Building on the triumph of the initial three films, Netflix’s Fear Street saga carries on with Fear Street: Prom Queen. This film is inspired by R.L. Stine’s 1992 novel, The Prom Queen, from his cherished book series. The trailer hints at an exhilarating, gory night, and if it lives up to its predecessors, it will undoubtedly serve up a dose of chills, violence, and gruesome deaths. Coinciding with the original trilogy’s timeline, this standalone production is set in 1988 and revolves around Shadyside High School. As students eagerly await the prom, the potential Prom Queens find themselves under threat from an unidentified killer. Directed by Matt Palmer (Calibre), the movie features India Fowler, Ella Rubin, Suzanna Son, Ariana Greenblatt, David Iacono, Fina Strazza, Chris Klein, Lili Taylor, and Katherine Waterston in its cast.
As a passionate film enthusiast, I’ve found myself captivated by the chilling trilogy, “Fear Street: 1994,” “Fear Street: 1978,” and “Fear Street: 1666.” These cinematic masterpieces have been thoughtfully crafted with inspiration from iconic horror movies such as “Halloween,” “Scream,” “Friday the 13th,” “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Faculty,” and “The Witch.”
In a recent interview with Collider, director Leigh Janie Palmer revealed that the upcoming installment is an ode to the ’80s slasher genre. She explained, “Every aspect of this movie is a heartfelt tribute to ’80s slasher films. The influence seeps into every frame of the movie. There are several ’80s slasher movies that I adore – ‘Happy Birthday to Me,’ ‘Sleepaway Camp,’ and ‘Pieces’ among them – and our aim was to create a ‘lost slasher classic.’ We wanted it to seem as if the film had been hidden away since 1988 and only now brought to light.
As a movie enthusiast eagerly anticipating the upcoming release of “Fear Street: Prom Queen” on May 23rd, I’d like to share a list of ten captivating prom horror films that have previously set the stage for an exhilarating bloodbath. In the meantime, these movies are perfect for satisfying your craving for a blend of magic, fun, and chilling suspense that only the genre can deliver.
10
‘Carrie’ (1976)
Carrie White, portrayed by Sissy Spacek, is a timid 16-year-old girl with telekinetic abilities who endures daily bullying at school and an oppressive home life under her abusive, devoutly religious mother.
The Best High School Horror Film Ever Made
In this story, Sue Snell (played by Amy Irving), a friend of the protagonist, understands her predicament and persuades her popular boyfriend Tommy (William Katt) to escort Carrie to the senior prom. This act brings a sense of love and acceptance into Carrie’s life, but sadly, an act of cruelty results in one of the genre’s most memorable tragedies. This heart-touching tale explores themes such as self-discovery, isolation, buried pain, social exclusion, and many other profound aspects. The 2002 remake deviates significantly from the original, while the 2013 version is essentially a contemporary retelling of the same story.
9
‘Prom Night’ (1980)
Following Carrie, Prom Night is arguably the most recognized film on this list. This slasher mystery revolves around a group of 11-year-olds who accidentally killed Robin (portrayed by Tammy Bourne), a fellow 10-year-old, during a game in an abandoned structure while taunting her. They vowed to keep their actions hidden from one another, but as the years passed, it became clear that someone had uncovered the truth. As high school seniors eagerly anticipate prom night, these teenagers are hunted by a masked murderer. Additionally, Jamie Lee Curtis’ character Kim Hammond, Robin’s older sibling and the prom queen, grapples with the past.
A Chilling Tale of Revenge
Despite not receiving the same level of critical acclaim or direction as Curtis’ initial horror films like Halloween (1978) and The Fog (1980), Prom Night remains a significant contribution to the genre, particularly within the realm of ’80s horror. This movie effectively encapsulates the spirit of that era and offers an entertaining slasher experience that you won’t regret watching.
