 |
| Posters from the Evil Dead movie franchise |
What began as Sam Raimi's low-budget cabin horror in 1981 has evolved into a franchise that mixes terrifying Deadites, outrageous practical effects, dark comedy, and surprisingly emotional storytelling. Whether you prefer relentless gore, slapstick horror, or modern psychological scares, there's an Evil Dead movie for every horror fan.
Here's our ranking of every theatrical Evil Dead film—from the weakest entry to the undisputed king of the franchise.
Quick Answer
Our pick for the best Evil Dead movie is Evil Dead II (1987). It perfectly balances horror, comedy, inventive filmmaking, and Bruce Campbell's iconic performance, making it the defining entry in the franchise.
6. Evil Dead (2013)
Director: Fede Álvarez
Why It's Last
Calling this the "worst" Evil Dead movie is a little unfair because it's still an excellent horror film.
Fede Álvarez stripped away most of the franchise's dark humor and delivered one of the most brutal horror remakes ever made. The practical effects are outstanding, the Deadites are terrifying, and the infamous rain-of-blood finale is unforgettable.
However, compared with the rest of the franchise, it lacks the playful personality that made Evil Dead unique.
Best For
Fans who enjoy intense survival horror with minimal comedy.
⭐ Rating: 8/10
 |
| Mia battling Deadites in Evil Dead (2013) |
5. Army of Darkness (1992)
Director: Sam Raimi
This is the franchise's biggest departure.
Instead of pure horror, Army of Darkness embraces fantasy, adventure, and slapstick comedy as Ash Williams is transported to medieval England.
Bruce Campbell is endlessly entertaining, and the film gave us legendary one-liners like:
"Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun."
While it's incredibly fun, longtime horror fans may find it a little too light on scares.
Best For
Viewers who love fantasy adventures mixed with outrageous comedy.
⭐ Rating: 8.3/10
4. Evil Dead Burn (2026)
Director: Sébastien Vaniček
The newest chapter proves the franchise still has fresh ideas.
Rather than copying previous films, Evil Dead Burn introduces a new family trapped in an isolated setting as Deadites unleash absolute chaos.
The practical gore is some of the franchise's best, and the emotional themes of grief give the story surprising weight.
Its only weakness is that it leans heavily into relentless brutality, leaving less room for the dark humor that longtime fans often associate with Evil Dead.
Best For
Fans who want nonstop horror and practical effects.
⭐ Rating: 8.6/10
 |
| Deadite from Evil Dead Burn (2026) |
3. The Evil Dead (1981)
Director: Sam Raimi
The movie that started it all.
Made on a tiny budget, The Evil Dead remains one of horror's greatest independent success stories.
Its frantic camerawork, inventive practical effects, and relentless pacing created a style that countless horror films have since imitated.
Even today, it's genuinely unsettling because of its raw energy and unpredictability.
Without this movie, modern horror would look very different.
Best For
Fans interested in horror history and practical filmmaking.
⭐ Rating: 9/10
2. Evil Dead Rise (2023)
Director: Lee Cronin
Moving the Deadites from a lonely cabin into a cramped apartment building was a brilliant decision.
The urban setting creates a new kind of claustrophobic horror, while Alyssa Sutherland delivers one of the franchise's most terrifying Deadite performances.
Evil Dead Rise successfully balances shocking violence with emotional family drama, making it one of the strongest modern entries.
Best For
Anyone looking for a terrifying standalone horror movie.
⭐ Rating: 9.3/10
 |
| Ellie possessed by the Deadites in Evil Dead Rise (2023) |
1. Evil Dead II (1987)
Director: Sam Raimi
If someone asks which Evil Dead movie best represents the franchise, this is the answer.
Evil Dead II essentially reinvents the original by blending terrifying horror with absurd comedy and groundbreaking visual creativity.
Bruce Campbell's performance as Ash Williams became legendary here, turning him into one of horror cinema's greatest heroes.
From the laughing room sequence to Ash fighting his own possessed hand, nearly every scene has become iconic.
It's funny.
It's scary.
It's endlessly rewatchable.
Simply put, it's one of the greatest horror movies ever made.
Best For
Everyone.
⭐ Rating: 10/10
 |
| Ash Williams holding his chainsaw in Evil Dead II |
Our Final Ranking
| Rank | Movie | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Evil Dead II (1987) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10) |
| 🥈 | Evil Dead Rise (2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (9.3/10) |
| 🥉 | The Evil Dead (1981) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (9.0/10) |
| 4 | Evil Dead Burn (2026) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8.6/10) |
| 5 | Army of Darkness (1992) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8.3/10) |
| 6 | Evil Dead (2013) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8.0/10) |
Which Evil Dead Movie Should You Watch?
| If You Want... | Watch... |
|---|---|
| The scariest movie | Evil Dead Rise |
| Classic horror | The Evil Dead |
| Horror-comedy | Evil Dead II |
| Fantasy adventure | Army of Darkness |
| Brutal gore | Evil Dead (2013) |
| Modern franchise entry | Evil Dead Burn |
Key Takeaways
- Evil Dead II remains the franchise's gold standard.
- Evil Dead Rise successfully modernized the series without losing its identity.
- Sam Raimi's original film is still essential viewing for horror fans.
- Evil Dead Burn demonstrates that the franchise continues to evolve.
- Every film offers a different mix of horror, comedy, and action, making the series remarkably diverse.
FAQ
Do you need to watch the Evil Dead movies in order?
Not necessarily. Most entries tell standalone stories, though watching them in release order helps you appreciate the franchise's evolution.
Which Evil Dead movie is the scariest?
Many fans consider Evil Dead Rise and Evil Dead (2013) the scariest because of their relentless tension and graphic violence.
Which Evil Dead movie is the funniest?
Evil Dead II strikes the best balance between horror and comedy, while Army of Darkness leans heavily into fantasy and slapstick.
Is Evil Dead Burn connected to the earlier movies?
It's a standalone installment set within the broader Evil Dead universe, making it accessible to newcomers while still rewarding longtime fans.