nick Cordileone

Why Friday the 13th fans should be excited

Between the eerie teaser and Linda Cardellini’s transformation into Pamela Voorhees in the first official images of the character, Peacock has finally given horror fans a substantial look at what has become one of the most anticipated genre shows of the year. After years of legal complications left the franchise largely dormant, Crystal Lake aims to expand the mythology by telling the story that began long before Jason ever picked up a machete.

Watch the teaser trailer above, browse through the new images, and let us know what you think of Linda Cardellini’s Pamela Voorhees in the comments below.

The post Crystal Lake images and teaser trailer reveal Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees in Friday the 13th prequel series appeared first on JoBlo.

The moment many fans have been waiting years for has finally arrived, as it looks like Freddy Krueger may soon be returning to our dreams. Paramount Pictures has announced that it has acquired U.S. theatrical rights to develop a new A Nightmare on Elm Street movie based on Wes Craven’s original screenplay.

The project will be the first feature film for Paramount Primal, the studio’s newly named genre label led by producers J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules. While plot details remain under wraps, Paramount says the untitled movie will be set within the world of A Nightmare on Elm Street and is considered a priority development project for the new label.

The rights were licensed from the Wes Craven estate, which includes Iya Labunka and Jonathan Craven. Iya Labunka, Marc Toberoff, and Jonathan Craven will produce the new film, while J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules will executive produce for Paramount Primal.

Wes Craven’s Original Vision Returns

The announcement reveals that the film will be based on Wes Craven’s original screenplay. Craven created A Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984, introducing audiences to Freddy Krueger, one of the most iconic villains in horror history. The character’s ability to attack victims through their dreams helped redefine the slasher genre and turned Freddy into a pop culture phenomenon.

The franchise eventually expanded into multiple sequels, the crossover film Freddy vs. Jason, a 2010 remake, television projects, comic books, and video games. However, this new project marks an opportunity to revisit Craven’s original ideas while introducing the nightmare world to a new generation.

Paramount Primal’s First Major Project

The new A Nightmare on Elm Street movie will serve as the first project from Paramount Primal, a genre-focused label designed to produce smartly budgeted films across horror, comedy, action, and grounded science fiction. The label is led by J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules, whose producing credits include:

• Barbarian
• Weapons
• Companion
• Friendship

The duo has become known for backing ambitious genre projects with strong filmmaker voices.

Wes Craven Estate Excited for the Next Chapter

In a statement, Iya Labunka expressed excitement about partnering with Paramount Primal and continuing Wes Craven’s legacy.

“Jonathan and I are so excited to be partnering with J.D. and Rafi along with the terrific team they’ve assembled at Paramount Primal. We look forward to bringing the world of Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street to a new and completely engaged generation of fans.”

Labunka added that Craven would have been thrilled to see horror’s continued rise in popularity and cultural influence.

Paramount Primal Wants to “Welcome Freddy Home”

J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules also shared their enthusiasm for the project, saying:

“We can’t remember a time before we were fans of Wes Craven. The fact that Iya and Jonathan have entrusted us with this opportunity to help usher a new story into this world is an honor beyond words.”

They added,

“We look forward to working alongside them to bring a terrifying new nightmare to audiences everywhere—and to welcome Freddy home.”

What We Know About the New A Nightmare on Elm Street Movie

Title: Untitled A Nightmare on Elm Street project
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Genre Label: Paramount Primal
Based On: Wes Craven’s original screenplay
Release Date: Not announced
Director: Not announced
Cast: Not announced
Plot Details: Currently unknown

FAQ

Is a new A Nightmare on Elm Street movie happening?

Yes. Paramount Pictures is developing a new A Nightmare on Elm Street movie based on Wes Craven’s original screenplay.

Will Freddy Krueger appear in the new movie?

The project is set in the world of A Nightmare on Elm Street, but Paramount has not yet revealed specific plot details or confirmed Freddy Krueger’s involvement… but since this is based on Craven’s original script, we can be fairly certain that Freddy is returning.

Who owns the rights to A Nightmare on Elm Street?

The Wes Craven estate controls the rights involved in this new project, with Paramount licensing U.S. theatrical rights for the upcoming adaptation.

Who is producing the new Nightmare on Elm Street movie?

Iya Labunka, Marc Toberoff, and Jonathan Craven are producing the film. J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules will executive produce.

What is Paramount Primal?

