Tag: the-texas-chainsaw-massacre

  • Best Horror Movies to Watch on Halloween

    Jack Nicholson in 'The Shining'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    Jack Nicholson in ‘The Shining’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Halloween is here again and in-between putting on your costume and eating candy, you may want to sit down and watch a scary movie!

    Moviefone has assembled a list of the 35 scariest movies ever made to help you celebrate All Hallows’ Eve!

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: The 20 Most Terrifying Horror Films of the Last Decade Ranked!


    35. ‘Event Horizon‘ (1997)

    Sam Neill in 'Event Horizon'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Sam Neill in ‘Event Horizon’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    In 2047, a group of astronauts are sent to investigate and salvage the starship ‘Event Horizon’ which disappeared mysteriously 7 years before on its maiden voyage. With its return, the crew of the ‘Lewis and Clark’ discovers the real truth behind the disappearance of the ‘Event Horizon’ – and something even more terrifying.

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    34. ‘Insidious‘ (2011)

    A family discovers that dark spirits have invaded their home after their son (Ty Simpkins) inexplicably falls into an endless sleep. When they reach out to a professional for help, they learn things are a lot more personal than they thought.

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    33. ‘The Purge: Anarchy‘ (2014)

    One night per year, the government sanctions a 12-hour period in which citizens can commit any crime they wish — including murder — without fear of punishment or imprisonment. Leo (Frank Grillo), a sergeant who lost his son, plans a vigilante mission of revenge during the mayhem. However, instead of a death-dealing avenger, he becomes the unexpected protector of four innocent strangers who desperately need his help if they are to survive the night.

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    32. ‘Terrifier 3‘ (2024)

    Five years after surviving Art the Clown’s (David Howard Thorton) Halloween massacre, Sienna (Lauren LaVera) and Jonathan (Elliott Fullam) are still struggling to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. But just when they think they’re safe, Art returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare. The festive season quickly unravels as Art unleashes his twisted brand of terror, proving that no holiday is safe.

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    31. ‘Let the Right One In‘ (2008)

    Set in 1982 in the suburb of Blackeberg, Stockholm, twelve-year-old Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) is a lonely outsider, bullied at school by his classmates; at home, Oskar dreams of revenge against a trio of bullies. He befriends his twelve-year-old, next-door neighbor Eli (Lina Leandersson), who only appears at night in the snow-covered playground outside their building.

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    30. ‘28 Days Later‘ (2002)

    Cillian Murphy in 2002's '28 Days Later.' Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.
    Cillian Murphy in 2002’s ’28 Days Later.’ Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.

    Twenty-eight days after a killer virus was accidentally unleashed from a British research facility, a small group of London survivors are caught in a desperate struggle to protect themselves from the infected. Carried by animals and humans, the virus turns those it infects into homicidal maniacs — and it’s absolutely impossible to contain.

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    29. ‘Saw‘ (2004)

    Obsessed with teaching his victims the value of life, a deranged, sadistic serial killer abducts the morally wayward. Once captured, they must face impossible choices in a horrific game of survival. The victims must fight to win their lives back, or die trying…

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    28. ‘The Ring‘ (2002)

    Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) is a journalist investigating a videotape that may have killed four teenagers. There is an urban legend about this tape: the viewer will die seven days after watching it. Rachel tracks down the video… and watches it. Now she has just seven days to unravel the mystery of the Ring so she can save herself and her son.

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    27. ‘The Blair Witch Project‘ (1999)

    In October of 1994 three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary. A year later their footage was found.

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    26. ‘The Monkey‘ (2025)

    When twin brothers (Theo James) find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.

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    25. ‘Scream‘ (1996)

    Drew Barrymore in 'Scream'. Photo: Dimension Films.
    Drew Barrymore in ‘Scream’. Photo: Dimension Films.

    A killer known as Ghostface begins killing off teenagers, and as the body count begins rising, one girl (Neve Campbell) and her friends find themselves contemplating the ‘rules’ of horror films as they try to survive a real-life one.

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    24. ‘Midsommar‘ (2019)

    Several friends travel to Sweden to study as anthropologists a summer festival that is held every ninety years in the remote hometown of one of them. What begins as a dream vacation in a place where the sun never sets, gradually turns into a dark nightmare as the mysterious inhabitants invite them to participate in their disturbing festive activities.

