Much of the horror genre's success has been built on the longevity of its franchises. Its most recognizable characters continue to hold a solid place in the pop culture zeitgeist, even as some are reaching beyond their 40th anniversaries.

Most recently, the Scream franchise released its sixth film to critical praise. Soon, fans will see a return to the world of deadbites with Evil Dead Rise, which is already receiving positive reviews. As some of horror's biggest names continue to survive, Rotten Tomatoes paints a fascinating story of where these franchises rank among each other. Averaging the critics' scores from each movie within these franchises shows that surviving does not always mean thriving.

Updated on October 19, 2023, by Jessie Nguyen:

In 2022, Ti West made a striking impact on the horror industry by releasing two installments in his X trilogy. These films showcased his potential and vision in modern horror, setting the stage for a promising new franchise that may well become a classic. This has piqued the interest of genre enthusiasts, drawing them back to one of the most outstanding horror franchises to date.

15 'Friday the 13th' (1980 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 28%

Friday the 13th's Jason Voorhees has hunted down his victims with a hockey mask and machete since the third entry of the twelve movies encompassing this franchise. Originally debuting in 1980 as a direct competition for Halloween, the character's signature look has become a staple of horror imagery.

Over 29 years, the boy who drowned in Crystal Lake has taken revenge in Manhattan, been turned into a cyborg, and gone one-on-one with another horror mainstay. However, these changes in scenery did not do much for the quality of these movies. Only the original has scored higher than 50% on the Tomatometer. Although he has been on ice since 2009 due to legal disputes, Jason may soon find redemption in a return to the big screen.

14 'Saw' (2004 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 29%

Starting as a short film by director James Wan, the Saw series has engrossed audiences with its inventive traps meant to push the boundaries of one's will to survive. Seeking to rehabilitate those who do not appreciate their lives, the films mainly follow the Jigsaw Killer and the torturous games he puts his victims through.

These gorefests have found no love from critics. The movies are quite derivative of each other and ultimately lean on the shock of their traps to maintain interest. In a time when story and character development are elevated, Saw's one-trick pony does not hold up. Most recently, the tenth installment in the Saw series was released under the title, Saw X, and still keeps up with the hype.

13 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (1974 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 33%

One of the oldest horror franchises, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the playground for the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. Unsuspecting victims happening upon the desolate home of Leatherface are left to encounter his masks of human skin and cannibalistic family.

Although the original is considered a staple of the genre, the eight Texas Chainsaw Massacre films that followed have been ridiculed for their lack of scares. Attempts to infuse new blood by rebranding Leatherface as an anti-hero or delivering more modern plot devices have been panned by critics. As a whole, most just seem ridiculed as inferior rehashes of the original. The 9th film in the series was released in 2022, titled Texas Chainsaw Massacre with critics generally panned the film, but it still easily pleased the loyal audience of the franchise.

12 'Halloween' (1978 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 39%

All it took was a kitchen knife and a William Shatner mask to transform Michael Myers from The Shape into the face of slasher films. The ominous presence of this boogeyman has extended across twelve of the thirteen Halloween films. This legacy is firmly intertwined with that of the final girl Laurie Strode.

As iconic as John Carpenter's original vision was, this series gets lost in the multiple continuities and retellings of its sequels. Different iterations of Michael Myers and his lore have left the story incoherent and inconsequential. Future entries might find critics' cheers from adopting the less is more approach of the original film.

11 'Insidious' (2010 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 47%

Launched in 2010 with the first installment directed by James Wan, the Insidious franchise has become a hallmark of modern horror cinema, captivating audiences with its spine-tingling and supernatural narratives. The Lambert family and their encounters with evil spirits, demons, and astral planes are frequently the focus of the movies.

The concentration on psychological terror, jump scares, and a distinctive portrayal of "The Further," a frightening afterlife, are what distinguish Insidious from other horror films. Moreover, the latest installment in the franchise was released this year, in 2023, titled Insidious: The Red Door which did not live up to the standards set out by its predecessor.

10 'Candyman' (1992 - 2021)

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 48%

The Candyman franchise is a supernatural slasher that centers around the urban legend of the murderous ghost, the Candyman. Coming for those who say his name five times, the Candyman greets his victims with a hook for a hand.

Created by Clive Barker, the Candyman's origins are steeped in Black history and the films carry themes of race and social class. This contemporary approach to the genre drew a positive response for the original and recent remake. The other two entries, however, were marred by overexposed violence and a loss of the cultural subtext.

9 'Predator' (1987 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 48%

The Predator movie franchise, famous for its alien hunters, has been a long-running and exciting part of science fiction and horror. It all began in 1987 with the release of the first film, Predator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The franchise has since expanded to include sequels, crossovers, and even reboots, each with its unique take on the relentless and technologically advanced Predator species.

The franchise's popularity can be credited to its capacity to change and adapt, incorporating aspects of science fiction, horror, and action with an examination of the mythology and background of the Predators themselves. The latest installment of the franchise was released in 2022 under the title, Prey.

