The Evil Dead franchise is a cult classic, and its enduring popularity is a testament to its unique blend of horror and humor. While the franchise has seen its fair share of sequels and reboots, the quality has remained consistently high, with each new installment adding something fresh and exciting to the world of demon-slaying. In this article, I'll take a deep dive into the franchise, ranking the films and exploring the factors that make each one so memorable. From the original film to the latest installment, we'll uncover the secrets behind the franchise's success and the key elements that keep fans coming back for more.
The Evil Dead (1981): A Gross-Out Horror Film
Sam Raimi's original film is a classic in its own right, but it's not the best in the franchise. While it's funny and has some legit scares, it's more of a gross-out horror film than what the franchise became. The film's focus on gruesome kills and special effects makes it a standout, but it's not the perfect balance of horror and humor that the franchise is known for.
Army of Darkness (1993): A Comedy-Driven Sequel
At this point, it's important to reiterate that there is no bad Evil Dead movie. However, Army of Darkness is my personal favorite. The film leans heavily into the comedy roots of the franchise, with Ash Williams going back in time to fight Deadites. Bruce Campbell's electric performance makes it a standout, but it does get away from the horror elements that make Evil Dead so unique. So, by a small margin, we put it in third.
Evil Dead II (1987): The Perfect Evil Dead Movie
Evil Dead II is the perfect Evil Dead movie, and while the others have tried, none have nailed it in quite the same way. Raimi found a perfect balance between gruesome kills and goofy throughlines, creating a sequel that also serves as a refresher of the original film. The special effects are top-notch, and the film's blend of horror and humor is what keeps the franchise alive.
Evil Dead Rise (2023): A New Generation of Evil Dead
Evil Dead Rise feels like a new generation of Evil Dead. With a fresh setting, new characters, and a great sprinkling of devilish humor, it's the first of the films that took things in an exciting, new direction. It's a standout in the franchise, and we think it will continue into the future.
Evil Dead (2013): A Horror-First Reboot
Fede Álvarez's reboot is responsible for the horror-first, humor-second pivot that Evil Dead has taken. While it's still brutal kills and horror-heavy, the fact that it borrows from the original films with the cabin setting helps with the nostalgia. It's a standout in the franchise, and none of what is happening now, including the TV show, would've happened without it.
Evil Dead Burn (2026): A Down-and-Dirty Horror Movie
The most recent installment, Evil Dead Burn, comes in last, not because it's bad. In fact, it's pretty great. It's simply lower than the rest because it's the purest representation of how much Evil Dead has changed since the beginning. Burn is a down-and-dirty, brutal, and gory horror movie with almost no humor. While we think Evil Dead is at its best when it's scary and gross but also funny, Burn is a standout in its own right.
Ash vs. Evil Dead: A TV Series That Deserves Recognition
No Evil Dead-adjacent discussion is complete without a shout-out to Ash vs. Evil Dead, the TV series that ran for three glorious seasons on Starz from 2015 to 2018. The show picked up with Ash Williams 30 years after he thought his Deadite-slaying days had ended, only to discover there are still some ghouls that need chainsawing. Bruce Campbell had a blast playing an older version of his iconic character, and the series leaned into the franchise's more humorous aspects while delivering on the trademark gruesome special effects and expanding its lore in surprising ways.
In conclusion, the Evil Dead franchise is a testament to the power of balance. By combining horror and humor, the franchise has created a world that is both terrifying and entertaining. Each film in the franchise has its own unique strengths, and while some may be more memorable than others, they all contribute to the overall legacy of Evil Dead. As the franchise continues to evolve, we can only expect more exciting and innovative installments that will keep fans coming back for more.