8
‘Student Bodies’ (1981)
Back in the ’80s, before “Scary Movie” and “Scream” took over our horror screens, I had the pleasure of discovering “Student Bodies”, the trailblazer that first skewered the slasher parody subgenre from its roots. In this chilling tale, a small-town murderer known as The Breather (whose voice was brought to life by Richard Belzer) was on the loose, targeting the students and faculty of Lamab High School. With an eerie resemblance to Ghostface, he enjoyed playing cat-and-mouse over the phone, his breaths heavy and chilling on each call, masking his voice through a rubber chicken.
A Ridiculously Good Time
This film takes a humorous approach to movies such as Halloween (1978), Friday the 13th (1980), Prom Night, and Carrie. It also pays homage to the giallo genre with its villain donning dishwashing gloves instead of the traditional black ones. His comical choice of weapons ranges from paperclips, blackboard erasers, and bookends. If you’re a fan of ’70s and ’80s horror flicks, this movie is sure to provide some laughter.
7
‘Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II’ (1987)
The movie titled “Prom Night” may not have received critical acclaim, but it was financially successful, leading to a series being established. Out of the three sequels – “Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II” (1987), “Prom Night III: The Last Kiss” (1990), and “Prom Night IV: Deliver Us from Evil” (1992) – many fans consider “Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II” as the standout, and perhaps the franchise’s highlight. If you’re in the mood for “Fear Street: Prom Queen” and enjoy the quirky charm of B-grade slasher films, watching all four distinct movies could be a fun experience for you.
A Unique Supernatural Slasher
In an improved version, the movie recounts the tale of Mary Lou Maloney (Lisa Schrage), a vengeful spirit who was once the prom queen at Hamilton High in 1957, brutally murdered on stage during her crowning night following a cruel prank. Thirty years later, she haunts a fresh batch of high school students preparing for prom by taking control of teenager Vicki Carpenter (Wendy Lyon). This sequel offers a delightful mix of ’80s nostalgia, horror, and dark humor that is sure to catch you off guard.
6
‘Prom Night’ (2008)
The 2000s witnessed a surge of horror remakes, including films like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (2003), “House of Wax” (2005), “Black Christmas” (2006), “Sorority Row” (2009), “Friday the 13th” (2009), and numerous others. The 2008 film “Prom Night” is a modern take on the 1980 movie of the same name, but apart from their shared title and prom theme, they have little in common. The plot revolves around Donna Keppel (Brittany Snow), a high school student whose family was brutally murdered by an infatuated teacher. Several years later, this man breaks out of prison and unleashes terror on Donna and her friends during the prom night.
An Underrated Slasher That Deserves a Shot
Although Prom Night may not rank among the most creative slasher film remakes, it’s far from the worst in its genre. It seems to receive more criticism than it truly warrants. This cat-and-mouse movie delivers enough action, suspense, and intensity to both scare and entertain audiences. If you’re a fan of Y2K horror, you won’t be disappointed if you give it a try.
5
‘Dance of the Dead’ (2008)
Titled “Dance of the Dead“, this is an original horror-comedy production penned by Joe Ballarini and directed by Gregg Bishop. Typically, prom is a highly anticipated event for most teenagers, envisioned as a magnificent evening in their lives. However, for a group of friendless misfits from Cosa High School – Jimmy (Jared Kusnitz), Lindsey (Greyson Chadwick), Steven (Chandler Darby), and Kyle (Justin Welborn) – this isn’t the reality. The unfortunate occurrence of zombies rising from the local cemetery puts an unexpected twist on their night, as they must now unite to rescue everyone enjoying the dance.
For Fans of Sam Raimi
If you’ve taken pleasure in watching “Shaun of the Dead” (2004) and “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” (2010), you might find “Dance of the Dead” appealing as well. This film has earned a distribution deal with Lionsgate and was personally selected by renowned filmmaker Sam Raimi (“The Evil Dead”) to be one of the initial eight movies launched under his Ghost House Underground label. Given that it caught the attention of such a legendary figure, it’s clear that the movie must have done something exceptional.
