scorecard7 horror franchises that need to die already, from 'Halloween' to 'The Conjuring'
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7 horror franchises that need to die already, from 'Halloween' to 'The Conjuring'

Debanjali Bose   

7 horror franchises that need to die already, from 'Halloween' to 'The Conjuring'
Vera Farmiga in "The Conjuring."New Line Cinema
  • Horror franchises have introduced iconic villains like Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers.
  • In many instances, they have also dragged on longer than they needed to due to their popularity.

The first "The Conjuring" film had all the components for a good horror movie - a family moves into an isolated, run-down family home with a dark past - and left most viewers impressed.

The first "The Conjuring" film had all the components for a good horror movie - a family moves into an isolated, run-down family home with a dark past - and left most viewers impressed.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga.      Warner Bros.

However, "Annabelle," released a year later and about a demonic doll, was a weak follow-up. And every movie since (except for "Conjuring 2") has been a disappointment.

However, "Annabelle," released a year later and about a demonic doll, was a weak follow-up. And every movie since (except for "Conjuring 2") has been a disappointment.
Annabelle.      New Line Cinema

No other sequel in the franchise has been able to capture the genuine bone-chilling horror of "Conjuring" and "Conjuring 2," mostly because of weak plotlines and not-scary supernatural elements.

No other sequel in the franchise has been able to capture the genuine bone-chilling horror of "Conjuring" and "Conjuring 2," mostly because of weak plotlines and not-scary supernatural elements.
"The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It."      Warner Bros.

"Insidious" started its own franchise in 2010 much like "Conjuring." It followed a family that moves into a new home before their son slips into an inexplicable coma.

"Insidious" started its own franchise in 2010 much like "Conjuring." It followed a family that moves into a new home before their son slips into an inexplicable coma.
Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson play parents of a possessed son in "Insidious."      FilmDistrict

Unlike "The Conjuring," "Insidious" had a more promising plot (the comatose son enters a different realm through astral projection) that made sense in a sequel.

Unlike "The Conjuring," "Insidious" had a more promising plot (the comatose son enters a different realm through astral projection) that made sense in a sequel.
The third "Insidious" movie.      Youtube/Focus Features

"Chapter 2" retains some of the suspense of the first movie. But the fourth installment, "Insidious: The Last Key" is mostly just mediocre jump scares with a lackluster plot.

"Chapter 2" retains some of the suspense of the first movie. But the fourth installment, "Insidious: The Last Key" is mostly just mediocre jump scares with a lackluster plot.
Josh with the Lipstick-Face Demon.      Blumhouse Productions

The very first "Halloween" movie will always be iconic for introducing one of the most dreaded horror movie villains of all time - Michael Myers.

The very first "Halloween" movie will always be iconic for introducing one of the most dreaded horror movie villains of all time - Michael Myers.
Michael Myers in "Halloween" (1978).      Compass International Productions

Unfortunately for everyone around him, including the viewers, Michael refuses to die. So "Halloween Kills," the latest movie in the franchise, ended the exact same way as "Halloween" did in 1978.

Unfortunately for everyone around him, including the viewers, Michael refuses to die. So "Halloween Kills," the latest movie in the franchise, ended the exact same way as "Halloween" did in 1978.
Michael watching Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) in 1978.      Compass International Productions

At the end of "Halloween Kills," Michael gets up after being punched, stabbed, shot, and set on fire. His ability to constantly bounce back even after 40 years has made the franchise incredibly predictable and boring.

At the end of "Halloween Kills," Michael gets up after being punched, stabbed, shot, and set on fire. His ability to constantly bounce back even after 40 years has made the franchise incredibly predictable and boring.
Michael is back in "Halloween Kills."      Universal

Much like "Halloween," "The Purge" has followed roughly the same format for most of the films in the franchise - one day a year, all crimes are legal for 12 hours.

Much like "Halloween," "The Purge" has followed roughly the same format for most of the films in the franchise - one day a year, all crimes are legal for 12 hours.
"Purge."      Universal

Also like most franchises included in this list, the series started strong with the first "Purge" movie (released in 2013) led by solid performances from Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey.

