Great horror concepts never die, they just lie in wait to be resurrected and terrify us all again. Case in point: Rings, which updates the series to modern times. In other words, it's not a videotape that unleashes an all-consuming evil, but something else. The technology is not as important as the frightening possibility that good may not always conquer evil.
Rings provides new twists in a series that dates back to Ringu (1998), the unnerving Japanese original. That may sound like a long time, but it pales in comparison to other scary series. Let's look back at some of the longest-running horror franchises and remind ourselves why they've proved to be so irresistibly appealing.
Puppet Master (12 films; 1989 - ) [28 years]
They look so cute! Thanks to an ancient Egyptian spell, the puppets all come to life and have different death-dealing devices, the better to kill and maim their enemies. The inherently silly, low-budget concept somehow plays out very well on home video and the puppets become almost endearing in their devotion to a homicidal lifestyle. (Note: trailer below is most definitely NSFW.)
Child's Play (7 films; 1988 - ) [29 years]
In the original movie, Catherine Hicks starred as a widow who bought a doll for her 6-year-old son, not knowing that the doll was possessed by the soul of a serial killer. Directed by Tom Holland, the movie was a horror-thriller that became a box office hit, inspiring a series of sequels that revolved around the evil doll known as Chucky. All the increasingly comic sequels have been written by Don Mancini, who took on the directorial reins as well with the fifth installment. The seventh film in the series is due later this year and promises a return to pure horror.
Hellraiser (10 films; 1987 - ) [30 years]
Clive Barker adapted his novella for the big screen and also made his directorial debut. The result is gobsmacking in its audacious brutality and absolutely spine-tingling for those who have a stomach for such things. The sequels are variable in quality, but we like Hellraiser: Inferno, the directorial debut of Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange). The series as a whole explores the most frightening concepts of hell, which, as it turns out, is different for everybody. The tenth film in the series is due later this year. (Note: clip below is NSFW.)
The Howling (8 films; 1981 - 2011) [30 years]
Joe Dante's snappy original was a smart update on werewolves that also featured a strong woman (Dee Wallace) in the lead and genuinely scary sequences. Unfortunately, the seven sequels that followed have very little to recommend them, trading on the title to justify limp and poorly-made movies. Still, the original remains a verifiable classic with great practical effects by Rob Bottin.
Halloween (10 films; 1978 - 2009) [31 years]
Often imitated but never duplicated, John Halloween's original thriller is incredibly effective on its own terms, pitting a wholesome, determined high school girl against a silent, murderous force. Among the sequels, Halloween III: Season of the Witch stands out as a refreshing and singular attempt to break free from restrictive conventions, while Halloween H20: 20 Years Later effectively wiped the previous three installments from memory. (Watch a NSFW clip below with current Oscar contender Michelle Williams.) After Rob Zombie's two sincere but disastrous attempts to reboot the series, another reboot is on its way.
The Exorcist (5 films; 1973 - 2005) [32 years]
The recent death of author William Peter Blatty reminds us of the lasting power of the original film, which provoked strong audience reactions, whether good or bad. It's still one of the scariest horror movies ever. The first sequel was woefully off-target, but Blatty's own The Exorcist III takes a different path toward evil in a very intriguing manner. The long-awaited prequel was first released in a roundly-hated version helmed by Renny Harlin, prompting the release of Paul Schrader's original version. Neither was successful at recapturing the spirit of the original, but it speaks to the first film's resonance that filmmakers keep trying to do so.
Children of the Corn (10 films; 1984 - ) [33 years]
The premise, based on a short story by Stephen King, sounds a bit loony in the extremes of its religious devotion by children. Something about the idea, though, is primal and utterly frightening. Other movies have tapped into the fearful possibilities of children transformed by evil, but the continuing appeal of the series signals that it stands alone in exploiting that idea to the full. The tenth film in the series is due on DVD later this year.
Friday the 13th (12 films; 1980 - ) [37 years]
Starting off as a blatant attempt to cash in on the success of Halloween, this copycat series found its true villain in Jason Voorhees, who is barely glimpsed in the first movie. (See clip below.) Jason's preternatural ability to kill (mostly) hapless teenage campers, who are often too busy having sex to notice that a serial killer is on the loose, somehow endeared him to a new generation more interested in bloody 'kill scenes' than in logic or genuine thrills. The series reached its peak in the madness of Jason X (also known, unofficially, as "Jason Goes to Space") before Jason faced off against another legendary killer (Freddy vs. Jason) and then received the reboot treatment in 2009. Another reboot is currently in development.
Night of the Living Dead (7 films; 1968 - 2009) [41 years]
A joke quickly turns to terror in George A. Romero's seminal zombie movie, which burst out of its classically framed, black and white format to become a sensation. Unusually, Romero keeps coming back to the series, each time attacking different aspects of modern life and popular culture. Our favorites are the original, the savage sequel Dawn of the Dead and the almost unbearably relevant Land of the Dead.
