Few horror franchises have ever enjoyed the longevity of the Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ movie series. Engineered by director Sam Raimi, the movies were originally meant to be nothing more than a trilogy. The ever-increasing budget was matched by box office takes that rose from $2.6 million (The Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ) to $5.9 million (Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ II), and finally $21.5 million (Army of Darkness). The franchise has since been revived through a 2013 reboot, led by Fede Álvarez (Alien: Romulus). It earned a shocking $97.5 million at the box office, alongside mildly positive reviews from critics.

The future of the franchise remains bright. After the 2013 movie, Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Rise (2023) earned $147 million and earned critical acclaim. A sequel, Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Burn, is slated for a 2026 release. Sébastien Vaniček (Infested) is poised to serve as the director. While these movies have certainly ensured that the franchise can endure, the originals remain cult classics. Thankfully, three of those movies are now coming to the streaming service Shudder.

For Fans Of…

• A careful mix of comedy and horror.
• Regular humans fighting demons.
• Director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, The Gift)
• Independent horror movies with a lot of gore.

Why You Should Watch The Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Movies On Shudder

They Remain Cult Classics

While Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ II (1987) is already available on Shudder, it will soon be joined by the rest of its trilogy. The Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ (1981) will begin streaming on March 15, just two weeks after Army of Darkness (1992)’s March 1 release. At the same time, March 15 will see Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ (2013), the first movie from the reboot series, appear on Shudder. Of the major theatrical releases, only Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Rise (2023) will not be on the platform, as it is currently streaming on Max.

The franchise surrounds the concept of a demonic invasion, after Ash (Bruce Campbell) accidentally unleashes a horde of horror with The Necronomicon. The resulting devastation is legendary, and the original trilogy reveals why. Having the first four major movies in one place finally makes binging the franchise a simple possibility that was not quite so easy before. The original trilogy was well-received when it was first released, but the 21st-century movies helped to revive interest over two decades after the franchise ended.

The box office explosion with the reboot is proof that audiences still love the franchise, even without Sam Raimi at the helm. The premise of the franchise is not necessarily unique, but it never needs to be. The absurd situations, the depth of the brutality, and the thrilling performances are what made this universe so beloved. Above all, the tone has been central to making Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ as well-regarded as it is. Anyone who enjoys watching movies that balance horror and comedy should sit back to watch these movies as soon as possible, especially with the sequel on the way.

What Screen Rant Has Said About Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ:

Admittedly, 1992’s Army of Darkness is a little less dark than its predecessors, while 2013’s Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ reboot is uniquely mean-spirited and grim in this regard. However, the basic setup of the series doesn’t change from one installment to another. The settings and characters might be different but, once the Necronomicon comes out and its fateful incantations are read aloud, bloody mayhem becomes a reliable guarantee for viewers of the famous franchise. 10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching The Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Movies

5 Other Great Horror Movies On Shudder Right Now

• The Kindred (1987)
• The Spider (1958)
• Arcadian (2024)
• A Lonely Place To Die (2011)
• The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989)