Paramount Primal is Paramount Pictures’ genre-focused label dedicated to producing smartly budgeted movies across horror, comedy, action, and science fiction.

When will the new A Nightmare on Elm Street movie be released?

No release date has been announced.

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Another legend has passed away, with the sad news being revealed this morning that the great Sam Neill has died at the age of 78. Best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park films, Neill’s family confirmed the heartbreaking news on the actor’s Instagram page, writing, “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.”

Neill had battled cancer in recent years but had been declared cancer-free, making his passing all the more unexpected. His family added, “The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care. More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”

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Neill’s career—even outside the Jurassic Park films—was legendary. Born in Ireland but having moved to New Zealand at a young age, he first rose to fame in Roger Donaldson’s Kiwi classic Sleeping Dogs before appearing in Gillian Armstrong’s My Brilliant Career shortly afterward. The film became widely seen in the U.S. and Europe, paving his way to international stardom. He went on to star as the adult Damien Thorn in Omen III: The Final Conflict, as well as Andrzej Żuławski’s classic Possession. His success in the TV miniseries Reilly: Ace of Spies led to a screen test for James Bond around the time of The Living Daylights, but he truly hit his stride a few years later with roles in Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October, The Piano, and Memoirs of an Invisible Man, which paved the way for him to be cast in Jurassic Park. He would reprise his role as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion. He also delivered memorable performances in the horror classics Event Horizon and John Carpenter’s In the Mouth of Madness. More recently, he played the antagonist in the first two seasons of Peaky Blinders, starred in Netflix’s Untamed, and was also slated to appear in Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, which may ultimately prove to be his final role.

We here at JoBlo wish to express our deepest condolences to Sam Neill’s friends and family. He was an incredible actor and leading man who made everything he appeared in better, and he will be greatly missed.

The post Sam Neill, the legendary star of Jurassic Park, has died appeared first on JoBlo.

Tyler

Can we please stop with the shark movies?

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love shark movies, as they always hit a certain level of dumb fun. I will randomly throw on Deep Blue Sea or Jaws: The Revenge to have a good time. There’s just the right level of campiness, humor, and violence to really hit that entertainment sweet spot. Yet, we’ve still only just gotten the one good one (do I even need to say its name?).  And that was over 50 years ago! It’s simply not a sub-genre that is to be taken seriously. Which is where the main problem lies.

It feels like every other month, we’re getting a new shark movie. Under Paris. Deep Water. Thrash. Chum. And it’s not like any of them are particularly good. But their biggest sin is the fact that they end up taking themselves so seriously that they don’t seem to understand fun. Under Paris is about sharks invading a flooded Paris during a triathlon. That’s absurd! Yet the movie tries to make points about environmentalism and just comes across as corny. Thrash is simply Crawl with Sharks, only without the whimsical tone or likable characters. Yet even more keep on coming!

It feels like every other week, I’m getting some email about a new shark film, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. It doesn’t help that they all look like the same kind of films we’ve seen time and time again. We’ve got Kathryn Newton and Lana Condor running into a shark while cave diving in The Devil’s Mouth. Then there’s Antonio Banderas as a cartel leader, in a film that looks oddly like 47 Meters Down, with Above & Below. And the more I think about it, Devil’s Mouth has a very similar plot to 47 Meters Down: Uncaged. It’s all the same bullshit, each and every time. Shark stories are so limited, and it feels like we’ve done them all.

What I find so fascinating about these shark films is that it’s getting increasingly more difficult to get a film funded these days, and it’s certainly not cheap to do something with sharks. And when they do go cheap, it ends up meaning the FX are worse, which just makes the movie worse. It’s all diminishing returns. That hasn’t stopped them from being pumped out faster than any other subgenre these days. Hell, I feel like I see less slashers than I do shark films, which is insanity. Those can be made for peanuts!

And the shark mayhem doesn’t seem to be ending either.  Under Paris 2 is currently filming and is being directed by Alexandre Aja, and a Thrash 2 is very likely after the first film’s success on Netflix. Hell, even The Black Demon got a sequel that releases next year! But it’s not like they’re all having success, as Deep Water and Chum both bombed at the box office. And when so many are being released, it’s less likely for all of them to find success. The market is just too flooded.

I’m simply warn out. I can’t watch another movie where a poorly rendered shark takes out some one-dimensional character who can’t act their way out of a paper bag. Last year’s Dangerous Animals felt like we were finally getting a new kind of shark film. One that was well-made and treated the sharks in a more realistic light. Instead, we’ve reverted back to the early 2000s, and SyFy Originals are simply being replaced with Netflix Originals.

