The 5 longest running horror franchises in film history (6 photos)
In the world of cinema, horror films are one of the top box office draws - and they have millions of devoted viewers. Although horror films are often criticized for their repetitive techniques and large number of sequels, some of them have already achieved cult status. Let's look at the horror films that have the most parts - and which continue to scare audiences from all over the world to this day. 
5. "A Nightmare on Elm Street", 9 parts 
A Nightmare on Elm Street is a 1984 horror classic directed by Wes Craven. The plot follows a group of high school students who are terrorized in their sleep by killer Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). At one time, the film quickly became a cult classic in the horror universe thanks to its unique plot and eerie visuals, and later spawned several sequels and even a reboot in 2010. Today the franchise has 9 parts.
4. "Saw", 10 parts 
The first film in the franchise, Saw: Game of Survival, was released in 2004. Due to numerous scenes of extreme violence and torture, the film is classified as a slasher film - and with each new part the level of cruelty increases, which fans of the genre are only happy about. In 2010, the film series was even listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest-grossing horror film series of all time (then it was overtaken by the Conjuring film series). Saw is still one of the best horror film franchises and has 10 installments.
3. "Hellraiser", 10 parts 
This iconic franchise has been terrifying audiences for over three decades with its unique, terrifying grotesqueries and visual effects. The original film is based on the 1986 novella by Clive Barker (who also directed the film), and was released in 1987. The plot revolves around a mystical puzzle box that summons the Cenobites - sadomasochistic creatures from other dimensions. At the center of all the madness is Pinhead, who has become an icon of horror. Hellraiser remains one of the most popular horror films of the 80s.
2. "Halloween", 11 parts 
John Carpenter's Halloween, released in 1978, set new trends in horror films and also became a classic. The film's success was largely due to its innovative approach to the genre, its use of suspense (a technique used in films to create a tense atmosphere) and high quality production. As a result, Halloween spawned many sequels and remakes. As of 2023, the Halloween franchise has 11 films.
1. "Friday the 13th", 12 parts 
The Friday the 13th horror franchise is one of the longest running in cinema history. It all started in 1980, with the release of the first film in the series, in which viewers learned the story of a masked killer - Jason Voorhees. The character has become an integral part of the horror genre. The 1980s saw several sequels that were financially successful. Over time, the franchise has become a horror classic, with a record 12 installments on this list.
