Horror Movie Franchises

This week we're discussing the "28 Days Later" franchise. There are currently four movies (with another on the way). 

• 28 Days Later (2002)
• 28 Weeks Later (2007)
• 28 Years Later (2025)
• 28 Years Later: Bone Temple (2026)
• There is a movie named "28 Months Later". It has ZERO to do with the franchise and is just a cash grab. 

 

The 2002 movie, along with "Resident Evil" and "Dawn of the Dead", is credited with reinvigorating the zombie genre. Gone are the sluggish Romero zombies These zombies are super fast and almost impossible to escape. Yes, I know these "technically" aren't zombies (since they aren't reanimated corpses). But they are mindless crazies who want to eat us-- so close enough. 

 

A lot has happened since the first movie came out in 2002. One of the biggest events is of course Covid. We no longer have to hypothesis about how such a disease could spread and how people would react. I shudder to think what would happen IRL if Ebola began to spread widely. 

 

TBH, I am a bit disappointed by the last two movies. "28 Years Later" is more a coming of age story. And "Bone Temple" is a follow-up to that. I'm all for having some characters we care about.. but I watch zombie movies to see zombies. I hope they get back on track in the final movie and remember that's what most of us are here for. 

 

Did you like these movies? Am I way off base about the last two? Please let me know in the comments below. 

 

Photo Credit: https://www.tvinsider.com/show/28-days-later/

This episode of Horror Movie Franchises examines the major screen adaptations of Stephen King’s "Salem’s Lot" — the 1979 CBS miniseries, the 2004 TNT remake, the 2024 HBO Max film, and the obscure 1987 sequel. T

We discuss faithfulness to the novel, standout scenes (the Glick brothers and Barlow), trivia and where to find each version. The 1979 original is a cult classic well worth watching, 

 

Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Salemslotthemovie.jpg

In this episode we explore "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" trilogy: production details, plot summaries, critical reception, and the actors and designers behind Gillman.

The original 1954 movie holds up surprisingly well (even if we cant see it in 3D). The straightforward plot allows little time for filler (and that's where most movies lose me). The underwater photography is beautiful. I highly recommend a watch. The same can't be said for other two movies. They are a retread of the first, the plot is uninspired and the creature designs are ugly. 

There have been numerous sequel/remake attempts over the years. Unfortunately, none were successful. Let's hope James Wan (best known for "Saw", "The Conjuring" and "Insidious") can get a movie over the finish line. I love everything he does so I have high hopes. We definitely need more Gillman in our lives. 

 

Photo Credit: Here

This episode covers the "Silent Night, Deadly Night" franchise. From it's 1984 start (apparently Killer Santas were controversial back in the day). through four stand alone movies (most of which have very little to do with Christmas) to two reboots. And dont forget the second entry--which is often touted as one of the worst movies ever. Besides it's horrible over the top acting, it's "Garbage Day" meme has a life of it's own. 

Did you enjoy any/all of these movies? Please let me know in the comments. I'm especially interested in your feedback about the 2025 reboot. Did I miss the mark? 

 

Photo Credit: Here

This week we're covering the obscure "Carnosaur" franchise. It consists of a trilogy and 2 spinoffs. These movies that were produced by Roger Corman (known as "The King of B Movies"). Due to budget constraints, they kept using the same two dinos and the same scenes from the first movie over and over again. 

The plots are all over the place and dont make any sense. The first movie has a geneticist (Diane Ladd) creating dinosaurs from chickens so she can wipe out the human race. She also devises a virus that makes women give birth to dinosaurs-- thus eventually killing all humans. Say what? The second movie is a straight up rip off of "Aliens"-- just with dinosaurs. The third movie has dinos in a warehouse and then on a ship for some reason. Now they must be saved because they contain human DNA and hold the secret to curing diseases. And the last two movies, I wont even bother to try to explain the story lines. 

Despite these being hokey movies, Corman gets a surprising number of prominent actors to appear-- Diane Ladd, Clint Howard, John Savage, Eric Roberts, Corbin Bernsen, Tony Todd and Dee Wallace (to name a few). 

I can't say I recommend these movies but if you want a good laugh, check them out. With the Rifftrax/MST3000 treatment, they would be much more interesting. 

Did I miss the mark? Do you love these movies? Let me know in the comments section. 

 

Photo Credit: Here

It's that time again. 2025 marks a pivotal year for horror. Horror movies made some $1.2 billion in domestic box office (passing the previous record in 2017). "The Conjuring: Last Rites" has made $494 million thus far. The "Conjuring" universe is the highest grossing franchise EVER (raking in $2.3 billion globally). "Sinners" is in second place with $367 million. "Final Destination: Bloodlines" is close behind at $315 million. 

