We just missed Friday the 13th yesterday.
With that said the Friday the 13th franchise has 12 main entries (including the 2009 remake and crossovers like Freddy vs. Jason), and opinions vary wildly between critics, fans, and horror enthusiasts. Critics often favor the original for its foundational slasher vibes, while fans tend to love the peak Jason-era sequels for campy fun, creative kills, and iconic moments.There’s strong consensus on the top 3 across most rankings (from Rotten Tomatoes, fan lists on IMDb/Reddit, horror sites like Den of Geek, JoBlo, Collider, and recent 2024–2025 reviews):
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (Part IV, 1984)
Frequently ranked #1 by fans and many critics. It perfects the formula: lean storytelling, memorable teen victims (including a young Crispin Glover hamming it up), brutal practical effects kills by Tom Savini, and Corey Feldman’s young Tommy Jarvis as a standout final boy. It’s often called the platonic ideal of a slasher—fun, gory, and rewatchable without taking itself too seriously. Many consider it the definitive Jason movie. - Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)
A close second (or tied for first) in tons of fan rankings. It brings back Jason properly after Part V’s fake-out, amps up the self-aware humor and zombie-Jason lore, has great atmosphere, inventive kills, and a lighter, more entertaining tone. It’s widely praised for embracing the franchise’s ridiculous side while delivering solid scares and thrills—often hailed as the most fun entry. - Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
This one edges out the original for many fans as the best “pure” Jason slasher. It’s Jason’s first full appearance (with the iconic sack mask before the hockey one), features a strong final girl (Amy Steel as Ginny, often called one of the best in the genre), tense atmosphere, and creative kills. It sets the template for the sequels and feels more focused than the twist-heavy original.
Honorable mentions that sometimes crack the top 3:
- The original Friday the 13th (1980) — Highest on Rotten Tomatoes (68% critics) for pioneering the summer camp slasher trope and the big Pamela Voorhees twist, but fans often rank it lower than the Jason-focused sequels.
- Friday the 13th Part III (1982) — Iconic for introducing the hockey mask, but usually mid-tier due to 3D gimmicks.
If you’re a horror fan into gore and camp, start with Part IV or Jason Lives—they’re the sweet spot. The franchise gets cheesier (or worse) after Part VI, with outliers like Jason X or the 2009 remake appealing to different tastes.
What’s your favorite, or are you planning a marathon?
