Ever wondered what your favorite nightmares were like before they hit the big screen? Which horror movies need a prequel to explain themselves a bit more?
That time when M3GAN’s dance moves were more clumsy shuffle than viral sensation, and Freddy Krueger was just figuring out the fashion faux pas of a glove with knives. Pinhead, before he became the ultimate pincushion of doom and was trying out different headgear, or Norman Bates was trying to solve his “mother issues”.
These horror gems definitely deserve a prequel. These prequels aren’t just a gap in the horror universe. They’re a necessity, offering a glimpse into the DIY disasters and spooky experiments that shaped our favorite nightmares.
M3GAN (2022)
Let’s talk about M3GAN. This doll didn’t just walk into our nightmares; she danced. And oh, how we laughed and screamed. But here’s the kicker: we only got the end of the story. What about the start? Picture Gemma, our genius, before the fame. The late nights, the failed prototypes. Ever wondered what a M1GAN looked like? Or the first time a robot decided to throw a tantrum? A prequel could give us the missteps on the road to perfection.
Hellraiser (1987)
Ever wonder how Pinhead got his iconic look? Was it a fashion statement gone wrong or a DIY project turned nightmare? Hellraiser gave us chills, but the backstory? Imagine a prequel where we dive into the Cenobites’ origins. Picture young Pinhead, navigating the underworld’s equivalent of high school, trying to fit in. “Hey, what if I stick pins in my head?” he muses, thinking it’ll start a trend. Spoiler: He doesn’t.
Scream (1996)
Before the phone calls, before the mask, there was Maureen Prescott. Think about it. Scream turned the slasher world upside down, but what about the story that set it all off? Enter the prequel we all need: a mix of dark humor and suspense, showing Maureen’s life filled with scandal, secrets, and, well, more scandal. Maureen juggling her affairs like a sitcom, but every episode edges closer to her doom.
Psycho (1960)
Sure, Bates Motel took us back to Norman Bates’ twisted upbringing, but let’s slice deeper. Between mommy’s demise and Marion Crane’s shower surprise, Norman had to fill his days somehow. A prequel that will show Norman trying to be a regular guy, but with a mother-shaped shadow looming over him. His attempts at normalcy? Hilariously tragic. From botched dates because Mom “doesn’t approve” to trying to stuff animals for display and everything going wrong. Each misstep, a step closer to infamy.
The Evil Dead (1981)
Way before the cabin, before Ash’s unforgettable weekend, there was… a book club? That’s right. The Evil Dead’s Book of the Dead didn’t just pop up out of nowhere. Imagine a prequel where we trace back to the book’s origins. A group of ancient scholars, thinking they’re onto the next big thing in literature. Spoiler: they weren’t. Each page turn, a step closer to unleashing chaos. Picture the scholars’ comedic mishaps as they accidentally summon spirits, thinking they’re just really into immersive reading experiences.
Do these all seem “sus”? Wait till you check out The Best Horror Movie Conspiracy Theories according to Reddit
It (1990)
Earlier than the Losers Club, there was a clown on the rise. Think about it: Pennywise didn’t just start terrorizing kids out of the blue. There’s a backstory there, and it’s probably as bizarre as his choice of attire. Imagine a prequel where we see Pennywise trying to fit into the clown scene. His first attempts at scaring? Balloon animals that look more friendly than frightening. How did he choose his haunting grounds? Was Derry just unlucky, or did Pennywise have a real estate agent with a twisted sense of humor?
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Before the glove, before the dreams, Freddy Krueger was just a guy with issues. Big issues. Think about it: a prequel that dives into Freddy’s twisted path from troubled youth to Elm Street’s nightmare. This isn’t your typical villain backstory. It’s a darkly comedic, utterly bizarre journey. Freddy, trying to fit in but just… can’t. His attempts at normalcy? Freddy, attempts to be menacing but somehow always ends up with only his fingers lit, sparking his infamous glove idea. “Maybe if I can’t start a fire, I’ll become the fire,”. It’s the story of how Freddy became the stuff of legends, with a twist of humor so sharp it could slice through your dreams.