4
‘The Loved Ones’ (2009)
As a fan, I can attest that films such as “Lake Mungo” (2008), “The Babadook” (2014), and the recent “Talk to Me” (2022) showcase Australia’s unique prowess in crafting chilling, high-quality horror. Among these masterpieces, “The Loved Ones,” a torture film, stands out as one of the country’s finest contributions to the genre. This movie introduced us to one of the most unsettling and underappreciated villains in horror history: Lola Stone, played by Robin McLeavy. At first glance, Lola appears sweet and shy, but she becomes a nightmare when her classmate Brent Mitchell (Xavier Samuel) rejects her prom invitation because he’s already going with his girlfriend. In a chilling turn of events, she abducts him, traps him in her basement, and orchestrates a twisted version of the prom while subjecting him to unimaginable torment, with her equally deranged father by her side.
A Smart Movie That Flips the Script
The Loved Ones ingeniously challenges the conventions of the “final girl” trope by reversing traditional gender dynamics within the genre, thus encouraging male audience members to identify with anxieties and hardships often disregarded by society due to their association with women, such as stalking, objectification, physical harm from a man after spurning his romantic or sexual advances, sexual abuse, and gender-based violence.
3
‘Jennifer’s Body’ (2009)
Originally panned by critics and audiences due to misinterpretations and a poorly executed marketing strategy catering primarily to the male perspective, the darkly humorous film “Jennifer’s Body” has since garnered cult-classic status and is now recognized as a significant work in feminist horror. Megan Fox delivers a captivating performance as Jennifer Check, a high school cheerleader who becomes a succubus following a botched sacrifice by an unscrupulous band desperate for fame and fortune. Struggling with her deep affection for Jennifer and understanding that she must halt the destruction, her friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) takes action.
One of the Best Confrontations in Horror
On prom night, tensions reach their peak in an abandoned pool, one of the most memorable scenes in this genre. Jennifer’s prom dress and Needy’s unfortunate evening attire are both timeless fashion statements that have made their mark in the costume pantheon. The film serves as a great choice for a rewatch (or first-time viewing) before Fear Street: Prom Queen, offering a fresh, intelligent perspective on typical high school stereotypes.
2
‘Detention’ (2011)
Back in 2012, before I hit it big with “The Hunger Games,” I was featured in several lesser-known films, one being the darkly humorous slasher flick “Detention” from 2011. In this chilling tale, Taylor Fisher (played by Alyson Woods), the reigning queen of Grizzly Lake High School, is brutally murdered by a mysterious figure donning the guise of Cinderhella, a well-known horror movie character. Suspecting that one of his students could be the culprit, Principal Verge (portrayed by Dance Cook), assembles an unlikely group of misfits for detention on prom night. Among this band of outcasts is Clapton Davis, played by none other than yours truly, Josh Hutcherson.
A Divisive Genre-Bending Film
The adolescents collaborate to unmask the true culprit among them and endure the night. With a blend of time travel and an unusual body-swapping twist reminiscent of ‘Freaky Friday’, this offbeat, comedic horror film defies genre conventions like no other. This thrilling journey might not appeal to all, but even with its divided reception, it has garnered considerable praise from some viewers. Critics at _Vulture_ have hailed it as a potential future cult classic.
1
‘Tragedy Girls’ (2017)
Tragedy Girls could be described as if the perspective of Scream’s Billy Loomis and Stu Macher was taken for a modern-day spin, with the killers being two popular but mean-spirited cheerleaders. The characters are McKayla Hooper (Alexandra Shipp) and Sadie Cunningham (Brianna Hildebrand), who run a true crime blog called Tragedy Girls. Eager to boost their online presence and fame, they resort to committing murders themselves, which they then document. As their notoriety increases and one girl develops feelings for her boyfriend, their bond is strained. The story reaches its climax at the prom, where their reign of terror comes to a head.
A Lot To Love About the Film
This entertaining and intelligent satirical horror is definitely worth watching for several reasons. Notably, it features two remarkable women of color in the lead roles – a rarity in a genre often dominated by white female characters. Additionally, it marks the first horror role for rising star Jack Quaid, known as the “Scream King.” The film, titled Tragedy Girls, offers a unique twist on the slasher genre with its mix of gory scenes, insightful social commentary, and dark humor.
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2025-05-19 06:05