Horror Movie Franchises

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover the "Leprechaun" franchise. There are 8 movies total. They take Lep to Las Vegas, space and twice to the hood. We also get an origin story (that really has nothing to do with Lep). The last entry is a sequel to the first movie (ignoring the rest of the franchise).  The greedy, wise cracking little dude ac...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  In this week's single serving size episode, I'm covering "The Collector" and "The Collection". The third film in the trilogy, "The Collected", was started but never finished. These films are from the writers of several of the "Saw" movies. They are in the home invasion/torture porn genre. So if that's your cup of tea, check...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover some lesser known films It's the three movies of the "Cat People" franchise. The first two movies are from the 1940s and by producer Val Lewton (head of the horror unit at RKO). The first movie has become a cult classic and does a lot with a very small budget. Check out several of Lewton's most popular mo...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover a creature feature. It's "Piranha". The original feature was created by King Of The B-Movies Roger Corman as a "Jaws" knockoff. It went on to have four more films in the franchise (with one being a remake). My suggestion is check our the fourth entry-- horror comedy "Piranha 3D". It's a lot of fun. There'...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  "Diabloque" may be the best horror movie you've never heard of. The first was released in 1955 and had a great influence on Hitchcock's "Psycho". It was also one of the first movies to ask audiences NOT to reveal the surprise ending.  It was followed by two TV movies. "Diabloque" was remade in 1996 with some big name actors...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we discuss a franchise that contains as one of it's entries arguably the best horror film ever made. That's right-- it's the "Exorcist" (1973). Most of us know every detail of the first film. But did you know there are 4 other movies (including 2 prequels) and 2 seasons of a TV series? And in honor of the excellen...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we focus on the Canadian slasher "My Bloody Valentine" (1981) and it's 2009 remake. No, the movies dont really have anything to do with Valentine's Day. Yes, the first film is a bit dated and the acting leaves something to be desired. The practical effects are still enjoyable though. And the RealD technology used...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover another lesser known horror franchise. It's "Maniac Cop". There are three films total in the series. Check out these movies if you like Bruce Campbell (most famous for the 'Evil Dead" franchise) and/or Tom Atkins ("Halloween III", "Creepshow", "The Fog", etc). Otherwise, I'd say skip it and watch last wee...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we explore a lesser known Canadian horror/comedy offering. It's "Wolf Cop" and the sequel "Another Wolf Cop". If you're intrigued by a drunk werewolf dispensing justice, these might be the movies for you. The use of practice effects (vs CGI) is also a big selling point for me. And in horror of Chicken Milk Beer, C...

This week we cover a lesser know franchise. It's "Night Of The Demons". There are four movies total in the series (including one remake). It follows a group of teens/young adults who party where they shouldn't. Considered a horror comedy, I found it surprising fun. Definitely check out the first and second movies.  Also check of a "Night Of The Demons" themed drink from GoodCocktails.com here The...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week, instead of reviewing a franchise, I'm covering my picks for the top 10 horror movies of 2020. There is lots of scary goodness to chose from this year-- be it psychological horror, body horror, zombies, anthologies, haunted houses, demon possession, you name it.  Shudder and NetFlix continue to delight viewers wit...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  Most people have heard of "Scanners" from 1981. It's most famous for it's head explosions. The practical effects still hold up after all these years. But did you know there were four more films in the franchise? I didnt. Only the original had David Cronenberg's involvement. The rest are direct to video and have basically th...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we explore a lesser known horror franchise. It's the five movies in the "Prom Night" series. This includes: "Prom Night" (from 1980), "Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night 2", "Prom Night 3: The Last Kiss", "Prom Night 4: Deliver Us From Evil" and the forgettable 2008 remake (also named "Prom Night"). The entries really hav...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we go WAY back to our first episode. We covered 1974's "Black Christmas" in December 2018 (which seems like a million years ago at this point). There are two other remakes. Both are also called "Black Christmas". The one from 2006 is not nearly as bad as some believe. The 2019 version is absolutely horrible. Avoid...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". This episode was rerecorded in 6/25 in order to include the last two films of the franchise. It has also been edited for time.   This week we discuss arguably the most important franchise in horror history. "Halloween" started the slasher genre and has given us many of the now commonplace horror tropes-- the virginal final g...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover "The Descent" and "The Descent 2". Six women go on a caving adventure. Things end really, really badly. The first movie is on many "best of" lists. It's great fun.  In keeping with the theme, we also have a Cave in Cocktail from CocktailBuilder.com here   Photo Credit: Here  

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're looking at "Sinister". There are two movies total. The first stars Ethan Hawke as a true crime writer who has gotten in way over his head. The character of Bughuul (the devourer of souls) is introduced. While there are currently no plans for a third "Sinister" movie, a possible "Sinister" and "Insidious" cro...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're covering the 'Lake Placid" franchise. There are 6 movies total (including a cross over with "Anaconda"). The first movie was released theatrically. The rest were made for TV movies from the SyFy channel. All of the films (except for the last one) are considered horror comedies.  Despite the title, the story...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises". This episode was rerecorded in 6/25 in order to include the "Chucky" TV series. It ha  also been edited for time. This week we cover the "Child's Play/Chucky" franchise. The 30+ year old series has a surprising amount of continuity because all 7 films (excluding the reboot) and the TV series were written by Don Mancini. He a...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover a group of lesser known movies. The "Hitcher" franchise has three films total. The first (starring Rutger Hauer, C Thomas Howell and Jennifer Jason Leigh) premiered in 1986. It was followed by "Hitcher 2" in 2003 and a remake of the first movie in 2007. If you like car chase movies, explosions, and severe...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're discussing the "Urban Legends" franchise. There are three movies total. While i can't say the movies knocked my soaks off, they may be the first introduction to urban legends for many people. Common entries include: the killer in the back seat of the car, calls coming from inside the house, the kidney heist,...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover one of the lesser know franchises. It's the four movies of "Wishmaster". Wes Craven executive produced the first film. The Wishmaster is an evil djinn who has to grant the person that awakens him three wishes. It sounds like a good deal but he grants them in the worst way possible. Example: A woman wants...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover the three films of the "Jeepers Creeper" franchise. All were written and directed by Victor Salva*. All take place in a short time frame. The second movie occurs four days after the first. The third movie occurs between the first and second.  I think the Creeper is one of the best horror creatures out the...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we're discussing the "Hills Have Eyes" franchise. There are four movies total in the series. They were written/directed/produced by Wes Craven (who also did the "Nightmare On Elm Street" and "Scream" franchises). The numbering is a bit confusing. There's the 1977 film, then a "part 2", then a remake (with the same...

NOTE: This podcast was rebranded on 5/29/25 as "Horror Movie Franchises".  This week we cover the first summer blockbuster movie-- "Jaws" and it's 3 sequels. "Jaws" put director Stephen Steven Spielberg on the map and won 3 Academy awards-- Best Original Score (for composer John Williams), Best Sound and Best Film Editing. It was also nominated for Best Picture. The movie holds up surprisingly wel...