Horror has always been an innovative genre that has consistently shocked and surprised audiences. More often than not though, installments in a long-running horror franchise have tried to avoid straying from a predictable path. If fans go into a theater expecting an ax-wielding murderer picking off college students in the woods, then that’s what they'll likely see. When in doubt, falling back on the tried and tested formulaic foundation is an easy move.
However, there are plenty of franchises that have churned out sequels that have not only tried to evolve the narrative but even ventured into a different movie genre entirely. These movies not only looked to surprise audiences but also attempted to drastically alter their series.
Evil Dead 2 (1987) / Army of Darkness (1993)
Sam Raimi’s cult classic The Evil Dead has become an iconic low-budget "cabin in the woods" outing. It was a splatter-filled game-changer and a notorious horror experience that helped pave the way for many other movies in the genre.
However, when the time came for a sequel in 1987, much of the original horror and suspense had been replaced with light-hearted sight gags. Evil Dead 2 had a more comedic, slapstick approach, while the third outing, Army of Darkness, took another genre jump, this time moving protagonist Ash into a medieval fantasy tale.
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)
The low-budget shocker The Blair Witch Project was a huge horror success and singlehandedly helped the found footage sub-genre explode. For its time, it was a unique viewing experience, as viewers followed a trio of documentary filmmakers searching for the titular witch in the cursed Maryland Black Hills.
The following year saw a quick cash-grab sequel in the form of the Joe Berlinger-helmed Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2. It was met with a mixed response and instead of more of the same, it became a convoluted departure from that of its predecessor. It abandoned the found footage style and focused on a group of actual fans of the original movie. Despite a few meta nods to the first Blair Witch, it wound up lacking suspense.
Halloween III (1982)
With the complete absence of both the iconic masked killer Michael Myers and the protagonist Laurie Strode, the third entry in the Halloween franchise took the mother of all diversions.
As a standalone horror movie, Halloween III has a great premise: Halloween masks that kill the wearer when they put them on. The movie itself is an underrated threequel, and over the years Halloween III's reputation has improved and it has gained somewhat of a cult following. Sadly, it is often overshadowed due to its disconnection from the slasher series.
REC 2 (2009)
Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza’s REC was an impressive zombie infection outing that occurred in real time. Quasi-religious references were being dropped in towards the shocking end of the movie, which suggested elements of evil possession rather than an organic threat.
By the time the sequel arrives in the form of a heavily armed tactical unit entering the quarantined apartment block, the zombie concept soon twists its way into the demonic possession sub-genre. The MOH representative sent along with the unit turns out to be a Vatican priest who is trying to get a blood sample from the possessed Medeiros girl who has infected the residents of the building. The sequel also manages to mix things up further by focusing on a group of teenagers whose own timeline and footage splices into the action as they sneak into the building.
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Joe Dante’s Gremlins was very much a black comedy horror and has since become an extremely iconic '80s movie. While its tongue was firmly planted in its cheek, Gremlins offered audiences an equal share of both laughs and scares.
When it came to the 1990 follow-up, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Dante had gone full satire and was concentrating more on the humorous side of these terrifying little creatures. This more cartoonish approach also managed to poke plenty of fun at Hollywood itself.
Aliens (1986)
Ridley Scott’s critically acclaimed sci-fi horror Alien has become an incredibly important movie, and its influence is still seen in films to this day. Often cited in lists of the most terrifying movies ever made, Alien has stood the test of time as a wonderful example of tension-building horror.
By the time James Cameron’s sequel Aliens came around seven years after the release of the original, there was concern that enthusiasm for the franchise may have already waned. But instead of rehashing themes from the first movie, Cameron went all out, this time replacing darkness and tension with guns and popcorn blockbuster action.
The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
James DeMonaco’s dystopian home invasion thriller The Purge arrived back in 2013. Since then, fans have been treated to several quickly-cobbled-together sequels as well as a short-lived TV series. The surprise hit Blumhouse production was about a family defending their home during the Purge, a yearly event where all crime, including murder, becomes legal for 12 hours.
The sequel shifted from a home invasion thriller and focused more on those trying to survive outside Los Angeles during the Purge. It was an exciting change that audiences very much needed due to its unique high concept that was almost wasted in the events of the original movie.
The Devil's Rejects (2005)
In his directorial debut, Rob Zombie brought gorehounds to the unforgettable horror-comedy Rob Zombie's music videos. However, it did well enough at the box office for Lionsgate to rehire Zombie for a sequel, and the movie became the first in his Firefly film trilogy.
While House of 1000 Corpses was a very '70s-inspired schlocky experience, the follow-up The Devil’s Rejects is anything but. Less comedic and more brutal than its predecessor, Rejects manages to mix plenty of depravity with some pretty nasty Tarantino-styled violence.
Jason X (2001)
many horror franchises have done, Jason X sent Jason Voorhees to space.
Jason was cryogenically frozen for hundreds of years, but wakes up ready to kill again. This time the classic slasher horror formula is replaced with a more science fiction-directed plotline. Concentrating its efforts on the replication of his apparent cellular regeneration talents which have helped him survive all these years, Jason even gets a futuristic cyborg overhaul.
Bride of Chucky (1998)
There are many franchises in the slasher genre with sequels that evolved into something more cartoonish over time. These once feared stalk-and-slash villains quickly become parodies of themselves. Chucky from the Child’s Play franchise is one such case. In the original trilogy, Chucky was a doll that was possessed by the soul of Charles Lee Ray, a notorious serial killer. He had some comedic moments, but it wasn’t until 1998’s Bride of Chucky that viewers saw a different side to him.
In the late '90s, many horror movies took a more self-referential stance that seemed to be inspired by Wes Craven’s Scream. Bride of Chucky ran with that concept full-on, firmly rooting itself in parody.
