Friday the 13th: Ranking the Films From Best to Worst
Since 1980, the Friday the 13th films have invited us into the woods of Camp Crystal Lake to have a little fun, share some spooky ghost stories around the camp fire, and then die a bloody death. The series' antagonist, Jason Voorhees, a scarred psycho who hides his hideous visage behind an emotionless hockey mask, has become one of the most popular big-screen bogeymen in the history of horror, and few who have ventured into the environs of the campsite where he supposedly drowned as a child have escaped his ruthless machete. Some of the films in the series have been very good...others, not so much. So here they are, the good, the bad, and the abominable: Friday the 13th from Best to Worst.
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- DirectorSean S. CunninghamStarsBetsy PalmerAdrienne KingJeannine TaylorA group of teenage camp counselors attempt to re-open an abandoned summer camp with a tragic past, but they are stalked by a mysterious, relentless killer.Not what the uninitiated might expect from the first entry in the series, but even so, the first is indeed the best. Good suspense, decent acting, and a creepy killer who seems anything but. Adrienne King is a great Final Girl, and the ending is a real shocker.
- DirectorSteve MinerStarsDana KimmellTracie SavageRichard BrookerJason Voorhees stalks a group of friends who have just arrived to spend the weekend at a cabin near Crystal Lake.There are some haters for this particular film, and it's undeniable that the whole 3D thing was a bad idea and there are a few lapses in the script and direction. Even so, there's a lot going for this movie. Jason Voorhees dons his iconic hockey mask for the first time, and the final showdown between the heroine--one of the cutest and most likeable in the whole series--is oustanding.
- DirectorTom McLoughlinStarsThom MathewsJennifer CookeDavid KagenTommy Jarvis exhumes Jason Voorhees to cremate his corpse, but inadvertently brings him back to life instead. The newly revived killer seeks revenge, and Tommy may be the only one who can stop him.Jason goes from psycho to zombie in this one, a change that makes him virtually invulnerable and transforms the killer into something akin to one of the classic Universal monsters. Some good scares and kills and what was, at the time, a novel twist on the series formula. Probably the most visually appealing film in the series as well.
- DirectorAdam MarcusStarsJohn D. LeMayKari KeeganKane HodderSerial killer Jason Voorhees' supernatural origins are revealed.Obviously the title is a cop-out, but the script does provide what could have been real closure to the series. Some fans deride this entry for departing from so many of the series' pet staples, and indeed it does even as it pays tribute to them. The film does give us a Jason who is in some ways very different, but also very frightening and truly evil. The hero and heroine are both likeable and the climax doesn't disappoint.
- DirectorJoseph ZitoStarsErich AndersonJudie AronsonPeter BartonAfter being announced dead and taken to a morgue, Jason Voorhees spontaneously revives, escapes from the hospital, and stalks a group of friends renting a house in the countryside near Crystal Lake.Some fans consider this the best in the series. I can't go along with that, as the script meanders a bit and spends a little too much time trying to be a teen comedy. And of course, there's Corey Feldman. His character, a troubled boy whose encounter with Jason nearly drives him over the deep end, would have worked better with a different child actor. Still, Jason is especially intimidating in this entry, and everything builds to a thrilling climax with a rather shocking conclusion. And of course, Kimberly Beck is to die for!
- DirectorSteve MinerStarsBetsy PalmerAmy SteelJohn FureyFive years after the events of the first film, a summer camp next to the infamous Camp Crystal Lake is preparing to open, but the legend of Jason is weighing heavy on the proceedings.The first sequel to the original classic crystalizes the formula that the series would largely adhere to from then til now. Possibly the best kills in the series, though the movie's concept of Jason is not really the definitive one. Characters are fairly well-developed and likeable, at least for this franchise, and there are plenty of thrills. One of the most memorable final shocks rounds everything out.
