Horror Movie Franchises

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  Welcome to the 115th episode of Food and Frightening Film Fanatics. This week we're reviewing the "Rosemary's Baby" franchise. Most people only know about the first film but there are actually four total. The original is some 50 years old but is still considered one of the best horror movies of all time.  We discu...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we explore the lesser-known "Species" franchise. It should not be confused with the "Subspecies" franchise (which we reviewed last week). "Species" is a sci-fi series about alien/human hybrids while "Subspecies" is about vampires.  The "Species" franchise consists of four movies. My advise is just watch...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  In this episode, we delve into an often overlooked horror franchise. "Subspecies" has six direct-to-video films. All were written and directed by Ted Nicolaou. Produced by Full Moon Pictures the franchise delivers schlocky story lines and is somewhat of an "acquired" taste.  Positives about the series include the shooting l...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  Welcome to the 112th episode of Food and Frightening Film Fanatics. This week we delve into the best horror cinema of the year. 2024 was one of the best in recent memory. With a blend of major studio hits, standout indie films and films made on shoestring budgets, there is something for everyone. From spine-tingling se...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  The "House" franchise is sometimes considered the weirdest because the 4 movies have nothing to do with each other. Some people will remember the first "House" movie from it's interesting cover art. I'm sure that's why many (including myself) picked it up at the video store back in the day. Most would be hard pressed to rem...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week I'm reviewing my favorite horror movies of last year. 2023 was known as the year of the "possession" movie. My list includes several possession movies as well as slashers, aliens, folklore, and a Frankenstein adaptation. Do your favorites match mine? Let me know in the comments below.   Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're talking about another obscure franchise. It's "Basketcase". There are 3 movies total. The first movie was created on a shoestring budget and was never actually meant to be released to the public. Frank Hinnenlotter just wanted to make a movie. Who could have imagined that it would become a cult classic? The...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're talking about a lesser known franchise-- it's "Poltergeist". There are 3 movies in the trilogy and a remake. The original 1982 movie was written by Steven Spielberg with Tobe Hooper ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre") directing. Despite it's age, the first movie holds up surprisingly well. Sure, tech has improved bu...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week I review my top 20 list for 2022. It started out as a top 10 list but, thanks to all the great movies this year, I ended up with 20. There was a little something for everyone in 2022-- found footage, slashers, folk horror, Lovecraftian horror, body horror, aliens, psychological horror, vampires, ghosts, demons, we...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're covering a lesser known series. There are 4 movies in the "Pumpkinhead" franchise. Take my advice and stick with just the first one. It's an excellent example of how to make a good movie on a low budget and features the creature designs of Stan Winston. He also directed the first movie.  And if you need idea...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  After an extended absence, I'm back. This week's topic is the "Blair Witch" franchise. Few people know there are actually THREE Blair witch movies plus a number of supporting videos, books, comics, and video games that cover the Blair Witch mythology. The original "Blair Witch" movie is credited as being the first found foo...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  I dare say 95% of the public has not heard of the "Killjoy" franchise. From Charles Band's Full Moon Features, this is bottom of the barrel entertainment. While the series starts out as horror, it switches to horror-comedy by the third movie. The best film in the bunch is the fifth-- "Killjoy's Psycho Circus". Dont expect t...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week I cover new additions to previously reviewed franchises. The past year has seen a number of new entries including: Texas Chainsaw Massacre Scream Wrong Turn CandyMan VHS94 Spiral: From The Book Of Saw Slumber Party Massacre Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City The Forever Purge Halloween Kills The Conjuring: The...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  The week we're reviewing one of the big 3 of horror. It's Freddie Kruger and "A Nightmare On Elm Street". There are 9 movies and 2 seasons of a TV series. This killer is different from others in that Freddie haunts you in your sleep---- and everybody has to sleep at some point. Over the course of his run, Freddy has develop...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  The week we cover the somewhat lesser known "Tremors" franchise. This horror comedy is a throwback to the creature features of the 1950s. There are seven movie and one season of a TV series. Burt Gummer (played by Michael Gross) becomes the franchise's lead character by movie three. He's paranoid gun toting conspiracy theor...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  After viewing some 130+ horror films released in 2021, I FINALLY have my top 10 list. Included are a few honorable mentions as well as movies by country of origin, studio, etc. Let me know if you're favorites match mine.  Photo Credit: Here

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover a lesser known franchise. It's the seven movies of "Wrong Turn". I cant say they are great but if you like inbred hillbilly cannibals, this might be the series for you.  Also we cover a lesser known Appalachian food. It's ramps-- also known as wild leeks, spring onions or by several other names. Check out...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover a lesser known anthology franchise. It's "VHS". There are four films total plus a spinoff. "Siren" is based on "Amateur Night" from the first movie. There's also a series of Snapchat shorts. The great thing about anthologies is if you don't like something, it will be over soon and you're on to something n...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cove one of the icons of horror-- the chainsaw- wielding Leatherface. The "TCM" franchise is one of the strangest in terms of chronology. There are at least three different timelines with reboots, sequels and prequels. The original 1974 movie is considered a horror masterpiece. It is credited with starting the...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  "American Psycho" with Christian Bale as iconic serial killer Patrick Bateman was released in 2000. It's based on a novel by Brett Easton Ellis. Most people are familiar with the movie due to it's over the top violence (which was pared down to get the movie an R rating instead of NC-17). Bateman is an unlikeable character (...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover the five movies of the "Underworld" franchise. All star Kate Beckinsale as the skin-tight-leather-clad-vampire-assassin named Selene. Vampires are in a centuries old battle with lycans (ie werewolves). Humans are non the wiser about either species until later in the franchise. I would suggest checking out...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  The "Ju-On/The Grudge" franchise contains 13 films and a NetFlix series. The series is an interesting one. Takashi Shimizu created the franchise, and directed or produced six of the films. Besides the Japanese movies, there are 4 American entries-- "The Grudge", "The Grudge 2", "The Grudge 3" and "The Grudge" (2020). There'...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're doing a single serving size episode. That's one which falls below my 3 movie minimum to be considered a franchise. The original "13 Ghost" premiered in 1960. Since it was a William Castle production, you can be there was a gimmick involved. The movie was promoted as having "Illusion-O"-- a pair of glasses th...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're talking about one of the top horror directors. Lucio Fulci was prominent in the Italian gialo film movement (from the late 1960's through early 1980's). His three films in the "Gates Of Hell" trilogy are considered some of his best. They include; "City Of The Living Dead" (1980), "The Beyond" (1981), and "Th...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover the South Korean "Train To Busan" franchise. The second film in the series is the lesser known animated prequel "Seoul Station". The third movie is named "Peninsula". "Train To Busan" is IMHO one of the best zombie movies EVER. Not only does it have some great zombies, it also has characters you grow to c...