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:
- The Evil Dead (1981)
- Evil Dead II (1987)
- Army of Darkness (1992)
- Evil Dead (2013)
- Ash vs. Evil Dead (2015-2018)
- Evil Dead Rise (2023)
- 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:
- The Evil Dead (1981)
- Evil Dead II (1987)
- Army of Darkness (1992)
- 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.
The post The Evil Dead Franchise Ranked: Every Movie and Ash vs. Evil Dead appeared first on JoBlo.
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