8 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%

An inventive take on night terrors, the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise introduced the world to Freddy Krueger. Wielding a bladed glove, Freddy's popularity is entrenched in his exuberant personality and inventive kills.

A villain that can only attack while you are asleep is an intriguing premise. Unfortunately, many of the A Nightmare on Elm Street movies fail to capitalize on their potential. Six of the nine entries fail to achieve a 55% rating from critics, with criticism ranging from bad storytelling to overall bad quality. After a poorly received reboot (14%), this franchise has been left asleep since 2010.

7 'Child's Play' (1988 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 54%

Written as a commentary on the dark side of consumerism, Child's Play has far outgrown that original foundation. Centered around a popular toy that is embedded with the soul of a serial killer, the well-recognized terrifying horror doll Chucky distorts a commonality of childhood innocence.

He has found a wife, had a child, and taken on quite a sense of humor along his journey to regain a human body. Leaning into the absurdity of its premise, future films transitioned from a thriller tone to that of a horror/comedy. This led to more outlandish adventures that more recent entries have attempted to reconcile.

6 'The Conjuring' (2013 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 55%

Based on the extensive case files of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring Universe is the newest to horror stardom. Rather than focus on a singular villain or entity, this series has branched off to tell many tales of deadly hauntings.

The first two Conjuring movies have fared well with critics and the Annabelle movies found critical redemption in its sequels. However, the other films have failed to establish strong narratives or skillful tension-building. Cheap jump scares and paper-thin plots have nothing to show but poor reviews. Furthermore, the franchise's numerous spin-offs featuring the notorious character, The Nun, struggle to maintain the same level of excitement and continuity that was present from the outset.

5 'Alien' (1979 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%

The Alien franchise, launched by Ridley Scott's 1979 masterpiece of the same name, is an iconic and enduring presence in the science fiction and horror genres – many modern movies owe their existence to Alien. The series introduces audiences to the terrifying xenomorphs, extraterrestrial creatures with acid for blood.

The movies examine themes of survival, corporate greed, and the dread of the unknown, all under the leadership of the unstoppable Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver. The franchise has six films in total, spanning from 1979 to 2017 with Alien: Covenant, starring Michael Fassbender, continuing to satisfy both hardcore and new fans.

4 'Hannibal Lecter' (1991 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%

The Hannibal Lecter franchise, centered around the brilliant yet sadistic titular serial killer and cannibalistic psychiatrist, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins, has been a defining force in the psychological thriller and horror genres. Though there was a 1986 film titled Manhunter by Michael Mann, the success of the franchise began with The Silence of the Lambs in 1991, where Hopkins delivered an unforgettable portrayal of the character.

Hannibal's early life and his gruesome confrontations with FBI agents, most notably Clarice Starling, were explored in prequels and sequels to the series, which was later completed by actors Jodie Foster and Julianne Moore. Additionally, the franchise is well-known for its captivating fusion of suspense, fear, and intricate character relationships.

3 'Scream' (1996 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%

When slasher films became a dime a dozen, Wes Craven gave the world Scream. A new breed of slasher, this franchise combines the mystery of a whodunit with a meta-commentary on the tropes that built the subgenre.

Scream broke the slasher rules, which established its ability to maintain a fresh approach across six films. The mystery of a new Ghostface killer with new motivations maintains an interesting story. The meta-commentary never seems to run out, even though the films abide by the structure they mock. When brought together with entertaining casts and an influx of kills, Scream has had only one film below 60% on the Tomatometer. Most recently, Scream 6, the latest installment in the franchise earned an impressive score of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes.

2 'Evil Dead' (1978 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

Exploring the consequences for teens trifling with the Book of the Dead, the Evil Dead franchise has become the standard for blending horror and dark comedy. These movies, led by horror icon Bruce Campbell, have maintained the simple story of Cambell's Ash battling horrific demons.

This franchise has maintained success with the stylized camerawork and profound campiness in which creator Sam Raimi rooted the original. It is difficult for any franchise, let alone one in horror, to claim such high praise across all of its entries as the Evil Dead has. The recently released Evil Dead Rise only improves this score.

1 'X' (2022 - )

Average Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

In 2022, director Ti West made his mark in the horror genre with two films released, X and Pearl, both of which have earned a "Certified Fresh" badge on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside impressive scores. His visionary approach has already solidified his position within the X franchise. The series consists of an original film, a prequel, and a sequel, all of which revolve around the characters Maxine Minx and Pearl, both portrayed by Mia Goth.

The inaugural film, X, garnered critical acclaim and enjoyed substantial box office success. Paying homage to classic slasher movies, it earned a reputation as a horror film classic, leaving a lasting impact and shaping the genre's future. The last installment of the trilogy, MaXXXine, is set to be released sometime next year.

NEXT: The Best Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked