Back for More! The 7 Best Horror Movie Sequels

The rules of effective horror films are hard and fast — until they’re not. Sometimes a sequel is a direct continuation of the gore. Other times, it’s a cut in a new direction.

Whether it’s the second or third or sixth in a series, a strong horror sequel knows how to give new life (and death) to a frightening franchise. Here are our picks for the top 7 sequels in horror! Then, keep reading to hear why.

• Halloween III: Season of the Witch
• A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2
• Evil Dead 2
• Bride of Chucky
• Scream VI
• Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

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Halloween III: Season of the Witch

Occasionally, a sequel can really shake things up. One of the best examples of a sequel like this is Halloween III: Season of the Witch. The previous installments in the Halloween franchise featured Michael Myers, the silent killer who terrorized Laurie Strode. But originally, Halloween creators John Carpenter and Debra Hill had envisioned a series of films exploring different frightening aspects of Halloween night itself.

While the success of Michael Myers shifted the franchise toward him as the focal point, Season of the Witch stands alone as a cult favorite. And you can’t deny that the Silver Shamrock mask jingle isn’t catchy.

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A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

Few slashers can ruin a dream quite like Freddy Krueger. Those claws can reach across reality itself to rip apart any hopes of a peaceful slumber. With Freddy, the nightmare just doesn’t end.

However, this third installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street series, Dream Warriors, delves even deeper into Freddy Krueger lore and amplifies the franchise’s supernatural elements. An adult Nancy Thompson returns along with a squad of teens uniquely equipped to bring Freddy down once and for all. Well, at least until tomorrow night…

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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2

Sometimes the same old thing can get more stale than old meat. And if there’s one thing Leatherface is always on the hunt for, it’s fresh meat.

Audiences were appalled by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and its horrific family of cannibals. TCM2 is directed once again by Tobe Hooper, but it debuted almost a decade after the first. This time around, the horror movie also functions as a black comedy while completely overhauling Leatherface, AKA Bubba Sawyer. Plus, another member of this first family of horror is introduced: Chop Top Sawyer. Anybody up for seconds?

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Evil Dead 2

Sequels are also a chance for main characters to become even more cemented in pop culture. Ash Williams, the central character of the Evil Dead franchise, went through a lot. At the beginning of the first film, he was a meek guy just trying to spend a weekend in the woods. But demonic forces tend to make or break a person’s character.

In Evil Dead 2, Ash continues to step up to the plate, further establishing his place in horror pop culture as an unforgettable leading man. The sequel to Sam Raimi’s smash hit also retools the franchise a bit — especially when Ash receives his iconic chainsaw arm.

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Bride of Chucky

A great horror sequel not only further develops its main character, but also brings dynamic new additions into the fold. One slasher is a menace. But two? Now that’s diabolical.

With Bride of Chucky, the titular Good Guy Doll gone bad meets his match. Chucky’s old flame Tiffany Valentine joins him in semi-lawfully wedded homicide, providing an interesting foil in the Child’s Play franchise. Much like the monster and his doomed love in Bride of Frankenstein, this evil pair of dolls is toxic in the most entertaining ways. ‘Til death do you part, right?

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Scream VI

When a franchise gets as meta as Scream does, every new installment attempts to outdo the last. Building on the meta-narrative from previous Scream sequels, Scream VI fully gives in to the experience. It even introduces another famous horror trope: the child of a notorious villain.

It’s way more fun to go into these movies without knowing too much. But for fans of the Scream series’ sharp wit, rest assured — Scream VI definitely isn’t phoning it in.

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Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

We all know that Friday the 13th is as eternal as Jason Voorhees himself. No matter how many times he gets drowned, shot, and mangled, somehow they both keep coming back for more. Jason has even made his way into outer space!

But there’s something special about this sixth part to the F13 series. The beginning scene, with Jason’s electrifying revival, is a fun nod to Universal Monster movies. In addition, this sequel establishes Jason’s superhuman qualities that allow him to continue chasing campers at a frighteningly calm pace for many more films. Even with a pleasant new name for the camp, this return to Crystal Lake is the perfect excuse to avoid the woods again.

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Never fear — there are hordes of other horror sequels out there. In fact, you could plan entire marathons around most horror franchises!

Well, the suspense is killing us. Which horror sequels are your favorites? Join the conversation with other horror fans over at Sideshow Social Network or at side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!

Stir up the spirits and face the monsters within … Spooktacular has been unleashed once again!

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