(Photo by Paramount Pictures)
Strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, language and drug material – all involving teens. Or, at least, 30-year-olds pretending to be teens.
Welcome to Crystal Lake, where the canoes are creaky, the dippin’ is skinny, and the camp activities are to die for. Since 1980, the shah of slashers, Jason Voorhees, has been terrorizing any who are unlucky enough to reach its shores. His murderous method? Anything he can get his naughty paws on, be it machete, harpoon gun, or sleeping bag. The original Friday the 13th was one of those no-budget grubby horror flicks with massive returns, secure among the likes of Halloween and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The franchise it spawned is a shining, bloody emblem of the golden age of slasher movies, though critics grew less appreciative of the series’ increasingly ludicrous carnage. But the Friday franchise’s memorable soundtrack, frequently tongue-in-cheek atmosphere, and iconic star has kept it in the horror conversation for decades, carrying audiences though 3-D (the third Friday, where Jason first dons the hockey mask), deep space (Jason X), celebrity death matches (Freddy vs. Jason), and utter meltdowns (Jason Goes to Hell).
Wherever this wacky world may take Jason next (therapy, perhaps?), Rotten Tomatoes will be here with this list of every Friday the 13th movie ranked by Tomatometer! —Alex Vo
#1
Adjusted Score: 69817%
Critics Consensus: Rather quaint by today’s standards, Friday the 13th still has its share of bloody surprises and a ’70s-holdover aesthetic to slightly compel.
#2
Adjusted Score: 52424%
Critics Consensus: Friday the 13th: Part VI – Jason Lives indeed brings back ol’ Vorhees, along with a sense of serviceable braindead fun.
#3
Adjusted Score: 47556%
Critics Consensus: Fans of the two horror franchises will enjoy this showdown. But for everyone else, it’s the same old slice and dice.
#4
Adjusted Score: 36619%
Critics Consensus: As lumbering and bereft of conscious thought as its unstoppable star, Friday the 13th Part VII – The New Blood finds the franchise in desperate need of the title ingredient.
#5
Adjusted Score: 33959%
Critics Consensus: Friday the 13th Part 2 sets the template for the franchise to follow with more teen victims, more gruesome set pieces, and fewer reasons to keep following along.
#6
Adjusted Score: 31706%
Critics Consensus: Though technically well-constructed, Friday the 13th is a series rehash that features little to distinguish it from its predecessors.
#7
Adjusted Score: 26408%
Critics Consensus: As lumberingly single-minded as its homicidal star, Friday the 13th – The Final Chapter adds another rote entry to an increasingly labored franchise.
#8
Adjusted Score: 22157%
Critics Consensus: Jason goes to the future, but the story is still stuck in the past.
#9
Adjusted Score: 19382%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#10
Adjusted Score: 16143%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#11
Adjusted Score: 12776%
Critics Consensus: Jason terrorizes a ship and nearly sinks the franchise in a clunky sequel that feels like self-parody without the charm.
#12
Adjusted Score: 9299%
Critics Consensus: Jason may solidify his iconic wardrobe in this entry, but Friday the 13th Part 3 lacks any other distinguishing features, relying on a tired formula of stab and repeat.