Best of the 90s: Teen Slashers

Thanks to horror master Wes Craven reviving the genre, the ’90s were a sick time for rad teen slashers — many that are still da bomb today.

If you’re anything like me, you like a good slasher film. During the 90s, we saw an amazing era of teen slasher films, most of which have become cult classics or fan favorites. In no particular order, let’s look at some of the best teen horror slashers from the 1990s.

1. Scream (1996) and Scream 2 (1997)

Would this list even be complete without mention of the Scream franchise? Definitely not. The films center around Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), a young girl who, unknowingly, is trapped in the middle of some family drama.

The many different Ghostfaces (who take the form of several people, including those she knows and trusts) all want to kill Sidney for their own different motivations.  However, since she is the badass final girl that we all know and love, she survives both times when confronted by the masked killer (and every time after that… we love Sidney).

There has been a heated debate on the Scream franchise and whether or not it should continue, despite a well-received and incredibly effective recent entry with Scream 6.

With that being said, if you find yourself conflicted, the original Scream, as well as its original sequel, are a great place to start. Plus, they have two of my all-time favorite opening sequences in them.

2. Bride of Chucky (1998)

This sequel, being the fourth film in the Chucky/Child’s Play franchise, follows everyone’s favorite doll, Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif). Chucky finds love… but not in the way you would expect. When an ex-girlfriend, Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly), makes the mistake of bringing back her former lover, things do not turn out well.  Let’s just say there is a reason why these two aren’t generally considered “couple goals.”

Of all the Chucky films, I would say that Bride of Chucky and Seed of Chucky are my favorites.

The addition of Tiffany really makes the films better, in my humble opinion. This killer couple may be toxic, but damn, are they a match made in hell.

3. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

I see a common trend of movie franchises coming out with sequels close to each other during the 90s… but it worked! The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise follows a group of teens who accidentally hit a man with their car. Rather than see him to safety, they essentially leave him to die. Though plagued with guilt, the group assumes they will get away with their crime. But then they notice strange things occurring, as well as ominous warnings that imply there is a target on each of their backs.

Say what you want about some of the acting in these films, but how can we even try to deny the incredible (and chilling) sequence of Helen (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar) as she tries to get to safety?

These films are iconic, so if you want a good old classic cheesy 90s teen slasher, these are the films for you.

4. Urban Legend (1998)

Urban Legend is one of the few teen slashers on here that, arguably, does not get the recognition it deserves. This film follows a group of college students who are mysteriously hunted down following the patterns of famous Urban Legends.

This film follows the same “formula” of many other popular films from around this time – a typical “whodunit” type of movie. However, I love the cast, the characters, and the insane rationale for why the killer did what they did.

5. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)

While many of the iconic teen slashers from the 90s came from the late 90s, this film is one that I absolutely enjoyed.

The focus of this film is on a fictionalized version of Heather Langencamp, aka Nancy from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Although she wants to leave Freddy behind her, it seems that there is an evil beyond any of the actors or actresses’ wildest dreams.

This has always been the one Freddy movie to scare the daylights out of me. I love the goofy, fun-loving Freddy, but to see him actually become a nightmarish monster in the real world? Absolutely chilling.  This movie is amazing. So, if you want a good Freddy scare, check it out!

Rent on VOD.