In cinema, horror movies are unique in the continuation of their franchises. It's uncommon for a traditional film series to have more than a few titles, but when it comes to scary stuff, it seems normal for there to be five, or even more installments. For the most part, an overextended lifetime for a franchise doesn't do it any favors. Oftentimes, studios will try to squeeze as much content out of an idea as they can, which leads to an overall drop in quality.

With that being said, there are several sequels scheduled for production in the next few years that have garnered significant excitement. For example, the sixth installment of the beloved Final Destination films, titled Final Destination: Bloodlines, is set to be released in 2025. Additionally, the fabled deadly game franchise, Saw, will receive its eleventh follow-up next year with Saw XI, which will hit screens in September. Despite these famous programs getting more material, there are numerous inactive horror series that could use more sequels.

10 Troll Franchise

Most Recent Film: Troll 2 (1990)

Often referred to as one of the greatest bad movies of all time, Troll 2 followed up its original film with a story that was so laughable it didn't even seem real. This cult classic is not to be confused with Netflix's Norwegian epic monster film of the same name, which expects a sequel in 2025 with Troll 2. When it comes to the 90s Troll franchise, the horror is really beside the point.

It's more about the fact that it's impossible to tell if they were being serious or not. From the hilarious lines to the homemade-looking costumes, the film is hysterically awful. It's even better that the story is about goblins, and trolls never even make an appearance. A sequel would surely be welcomed, but it would have to apply the same half-baked effort that made the first movie so ironically entertaining.

9 Gremlins Franchise

Most Recent Film: Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)

There's something so entertaining about the concept of cute, murderous creatures that the original Gremlins franchise cooked up with its first installment. The film was a smash hit when it was first released in 1984, and for good reason. It's iconic in so many ways and revolutionized the formula of tiny killing machines, which was attempted in other great series like Critters.

Although more Gremlins content arrived in 2023 with the show Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, the narrative was more fantasy-based. It still managed to capture the essence of the original, but a sequel following the same story as the first movie would be excellent. There are several possible routes for this, whether it be another blend of horror and comedy or a full-on terror fest. Either option has serious merit, and it would be interesting to see how the monsters look in modern times.

8 Laid To Rest Franchise

Most Recent Film: ChromeSkull: Laid To Rest 2 (2011)

The Laid to Rest franchise often doesn't get enough love for how many good qualities it has. After the original film's release in 2009, Laid to Rest helped bring a new creative style into the context of the slasher genre. Although it can be a bit ridiculous at times, it offers a story that's got solid gore, disturbing violence, and an awesome villain.

Laid to Rest 3: Exhumed was originally supposed to start shooting in 2017, but as of 2024, the project is still looking for funding.

It's safe to say that the lackluster popularity that the franchise brought in was mainly due to the overall cohesion of the movies. ChromeSkull is a well-designed character and is certainly the spectacle of the story, but the plot lines could use some work. There isn't a ton of information about ChromeSkull in either of the installments, and a sequel could capitalize on this problem while putting a little more effort into building a better overall film.

7 Cloverfield Franchise

Most Recent Film: The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)

The Cloverfield franchise presents an interesting example in the context of franchises. Each project is essentially a standalone film, even though it's clear there is a shared quality. Although it's difficult to understand how the Cloverfield movies connect, the third installment brings in the concept of alternate realities that the stories, which effectively offers unlimited possibilities in of sequels.

While each film has many unique attributes, there still isn't a thoughtful follow-up to the events of the original monster horror. There have been significant talks about a fourth Cloverfield film, but the path still appears a bit murky. Even though it was supposedly confirmed in 2018, there aren't any substantial updates six years later. Given the popularity of the franchise, it would seem insane to not capitalize on the opportunity and develop a direct sequel to the introduced plot lines.

6 The Blair Witch Project Franchise

Most Recent Film: Blair Witch (2016)

When the original film was released in 1999, The Blair Witch Project brought enormous excitement and terror. In a found footage, documentary-style horror, the movie created a new formula in the genre that inspired later works. Even though The Blair Witch Project may have introduced massive popularity into the unique style of filming, the first found footage horror movie was Cannibal Holocaust, which was released in 1980.