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    23. ‘It Follows‘ (2015)

    When carefree teenager Jay (Maika Monroe) sleeps with her older boyfriend for the first time, she learns that she is the latest recipient of a fatal curse that is passed from victim to victim via sexual intercourse. Death, Jay learns, will creep inexorably toward her as either a friend or a stranger. Jay’s friends don’t believe her seemingly paranoid ravings, until they too begin to see the phantom assassins and band together to help her defend herself.

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    22. ‘The Descent‘ (2005)

    After a tragic accident, six friends reunite for a caving expedition. Their adventure soon goes horribly wrong when a collapse traps them deep underground and they find themselves pursued by bloodthirsty creatures. As their friendships deteriorate, they find themselves in a desperate struggle to survive the creatures and each other.

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    21. ‘The Black Phone‘ (2022)

    Finney Blake (Mason Thames), a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, is abducted by a sadistic killer (Ethan Hawke) and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims. And they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney.

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    20. ‘M3GAN‘ (2023)

    (L to R) M3GAN, Gemma (Allison Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw) in 'M3GAN,' directed by Gerard Johnstone. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) M3GAN, Gemma (Allison Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw) in ‘M3GAN,’ directed by Gerard Johnstone. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    A brilliant toy company roboticist (Allison Williams) uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to emotionally bond with her newly orphaned niece (Violet McGraw). But when the doll’s programming works too well, she becomes overprotective of her new friend with terrifying results.

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    19. ‘The Strangers‘ (2008)

    After returning from a wedding reception, a couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) staying in an isolated vacation house receive a knock on the door in the mid-hours of the night. What ensues is a violent invasion by three strangers, their faces hidden behind masks. The couple find themselves in a violent struggle, in which they go beyond what either of them thought capable in order to survive.

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    18. ‘The Conjuring‘ (2013)

    Paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.

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    17. ‘Poltergeist‘ (1982)

    Steve Freeling (Craig T. Nelson) lives with his wife, Diane (JoBeth Williams), and their three children, Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins), and Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke), in Southern California where he sells houses for the company that built the neighborhood. It starts with just a few odd occurrences, such as broken dishes and furniture moving around by itself. However, when he realizes that something truly evil haunts his home, Steve calls in a team of parapsychologists led by Dr. Lesh to help before it’s too late.

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    16. ‘Hereditary

    When Ellen, the matriarch of the Graham family, passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.

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    15. ‘Heretic‘ (2024)

    Hugh Grant in 'Heretic'. Photo: A24.
    Hugh Grant in ‘Heretic’. Photo: A24.

    Two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

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    14. ‘Friday the 13th‘ (1980)

    Camp counselors are stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to reopen a summer camp that was the site of a child’s drowning.

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    13. ‘The Omen‘ (1976)

    Immediately after their miscarriage, the US diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) adopts the newborn Damien (Harvey Stephens) without the knowledge of his wife (Lee Remick). Yet what he doesn’t know is that their new son is the son of the devil.

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    12. ‘Psycho‘ (1960)

    When larcenous real estate clerk Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) goes on the lam with a wad of cash and hopes of starting a new life, she ends up at the notorious Bates Motel, where manager Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) cares for his housebound mother.

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    11. ‘Rosemary’s Baby‘ (1968)

    A young couple, Rosemary (Mia Farrow) and Guy (John Cassavetes), moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family.

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    10. ‘Longlegs‘ (2024)

    Maika Monroe in 'Longlegs'. Photo: Neon.
    Maika Monroe in ‘Longlegs’. Photo: Neon.

    In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent (Maika Monroe) uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.

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    9. ‘Alien‘ (1979)

    During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.

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    8. ‘The Substance‘ (2024)

    A fading celebrity (Demi Moore) decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself (Margaret Qualley).

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    7. ‘The Thing‘ (1982)

    Members of an American scientific research outpost in Antarctica find themselves battling a parasitic alien organism capable of perfectly imitating its victims. They soon discover that this task will be harder than they thought, as they don’t know which members of the team have already been assimilated and their paranoia threatens to tear them apart.

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    6. ‘The Shining‘ (1980)

    Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and their son Danny (Danny Lloyd), must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren’t prepared for the madness that lurks within.

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    5. ‘The Silence of the Lambs‘ (1991)

    Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Photo: Orion Pictures.
    Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. Photo: Orion Pictures.

    Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is a top student at the FBI’s training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.

