Horror franchises are big business. If a movie or a monster does well, they almost always come back for more. In most cases, diminishing returns are a given (especially after a fourth or fifth entry into a series). In a bid to keep a property fresh, writers and directors often expand or add to the existing mythology of the films and characters. Sometimes this works. Other times though, it can stain a perfect film or take away some of the mystery established in the original.
Of course, many sequels also offer up some gems, and occasionally rival or even better the movies they spawned from. The list below boasts several such originals that were since bettered by follow-ups. With all that being said though, these movies also exist beautifully on their own, away from drastic tonal changes, bizarre character choices, and decreasing production values. This list features a host of movies that are perfect standalones, regardless of how good their sequels are.
10 The Howling
Released in the same year as An American Werewolf in London, The Howling is a fast and fun ride through werewolf lore. Packed with horror in-jokes, plenty of gore, and great performances from the likes of Dee Wallace, Dick Miller, and Patrick McNee, it's a more than welcome entry into the ever-expanding world of lycanthropy.
Unfortunately, the sequel didn't live up to expectations in spite of a guest turn from Christopher Lee. More follow-ups ensued, with a whopping eight Howling movies altogether. The original has never been bettered.
9 The Blair Witch Project
The Blair Witch Project might not have invented the "found footage" subgenre, but it certainly propelled it into the mainstream. For a time, some audiences actually thought the movie was real, such was the power of its presentation.
The sequel went down a meta route and eschewed the found footage angle. As with many of the movies on this list, it took away some of the mystery and genuine horror that the first film cleverly built up.
8 Paranormal Activity
Much like The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity gave the found footage subgenre a welcome kick with a simple, chilling movie about ghosts and possession. Of course, its huge popularity spawned a host of prequels and sequels in a bid to cash-in on the latest big thing in horror.
Aside from a massive suspension of disbelief that people would catch so much on their cameras, the sequels also tried to delve deeper into the mythology of the spirits and demons haunting the protagonists. Any of the intrigue that made the first movie so powerful was stripped away.
7 Jaws
Changing the face of blockbuster cinema forever, Jaws was a real force of nature with a simple, terrifying premise: A killer shark attacking the residents of a seaside town. It was packed with memorable characters, iconic quotes, and a whole host of exciting thrills.
The sequels became much sillier as time went on, culminating in the fourth entry: Jaws: The Revenge, in which a shark goes after the Brody family in an act of vengeance. Jaws 2 was a good, if unnecessary sequel though, and garnered decent reviews.
6 The Exorcist
The Exorcist is a story of good vs. evil, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Despite the enclosed spaces, with most of the action taking place in a young girl's bedroom, the stakes feel huge. A truly frightening experience that still resonates today.
The sequels and prequels diminished the impact of the first movie (although The Exorcist III is held in high regard for tackling a different approach). It will be interesting to see where David Gordon Green's legacy trilogy will take the concept.
5 American Psycho
American Psycho is a darkly funny exploration of consumerism and young professional culture. Violent, twisted, and often hilarious, it is elevated further by an inspired performance from Christian Bale. He truly sinks his teeth into the role and relishes every demented line.
With an ending open to interpretation, American Psycho is a perfect standalone movie. The sequel not only insulted the original by killing off Patrick Bateman in the opening scene, but it also went down the teen slasher route in a complete tonal break.
4 Candyman
Much like Leatherface, the Candyman also became something of a cheap slasher in his later movies. The original is a gorgeous exploration of a deadly urban legend, rich in mythology and character complexities. Tony Todd's villain of the title was a tragic figure, and the characters that populated Cabrini-Green felt real.
Candyman 3: Day of the Dead was a particularly poor entry in the series, and a planned sequel was quickly canceled. Fortunately, Nia DeCosta's 2021 sequel was a return to form, bringing back the mystery and depth of the original, while exploring its timely themes.
3 A Nightmare On Elm Street
As with villains in most long-running horror franchises, A Nightmare on Elm Street's Freddy Krueger became something of an icon by the late 80s. He appeared in music videos, games, and comedy sketches – a figure of fun rather than a demon of fear.
But in the first entry in the series, he is just a deformed man who stalks your dreams. Haunting, mysterious, and cruel. A Nightmare on Elm Street terrified a generation, and for a time, Freddy's name alone was enough to evoke nightmares. Part 3: Dream Warriors is another strong entry in the franchise though, just before Freddy became a popstar.
2 Halloween
Many long-running series have their ups and downs, and Halloween is no exception. Some of its sequels are excellent, in particular the left-field Season of the Witch and the recent legacy trilogy. Some of the other entries tried too hard to turn the main antagonist, Michael Myers, into something other than the force of nature established in the original.
Halloween is extremely simple and scary in its straightforward realism. Michael Myers is nothing more than a moving shape, unknowable and completely emotionless. When he vanishes at the end, the audience has no idea where he might turn up next.
1 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a grueling horror movie that was steeped in grime and grit. The Sawyer family was strange but all-too real, and the atmosphere of the film was one of unending dread. The first sequel marked a huge tonal change but remains an absolute classic in its own right. Unfortunately though, from Part 3 onwards, things began to slide.
Later sequels either put too much emphasis on Leatherface, trying to turn him into a Jason Voorhees-type character (eschewing the mystery and complexity of his early appearances) or just trying to retread old ground, rehashing what had gone before.