There was a remake that arrived in 2016, dubbed Blair Witch, but it unfortunately failed to capture the bone-chilling essence that the original successfully created. There were talks about a new Blair Witch Project in April 2024, but it doesn't seem like it will continue the franchise, but rather re-imagine the old film for modern audiences. It would be amazing to receive a movie that built off the first story, or perhaps offered a prequel-style origin explanation for the witch itself.

5 Pumpkinhead Franchise

Most Recent Film: Pumpkinhead 4: Blood Feud (2007)

When considering the history of horror cinema, it's surprising that Pumpkinhead wasn't more of a smash hit during the heyday of its franchise. The first title was released in 1988 and introduced a vengeful demon that had a truly iconic design. After the original, there have since been three more Pumpkinhead movies, which proved to garner less popularity with each release. This is relatively unsurprising, considering that the latter films didn't come close to the quality of the first.

Pumpkinhead is relatively simple in its plot, at least for the first movie, which makes it a great candidate for a remake. Although the depiction of the monster was masterfully done in light of the period, it would be fascinating to see what the design could look like with the application of modern special effects. Quite frankly, it deserves another shot at the big screen, and if done correctly, a reboot would draw in numerous new fans.

4 The Collector Franchise

Most Recent Film: The Collection (2012)

The Collector franchise is home to one of the long-awaited sequels in the modern horror genre. The two films currently in the series, The Collector and The Collection, are filled to the brim with creative traps, gruesome torture, and a gripping storyline. It's only right that a third movie be added to the mix, and hopefully sooner rather than later.

The highly anticipated third installment, The Collected, was initially teased in 2020, but the budget unfortunately dwindled before the COVID-19 pandemic, which only brought about more issues. On the bright side, there have been significant strides in the development of the new film. While there still aren't any set-in-stone confirmations, the directors have stated that the legal issues holding them back have been lifted, and a sequel is now possible. Although it might not arrive for a long time, The Collector series undoubtedly deserves another title.

3 Wishmaster Franchise

Most Recent Film: Wishmaster 4: The Prophecy Fulfilled (2002)

The Wishmaster franchise is relatively unknown in the context of popular horror, which is truly a shame given its great content. The basic premise surrounds a demonic Djinn that grants wishes, but the implications are deeper and more twisted than they initially seem. There are currently a total of four Wishmaster films, which unfortunately waiver in quality on a massive scale. It's not a huge shock that a fifth installment was never released, given the change in dynamic that occurred throughout the franchise.

The first film was a genuinely solid piece of horror, and the second, Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies, added a creative, less serious tone. However, the latter two movies started to go off the rails. A future sequel would stand to benefit from picking a direction and sticking with it. This could either be a more menacing approach or a lighthearted, comedic aesthetic that plays into the absurdity of the premise.

2 Happy Death Day Franchise

Most Recent Film: Happy Death Day 2U (2019)

It's difficult to successfully pull off a time loop movie, let alone make it somewhat scary, but the 2017 horror Happy Death Day carried it out in style. The film had a surprising amount of depth, terror, and hilarious dialogue given the relatively straightforward concept. The sequel was released two years later and offered an unexpectedly thoughtful follow-up to the original, even though the format was essentially the same.

Director Christopher Landon described the potential third installment as an "epic apocalyptic adventure with still elements of horror" even though no confirmation or plan has been made.

Unfortunately, the subpar box office performance of Happy Death Day 2U put a damper on the motivation to create a Happy Death Day 3. However, given the exploration of the parallel dimension in the second installment, there are several possible routes to explore that could make for great stories. Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) has gotten great character development, and the narrative could be taken to unexpected places that have thrilling potential.

1 Friday The 13th Franchise

Most Recent Film: Friday The 13th (2009)

Of the fabled "big three" horror franchises, the other two being Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th has been the only title to not receive a modern sequel, reboot, or anything of the sort in the last 15 years. This is certainly a surprise, but it isn't because of a lack of demand. There is a much larger story that surrounds why Friday the 13th hasn't had another movie in so long. It essentially boils down to a legal battle concerning rights.

Given the nostalgic power that the iconic title holds, another installment wouldn't have to be overwhelmingly fantastic to draw in tremendous fan excitement. With that being said, the legendary story deserves a thoughtful approach to any prospective plans. It's unclear exactly how the plot would continue given the crazy developments that have already occurred, but it could be carried out in numerous styles. When it comes down to it, the return of Jason Voorhees is long overdue.