TREИDNG’s Top Five Horror Franchises – My Bloody Favourites

This top five is not based on box office gross, critical acclaim or what Rotten Tomatoes reckons. Nope. This is my personal top five horror franchises of all time. And what qualifies me to make such a list, you ask? Well, let me tell you.

I’ve been watching horror movies since I was about seven years old, when my Nan – bless her wicked little heart – used to walk me and my brother to the local video shop. And here’s the best bit: she’d let us pick any video nasty our little gore-loving hearts desired. No questions asked. One week it was kung fu, the next it was action, but horror? Horror was the real treat. And the scarier, bloodier, and more “should-this-even-be-legal?” the better.

Since then, I’ve seen ‘em all. Slashers, supernatural horrors, psychological mind-benders, and gore fests that would make a butcher faint. So this list is a product of decades of horror obsession, movie marathons, and a love for the genre that’s borderline unhealthy.

We’re going worst-to-best here — starting at number five and working our way up to what I reckon is the greatest horror movie franchise of all time. So grab your popcorn, keep the lights on, and let’s get into it.

5 – Scream

Ghostface simply has to be on the list. Wes Craven, the genius who helped create the slasher formula, came back in the 90s to take the piss out of it in the most glorious way possible. Scream isn’t just another masked killer story — it’s meta, self-aware, and still manages to scare the life out of you.

The set-up is deceptively simple: Sidney Prescott is stalked by a mysterious killer in a Halloween mask, armed with a massive knife and an obsession with horror tropes. The kills are bloody, the pacing is tight, and the humour sneaks up on you like Ghostface himself.

Over the franchise’s six (soon to be seven) entries, the story keeps looping back on itself. Every new Ghostface killer is somehow tied to the events of the original murders, making each twist feel connected rather than tacked on. The franchise also manages to stay surprisingly fresh by updating its commentary for each era — from 90s slasher rules to today’s social media-driven horror landscape.

Trivia & Lore:

The Ghostface mask wasn’t custom-made for the film — it was found in a bargain bin during location scouting.
Drew Barrymore was marketed as the star of the first film, only to be killed in the opening scene — an audacious marketing twist.
Kevin Williamson’s original script was called Scary Movie, which of course later became the name of the parody franchise.

It deserves a spot here for one reason above all: Scream proved horror could be smart, funny, and still scary as hell.

4 – Insidious

The Insidious franchise is proof that modern horror can still deliver the creeps without drowning in clichés. From the opening frames of the first film, James Wan makes it clear this isn’t just another haunted house flick — it’s a journey into a sinister dreamscape known as The Further.

This series makes me jump every damn time. The ghosts and demons aren’t just pop-up gags; they feel like they’re there, lurking in the corners, waiting for you to turn your head. And the way the story arcs link across multiple films — overlapping timelines, recurring characters, little Easter eggs — is genius.

The Lipstick-Face Demon (yeah, the one that looks like Darth Maul’s evil cousin) still makes my skin crawl. And the “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” scene? Utter nightmare fuel.

Trivia & Lore:

The Further is a parallel dimension inspired partly by sleep paralysis hallucinations.
Elise Rainier, played by Lin Shaye, becomes the emotional centre of the series, even appearing in prequels after her character’s death.
James Wan and Leigh Whannell used the same creative partnership here that made Saw a hit.

If Insidious had existed when I was a kid renting tapes with my Nan, I probably wouldn’t have slept for a week. And that’s the highest praise I can give a horror film.

3 – The Conjuring Universe

Another modern masterpiece. The Conjuring isn’t just one franchise — it’s a full-blown cinematic horror universe, based (loosely) on the case files of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. I say “loosely” because, let’s be honest, the “true story” label here is used in the same way a takeaway says “authentic Italian” — it’s inspired by reality, but it’s dialled up to 11.

The main Conjuring films nail the 70s haunted house vibe, mixing dread with jump scares that’ll launch you out of your seat. But it’s the spin-offs — Annabelle, The Nun, The Curse of La Llorona — that give the universe real texture. Creepy dolls, ancient demons, and cursed nuns… it’s a smorgasbord of nightmare fuel.

Trivia & Lore:

The real Annabelle doll is a Raggedy Ann doll locked in the Warrens’ Occult Museum. The films swapped it for a creepier porcelain version.
Director James Wan deliberately avoids using too much CGI, opting for practical effects to enhance realism.
The Nun character was a last-minute addition to The Conjuring 2 after Wan decided the original demon design wasn’t scary enough.

It shits me up every time, and that’s why it’s here.

2 – A Nightmare on Elm Street

Now this… this almost took the top spot. Freddy Krueger is, without a doubt, the greatest horror villain in cinematic history. I don’t care what anyone says. He’s a hideously burned child killer, born from the rape of a nun by “a hundred maniacs” (depending on which sequel you watch). He kills you in your dreams, and he’s funny while doing it. That’s chaos on a Shakespearean level.

