When The Evil Dead debuted in 1981 it hardly seemed destined to become one of horror cinema’s most enduring cult classics. Created by three childhood friends — Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell — the low-budget passion project has since evolved into a sprawling franchise. Over four decades it has spawned sequels, a TV series, comic books, video games and even a stage musical, all expanding the franchise’s singular blend of gore, humor and wild imagination.
In this edition of Ranked, The Film Magazine examines and ranks the five main Evil Dead films, from Sam Raimi’s 1981 original The Evil Dead to 2023’s Evil Dead Rise. Our ranking considers gore, memorable lines and, most importantly, how well each film works on its own terms.
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5. Evil Dead (2013)
Fede Álvarez’s 2013 reboot took the franchise in a darker, grittier direction and split both critics and long-time fans. Where the original trilogy leaned into camp, slapstick and broad performances, Álvarez aimed for blunt, visceral horror. That tonal shift makes the film polarizing: some of its grounded, harrowing sequences are genuinely effective, while other moments feel tonally inconsistent with the franchise’s established spirit.
The updated premise — focusing on a recovering addict and the horrors he encounters at the cabin — is a strong foundation and yields several disturbing set pieces. Álvarez delivers tension, inventive kills and stomach-turning practical effects, and the production values are a clear step up from the original’s shoestring budget.
Still, the movie sometimes sacrifices the franchise’s darkly comic heart for relentless severity. That choice alienates viewers who love the series’ combination of outrageousness and gore. Despite its flaws, Evil Dead (2013) is worth watching for its bold attempts and a handful of memorably gruesome moments.
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