Related
It doesn’t take a genius to see the franchise potential of most goodhorrormovie premises.
The most iconic horror movie villains all belong to franchises, be it Michael Myers or Leatherface.
However, turning horror films into franchises isn’t always a good idea.
Some of them receive undeservedly negative reviews, and the same can be said about prequels.
While it’s often a great idea to embellish a backstory with a prequel, it can easily backfire.
However, quite a few horror movie prequels are great and worth watching.
It is significantly better thanAnnabelle, andperhaps the only good film in theAnnabelletrilogy.
Moreover, the return to psychological horror, similar toThe Conjuring, is commendable as well.
Tobin Bell’s charming performance as Jigsaw is the biggest selling point.
Arkasha Stevenson’sThe First Omen, however, proves that there is more potential in the franchise.
However, the prequel filmRed Dragonbrings back the terrifying tone that makes Dr. Lecter an iconic horror movie presence.
It features Mia Goth in a dual role, delivering one ofthe best A24 movie performances ever.
Custom Image by Ana Nieves
She plays both the young final girl and the old woman who becomes the primary antagonist.
However, its prequel is a one-of-a-kind horror movie that expands on the villain’s backstory.
Thehorrorstory is perfectly complemented by the distressing surrealism.
Final Destination 5 follows a group of coworkers who narrowly escape a deadly suspension bridge collapse, thanks to one man’s premonition. Unbeknownst to them, they were never meant to survive, and they must confront their fate while attempting to outwit Death’s relentless pursuit.
Annabelle: Creation is the sequel to the 2014 supernatural horror film centering around the demonic doll. Exploring the origins of Annabelle, Creation sees a family in mourning after their daughter dies tragically in an accident. Several years after the event, the family opens their doors to orphans, who become the targets of the mysterious doll - but the truth of Annabelle may be connected with their dearly departed daughter.
A Quiet Place: Day One is a spin-off of the A Quiet Place franchise conceived by John Krasinski. The film is set at the beginning of the invasion as humanity scrambles to survive, before the events of the original film, with Lupita Nyong’O leading the cast, directed by Michael Sarnoski.
Saw X is set between Saw and Saw II, following John Kramer as he seeks an experimental cancer treatment in Mexico. Discovering a fraudulent operation targeting vulnerable individuals, Kramer resumes his role as the infamous serial killer, using his lethal ingenuity to exact revenge on the con artists.
2012’s Prometheus is the fifth installment in the Alien franchise and was directed by Ridley Scott. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, and Guy Pearce, the film acts as a direct prequel to 1979’s Alien.
The First Omen is a horror film from director Arkasha Stevenson that acts as a prequel to the 1976 film The Omen. The film follows a young woman who goes to Rome to become a nun but begins to question her faith after encountering a terrifying darkness that aims to spawn an evil incarnate.
Red Dragon is the third film starring Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter but acts as a prequel to the award-winning Silence of the Lambs and 2001’s Hannibal. The film is an adaptation of Thomas Harris' 1981 novel Red Dragon and centers on Will Graham (Edward Norton) as he hunts the unhinged serial killer Francis Dolarhyde (Ralph Fiennes).
Pearl, a prequel to the film X, follows the story of a young woman named Pearl residing on a secluded farm during the early 20th century. Directed by Ti West, this psychological horror explores Pearl’s descent into madness, delving into her troubled psyche and the haunting circumstances that surround her. Starring Mia Goth, the film provides a chilling backdrop and a character study of ambition and isolation gone awry.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is a prequel to the television series Twin Peaks, exploring the last seven days of Laura Palmer’s life. Set in the towns of Deer Meadow and Twin Peaks, the film follows FBI Agent Dale Cooper’s investigation into dark visions and the mysterious disappearance of Agent Desmond.