Also like most franchises included in this list, the series started strong with the first "Purge" movie (released in 2013) led by solid performances from Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey.
Ethan Hawke.      Universal

The Purge as a concept works for maybe one or two movies because the viewers know exactly what narrative trajectory the film will follow and can brace themselves.

The Purge as a concept works for maybe one or two movies because the viewers know exactly what narrative trajectory the film will follow and can brace themselves.
Purge participants.      The Purge trailer

The "Purge" movies, except for the first one, also don't exactly have much of a plot - just plenty of action and gore.

The "Purge" movies, except for the first one, also don
"Purge."      USA

In the 20 years since its debut, the "Resident Evil" franchise has been through every iteration imaginable - "Apocalypse," "Extinction," and "Afterlife."

In the 20 years since its debut, the "Resident Evil" franchise has been through every iteration imaginable - "Apocalypse," "Extinction," and "Afterlife."
Milla Jovovich stars in three "Resident Evil" films.      Screen Gems

The sixth movie, misleadingly named "The Final Chapter," implied that the franchise might be coming to an end before a reboot ("Welcome to Raccoon City") was announced in 2017.

The sixth movie, misleadingly named "The Final Chapter," implied that the franchise might be coming to an end before a reboot ("Welcome to Raccoon City") was announced in 2017.
"Resident Evil: Final Chapter."      Ilze Kitshoff/Constantin Film, Sony Pictures

Fans of the original series are, however, unimpressed. Some YouTube users wrote in the comment section of the official trailer that the reboot looked like a "parody."

Fans of the original series are, however, unimpressed. Some YouTube users wrote in the comment section of the official trailer that the reboot looked like a "parody."
"Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City."      Sony

Unlike "Resident Evil," "Friday the 13th" should probably not get a reboot anytime soon after it ended in 2009 with 12 (!) movies under its belt.

Unlike "Resident Evil," "Friday the 13th" should probably not get a reboot anytime soon after it ended in 2009 with 12 (!) movies under its belt.
"Friday the 13th."      Paramount Pictures

If "Halloween" has Michael, "Friday the 13th" had another iconic killer - Jason Voorhees, a machete-yielding monster who wears a hockey mask.

If "Halloween" has Michael, "Friday the 13th" had another iconic killer - Jason Voorhees, a machete-yielding monster who wears a hockey mask.
Brandon performed as a Jason Vorhees during his time at Universal Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights.      Barry King/Getty Images

While Jason is easily one of the most legendary horror movie villains of all time, once the filmmakers decided to send him to space in "Jason X," most fans agreed it was time for Jason to retire.

While Jason is easily one of the most legendary horror movie villains of all time, once the filmmakers decided to send him to space in "Jason X," most fans agreed it was time for Jason to retire.
Jason Vorhees.      Paramount/David Livingston/GettyImages

"Paranormal Activity" is the second-most scary movie using the found-footage format - with the scariest being the 1999 movie "The Blair Witch Project," which pioneered the genre, of course.

"Paranormal Activity" is the second-most scary movie using the found-footage format - with the scariest being the 1999 movie "The Blair Witch Project," which pioneered the genre, of course.
"Paranormal Activity" (2007).      Blumhouse Productions

The main selling point of the film was its simple but terrifying plot: A young couple experiences disturbances around their home and sets up cameras in various spots hoping to find the culprit.

The main selling point of the film was its simple but terrifying plot: A young couple experiences disturbances around their home and sets up cameras in various spots hoping to find the culprit.
"Paranormal Activity."      Paramount / Paranormal Activity trailer

However, it becomes hard to maintain interest after "Paranormal Activity 3" with each sequel introducing confusing, and unnecessary, plot developments.

However, it becomes hard to maintain interest after "Paranormal Activity 3" with each sequel introducing confusing, and unnecessary, plot developments.
"Paranormal Activity."      www.oyster.ignimgs.com

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