Are you as sick of shark films as I am? Are there any good ones I’m overlooking? Let us know in the comments!

Related

Awesome Art honors legendary summer blockbusters from Jaws to Top Gun

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Chris

This weekend sees the release of Evil Dead Burn, the sixth movie in the Evil Dead franchise. What began as a micro-budget movie shot by Sam Raimi with a bunch of friends has turned into one of the longest-lasting horror franchises, and despite Burn‘s weaker-than-expected box office take, it’s still going strong, with Evil Dead Wrath due in 2028. Yesterday, we posted our rankings of the entire series, including the spin-off series Ash vs Evil Dead, but now we want to know what YOU think!

The Evil Dead was a true grassroots, word-of-mouth hit. Completed in 1981, what arguably made its reputation was that, in 1982, it was allowed to screen out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where none other than Stephen King happened to be in attendance. He loved it, and his enthusiastic review became a huge part of the film’s marketing when it hit theaters in 1983. Yet, its $2.4 million gross—which was still impressive for a movie that only cost $375,000—was relatively modest in the U.S. Overseas, however, it was an unexpected blockbuster, earning $27 million. While generally considered the better movie overall, the sequel, Evil Dead 2, made only a fraction of that amount, but it was seen by the right people, allowing Raimi to break through with mainstream films like Darkman. As such, his follow-up, Army of Darkness, had a healthy budget, although fans noticed it was more of a comedic adventure movie with horror elements than a full-on horror film. Yet, it was the movie that made Bruce Campbell’s Ash Williams an icon.

In the years since Army of Darkness came out in 1993, the franchise has gone through some interesting reinventions. The first film was remade in 2013, and it was surprisingly well received, but it didn’t become a franchise. Instead, the TV sequel Ash vs Evil Dead happened, allowing Campbell to reprise his classic role for three seasons. Then, Campbell and Raimi opted to produce an Evil Dead sequel—albeit one not featuring Ash—called Evil Dead Rise, which became a major hit and launched a whole new era for the franchise. But everyone has their favorites, so now it’s your turn to let us know yours. For me, I’d say it’s got to be Army of Darkness, but I have a feeling this poll will be pretty tight between the first two films.

Here’s the poll:

The post Poll: What’s the Best Evil Dead Movie? appeared first on JoBlo.

Cody

Few horror franchises have reinvented themselves as successfully as The Evil Dead. What began as Sam Raimi’s down-and-dirty independent horror film evolved into a horror comedy phenomenon, spawned sequels, a television series, and acclaimed revivals and reinventions. Whether you’re looking for the scariest Deadite nightmare or the funniest adventure starring Ash Williams, here’s our ranking of every entry in the franchise, including Ash vs. Evil Dead.

The Evil Dead Franchise at a Glance

• Original Ash Williams Saga: The Evil Dead – Evil Dead II – Army of Darkness – Ash vs. Evil Dead
• Modern Revival Line: Evil Dead (2013) – Evil Dead Rise – Evil Dead Burn
• Shared Mythology: All stories revolve around the Book of the Dead and the Deadites.

7. EVIL DEAD RISE (2023)

After the success of the 2013 Evil Dead and the end of Ash vs. Evil Dead, Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert continued expanding the franchise by giving another up-and-coming filmmaker the opportunity to tell a standalone story. Impressed by Lee Cronin’s debut feature The Hole in the Ground, they hired him to write and direct Evil Dead Rise, shifting the action from an isolated cabin to a rundown Los Angeles apartment building. The film became the highest-grossing entry in the franchise, earning widespread praise from critics and audiences while proving the Evil Dead series could thrive even without Ash Williams.

When guitar technician Beth visits her sister Ellie, an earthquake uncovers a hidden chamber beneath Ellie’s apartment building containing one of the mysterious Books of the Dead and a set of phonograph records. After Ellie’s son Danny plays recordings of ancient incantations, the Deadites are unleashed, possessing Ellie and turning the apartment complex into a nightmarish battleground. As the evil spreads, Beth must protect her sister’s children while confronting grotesque supernatural threats.