- DirectorMarcus NispelStarsJared PadaleckiAmanda RighettiDerek MearsA group of young adults visit a boarded up campsite named Crystal Lake where they soon encounter the mysterious Jason Voorhees and his deadly intentions.Not a sequel, but a reboot that doesn't satisfy everyone. I think there's a lot going for this film. Yes, there is too much "bathroom" humor and things get a little too gratuitous at times, but as a slasher flick it's hard to find serious fault with this entry. The dark atmosphere is grim and haunting, the cast is good, and Jason is a fast, deadly assassin. The extended climax is terrific, and while the ending is a cheap letdown it's not enough to spoil the fun. To say nothing of the fact that this one has some of the most attractive ladies of any of the Friday films, which certainly doesn't hurt. Sets the stage for a re-energized series, if the producers ever get around to the inevitable follow-up.
- DirectorJames IsaacStarsKane HodderLexa DoigJeff GeddisJason Voorhees is cryogenically frozen at the beginning of the 21st century, and is discovered in the 25th century and taken to space. He gets thawed, and begins stalking and killing the crew of the spaceship that's transporting him.What? Jason in space? Well, yeah. Some good comic relief and a script that plays havoc with the expected series conventions makes for a surprisingly entertaining flick. Gets high points for originality and the sci-fi action scenes, while low-budget, are surprisingly well done. Certainly not the definitive entry, but still worth a look for series fans. And Uber-Jason rocks!
- DirectorRob HeddenStarsJensen DaggettKane HodderTodd CaldecottJason Voorhees is accidentally awakened from his watery grave and ends up stalking a ship full of graduating high-school students headed to Manhattan, New York.The series does begin to lose some quality points with this one, though it remains a fun movie that has some good one-liners and adds a few clever touches to Jason's personality (what? Jason has a personality? who knew!). The heroine, a young writer, is quite likeable and some of the supporting characters are surprsingly well fleshed-out in their relationships and shared conflicts. Manhattan really isn't the ideal setting for a Friday film, but most of the story takes place on a boat rather than in the big city. When Jason does clambor ashore, there are a few surprisingly clever moments that take advantage of the unconventional locale. Could have been a total failure, and in hindsight it probably would have been wiser to stick with the usual campground formula, but overall the film works a lot better than it should and remains essential viewing for any Friday the 13th fan.
- DirectorRonny YuStarsRobert EnglundKen KirzingerKelly RowlandFreddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees return to terrorize the teenagers of Elm Street. Only this time, they're out to get each other, too.Popular, but should have been far better. In some ways comes off as more favorable to Freddy and the Nightmare franchise than to the Friday films. There are some fine moments, especially the opening scene and a later shot of a flame-shrouded Jason marching obliviously through a cornfield at night. Speicial effects are good, and what must have been a generous budget creates several memorable moments. Cast is great, and Monica Keena is a terrific heroine. But a weak script that throws Jason and the Friday franchise under the bus too often keeps this one from realizing its potential.
- DirectorJohn Carl BuechlerStarsTerry KiserJennifer BankoJohn OtrinJason Voorhees is accidentally freed from his watery prison by a telekinetic teenager. Now, only she can stop him.AKA "Carrie vs Jason." The heroine, blessed/cursed with telekinesis, is cute but not much of a character, and the rest of the cast fares little better. Our heroine's boyfriend is particularly annoying. Jason gets to shed his hockey mask for much of this one, and the makeup effects are terrific. Not much suspense in this movie though, nor very many good kills. The final showdown is fun, with a lot of eye-popping FX and some good action, but to be honest it's kind of silly at the same time. The conclusion is outrageous and impossible to buy into, even by horror/fantasy standards.
- DirectorDanny SteinmannStarsMelanie KinnamanJohn ShepherdAnthony BarrileStill haunted by his past, Tommy Jarvis, who, as a child, killed Jason Voorhees, is sent to a secluded halfway house in the countryside, where the killing of a young man triggers a brutal series of murders in the area.A letdown on many levels, this one is nearly saved by a fairly good mystery element. Nearly. The rest of the story is poor, and not much happens to ever draw the viewer into the plot. The supporting cast of heroes and victims is glaringly bad, with some of the least interesting and likeable characters from the whole franchise. Some good atmosphere at times and one or two quality scares aren't enough to keep this one from being low man on the totem pole.