Ranking the EVIL DEAD franchise:

7. ARMY OF DARKNESS (1992) – I know this is going to piss a lot of people off, but while ARMY OF DARKNESS is a cult favorite, I feel Raimi leaned towards comedic action a little too hard for my tastes with this one. Sure, I loved Ash’s one liners as much as the next guy and this film is full of some memorable ones that I still use to this day from time to time. I really dug the use of practical and stop motion effects as an homage to Harryhausen, but this is almost a PG-13 version of the EVIL DEAD. It’s relatively bloodless and really departs from the tactile and disturbing terrors of the previous two entires. ARMY OF DARKNESS gets my respect. All of the entries of the EVIL DEAD franchise does, but I have returned to this film the least since it was released.

6. ASH VS. THE EVIL DEAD (2015-2018) – I’m going to sound like a Bruce Campbell hater here, but I assure you, I’m not. ASH VS. THE EVIL DEAD was a respectable series, blending humor and horror seamlessly. The series definitely upped the ante in the gore department and gave us some fun characters with Lucy Lawless’ Ruby, Ray Santiago’s Pablo, and especially the ass-kicking Dana DeLorenzo as Kelly. Hell, the series introduced me to Samara Weaving and I thank them very much for that. Still, I think these three seasons served as the perfect swan song for the goofier times of the EVIL DEAD franchise and for Ash as its lead protagonist. I love Ash, but as he aged, it became apparent that his slapstick days were growing few and far between and while most of the episodes worked, I think the series wrapped up on a strong note and closed the page on that era for good. It’s hard to say goodbye to your old pals, but ASH VS. EVIL DEAD did this with gusto and gore.

5. EVIL DEAD BURN (2026) – I think this is where EVIL DEAD BURN deserves to be at this moment. It might change upon repeated viewings. It offers up some absolutely terrifying moments as well as some gore that is bound to make the stomach twitch. I loved how diabolically evil Erroll Shand is as the dad. It’s a truly iconic performance. And all the familial strife is set up and handled well. But the reason I am most impressed with this installment is the way BURN tied the whole series together. It’s not an easy task, but somehow, it worked for me. There is even some gallows humor and some wonky camera-moves, reminiscent of Raimi’s reign on the series. All in all, I feel this was a great sequel I will definitely watch again.

4. EVIL DEAD RISE (2023) – I think this is where I will put EVIL DEAD RISE. The film carries the torch of the reboot well, taking what Fede Alvarez established and expanding on it more. Another gutsy move, moving the franchise out of the woods and into a high-rise proved that the EVIL DEAD franchise can literally go anywhere and still be effective. And what about that horrifying performance by Lily Sullivan as Beth. Both her design and her performance created a new horror icon. This is most likely the bloodiest of the franchise as its last act is practically swimming in the red stuff. It’s a gory, good time.

3. EVIL DEAD (1981) – Controversial I know, but this is my list dammit, not yours. Don’t get me wrong. I love this movie. It’s the one that started it all and the old timer in me wants me to put this higher on the list. But let’s face it. Raimi and Campbell were fledgling artists at the time, learning as they went along. The acting is pretty shoddy and the pace clunky at times. I love how this film switches tones sharply, with no real warning. One minute, the group is goofing about in the cabin, the next someone is getting raped by a tree branch, and the next someone is guessing playing cards psychically by the fireplace. Yes, this one started it all and I love it for that reason, but if I disconnect myself from that nostalgic love, I think it’s rightful place is in the third spot on this ranking.

2. EVIL DEAD (2013) – I love this movie, mainly because it does the impossible. It remakes a film and restructures it into a harrowing descent into violent and bloody madness. The performances by the entire cast are outstanding. Fede Alvares makes a bleak and diabolical installment that not only rewrites the book of the dead, but modernizes it for audiences thirsty for blood and horror. Jane Levy’s Mia offers up a performance that deserves more recognition as she went through a freaking cotton candy machine in this film and was able to walk away from it. The allegory of drug withdrawal is thick with EVIL DEAD (2013), giving it some resonance and weight past just killing demons and monsters. Plus it is responsible for giving this franchise a much needed goose in the direction it is now. Some may long for those old, comedic days, EVIL DEAD 2013 made this franchise the king of them all once again.

1. EVIL DEAD II (1987) – Was there any question? EVIL DEAD II is pretty much the perfect film. For the most part, it’s a one-man-show about a man dealing with the loss of his girlfriend and slowly going mad in the process. I know there is some 80’s clunkiness in the latter half when the others arrive at the cabin, but for that first forty-five minute, where Ash beats the hell out of himself and other inanimate objects in the cabin, EVIL DEAD II will forever be a classic atop a classic franchise. Even though this film is doused in slap-stickery, it still manages to lather on some harrowing and gruesome scenes. The laughing deer head. The whole scene with the possessed hand. That perfect ending. And the role that made Bruce Campbell the King, baby. This one has it all and is what all of the other films should try to achieve, that tender balance between harrowing horror, sticky gore, and outrageous scenes of absurdity.