I know I’m in the minority on this one, but Evil Dead Rise simply doesn’t work for me. While I appreciate the attempt to move the series into a new setting and the film certainly has some memorable ideas, I find the extremely dark cinematography to be irritating, making it difficult to appreciate what’s happening on screen. The story goes through the Evil Dead motions but fails to keep me engaged, and the climactic Marauder creature feels more silly than satisfying because, instead of making the Deadites more dangerous, it actually makes them easier to defeat. The movie was a commercial success and has earned plenty of fans, but despite multiple viewings, it’s the only entry in the franchise that I don’t enjoy revisiting. The sequel I didn’t like wound up being the biggest hit in a franchise I love.

6. EVIL DEAD BURN (2026)

Before the release of Evil Dead Rise, franchise rights holders Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert let it be known that they were already looking forward to producing more entries in the series, with Campbell revealing they were hoping to make a new sequel or spin-off every two or three years. They proved their commitment to this idea by quickly hiring Sébastien Vaniček, who made his feature debut with the horror film Vermin (Infested), to write and direct Evil Dead Burn. Rather than simply repeating what came before, Vaniček crafted a new nightmare that returns the franchise to its isolated-location roots while connecting more directly to the mythology established in Raimi’s original films.

After the death of her husband, Alice joins his estranged family at their secluded vacation home, unaware that the property holds a terrifying secret connected to an ancient evil. When the Deadites are unleashed, the dysfunctional family finds itself trapped in a brutal fight for survival as grief, resentment, and old wounds collide with a supernatural force determined to destroy them. As the carnage escalates, Alice must become the unlikely survivor of another Evil Dead nightmare.

Evil Dead Burn doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it doesn’t need to. It understands exactly what makes these movies work and pushes those elements to new extremes. Vaniček delivers an intensely grim and relentlessly violent entry filled with incredible practical effects, inventive kills, and an atmosphere of constant dread. While the original trilogy balanced horror and comedy in unique ways, Burn embraces a darker approach, proving the series can continue evolving while still honoring its roots. With memorable characters, shocking gore, and a direct connection to the mythology fans love, this is another strong chapter in one of horror’s most consistently entertaining franchises.

5. EVIL DEAD (2013)

After years of discussing the possibility of a new Evil Dead, Sam Raimi returned to the franchise as producer and helped hand the reins to director Fede Álvarez, whose short film Panic Attack! impressed Raimi with its ambitious visual effects. Designed as a fresh take on the original concept rather than a direct remake, the film gave a new generation of filmmakers the chance to explore the world of the Book of the Dead with a larger budget and modern effects. Álvarez co-wrote the screenplay with Rodo Sayagues, with an uncredited polish from Diablo Cody, creating a darker and more grounded version of the cabin-in-the-woods nightmare.

Five young people travel to a remote cabin to help Mia overcome her heroin addiction, unaware that the abandoned location contains the Book of the Dead and recordings that can unleash demonic forces. After one of them reads from the ancient text, the group begins falling victim to possession and horrific attacks. As the Deadites claim the members of the group one by one, Mia must fight to survive and confront both the supernatural evil surrounding her and her own personal demons.

While Evil Dead (2013) doesn’t reach the heights of Sam Raimi’s original trilogy, it succeeds as an incredibly brutal and bloody horror experience. The story and Deadites never quite match the creativity or personality of the earlier films (the Deadites are too chill, reminiscent of the average shambling flesh-eating ghoul but without the appetite), but Fede Álvarez delivers some punishing brutality and unforgettable gore, pushing the franchise into a far more intense and visceral direction. With gallons of blood, shocking practical effects, and a willingness to go places few mainstream horror films would, this version of Evil Dead is a savage nightmare that earns respect even if it doesn’t inspire the same affection as Raimi’s films.

4. ASH VS. EVIL DEAD (2015-2018)

After more than two decades of fans asking for another Evil Dead sequel, Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and producer Rob Tapert finally brought Ash Williams back not in a movie, but in the Starz series Ash vs. Evil Dead. Set approximately 30 years after the original trilogy, the show reunited Raimi and Campbell with the character that launched their careers, expanding the franchise with a larger story, new characters, and a return to the mix of horror, comedy, and nauseating gore that made the films beloved. The series premiered with Raimi directing the first episode and immediately proved that Ash’s time away had not diminished his appeal.