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    4. ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street‘ (1984)

    Teenagers in a small town are dropping like flies, apparently in the grip of mass hysteria causing their suicides. A cop’s daughter, Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp), traces the cause to child molester Fred Krueger (Robert Englund), who was burned alive by angry parents many years before. Krueger has now come back in the dreams of his killers’ children, claiming their lives as his revenge. Nancy and her boyfriend, Glen (Johnny Depp), must devise a plan to lure the monster out of the realm of nightmares and into the real world…

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    3. ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre‘ (1974)

    When Sally (Marilyn Burns) hears that her grandfather’s grave may have been vandalized, she and her paraplegic brother, Franklin (Paul A. Partain), set out with their friends to investigate. After a detour to their family’s old farmhouse, they discover a group of crazed, murderous outcasts living next door. As the group is attacked one by one by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), who wears a mask of human skin, the survivors must do everything they can to escape.

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    2. ‘The Exorcist‘ (1973)

    12-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) begins to adapt an explicit new personality as strange events befall the local area of Georgetown. Her mother (Ellen Burstyn) becomes torn between science and superstition in a desperate bid to save her daughter, and ultimately turns to her last hope: Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller), a troubled priest who is struggling with his own faith.

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    1. ‘Halloween‘ (1978)

    A scene from 1978's 'Halloween'. Photo: Compass International Pictures.
    A scene from 1978’s ‘Halloween’. Photo: Compass International Pictures.

    Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween Night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

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  • Best Horror Movies On Netflix Right Now!

    Best Horror Movies On Netflix Right Now!

    Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter in 'Red Dragon'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter in ‘Red Dragon’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Sometimes you want a movie with laughs or action. Other times? You want one with lots of screaming and running.

    With Halloween fast approaching, Moviefone has compiled a list of the 20 scariest and creepiest movies available right now to watch on Netflix.

    NOTE: As Netflix is constantly updating their programing, this list is based on what is available on the streamer as of October 2025. 

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: 35 Scariest Horror Movies of All-Time, Ranked


    20. ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer‘ (2025)

    (L to R) Chase Sui Wonders as Ava Brucks, Madelyn Cline as Danica Richards, Sarah Pidgeon as Stevie Ward, and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson in 2025's 'I Know What You Did Last Summer.' Photo: Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Chase Sui Wonders as Ava Brucks, Madelyn Cline as Danica Richards, Sarah Pidgeon as Stevie Ward, and Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson in 2025’s ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.

    When five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident, they cover up their involvement and make a pact to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. A year later, their past comes back to haunt them and they’re forced to confront a horrifying truth: someone knows what they did last summer…and is hell-bent on revenge.

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    19. ‘Ouija‘ (2014)

    A group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board.

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    18. ‘Red Dragon‘ (2002)

    Former FBI Agent Will Graham (Edward Norton), who was once almost killed by the savage Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), now has no choice but to face him again, as it seems Lecter is the only one who can help Graham track down a new serial killer.

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    17. ‘Train to Busan‘ (2016)

    When a zombie virus pushes Korea into a state of emergency, those trapped on an express train to Busan must fight for their own survival.

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    16. ‘The Ritual’ (2018)

    A group of college friends reunite for a trip to the forest, but encounter a menacing presence in the woods that’s stalking them.

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    15. ‘Until Dawn‘ (2025)

    (L to R) Odessa A’zion, Belmont Cameli, Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino and Ji-young Yoo star in 'Until Dawn'. Photo: Sony Pictures. Photo: Kerry Brown. © 2024 Screen Gems, Inc. and TSG Entertainment II LLC. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Odessa A’zion, Belmont Cameli, Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino and Ji-young Yoo star in ‘Until Dawn’. Photo: Sony Pictures. Photo: Kerry Brown. © 2024 Screen Gems, Inc. and TSG Entertainment II LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    One year after her sister Melanie (Mala Mitchell) mysteriously disappeared, Clover (Ella Rubin) and her friends head into the remote valley where she vanished in search of answers. Exploring an abandoned visitor center, they find themselves stalked by a masked killer and horrifically murdered one by one…only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning of the same evening.

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    14. ‘Gerald’s Game‘ (2017)

    When her husband’s sex game goes wrong, Jessie (Carla Gugino), who is handcuffed to a bed in a remote lake house, faces warped visions, dark secrets and a dire choice.

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    13. ‘The Babysitter‘ (2017)

    When Cole (Judah Lewis) stays up past his bedtime, he discovers that his hot babysitter (Samara Weaving) is part of a Satanic cult that will stop at nothing to keep him quiet.

