Film|Movies

The Best Horror Movie Franchises Of All Time

Ranker Horror
Updated January 14, 2026 254.5K views 64 items

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12.4Kvoters181.4Kvotes
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Voting Rules
List includes horror franchises/series, including remakes and reboots. Judge the series as a whole.

If there's one genre that truly captivates movie lovers, it's the spine-tingling world of horror. While many of us enjoy huddling under a cozy blanket, nibbling on popcorn, and watching a frightful flick, some of us crave the thrill of multiple scares through franchise horror movies — and Hollywood surely delivers with its sequels. This insatiable desire for terror and suspense is what has kept the best scary movie series thriving for decades. From classic 80s sagas like the Halloween franchise to terrifying nightmares with Freddy Krueger in the A Nightmare on Elm Street series — and of course many recent binge-worthy collections — each new installment quenches our thirst for fear, intensifying the experience exponentially. If you've been searching for the ultimate list of must-see horror franchises, you've come to the right place.

Now, what makes a horror franchise truly great? For the biggest and best titles, it's all about the nail-biting excitement, the relentless chills, and the unforgettable characters that manage to keep our pulses racing even after the credits roll. The best and most popular scary movie trilogies, for example, don't just deliver one dose of horror. Rather, a solid trilogy ramps up the dread factor in each consecutive sequel, a successful strategy leaving us helplessly hooked and clamoring for more. But how can we tell which series are really worth the investment of our valuable time (and nerves)? This is where our robust community of scary movie fans boldly steps in, bravely comparing and ranking these fear-inducing films based on their unique experiences.

As you venture into this comprehensive list of top horror movie franchises, you'll discover a mix of both treasured classics and lesser-known gems that have sent shivers down the spines of movie buffs just like you. Our dedicated and fearless fans have ensured that each entry has been well-reviewed and further ranked based on their horrifying prowess, from best to worst. So, whether you're a fan of the blood-curdling gore, sinister slasher flicks, supernatural hauntings, monster movies, or gut-wrenching psychological terror, there's a famous franchise guaranteed to suit your unique taste for a good scare.

But be warned: This is no ordinary movie listicle. As you delve into the depths of what we consider the best horror franchise offerings, you may find yourself stumbling upon your next nightmare-inducing horror movie series obsession or even rediscovering an old favorite that continues to terrify you to this day. So dim the lights, fortify your popcorn stash, and brace yourself for an extensive, fan-curated collection of the most bone-chilling horror franchises ever to grace the silver screen. You're in for one hauntingly horrifying ride.

Most divisive: Paranormal Activity Franchise
Over 12.4K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Very Best Horror Franchises, Ranked
This list is dynamically ranked based on user voting. The order reflects the consensus of our voters and is not influenced by paid placements or editorial bias.
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