Now older, heavier, and still a reckless loudmouth, Ash accidentally unleashes the Deadites once again after reading from the Book of the Dead while trying to impress a woman. Forced back into action, he reluctantly accepts his destiny as the hero known as El Jefe and sets out to stop the evil he has unleashed. Along the way, he teams up with his loyal co-worker Pablo Simon Bolivar, the tough and skeptical Kelly Maxwell, and eventually even the teenage daughter he didn’t know existed, creating a new group of Deadite fighters while Ash attempts to prevent another supernatural apocalypse. The series also expands the mythology through Ruby Knowby, played by Lucy Lawless, whose connection to the Book of the Dead creates a new threat unlike anything Ash had faced before.

Ash vs. Evil Dead was exactly what fans had been hoping for: a true continuation of the original franchise that allowed Bruce Campbell to return to the role of Ash Williams in all his arrogant, ridiculous glory. Campbell is amazing, bringing the same physical comedy and sarcastic charm that made Ash an icon, while Raimi’s influence helps the series feel like a natural extension of the movies. The show hit some bumps along the way, but it delivers plenty of memorable Deadites, creative gore, hilarious moments, and genuine affection for the franchise. Seeing Ash back in action after all those years was a joy, and Ash vs. Evil Dead stands as one of the best horror TV shows ever made.

3. ARMY OF DARKNESS (1992)

Army of Darkness expanded the Evil Dead series in every possible way, transforming the franchise from a claustrophobic horror story into a medieval fantasy adventure with horror elements. Director Sam Raimi co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Ivan Raimi, creating a much larger-scale story that sent Ash Williams back to 1300 A.D. after the events of Evil Dead II. With a bigger budget, elaborate sets, and an army of stop-motion skeleton warriors inspired by the work of Ray Harryhausen, the film became a very different kind of Evil Dead experience while still maintaining Raimi’s visual energy and Bruce Campbell’s larger-than-life performance.

After being sucked into a vortex that was meant to rid the forest of the evil forces that tormented him, Ash finds himself stranded in the Middle Ages, where he is captured by Lord Arthur’s knights and thrown into a pit filled with Deadites. Recognized by the wise man as the hero prophesied to defeat the forces of darkness, Ash reluctantly agrees to retrieve the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, the Book of the Dead, before it falls into the hands of his enemies. Armed with his chainsaw hand, a new mechanical replacement, and plenty of attitude, Ash must battle Deadites, his own evil duplicate Bad Ash, and an undead army threatening to destroy the kingdom.

Army of Darkness and I got off to a rocky start. When I first saw it after discovering the Evil Dead films, I was disappointed that it had moved so far away from the terrifying original, embracing a much broader and sillier style of comedy. But over time, repeated viewings helped me appreciate what Raimi and Campbell were doing, and I eventually joined the legion of fans who consider it one of the most entertaining movies ever made. Bruce Campbell is fantastic as Ash fully embraces his role as a wisecracking hero, the visuals are awesome, and the film’s medieval adventure tone makes it unlike anything else in the series. It may not be the scariest Evil Dead movie, but it is an incredibly fun conclusion to one of horror’s greatest trilogies.

2. EVIL DEAD II (1987)

Evil Dead II reunited writer/director Sam Raimi, producer Rob Tapert, and star Bruce Campbell for a bigger-budget follow-up to The Evil Dead. Because the filmmakers couldn’t secure the rights to footage from the original film, they opened the sequel with a newly shot seven-minute recap that simplifies the events of the first movie, a creative compromise that has led some viewers to mistakenly call Evil Dead II a remake. In reality, the film picks up exactly where its predecessor ended, while benefiting from the freedom Raimi gained with a larger production.

After surviving the nightmare at the cabin, Ash Williams is briefly possessed before dawn drives the evil from his body. Trapped in the woods, he endures another night of supernatural torment as the demonic force returns, attacking him with possessed corpses, living objects, and his own severed hand. When the daughter of Professor Knowby (the archaeologist who left the Book of the Dead and recordings of its translated passages in the cabin before Ash arrived) shows up with three companions, the group finds itself battling Deadites while trying to use the book’s remaining pages to banish the evil once and for all. Amid the chaos, Ash fully embraces his destiny as a demon-slaying hero by replacing his missing hand with a chainsaw and uttering the immortal line: “Groovy.”

