So a few weeks ago I sat down and watched the first Nightmare on Elm Street film, after it came up in conversation with Tabby. We watched one a night until we’d seen all 7 of the original series. We’d both seen the films growing up, but this was the first I visited the series as an adult. I’m genuinely surprised that they hold up so well, a lot better than some of the other 1980s horror films.

Freddy is a great villain, and Robert Englund is fantastic in the role. He has a lot of personality that makes him stand out from other villains like Michael Myers and Jason. He brings a lot of humour to the series, the actual idea of being attacked in your dreams is chilling.

I do think as the series goes on they become sillier and sillier, with the 5th entry being the weakest. The way Freddy is brought back each time gets weaker and weaker. It becomes less about making sense and more about the kills and thrills.

Here’s my ranking from worst to best:

Series Ranking

7: The Dream Child (Film 5) – Review: https://ashleymanning.com/2022/07/24/a-nightmare-on-elm-street-5-the-dream-child/

6: The Dream Master (Film 4) – Review: https://ashleymanning.com/2022/07/22/a-nightmare-on-elm-street-4-the-dream-master-film-review/

5: Freddy’s Revenge (Film 2) – Review: https://ashleymanning.com/2022/07/18/a-nightmare-on-elm-street-2-freddys-revenge-film-review/

4: Freddy’s Dead (Film 6) – Review: https://ashleymanning.com/2022/07/26/freddys-dead-the-final-nightmare-film-review/

3: Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (Film 7) – Review: https://ashleymanning.com/2022/07/30/wes-cravens-new-nightmare-film-review/

2: Dream Warriors (Film 3) – Review: https://ashleymanning.com/2022/07/20/a-nightmare-on-elm-street-3-dream-warriors-film-review/

1: The original A Nightmare on Elm Street (Film 1) – Review: https://ashleymanning.com/2022/07/16/a-nightmare-on-elm-street-film-review/

Honestly it’s hard to choose my favourite between 1 and 3. My favourite part of the series is when Freddy makes Phillip into a puppet, using his tendons to turn him into a marionette and lead him to fall from the roof top. It’s really gruesome and the effect is great. I chose the first film as my favourite as it’s the original and without that one the others wouldn’t exist.

I haven’t included the remake as I haven’t seen it since it came out. I have the DVD somewhere in one of the cupboards filled with old DVDs, but haven’t fished it out. I’m sure at some point I will re-watch it. From what I remember it was pretty good, but this re-watching was just the originals.

What’s your favourite entry to the series?

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Ashley