6 Complete Horror Franchises to Stream on Netflix Now
Matt Molgaard
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Netflix is stuck in that early year rut, where holiday pictures still linger and new genre additions are few and far between. Anyone who’s been subscribing to this amazing company for a few years knows that this is common. When it comes to horror, November through February seems to play host to a ghost’s ball on Netflix, the tangible masterpieces virtually unseen.
But that doesn’t mean you should abandon all hope or cancel your subscription through the final or first quarter of any year. There are still a few treats to take in.
Today we’ll put a little focus on full franchises, as Netflix currently features an assortment of complete series, most of which are true fan favorites. From Clive Barker to Robert Rodriguez, there are a number of compelling visionaries who bring true terror to life, and freaks like us are now privy to the total scope of some of those works thanks to Netflix.
Read on for the breakdown of full franchise listings currently showcased by the horror fan’s favorite streaming outlet.
The Prophecy: While the more recent additions to this interesting franchise took a hit in quality with budget cuts and the eventual departure of series staple and head bad guy Christopher Walken (technically the villain is Gabriel, but as we all know, it’s Walken who handles the character). That hasn’t deterred many hardcore fans, who still cherish this undervalued and often forgotten franchise. The first film is mighty fine, the initial two sequels will no doubt hold your attention, and the war between man and Satan – as seen unfolding in The Forsaken: Uprising and The Prophecy: Forsaken – will keep the loyals plenty appeased.
Hellraiser: Blood and brains, whips and chains, here’s a villain with needles in his face. That’s just the introductory line of a new little jingle I’m working on. Why would I whip up a tune for the Hellraiser franchise? Because it’s absolutely badass. It’s also available, in its entirety, right now on Netflix. You can safely steer clear of Hellraiser: Revelations, the abomination of the series (that doesn’t even feature the great Doug Bradley in the role of Pinhead), and you won’t miss much by veering out of the path of Hellraiser: Deader and Hellraiser: Hellworld, but the remainder of the franchise is pretty solid. For your best bet, look into the first two franchise efforts, as they’re widely recognized as the clear shiners of the nine-film lot.
The Human Centipede: Full disclosure: I’m not a fan of the Human Centipede franchise. It’s a goofy series, to be completely honest. The first film had some intrigue working in its favor, and it utilized the power of suggestion more than the in-your-face and often grotesque design that the second and third sequences lean on. Ultimately, the sequels leave absolutely nothing to the imagination. Even with a little mystery looming over the first film, it’s hard to call the inaugural Human Centipede a high caliber film. Having said that, there is a slew of horror freaks out there that absolutely adore these films, even the absurdly over-the-top Final Sequence. Personally, I’d call the series trash, but a whole lot of you would disagree vehemently. For those who think I’m out of my mind, this suggestion is for you. The entire Human Centipede series is currently on Netflix, waiting to leave your belly in knots of disgust.
The Crow: The Crow is another franchise that many will tell you has run its course. It’s hard to get too wrapped up in the series, as the canon is… well… all over the damn place, and there’s no consistency in the casting of the titular character. Imagine Freddy Krueger being played by nine different actors; we probably wouldn’t view the Nightmare franchise in the warm, glowing light we do today, thanks to Robert Englund’s unwavering dedication and determination to repeatedly return to the character. No one man has portrayed “The Crow” more than a single time, and the movies do indeed take a fan-hit as a result. Each flick, outside of the first two, feels dramatically different, and aside from those first two, there’s next to no quality connections between the stories. Despite its problems, the franchise works, with only The Crow: Wicked Prayer emerging as a genuine shit sandwich that demands a pass.
From Dusk Till Dawn: Netflix really handled this addition with perfection, as we not only get the initial From Dusk Till Dawn trilogy, we also get Season 1 of Robert Rodriguez’s small screen adaptation, which is actually rather enjoyable. The truth is the only disappointing movie in the From Dusk Till Dawn lineup is the third pic, The Hangman’s Daughter, which will put you into a sleep deep enough to flirt with a coma. The first sequel is surprisingly satisfying, and Robert Patrick is an awesome addition. The series kick-off, however, is a modern day masterpiece with the exact kind of charm you’d expect from any project written (or co-written) by Quentin Tarantino. The series, which airs on El Rey, is also – as noted – an engaging collection of 45-minute episodes you’ll want to check out.
V/H/S: Those of you addicted to found footage are going to find the V/H/S franchise to be a certified godsend. Between the first two pictures there are a number of insane shorts with some slick cinematography and palpable chills to accompany those tales. V/H/S: Viral is a complete and utter failure, boasting not a single redeeming quality, but the franchise still has life thanks to those first two installments. Creepy and tense, this found footage anthology series is something to look into. Hell, even if handy-cam horror isn’t your bag, you’re likely to find something thrilling somewhere among the three films.
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