One of the most purely entertaining films ever made, Evil Dead II takes the traces of dark humor found in the original and runs with them, creating a live-action horror cartoon fueled by Raimi’s love of slapstick and inventive filmmaking. Bruce Campbell delivers one of the great physical performances in horror history, balancing hysterical comedy with relentless punishment as Ash evolves into the iconic hero fans know today. The creature effects, gore, cinematography, and nonstop visual creativity are all outstanding, making this not only one of the greatest horror comedies ever made, but also one of the most endlessly rewatchable entries in the genre. It’s spookshow perfection.

1. THE EVIL DEAD (1981)

The Evil Dead was the feature debut of writer/director Sam Raimi, who was only 20 years old when production began in 1979. Raimi, producer Rob Tapert, and star Bruce Campbell raised the film’s tiny budget through friends, family, and local investors after using the short film Within the Woods to demonstrate the concept. Shot in a remote Tennessee cabin under grueling conditions, the production endured harsh weather, a shrinking crew, and years of post-production before premiering in 1981 and receiving its wider theatrical release in 1983, becoming one of horror’s defining independent success stories.

Five Michigan college students travel to an isolated cabin for a weekend getaway, only to discover the mysterious Book of the Dead and a tape recording containing ancient incantations. When the recording unleashes demonic forces lurking in the surrounding woods, the friends begin falling victim to possession one by one. As the horrors escalate into relentless violence and madness, the unlikely survivor Ash Williams must find the strength to confront the evil consuming everyone around him.

The first and the best. The Evil Dead is still my favorite film in the franchise and the one I revisit the most. It’s the only horror movie that ever truly scared me after I became a fan of the genre, thanks to its atmosphere, unnerving sound design, and the portrayal of the demonic threat. While I eventually came to love the sequels for their blend of horror and comedy, the original remains the franchise’s most troubling nightmare. Years later, learning the story behind its difficult production only deepened my appreciation for what Raimi and his collaborators accomplished, making The Evil Dead not just one of my favorite horror films, but one of the most inspiring independent productions ever made. I would love to see a biopic about the making of this movie.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Evil Dead Franchise

Unlike many horror franchises, Evil Dead does not follow one single continuous storyline. Instead, the series has developed along three different paths while remaining connected through the mythology of the Book of the Dead and the Deadites it unleashes.

The original Ash Williams saga follows Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell’s iconic hero through The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), Army of Darkness (1992), and the television continuation Ash vs. Evil Dead (2015-2018). A separate revival line began with Evil Dead (2013), followed by Evil Dead Rise (2023) and Evil Dead Burn (2026), introducing new characters and new nightmares while expanding the larger Evil Dead universe.

Because the franchise combines direct sequels, standalone stories, and shared mythology, viewers can enjoy each entry individually while also seeing how they all connect through the ancient evil at the center of the series.

How many Evil Dead movies are there?

There are currently seven feature-length Evil Dead films: The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), Army of Darkness (1992), Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise (2023), Evil Dead Burn (2026), and Evil Dead Wrath, which is in post-production and will be released in 2028. The franchise also includes the television series Ash vs. Evil Dead, which ran for three seasons from 2015 to 2018.

What is the correct order to watch the Evil Dead movies?

The simplest way to watch The Evil Dead franchise is in release order:

1. The Evil Dead (1981)
2. Evil Dead II (1987)
3. Army of Darkness (1992)
4. Evil Dead (2013)
5. Ash vs. Evil Dead (2015-2018)
6. Evil Dead Rise (2023)
7. Evil Dead Burn (2026)

However, fans who want to follow Ash Williams’ story specifically can watch Ash vs. Evil Dead immediately after Army of Darkness. The Starz series is a direct continuation of Ash’s adventures from the original trilogy, while Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise, and Evil Dead Burn tell separate stories within the larger Evil Dead universe.

A good Ash-focused viewing order is:

1. The Evil Dead (1981)
2. Evil Dead II (1987)
3. Army of Darkness (1992)
4. Ash vs. Evil Dead (2015-2018)

After that, viewers can explore the standalone films that expand the franchise in different directions.

Is Evil Dead II a remake or a sequel?

Evil Dead II is a sequel that directly continues the story of The Evil Dead. The confusion comes from its opening seven-minute recap, which was filmed as a replacement for footage from the original movie that the filmmakers could not use. After the recap, the movie picks up from the exact moment where The Evil Dead ended, showing what happened after Ash was attacked by the evil force in the woods.

Is Army of Darkness connected to the first two Evil Dead movies?

Yes. Army of Darkness is the third film in the original trilogy and continues directly from the ending of Evil Dead II. After Ash is pulled through a supernatural vortex, he finds himself in medieval England in 1300 A.D., where he must retrieve the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis and battle an army of Deadites.

