The Evil Dead franchise is a horror masterpiece, a testament to the power of reinvention and the enduring appeal of a well-crafted horror-comedy. From its humble beginnings as an independent film to its status as a cultural phenomenon, the franchise has captivated audiences with its unique blend of horror, comedy, and sheer absurdity. Each entry in the series brings something new to the table, whether it's the scariest Deadite nightmare or the funniest adventure starring Ash Williams. Let's dive into the rankings and explore the evolution of this iconic franchise.
The Evil Dead (1981) - The Original and the Best
As the franchise's feature debut, 'The Evil Dead' is still my favorite film in the series 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.
Evil Dead II (1987) - Pure Entertainment at its Finest
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.
Army of Darkness (1992) - A Fun Conclusion to the Original Trilogy
'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. It may not be the scariest Evil Dead movie, but it is an incredibly fun conclusion to one of horror's greatest trilogies.
Ash vs. Evil Dead (2015-2018) - A True Continuation of the Original Franchise
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.
Evil Dead (2013) - A Fresh Take on the Original Concept
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.
Evil Dead Rise (2023) - A Standalone Story with a Fresh Setting
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.
Evil Dead Burn (2026) - A New Nightmare with a Direct Connection to the Mythology
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.
In conclusion, the Evil Dead franchise is a testament to the power of reinvention and the enduring appeal of a well-crafted horror-comedy. Each entry in the series brings something new to the table, whether it's the scariest Deadite nightmare or the funniest adventure starring Ash Williams. From the original and the best to the standalone stories and fresh settings, the franchise continues to evolve while honoring its roots. As Bruce Campbell once said, 'Groovy.'