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    12. ‘Creep‘ (2014)

    Looking for work, Aaron (Patrick Brice) comes across a cryptic online ad: “$1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is appreciated.” Low on cash and full of naiveté, he decides to go for it. He drives to a cabin in a remote mountain town where he meets Josef (Mark Duplass), his cinematic subject for the day. Josef is sincere and the project seems heartfelt, so Aaron begins to film. But as the day goes on, it becomes clear that Josef is not who he says, and his intentions are not at all pure.

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    11. ‘The Strangers‘ (2008)

    After a 4 a.m. knock at the door and haunting voices, Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) and James Hoyt’s (Scott Speedman) remote getaway becomes a psychological night of terror as three masked strangers invade. Now they must go far beyond what they thought themselves capable of if they hope to survive.

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    10. ‘Sinister‘ (2012)

    Ethan Hawke in 'Sinister'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    Ethan Hawke in ‘Sinister’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    True-crime writer Ellison Oswald (Ethan Hawke) is in a slump; he hasn’t had a best seller in more than 10 years and is becoming increasingly desperate for a hit. So, when he discovers the existence of a snuff film showing the deaths of a family, he vows to solve the mystery. He moves his own family into the victims’ home and gets to work. However, when old film footage and other clues hint at the presence of a supernatural force, Ellison learns that living in the house may be fatal.

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    9. ‘Escape Room‘ (2019)

    Six strangers find themselves in circumstances beyond their control, and must use their wits to survive.

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    8. ‘No One Gets Out Alive‘ (2021)

    An immigrant (Cristina Rodlo) in search of the American dream is forced to take a room in a boarding house and soon finds herself in a nightmare from which she can’t escape.

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    7. ‘Slender Man‘ (2018)

    In a small town in Massachusetts, four high school girls perform a ritual in an attempt to debunk the lore of Slender Man. When one of the girls goes mysteriously missing, they begin to suspect that she is, in fact, his latest victim.

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    6. ‘The Perfection‘ (2019)

    When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte (Allison Williams) seeks out Elizabeth (Logan Browning), the new star pupil of her former school, the encounter sends both musicians down a sinister path with shocking consequences.

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    5. ‘28 Years Later‘ (2025)

    (L to R) Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son Spike (Alfie Williams) in Columbia Pictures' '28 Years Later'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son Spike (Alfie Williams) in Columbia Pictures’ ’28 Years Later’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.

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    4. ‘Apostle‘ (2018)

    In 1905, a man (Dan Stevens) travels to a remote island in search of his missing sister who has been kidnapped by a mysterious religious cult.

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    3. ‘Velvet Buzzsaw‘ (2019)

    Big money artists and mega-collectors pay a high price when art collides with commerce. After a series of paintings by an unknown artist are discovered, a supernatural force enacts revenge on those who have allowed their greed to get in the way of art.

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    2. ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula‘ (1992)

    Centuries-old vampire Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) travels to Victorian London, where he becomes obsessed with Mina Murray (Winona Ryder), the fiancée of his solicitor, Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves), believing her to be the reincarnation of his long-lost love.

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    1. ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre‘ (1974)

    A scene from 1974's 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'. Photo: Bryanston Distributing Company.
    A scene from 1974’s ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’. Photo: Bryanston Distributing Company.
    Five friends head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way, they stumble across what appears to be a deserted house, only to discover something sinister within. Something armed with a chainsaw.
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  • ‘Jason Bourne’ Franchise Rights up For Grabs

    Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in 2016's 'Jason Bourne'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in 2016’s ‘Jason Bourne’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Preview:

    • The ‘Jason Bourne’ novel rights are available again.
    • Skydance and Netflix are among the interested parties.
    • And in a separate development, the rights to ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ horror concept are also up for grabs.

    At a time when the James Bond franchise is at a real creative crossroads and under new direction from Amazon/MGM, another popular espionage/assassination movie series is seeing its source material hit the auction block.

    The Hollywood Reporter brings word that the Robert Ludlum library, which comprises the rights to Jason Bourne and his other creations, is being offered up by agency WME on behalf of the late author’s estate.

    It’s something of a surprise, since Universal has had the rights for years, producing several movies starring Matt Damon and at least one spin-off (more on that below).

    Yet things have been noticeably quiet on the ‘Bourne’ front of late, even though Universal looked to develop a fresh take with ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ and ‘Conclave’ director Edward Berger, so now it appears the studio is turning the character loose.

    Related Article: Jason Bourne: ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Director Edward Berger Developing New Movie

    What’s the history of the ‘Bourne’ movies?

    Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in 'The Bourne Ultimatum.' Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in ‘The Bourne Ultimatum.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Jason Bourne sprung from the mind of Ludlum, who published ‘The Bourne Identity’ novel in 1980.

