Did you miss the streaming release of the 2023 gore-fest Evil Dead Rise? Fear not, because you can stream this horror sequel right now. Here is our take on the fifth Evil Dead film and the rest of the franchise: its Streaming Now ranking might shock you.
5. Evil Dead (2013)
Though the reviews for the serious-minded film reboot of Sam Raimi’s original trilogy are far from terrible, Evil Dead remains the worst movie of the series simply because of its unoriginality this late in horror history. Debuting filmmaker Fede Álvarez splatters through an ugly, messy quasi-retelling of the original The Evil Dead film, and even the sentimental elements injected by the writer/director do not add up to a more meaningful experience. Without any connection to the rest of the series, this is the one entry that all but the gore fanatics can skip.
Evil Dead is available to rent.
4. Army of Darkness (1992)
Fanatics will fight against this, but Army of Darkness is not the pinnacle of the Evil Dead franchise. This fantasy conclusion to the sudden time-traveling ending of Evil Dead II blends swordplay and magic into Ash’s chainsaw-wielding fight against pure evil, even though the result is, by design, far more adventure than horror. The campy production of Army of Darkness generated a cult following, with word-of-mouth and at-home support leading to some calling it the best Evil Dead film; however, a modern viewing displays a mishmash of ideas that never cohere into one product.
Army of Darkness is available to rent.
3. The Evil Dead (1981)
The first Evil Dead film set the basis for the rest of the franchise: crazy evil stuff in the woods with wild effects and gore galore. Viewers nowadays cannot watch The Evil Dead without considering the substantially low budget, but this quality ultimately leads Raimi’s whole career of charm and creativity in filmmaking. This horror classic does not stand up to the many better slashers and possession films that came before and after, but it will forever be best known as the jumping-off point for future improvements.
The Evil Dead is streaming now on AMC+.
2. Evil Dead Rise (2023)
Evil Dead Rise‘s South By Southwest debut instantly connected with audiences: every ’80s horror fan appreciates the Evil Dead franchise, but no one expected another memorable entry. Irish director Lee Cronin’s cinematic follow-up to 2019’s The Hole in the Ground showed admiration for the original films while striking out a signature path, taking a new setting, plot, and scares to nasty heights. The story certainly does not compare to the best horror films when graded for originality, but for this franchise, we get just enough here to scratch the particular Evil Dead itch.
Evil Dead Rise is streaming now on Max.
1. Evil Dead II (1987)
Evil Dead II will, in all probability, never be usurped by another Evil Dead film. Raimi’s creative freedom in the sequel to his first well-known film showed that the unique “remake but so over-the-top that it’s funny” idea was unexpectedly genius. Those who found a morbid enjoyment in the insanity and repugnance of gnarly slashers poured out their love for Evil Dead II, and the rest is horror history.
Evil Dead II is streaming now on IndieFlix.