Not every Nightmare film is perfect — some are downright bizarre (Dream Child, I’m looking at you) — but Freddy remains consistently brilliant. From his razor-gloved hand to his twisted one-liners, he’s the perfect mix of terrifying and entertaining.

Trivia & Lore:

Wes Craven based Freddy’s character partly on a real-life case of a boy who died in his sleep after experiencing recurring nightmares.
Robert Englund played Freddy in every film except the 2010 remake, which starred Jackie Earle Haley.
The first film was Johnny Depp’s debut role — and yes, he gets one of the most iconic deaths in horror history.

Freddy might not always make sense plot-wise, but when your villain is this good, you don’t need logic — you just need the nightmares.

1 – Saw

Hands down, the best horror franchise ever made. Fight me. From the first film’s twist ending to the intricate, mind-bending storylines that span across ten (soon to be eleven) films, Saw is the ultimate mix of gore, mystery, and moral dilemma.

John Kramer, aka Jigsaw, isn’t your typical slasher. He doesn’t kill people — he puts them in traps that force them to decide their own fate. Is he evil? Not really. Twisted? Absolutely. But he’s also brilliant, a mechanical engineer with a grim philosophy about appreciating life through pain.

The traps are works of grotesque art — inventive, shocking, and often making you wonder “what would I do?” And the best part? The continuity. Every film connects in ways you don’t always see coming, with flashbacks and reveals that make you want to rewatch the whole lot.

Trivia & Lore:

The first film was shot in just 18 days on a budget of $1.2 million.
Tobin Bell only had a small role in the first script, but his performance made Jigsaw the franchise’s core.
Some traps are actually functional (though obviously never tested on people).

The gore is next-level, the plotting is airtight, and I’ve passed my love for it onto my kids — because nothing says family bonding like cheering for a man to escape a reverse bear trap.

Honourable Mentions

These franchises didn’t quite make my top five, but they deserve a bloody round of applause.

Alien – Sci-fi horror at its absolute peak. Alien is a haunted house movie in space, and Aliens cranks it into an action-horror war zone. Honestly, the xenomorph is one of the most terrifying designs ever put on screen. My verdict? “If it bleeds acid and pops out of your chest, I’m staying the fuck home.”

Friday the 13th – Jason Voorhees has been chopping up horny teens since the 80s, and he’s still going strong. The guy’s basically a zombie in a hockey mask — pure slasher simplicity. My verdict? “If Jason turns up at summer camp, I’m suddenly allergic to the outdoors.”

Paranormal Activity – Proof you can scare the crap out of people with a camcorder and a budget that wouldn’t buy a used car. The slow-burn dread and those sudden jolts are genius. My verdict? “If my bedroom door moves on its own, I’m moving — and burning the house down for good measure.”

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – Gritty, sweaty, and more uncomfortable than a family dinner at your worst relative’s. Leatherface is a chainsaw-wielding nightmare. My verdict? “If I hear a chainsaw in the distance, I’m not investigating — I’m sprinting.”

The Silence of the Lambs – Technically more of a crime-thriller, but Hannibal Lecter is the scariest motherfucker that ever lived. Intelligent, charming, and absolutely lethal. My verdict? “If a man starts talking about Chianti and fava beans, I’m gone before the wine’s uncorked.”

Quick Takeaways

Horror movies aren’t just about scares — the best franchises mix great villains, memorable lore, and tight continuity.
Scream reinvented the slasher by poking fun at itself while still delivering genuine scares.
Insidious proves modern supernatural horror can still surprise you.
The Conjuring Universe expands horror into a rich, interconnected web of terror.
Nightmare on Elm Street gave us the most charismatic killer in horror history.
Saw is the gold standard for gore, storytelling, and franchise continuity.

FAQs

Q: Why didn’t you include Halloween or Friday the 13th?
Because this isn’t about what’s popular — it’s about my favourites. And Jason can’t hold a candle to Freddy, sorry.

Q: Are these suitable for kids?
Absolutely not. But if you’re like my Nan, you’ll probably let them watch anyway.

Q: Which franchise should I start with?
If you like smart horror, go for Scream. If you want pure gore, start with Saw.

Conclusion

Horror movies aren’t just entertainment for me — they’re part of my DNA. From those early days in the video shop with my Nan to today’s endless streaming libraries, the genre has been a constant, delivering thrills, laughs, and the occasional sleepless night.

These five franchises stand above the rest not because of critics or box office numbers, but because they’ve left a lasting mark on me. They’ve made me jump, they’ve made me laugh, and they’ve made me marvel at the sheer creativity that horror can offer.

So whether you’re a casual fan or a gorehound like me, I hope this list inspires you to dive back into these worlds of terror. Just… maybe keep the lights on.