The Ring (2002)
Prior to the cursed tape that became everyone’s least favorite rental, Samara was just a girl with a hobby. Think of darkness meets childhood mischief but with a supernatural twist. A prequel to The Ring could give us the backstory we’ve all been itching for. How did Samara go from creepy kid to VHS legend? Samara, experimenting with a camcorder, accidentally inventing the world’s worst viral video. Each scene, a step closer to infamy. From her first petrifying pet project to her ultimate “home movie” that would make any viewer’s skin crawl.
Smile (2022)
“Smile” took us on a terrifying ride, but ever wonder how it all began? Enter the prequel we’re all grinning about. This isn’t just a backstory; it’s the origin of the curse that had us checking our reflections. Imagine the first victim, a skeptic turned believer, as they navigate a world where smiles are not a sign of joy but a harbinger of doom. From awkward attempts to explain the curse (“You see, when I smile, it’s actually really bad…”) to the first unfortunate selfie that set it all off, this prequel would be the revelation at how it all started.
The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Before the chaos, before the monsters, there was… paperwork? “Cabin in the Woods” turned every horror trope on its head, but let’s rewind. Imagine a prequel where we see the first group of bureaucrats trying to set up the ancient ritual. It’s office comedy meets horror. Picture them debating over which monster to unleash. “Zombies are too messy,” one sighs, flipping through a monster manual. Another chimes in, “What about a merman? No, too much water damage.” It’s the untold story of logistics behind the horror, complete with coffee breaks and ancient curses.
Thir13en Ghosts (2001)
“Thir13en Ghosts” gave us chills with its eclectic mix of spirits, but what about the backstory? Enter the prequel we’re all curious about. The origin of the first ghost and how the idea of trapping them came to be. Imagine the initial ghost hunter, armed with nothing but a dubious manual and a homemade spectral net. “Maybe if I just talk nicely to them?” he muses, before being chased around by an invisible force.
Final Destination (2000)
In this prequel we meet the first person to ever dodge his demise, sparking the whole chain reaction. This isn’t just about escaping death; it’s about the first time Death said, “Wait, what?”
Imagine the initial escapee, living in a time without planes or highways, somehow sidestepping his fate in the most absurd way possible. “Dodged a runaway carriage, did you?” Death mutters, flipping through his ancient ledger, utterly baffled. It’s a blend of historical comedy and horror, showing us the lengths people have gone to avoid the inevitable. From using a chicken to predict the future (“If it clucks three times, I stay home”) to the first group of friends trying to outsmart Death with nothing but their wits.
28 Days Later (2002)
“28 Days Later” introduced us to a terrifyingly fast-paced apocalypse, but the prequel? That’s where the real chaos starts. Picture the very beginning, a mix of scientific ambition and “oops” moments that lead to the outbreak. I
The prequel starts with the first infected chimp, not as a harbinger of doom, but as a mischievous escape artist, inadvertently causing havoc in the most polite British manner. Scientists scrambling with clipboards, trying to contain the situation while spilling tea and apologizing profusely. “Excuse me, could you please not bite that? It’s quite contagious,” one might say, dodging a newly zombified lab assistant.
The Descent (2005)
Before the caves, before the crawlers, there was the first descent. “The Descent” plunged us into the depths of terror, but let’s climb even further back. Picture a prequel that explores the origins of the cave system and its eerie inhabitants. This isn’t just about survival; it’s about the first unfortunate souls who stumbled upon this underground nightmare. Imagine early explorers, equipped with nothing but torches and a sense of adventure, joking about what they’ll find. “Probably just bats and old rocks,” one laughs, moments before everything goes dark.
Switch off the lights, and let’s embark on an unforgettable journey through The Best Horror Cartoons That Haunted Your Dreams (Part 2)
