After a string of straight-to-DVD sequels that fans largely considered to be mediocre, the Hellraiser franchise will be getting a major reboot from The Night House team. Though it's more associated with half-haphazardly put-together installments, the original Hellraiser was one of the edgier and more infamous horror movies of its day.

Fusing body horror, sadomasochism, and a healthy dose of dark humor, the Hellraiser movies have been both praised for their creative vision, but also maligned for poor quality control. Still, with ten movies to its name, the Hellraiser movies certainly have their share of highlights. So here are the top Hellraiser movies ranked, according to IMDb.

Hellraiser: Revelations (2012) - 2.7

Female Cenobite II Chatterer Hellraiser: Revelations

The first Hellraiser movie to not feature Doug Bradley in the role of Pinhead, Revelations is a sequel so infamous and reviled that even members of the cast have disowned it. Reportedly made to keep the Hellraiser rights, Revelations has gone down as one of the laziest, ill-conceived sequels in horror movie history.

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It follows two friends who discover the Lament Configuration while on a trip to Mexico. They open it, and predictable, tired mayhem ensues. Recasting Doug Bradley was bad enough for fans, but this sequel reeked of so much desperation, with its rehashed storytelling and sloppy storytelling, that it represented an absolute low point for a franchise that had already become infamous for having lackluster installments.

Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005) - 4.2

Doug Bradley as Pinhead in Hellraiser Hellworld

A product of the post-Matrix boom, Hellworld is a digitally-themed take on the Hellraiser franchise that fans agree that at best is misguided, and is at worst a cynical cash-grab. But it at least boasts the fact that it features Doug Bradley's final performance as the infamous Pinhead.

Hellworld follows a group of party-going young adults that attend a rave themed around the latest video game, which happens to be modeled after the Hellraiser mythos. Of course, death and dismemberment ensue as the Cenobites wreak havoc upon the hapless kids. While not the best in the franchise, Hellworld at least features a noteworthy cast. Not only is Bradley along for the ride, but both genre favorite Lance Henricksen and a young, pre-Superman Henry Cavill join the fun.

Hellraiser: Judgement (2018) - 4.3

Pinhead from Hellraiser Judgement

One of the most recent installments, Judgement appeased diehard fans while ultimately alienating mainstream audiences. One of the few sequels to be originally conceived as a Hellraiser film (more on that later), that doesn't save Judgement from the fact that audiences generally find it an overly grotesque and thoroughly unpleasant movie-going experience. Though that's obviously not a deal breaker for diehard Hellraiser fans.

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Judgement follows a group of detectives that are hunting down a serial killer that appears to be connected with the Lament Configuration. Obviously, Pinhead and company are involved, but this movie feels just as much inspired by Se7en as it is by the first Hellraiser film. While fans were grateful to have a genuine, sincere attempt at a sequel, most weren't impressed by this film's sordid and bleak vision.

Hellraiser: Deader (2004) - 4.4

Deader centers around a cult fascinated by mortality and the afterlife. Of course, Pinhead and the Cenobites get involved, providing a sequel that's more watchable but just as forgettable as the previous installments. It's no secret that the majority of these sequels started out as unrelated specs that were hastily rewritten to become Hellraiser films.

Deader isn't the most gratuitous example of this, but it might just be the most tired. While this installment earns points for shooting at a different locale and following a more unique storyline, it falls into the same traps as the rest of the sequels, hackneyed lore, stale characters, and a complete misuse of the Pinhead character.

Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2003) - 4.9

Surgeon Cenobite Hellraiser: Hellseeker

While this sequel is guilty of the same problems as Deader, fans tend to give Hellseeker more of a pass because, at the very least, it brings back Ashley Laurence in the role of Kirsty. She's one of the most recognizable characters from the franchise, so it made Hellseeker appear more credible as a sequel.

But that's not enough to save it from mediocrity in the eyes of critics and audiences. What's worse is, Hellseeker is almost a total rip-off of the sequel that preceded it, Inferno. And it doesn't improve upon its predecessor in any way other than bringing in a familiar face.

Hellraiser: Bloodline (1994)

Hellraiser Bloodlines doesnt deserve the bad reputation

The last of the theatrically released Hellraiser films, Bloodline actually brings a lot of new ideas to the table. Unfortunately, it has too many ideas, some of which are misguided at best and silly at worst. It takes place over the course of three eras, following the bloodline of a family that's trying to defeat Pinhead and his Cenobites for good.

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While by no means the worst, Bloodline might be the most uneven. The section taking place in the 18th century is some of the franchise's most gothic and atmospheric material. But then the filmmakers had to take Pinhead and company into outer space, a decision which has worked out for pretty much no slasher villain.

Hellraiser: Inferno (2000) - 5.4

Wire Twins Cenobites Hellraiser: Inferno

While it's the first of the straight-to-DVD sequels, and the first sequel to not have started out as a Hellraiser property, Inferno gets credit from fans for some truly disturbing imagery and horrific sequences. So it's no surprise that the film's director, Scott Derrickson, would go on to become an acclaimed horror director.

That being said, Derrickson can only do much with this material. A corrupt detective discovers the Lament Configuration and becomes slowly tormented by Pinhead, who has less than 10 minutes of screen time. It's a generic detective story that makes vague allusions to the Hellraiser mythos, making it feel like a cynical cash-grab despite the fact that Derrickson's talents truly shine through.

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1993) - 5.5

Pinhead in Hellraiser 3 Hell on Earth

In many ways, Hellraiser III is the closest to a traditional slasher movie that the franchise has to offer, which could be a saving grace or a death curse. While it's far less ambitious and creative than many of the other installments, Hellraiser III also redeems itself with entertainment value.

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It follows a reporter that's investigating a series of killings related to the Lament Configuration before Pinhead starts wreaking havoc upon the city. By now, the producers realized that Pinhead was the heart and soul of the franchise, so this is the first time the character truly took center stage. While that doesn't mask the film's cheesier elements, Doug Bradley keeps the viewer's eyes glued to the screen.

Hellraiser II (1989) - 6.4

Pinhead looking unimpressed in Hellraiser 2.

While it's not one of the all-time great sequels, Hellraiser II is one of a few entries on this list that fans generally embrace. It's a direct continuation of the first movie as it follows Kirsty in her fight with a sociopathic doctor who becomes obsessed with the cenobites. The climax takes place in Hell, with a production design that toes the line between being both dated yet charming.

Unfortunately, Pinhead is still more or less a secondary character, making way for other villains that don't share his screen presence. Then again, Hellraiser II is more about the visuals and atmosphere and is more of an immersive experience than most of the sequels. Kirsty continues to make for an excellent protagonist, making it far easier to get emotionally involved. Anyone who admires the first film should be able to enjoy this sequel if nothing else.

Hellraiser (1987) - 6.9

Hellraiser 1987

While its legacy has been stained by the subsequent sequels, the original Hellraiser still stands as a true classic of the genre, and as one of the most provocative and mind-bending horror flicks of the '80s. While there's still a healthy amount of body horror and psychological sadism, the original film is much more interested in suspense and intrigue than the sequels.

It follows a sociopathic man who gets sucked into the Lament Configuration, only to return from the grave with the aid of his lover, who is also the wife of the man's husband. It was a genuinely controversial film that shocked and fascinated audiences upon its release and has sustained a solid shelf life thanks to some exquisite special effects, chilling performances, and powerful imagery.