2022 has seen a revival of sorts for the slasher subgenre thanks to original films like X and Bodies Bodies Bodies, and new entries to iconic franchises like Scream and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It was in February that Netflix released a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre and it's interesting to see how it matches up to past installments.
Like most slasher film series, the history of this one has been a mixed bag, with some that are considered among the best in the genre and others that were slammed by both critics and fans. That is evident with their ratings on Letterboxd.
9 The Return Of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1995) - 1.94
Rent On Vudu
There are a lot of wild, random things that happen in slasher sequels, yet The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre still remains one of the oddest films in history. For starters, the slasher features known actors Matthew McConaughey and Renée Zellweger, years before they won Oscars.
The movie sees Zellweger's Jenny and her friends kidnapped by a bloodthirsty family that includes McConaughey's unhinged character. It only got a wider release after the stars became more famous but it includes some over-the-top scenes that were negatively viewed by almost everyone. It's fun to look back on given the cast though.
8 Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) - 1.98
Stream On Netflix
The newest entry into the franchise is a Netflix original that boasted a solid young cast led by Elsie Fisher. Indeed, many of the performances were praised but most other aspects were criticized from the short runtime to the screenplay.
There's an interesting connection where Sally, the survivor of the original film, returns to face off with Leatherface though many found it disappointing. The film does a solid job of bringing the franchise to the modern era and ends with a bang, though there's no word on another installment.
7 Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) - 2.05
Stream On HBO Max
After the '80s, each decade since has seen two entries in the franchise. The first of the 2010s was Texas Chainsaw 3D, looking to capitalize on the popularity of 3D technology in cinema at the time. Unfortunately, even the 3D aspects weren't well received.
Focusing on the usual group of young adults being terrorized by Leatherface, this movie added a twist as one of the girls is directly related to the killer. It wasn't a change that people seemed to enjoy though. Talented rising stars like Alexandra Daddario, Scott Eastwood, and others are worth checking out.
6 Leatherface (2017) - 2.18
Stream On HBO Max
By this point, nearly everything that could be done with the franchise had been attempted. To do something new, this prequel went even further back than the one from the 2000s, showcasing Leatherface as a teen and seeing what transforms him into a killer.
Critics seemed to appreciate this attempt, as the screenplay was decently received. Some fans did find Leatherface a bit slow paced and it doesn't have the kind of kills a slasher is known for but it does something different, which is endearing. Plus, Stephen Dorff and Lili Taylor do strong work with their characters.
5 Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990) - 2.38
Rent On Apple TV
The rare film to get an X-rating by the MPAA, Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III had to be re-cut to get it down to an R rating, though it still didn't gross much at the box office. The premise here was the same as always with Leatherface's family terrorizing people in Texas.
For the most part, the reviews for this Texas Chainsaw film were poor at the time of release but over the years, it has become something of a goofy cult classic. Fans of the movie don't consider it an all-time great but they praise it for being entertaining from start to finish.
4 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006) - 2.59
Rent On Prime Video
The 2000s saw a remake of the original and an attempt at a prequel. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning is that prequel, giving viewers a gritty look at events from four years before the 1974 movie. It got a boost from young stars like Jordana Brewster, Matt Bomer, and Diora Baird.
At the box office, performed pretty well commercially and reviews were decent. The blood and gore elements were raised, which was a staple of an era where Saw movies reigned supreme but things like the script were criticized.
3 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) - 2.93
Rent On Apple TV
There are some fans who still hold up the 1974 original as the greatest slasher movie ever made, so remaking it was a tall task. It was still something filmmakers tried in 2003, with Jessica Biel leading a solid cast.
This recreated a lot of what worked in the original while upping things like gore and violence. The gritty nature of it all also felt right in line with Tobe Hooper's vision as this is the kind of movie that just feels dirty to watch. It also grossed more than $100 million at the box office.
2 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) - 3.31
Stream On HBO Max
Over a decade after the first film, Tobe Hooper returned with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and at the time, many were disappointed. The original is ruthless, terrifying, and harrowing but this sequel has a more comedic approach.
It's a route that a lot of horror sequels take and it worked here for some viewers but not for others. It also featured more gore and over-the-top antics that again were met with a mixed response. It has become more beloved over the years though.
1 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) - 3.90
Stream On Shudder, AMC+, Showtime, & Freevee
Tobe Hooper's original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of the most influential movies in history. Everything from the gritty nature to how well it used the small budget to some of the kills have all been replayed or recreated in so many later movies.
With a budget of less than $150,000, Hooper managed to find success to the point where a franchise was born and a legendary horror character made his debut. It is considered one of the scariest films ever made for a reason.