Friday the 13th | Ranked

Let's rank the Friday the 13th horror franchise...

There's no better horror franchise than FRIDAY THE 13TH. Go ahead, try and debate me on that, but you know you agree with me. The iconic character of Jason Voorhees has been a menace for decades, following in the footsteps as the great Michael Myers and becoming one of the most popular slashers of all time. In my opinion, Jason has had the most memorable kills in film. From SLEEPING BAGS to BARN ATTICS, Voorhees has been a force of horror nature.

With that, I rank what I believe are the BEST of the F13 franchise.

Enjoy! *ke ke ke, ha ha ha*

12. JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY (1993)

About: Serial killer Jason Voorhees' supernatural origins are revealed.

Analysis: Just the worst of the franchise. Nothing more, nothing less. It added nothing unique and clever or had any real good kills at least to the franchise.

SCORE: 1/5

11. FRIDAY THE 13TH  PART V: A NEW BEGINNING (1985)

About: Still haunted by his past, Tommy Jarvis, who, as a child, killed Jason Voorhees, is sent to a secluded halfway house in the countryside, where the killing of a young man triggers a brutal series of murders in the area.

Analysis: Not a bad entry, but not one of the better ones. I liked a few of the kills and it never loses its campiness.

SCORE: 2.5/5

10. FREDDY VS. JASON (2003)

About: Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) and Jason Voorhees (Ken Kirzinger) return to terrorize the teenagers of Elm Street. Only this time, they're out to get each other, too.

Analysis: A very fun entry into two of the biggest horror franchises of all time. A few really funny, clever and careless scenes/moments. Cast is also one of the better of each franchise, respectively. Just a fun movie.

SCORE: 3/5

9. FRIDAY THE 13TH PART II (1981)

About: Five years after the events of the first film, a summer camp next to the infamous Camp Crystal Lake is preparing to open, but the legend of Jason is weighing heavy on the proceedings.

Analysis: A very enjoyable entry. I know its a lot of peoples top favorites, but not for me personally. It has a ton of camp and great moments. But I didn't really enjoy any of the kills overall. I always loved Jason for his creative and unique kills. But its still a fun entry in the franchise.

SCORE: 3/5

8. FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD (1988)

About: Jason Voorhees is accidentally freed from his watery prison by a telekinetic teenager. Now, only she can stop him.

Analysis: I love the uniqueness of this entry. The ending flabbergasted me, so it takes away from it being a real classic of the franchise. I did like the story arc with Tina throughout the film. Also, this has the single greatest Jason Voorhees kill of all time... the sleeping bag kill.

SCORE: 3/5

7. FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER (1984)

About: After being announced dead and taken to a morgue, Jason Voorhees spontaneously revives, escapes from the hospital, and stalks a group of friends renting a house in the countryside near Crystal Lake.

Analysis: Final Chapter my ass. A great entry, however. It has a ton of fun moments, the kills are alright, loved Corey Feldman's performance.

SCORE: 3.5/5

6. JASON X (2001)

About: Jason Voorhees is cryogenically frozen at the beginning of the 21st century, and is discovered in the 25th century and taken to space. He gets thawed, and begins stalking and killing the crew of the spaceship that's transporting him.

Analysis: Easily one of the more underrated entries. Jason X is very fun, campy, the kills are great and it never takes itself seriously whatsoever. For me, that last part is the king of the film.

SCORE: 3.5/5

5. FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES (1986)

About: Tommy Jarvis exhumes Jason Voorhees to cremate his corpse, but inadvertently brings him back to life instead. The newly revived killer seeks revenge, and Tommy may be the only one who can stop him.

Analysis: I liked the humor and the kills with this entry, not much else going for it. But overall, I really liked the tone and atmosphere. Idk why I like this one more than Jason X, because I really enjoyed Jason X, but this one just has that something about it.

SCORE: 4/5

4. FRIDAY THE 13TH PART III (1982)

About: Jason Voorhees stalks a group of friends who have just arrived to spend the weekend at a cabin near Crystal Lake.

Analysis: Top 5 just for Shelley and he gets the hockey mask. Simple. No, but seriously the kills are great, I like all the characters and Jason came off more teleporty in this one and its awesome. Humor is great and just one of the best entries in the franchise.

SCORE: 4/5

3. FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980)

About: A group of teenage camp counselors attempt to re-open an abandoned summer camp with a tragic past, but they are stalked by a mysterious, relentless killer.

Analysis: A classic, the one that started it all. Kevin Bacon didn't deserve his fate, I will die on that hill. The cast and psychology, with the twist at the end is all terrific and endlessly watchable.

SCORE: 4/5

2. FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VIII: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN (1989)

About: Jason Voorhees is accidentally awakened from his watery grave and ends up stalking a ship full of graduating high-school students headed to Manhattan, New York.

Analysis: I have watched this entry an ungodly amount of times. So much fun from start to finish. It never takes itself seriously at all. I love the humor and the performance of Kane Hodder as Jason. They just didn't give a shit with this one, in a good way and I adore it all.

SCORE: 4/5

1. Friday the 13th (2009)

About: A group of young adults visit a boarded up campsite named Crystal Lake where they soon encounter the mysterious Jason Voorhees (Derek Mears) and his deadly intentions.

Analysis: The best Friday the 13th movie of all time. I'm honestly not sure anything in the franchise from here on out will ever top this entry. They got everything right with this one... the cast, humor, self awareness, Jason's performance, third act. I love how they showed Jason's woodsmanship and craftsmanship, which they never touched on in previous entries. All in all, it's a great film and the best of the F13 franchise.

SCORE: 4.5/5

OVERALL ANALYSIS

One of my personal favorite horror franchises of all time. Not more than Scream, but Friday the 13th is easily in second place. I truly believe that F13 has the best kills out of any horror franchise. I mean, literally every film has at least two kills that I consider to be the greatest kills in any horror film ever made. Every movie has some kind of strong entertainment value and I find myself going back and watching each film every year, every Halloween season.

The 2009 remake is my favorite because I love how they portrayed the Jason Voorhees character. He comes off more of a craftsman in the film, which...if you think about it, makes perfect sense for that character. Think about it, he's out in the middle of the woods, surviving and what else is there to do when you're completely off the grid trying to live it out? You're gonna pick up some skills along the way. So, therefore, 2009 F13 is my favorite of the franchise. I also love the kills in the movie, along with the characters. Yes, even Trent.

Now, as far as just pure, satire-like, balls out, random energy fun time... Jason Takes Manhattan is my second favorite of the franchise. It doesn't take itself seriously at all and I love it. It has some great comedic moments and the kills are still pretty good. But, I love mostly when a film like this, with these types of characters and concept, don't take themselves seriously at all. It makes it a more fun time for me. Cause I'm like... well of course you shouldn't take yourself too seriously when you're dressed up like a rejected hockey player who keeps coming to life in ways nobody would ever be able to do, realistically.

All in all, fantastic franchise with so many fun kills and the Jason Voorhees character is a fun one.