Which horror franchise is most popular in Illinois?

(Which horror franchise does Illinois love?)

It’s fall – a time for the annual color change of leaves, picking pumpkins, watching football while eating slow-cooker chili and scaring the bejesus out of ourselves watching scary films.

Halloween happens to be one of Reel Chicago’s favorite holidays. Watching films featuring demons, slashers, serial killers and possessed children isn’t just a tradition — it’s a great way to celebrate the holiday while continuing to practice social distancing, while preventing the spread of COVID-19.

So, what is the most popular horror franchise for the Land of lincoln? Does the bloody trophy belong to Freddy? Michael? Jigsaw?

Actually the weapon of choice goes to Jason Voorhees. According to Ranker, the Friday the 13th series is the most popular film franchise for Illinoisans.

Created as a response to the success of 1978’s Halloween, Friday the 13th focuses on  Jason Voorhees who attended Camp Crystal Lake. At a young age the camper drowns due to horny counselor negligence.

Decades later, the lake is rumored to be “cursed” and is the setting for a series of mass murders. Jason is featured in all of the films, as either the killer or the motivation for the killings.

The films were a cornucopia of horny counselors and inventive kills. And boobs. Lots of boobs. Watch below every single death from the series if you have the time:


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While the films were never popular with critics, the franchise which has grossed over $529 million worldwide spawned a total of twelve slasher films, a television series, novels, comic books, video games, tattoos, and tie‑in merchandise. Where would Spirit Halloween be without the inconic hockey mask?

It was the highest-grossing horror franchise in the world until the release of Halloween (2018), putting the Halloween franchise in the top spot.


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Nationally, Friday the 13th ranks in the Top 3 of the most popular franchises which includes Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street. The other half of the country favors a range of different classic horror movies, from classics like Texas Chainsaw Massacre to more recent favorites like the Saw films.

SOURCE: Ranker

Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1