When the name Wes Craven is brought up, what comes to mind? For us, it's 'horror genius' because that's simply what he was. He had an unparalleled ability to tap into your deepest fears, crafting iconic films that not only terrified audiences but also redefined the boundaries of horror.
He is a beloved and respected figure in film and one of the most influential figures in horror cinema. Although Craven is no longer with us, he's created a lasting legacy that continues to influence the genre today. Simply put, there was no one quite like him!
In this article, we’ve rounded up four Wes Craven horror movies that are a must-see, along with four that you can safely skip without missing out on his legacy. Now, let's dive in!
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- Cast: Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Amanda Wyss, Nick Corri, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital retailers
A Nightmare on Elm Street, aka the movie that started it all! This supernatural slasher introduced viewers to one of the most iconic and terrifying villains in horror history, Freddy Krueger. After being burned alive by a group of enraged parents, the vengeful spirit of child murderer Freddy Krueger returns to torment their children, hunting them down in their dreams where he has complete control.
The Last House on the Left (1972)
- Cast: David Hess, Lucy Grantham, Sandra Cassel, Marc Sheffler, Ada Washington
- Verdict: Skip
- Where to watch: Tubi for free
Craven made his directorial debut with The Last House on the Left, and while I wouldn't say it's a bad movie, it's definitely a tough watch. The film centers around a teen girl named Mari, who is kidnapped, tortured, and murdered along with her friend by a gang of escaped convicts. After disposing of their bodies, the gang later seeks refuge at a nearby house, not knowing it's owned by Mari's parents. Once Mari's parents discover the horrifying truth about their daughter's death, they take matters into their own hands and exact their bloody revenge against her killers.
Scream (1996)
- Cast: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, Drew Barrymore
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Max
Scream is another slasher film that introduced viewers to a new, terrifying serial killer, Ghostface. The story takes place in the fictional town of Woodsboro, where a teenage girl and her friends find themselves stalked and terrorized by a masked serial killer who uses horror movie trivia and phone calls to torment his victims. While some of the other Scream movies in the horror franchise aren't as good, this one remains a standout in the series.
The People Under the Stairs (1991)
- Cast: Brandon Adams, Everett McGill, Wendy Robie, A. J. Langer
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Available to rent or purchase on digital platforms
The People Under the Stairs is one of the good horror comedies. It follows a young boy named Fool, who, along with two adult robbers, breaks into the home of his family's landlords to steal their valuables. However, things take a dark turn when Fool discovers that his family's landlords are hiding disturbing secrets, such as trapping a group of children in their basement.
The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
- Cast: Susan Lanier, Robert Houston, Martin Speer, Dee Wallace, Russ Grieve, John Steadman, Michael Berryman, Virginia Vincent
- Verdict: Skip
- Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital platforms
My main issue with The Hills Have Eyes is that it isn't as effective as it could be in creating a genuinely tense and engaging atmosphere. Despite having a premise that could be very disturbing and intense, the movie doesn't maintain the kind of tension and suspense that would keep viewers engaged and nervous throughout. The plot revolves around a stranded family who are stalked and hunted by a group of cannibalistic mutants living in the desert hills.
Stranger in Our House (1978)
- Cast: Linda Blair, Lee Purcell, Jeremy Slate, Jeff McCracken, Jeff East
- Verdict: Skip
- Where to watch: Tubi for free
I’m a fan of both Linda Blair and Wes Craven, but Stranger in Our House was a major disappointment. It falls short of the terrifying suspense and horror you’d typically expect from a Craven film, and for that, I'd recommend skipping over this one. After Rachel's orphaned cousin moves in with her and her family, Rachel becomes suspicious that she might be practicing black magic as strange events start happening.
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
- Cast: Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Miko Hughes, John Saxon
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Available to rent or purchase on digital retailers
Wes Craven's New Nightmare is another great slasher in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. This movie merges reality with fiction and brings Heather Langenkamp, who played Nancy in the original A Nightmare on Elm Street movies, back into the story as she confronts an even more frightening version of Freddy Krueger. This time, Freddy isn't just a fictional character. He becomes a real, malevolent force who terrorizes Heather and the cast and crew of a new Nightmare movie.
Deadly Blessing (1981)
- Cast: Sharon Stone, Maren Jensen, Lisa Hartman, Susan Buckner, Jeff East, Lois Nettleton, Ernest Borgnine
- Verdict: Skip
- Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital platforms
You know those movies that just didn't need to be made? Deadly Blessing is definitely one of them, and frankly, it's tough to find anything truly engaging about it. It's easily one of Craven's weakest movies, and it's best just to act like it never existed. You won't be missing out on much as the plot is confusing, it lacks real scares, and the performances are questionable.
Here's what the slasher is about via IMDb:
"After her husband dies under mysterious circumstances, a widow becomes increasingly paranoid of the neighboring religious community that may have diabolical plans for her."