All the Evil Dead movies ranked, worst to best

Encompassing both Sam Raimi’s classic trilogy and two distinct sequels, the Evil Dead Movies range from impressive horror movies to true classics of the genre. The evil death is a rarity in the genre, thanks to the inventive nature of series creator Sam Raimi. The original trilogy became more comedic over time, developing a loyal fan base that loved the antics of Bruce Campbell’s hapless hero, Ash Willis. This is not to say that Evil Dead 2 And Army of Darkness Are without horror, or even that the first Evil Dead is completely humorless.

Raimi eventually stepped away from the director’s chair, leaving the last two films to be helmed by directors who still pay tribute to Sam Raimi’s. Evil Dead films. The 2013 Evil Dead Remake brought things back to the original, exploring a similar setup but with additional decades of horror influencing it beyond the original movies. A decade later, Evil Dead Rise Shift the focus into a completely new setting with fresh characters. each Evil Dead Film was celebrated by critics, however It is one Evil Dead Movie that stands out as the most iconic And entertaining of the bunch.

5

Evil Dead (2013)

63% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer

The 2013 Evil Dead is the worst of the five released entries in the franchise – But is still a solid horror film. Unlike most horror series, which tend to have a clear dividing line between the beloved entries and the disappointing ones, fans mostly like all Evil Dead Movies to varying degrees. The fact that Evil Dead 2013 is the one that fewer fans champion does not mean it is not worth watching. Fede Alvarez’s remake reinvents some of the original ideas in fun new ways and is impeccably directed.

The film pulls off a clever lead character swap midway through the plotand features a great performance from Jane Levy as Mia. The most important thing Evil Dead is the commitment to pure horror, which means it lacks the unique tonal balance that brightens the best entries in the series. Instead, the Evil Dead Sequel sports more blood and gore than even Evil Dead 2. It’s a solid scary film that’s admired by horror fans, but doesn’t quite replicate the magic of Sam Raimi’s original films.

4

Army of Darkness (1992)

69% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer

Far and away the least horror-toned of these Evil Dead films, Army of Darkness is still a classic on its own campaigns. Thrown back in time and forced to combat the Deadites in the 14th century, Ash’s fantastic adventure feels like a throwback to Ray Harryhausen’s epic (with a touch of self-aware slapstick humor). That commitment to goofiness costs the film much of the tension and terror that defined its predecessor Evil Dead films, but remains entertaining nonetheless.

Thanks to a really fun performance by Bruce Campbellwhich pushes Ash to new comic heights, Army of Darkness Remains a fun ride even as it gets more and more ridiculous. After the critical embrace of Evil Dead 2The more mixed reception to Army of Darkness published with an audience less interested in Ash’s fantastical exploits. A lapse at the time of release and still decried by fans who do not like this too humorous tone, Army of Darkness remains a cult classic.

3

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

84% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer

in 2023, Lee Cronin brought these Evil Dead Franchise roaring back to life With the uncomfortable and rude Evil Dead Rise. Seeking to emphasize the connections between his new film and the original movies, Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise Shifts the setting to the inner city and introduces new elements to the lore. This includes building on small elements like a line of Army of Darkness To show that there are three Necromincons.

Bring The evil death to an apartment building and focusing on a family struggling to survive a deadly attack, Evil Dead Rise is just different enough from the original to please most fans and critics. Doubling his budget in one weekend, Evil Dead Rise‘s horror approach to horror was embraced by longtime fans. However, it is also very hardcore and abandons much of the humor baked into the original (though not to the degree of Evil Dead). Ultimately, Cronin’s mastery of the thrills and chills of the series elevates the movie, even if lacking humor to balance it.

2

The Evil Dead (1981)

86% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer

The original entry in The evil death franchise and Sam Raimi’s directorial debut, The evil death is an impressive opening salvo from the filmmaker which lacks the refinement of his later, better work. Introducing audiences to Bruce Campbell’s Ash Williams, The evil death is a gritty and effective film, whose amateurish elements (reflecting Raimi’s youth at the time of production) add to the unique shaggy elements of the film. The movie is relentless in its horror, with the Deadites tormenting the campers psychologically and physically.

While it’s just as bleak as the later entries, the special effects bring an unnatural aspect to the film that helps it stand out visually. Campbell is really great in the role of Ash, imbuing the more grounded character with the seeds of a personality that would only grow more animated with each subsequent appearance. finally, The evil death Just really suffers in comparison. Evil Dead 2 is effectively a remake of the original from a more refined director, improving on the original’s more forgettable elements. The first movie is perhaps most impressive for its micro-budget and level of creativity, and remains a gonzo blast.

1

Evil Dead 2 (1987)

88% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer

A hallmark of the horror genre and simultaneously One of the most entertaining comedies of the 1980s, Evil Dead 2 Takes the strengths of the first film and amplifies them. While the original introduced the franchise to the world, Evil Dead 2 is the best Evil Dead Movie. What really sets Evil Dead 2 Apart from the others Evil Dead Kino is the formation of Ash into the iconic horror hero who can be compelling and believable in dramatic moments, goofball sequences and action scenes. Bruce Campbell is brilliantly up for the challenge, with a stellar performance.

Starting as a remake of the original before taking some more dramatic turns, Evil Dead 2 Balances the horror and comedy with a solid hand That few other filmmakers could match. Sam Raimi proves himself a master of tone and style with this film, building off the practical experience he gained from the original to enhance the modern flourishes and special effects. What it adds to the mix are absolutely hilarious bits of physical comedy from Campbell, Ash’s chainsaw hand, and more gore than some lesser horror movies combined. Evil Dead 2 is the best of these Evil Dead films, and is one of the best horror films of its era as a whole.