We also have two horror movies up for major awards at both the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Will they come close to 1991's "The Silence Of The Lambs"? It is the only horror movie to ever win the "Big 5" Oscars-- Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. Last year "The Substance" was nominated for five Academy Awards but did not win for Best Picture, Best Director or Best Actress. Demi Moore did however win a Best Actress Golden Globe and SAG award. 

After watching more than 100 new movies in 2025, here are my favorites. Please let me know yours in the comments:

1. Sinners
2. Frankenstein
3. Weapons
4. The Long Walk
5. Final Destination: Bloodlines
6. Bring Her Back
7. The Rule of Jenny Pen
8. Companion
9. Best Wishes To All
10. Good Boy

 

Photo Credit: Here

 

This episode dives into the obscure "Boggy Creek" franchise. The 1972 low budget faux documentary "The Legend Of Boggy Creek" and 1985's "Boggy Creek 2: The Legend Continues" are the only two films by Charles B Pierce Sr. The other three movies by this name are unrelated.

The "Legend Of Boggy Creek" is considered the grandaddy of the found footage horror subgenre. The movie's title card says its a "true" story. It came out before "Cannibal Holocaust" which in turn is considered the inspiration for "Blair Witch Trial". 

If you like Bigfoot movies, check out the original and the 2016 documentary "The Boggy Creek Monster". A number of locals are interviewed about the 1972 film. They give their opinions of what's true and what's not regarding the Fouke Monster. Is this Bigfoot's cousin? Decide for yourself. 

 

Photo Credit: Here

In this episode we delve into the "Toxic Avenger" franchise. There are five movies-- including this year's reboot starring Peter Dinklage ("Game of Thrones"), Kevin Bacon, Elijah Woods and a host of other famous faces. 

Toxic Avenger (affectionately known as "Toxie") is the brain child of Lloyd Kaufman. His company, Troma Entertainment, is the longest running independent film studio in existence. Besides "Toxic Avenger", the studio is most famous for "Sargent Kubikiman NYPD", "Class of Nuke Em High" and their various sequels. 

"Toxic Avenger" was not a success when it was first released in 1984. However midnight showings at Blecker Street Cinemas and word of mouth soon turned it into a cult classic. Toxie is a satirical take on superhero movies. He battles bad guys and protects the innocent in Tromaville, NJ (the toxic chemical capital of the world).

These movies are not for everyone. All were made on a shoe string budget and are ultra violent, very un-PC and feature excessive nudity, Their target demographic seems to be 13 year old boys.

I would suggest watching the first movie and the reboot. I would like to see more of this version of Toxie. Hopefully it will do well enough at the box office to justify a sequel. Forget the rest of the movies unless you're a die hard fan. Just a word of caution. The 80s (when the original came out) were different times so there is much here to offend younger viewers if you go in blind. 

 

Photo Credit: Here

This episode of Horror Movie Franchises takes a deep dive into the "Witchboard" series — from the 1986 original, through two sequels, to the recent reboot. Movie plots, trivia, and how each film handles spirit boards and possession are covered. 

If you watch just one movie, make it the original. It has since become a cult classic largely due to Twaney Katean (as Linda) and the bromance between Jim and Brandon. Sadly, the rest (including this year's reboot) aren't that good. One reviewer refers to the franchise as "Witch Bored". That is both a funny and accurate description. 

 

Photo Credit: Here

Ty West's "X" trilogy includes "X", it's prequel "Pearl", and it's sequel "MaXXXine". Each movie follows a different cinematic style:

• X is a tribute to 1970's slashers such as "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"
• Pearl is a Technicolor extravaganza. Such films were popular in the 1930s thru 50s. Think "The Wizard of Oz". These movies had big sets, big scores and were filled with vibrant colors.
• MaXXXine is a tribute to Italian giallos. They were very stylized and were controversial due to excess sex and violence. Throw in a sleazy 1980s LA backdrop, a real killer that was on the prowl (the Nightstalker) and the Satantic Panic that was frightening the country at the time. 

Mia Goth is the standout of the series. I'll admit I didnt know much her before this. I had only seen her in the remake of "Suspiria". I really enjoyed her performance (especially in "Pearl"). It's a shame she didnt at least receive an Academy Award nomination for this character study. I look forward to seeing much more of her in future movies. 

Will there be other "X" movies? Ty West said he had an idea for a fourth but has since said he liked where the series ended. While I would like to see where else they could go, I'd glad someone in Hollywood knows when to end a story (vs beating a dead horse). 

Photo Credit: here