    Two decades later, star Damon and director Doug Liman introduced him to the big screen with 2002’s eponymous first film.

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    The movie, coming a few years before Daniel Craig’s grounded reinvention of James Bond with ‘Casino Royale,’ ushered in a new era of spy movies that gritty favored realism rather than high-tech gadgets.

    ‘Identity’ spawned two sequels based on Ludlum’s books, ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ (2004) and ‘The Bourne Supremacy’ (2007), both directed by Paul Greengrass.

    Universal extended the franchise with Jeremy Renner playing a different character in 2012’s ‘The Bourne Legacy,’ but it didn’t work out as well.

    Damon and Greengrass returned a few years later with 2016’s ‘Jason Bourne,’ which earned $415 million globally.

    Who could pick up the ‘Bourne’ rights?

    Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in 2016's 'Jason Bourne'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in 2016’s ‘Jason Bourne’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Per the Reporter’s story, Skydance, Apple and Netflix are said to have met with the estate for the rights.

    And let’s not completely count out Universal, which could potentially win the rights back if it made an attractive bid.

    As for whether Damon might return as Bourne, we’d cast our doubts as he may well be done with the character, and whoever nabs the rights is likely going to go the reboot route. But never say never!

    Bourne, however, isn’t the only property hitting the market, as one of horror’s most famous icons is also up for grabs right now… Step (or lumber, wielding a power tool) forward ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.’

    What’s the history of ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’?

    1974's 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'. Photo: Bryanston Distributing Company.
    1974’s ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’. Photo: Bryanston Distributing Company.

    Conceived by Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel and directed by Hooper, the original project was inspired by serial killers like Ed Gein and Elmer Wayne Henley.

    The 1974 movie was stitched together by a variety of funding sources (which ended up causing disagreements between rights holders) by Hooper, who made the feature about a killer, named Leatherface, who uses his chainsaw to go on a cannibalistic killing spree, for $140,000 (not adjusted for inflation), shooting the movie in the rural Texas countryside with unknown actors in 95 degree-plus heat.

    In 1983, New Line Cinema acquired distribution rights. The entire franchise would go on to count nine movies in total, grossing north of $252 million at the worldwide box office, spawning comics, a novel and two video game adaptations.

    The franchise was also responsible for launching marquee stars: the 1994 sequel, ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation,’ starred a very early-days Matthew McConaughey and Renée Zellweger.

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    New Line launched a 2003 remake directed by German filmmaker Marcus Nispel with Michael Bay producing and pre-‘Quiet PlaceAndrew Form and Brad Fuller executive producing.

    Starring Jessica Biel just as she was segueing from TV to the big screen, it remains the highest-grossing installment at $107 million. That version was shot by the director of photography of the 1974 film, Daniel Pearl.

    The most recent take was the 2022 Netflix release, starring Elsie Fisher and Jacob Latimore, and directed by David Blue Garcia.

    What’s happening with ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’?

    Mark Burnham as Leatherface in Netflix's 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre.' Photo: Netflix.
    Mark Burnham as Leatherface in Netflix’s ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre.’ Photo: Netflix.

    Currently, according to Deadline, the agency known as Verve has the rights, having scooped them up in 2017 and now about to offer them up to interested parties.

    As the company’s statement to the trade site reads:

    “Verve represents ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ estate and is building out a multimedia strategy for the seminal horror franchise. Verve has not officially submitted the property into any filmmakers, producers or buyers. Because this is such a hot and iconic horror property, packages are pre-emptively being brought to Verve.”

    Among those looking to pick up the rights are apparently filmmaker/scribe JT Mollner and producer Roy Lee, hot off ‘Strange Darling,’ their $3 million-grossing, 96% certified Rotten Tomatoes cult hit.

    If Mollner gets a script together, word per Deadline is that Glen Powell would like to read it. It’s very early days on this; no contracts or attachments as of yet, and the Mollner/Powell combo is but one interested party of many.

    Who else? Try Lionsgate and A24, which have both seen success with horror. And we’d be surprised if Neon, which released ‘Longlegs’ and ‘The Monkey’ didn’t also consider this one.

    It’s early days, but we don’t expect to wait too long before hearing the roar of the chainsaw again.

    Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in 'The Bourne Ultimatum.' Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in ‘The Bourne Ultimatum.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Other Movies in ‘The Bourne Identity’ Franchise:

    Buy Matt Damon Movies on Amazon

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