Does Bruce Campbell appear in every Evil Dead movie?

No. Bruce Campbell is best known for playing Ash Williams in The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, and Ash vs. Evil Dead, but he does not star as Ash in the later standalone films.

Campbell does have a small post-credits cameo in Evil Dead (2013), appearing briefly to say Ash’s iconic catchphrase, “Groovy.” He also remained closely involved with the franchise as a producer alongside Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, helping guide the series’ continuation even when he was no longer playing the lead role.

Is Evil Dead (2013) a remake of the original movie?

Not exactly. Although it shares the same basic premise of young people discovering the Book of the Dead in a cabin, the 2013 Evil Dead is better viewed as a separate story set in the same universe. Director Fede Álvarez created a new group of characters and a different take on the Deadites rather than simply retelling Ash Williams’ story.

Did Ash Williams almost appear in a Freddy vs. Jason sequel?

Yes. Before Ash vs. Evil Dead brought Bruce Campbell back as Ash Williams, New Line Cinema explored the idea of having Ash appear in a sequel to Freddy vs. Jason (2003). The proposed film, often referred to as Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash, would have brought together three iconic horror characters: Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street, Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, and Ash from the Evil Dead franchise. However, the movie never moved forward. Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and producer Rob Tapert ultimately decided that it made more sense to develop their own Evil Dead project rather than have Ash serve as a guest character in another studio’s crossover. Screenwriter Jeff Katz was able to get his story published as a comic book from Dynamite Entertainment and WildStorm.

Although Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash never happened on screen, the idea helped demonstrate that there was still significant fan interest in seeing Ash return. He would, years later, in Ash vs. Evil Dead.

Where does Ash vs. Evil Dead fit in the timeline?

Ash vs. Evil Dead takes place approximately 30 years after Army of Darkness and continues Ash Williams’ story from the original trilogy. The series follows an older Ash who accidentally unleashes the Deadites again and must return to fighting the forces of evil with the help of Pablo Simon Bolivar and Kelly Maxwell.

Is Evil Dead Rise connected to the original trilogy?

Yes, but it is not a direct sequel to Ash’s story. Evil Dead Rise exists within the same larger Evil Dead universe and features the Book of the Dead and the Deadites established in Sam Raimi’s films. Instead of following Ash, the movie introduces a new group of characters battling the ancient evil in a Los Angeles apartment building.

What is the difference between the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis and the Naturom Demonto?

The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis and the Naturom Demonto are two names used for the Book of the Dead in the Evil Dead franchise. In Sam Raimi’s original 1981 film, the ancient book is identified as the Naturom Demonto, a name that appears again in Evil Dead Rise (2023). Later installments, beginning with Evil Dead II, popularized the name Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, which became the term most commonly associated with the franchise’s legendary book.

Despite the different names, both refer to the same type of artifact: an ancient book containing dark passages and incantations capable of summoning the Deadites and unleashing supernatural evil. The changing terminology reflects the franchise’s evolving mythology rather than separate versions of the book.

The series has also established that multiple Books of the Dead exist (there are three volumes), allowing different stories to explore different copies of the text while remaining connected through the same mythology.

Which Evil Dead movie is the scariest?

Most fans consider The Evil Dead (1981) to be the scariest entry because of its unsettling atmosphere, relentless tension, and nightmarish portrayal of the Deadites. The 2013 Evil Dead is also known for its extreme violence and graphic practical effects, while later films lean more heavily into different combinations of horror, humor, and spectacle.

Which Evil Dead movie is the funniest?

Army of Darkness is arguably the most comedic entry, embracing fantasy adventure and Bruce Campbell’s one-liners. However, Evil Dead II is often considered the definitive horror comedy of the franchise because it combines Raimi’s terrifying visual style with slapstick humor and Campbell’s legendary physical performance.

Will Bruce Campbell return as Ash Williams?

Bruce Campbell has said he is finished playing Ash Williams in live-action, with Ash vs. Evil Dead serving as his final performance in the role. However, he has remained open to returning to the character in other formats.

Campbell has expressed interest in providing Ash’s voice for video games and has also been supportive of the possibility of an animated continuation of Ash vs. Evil Dead. While a live-action return seems unlikely, Campbell has made it clear that he still enjoys playing Ash and would be willing to revisit the character in the right medium.

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