Classic Horror Characters We'd Love To See Return To Their Franchises

As if we needed another reason to be excited for "Scream VI." A recently released trailer for the slasher sequel features a Ghostface shrine, a shotgun-wielding killer, and a crowded subway reminiscent of the brilliant opening scene in "Scream 2." Fans also got their first glimpse of returning fan-favorite Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere). The high school horror fan was last seen bleeding from stab wounds administered by the second killer in the criminally underappreciated "Scream 4." Audiences won over by the whip-smart young woman who's not afraid to call out gatekeeping film bros have long held onto the hope that she somehow survived this vicious attack and will someday return to the franchise. It seems we've gotten our wish and news that Kirby lives quickly spread through the horror community. She now joins an elite group of survivors who have faced the infamous Ghostface and lived to tell the tale.

Though Kirby's resurrection is exciting, she's far from the first character to return to a horror franchise. Recent years have seen a trend of legendary final girls such as Laurie Strode (Jaime Lee Curtis) and Sally Hardesty (Olwen Fouéré) appearing in sequels to the films that made them icons. Scream (2022) featured the long-awaited return of beloved survivor Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), and Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) will be back in the upcoming sequel. With all the excitement surrounding these homecomings, it's only natural to hope that more of our favorite characters will follow suit. To manifest these returns, we've compiled a list of fan-favorite characters we would love to see revisit the horror franchises in which they first won our hearts.

"Scream" is not the only high-profile sequel dropping this year. Soon after Ghostface heads to New York, Los Angeles will see the return of the Deadites in the long-awaited "Evil Dead Rise." Abandoning the cabin in the woods for a decidedly urban setting, Lee Cronin's film will follow two sisters who find the infamous "Book of the Dead" in the basement of a cramped apartment building. The story will be entirely new, centering on the ancient book rather than returning characters. However, any mention of "The Evil Dead" always leads to one question: Will we see the return of the franchise's most famous star?

Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) is the face of "The Evil Dead" franchise and one of the genre's most beloved characters. The antihero with a chainsaw for a hand has appeared in three "Evil Dead" films (and in a cameo in Fede Alvarez's blood-soaked remake) and three seasons of the Starz series "Ash vs Evil Dead." Having officially retired from the character, Campbell will not appear as his famous alter ego. However, he is serving as an executive producer along with creator Sam Raimi, and sound effects from the previous movies (and Campbell's voice) will ensure Ash has a presence in the story. With Campbell's habit of whimsical cameos, we can still hope that the actor and his famous chin will make an appearance as another character, perhaps a tenant in the ill-fated building or an early victim of the malevolent Deadites.

Of all the characters in the "Friday the 13th" franchise's many chapters, Ted (Stu Charno) might be the luckiest. In "Friday the 13th Part 2," the redheaded prankster makes waves at Camp Crystal Lake with a spear and a well-timed jump from the shadows to punctuate a campfire tale about the legend of Jason (Warrington Gillette). On the titular night, Ted goes to a bar with a few of his fellow counselors. He drinks heavily and stays out all night. Luckily, this leaves him miles away when Jason attacks the camp and massacres everyone but the intrepid Ginny (Amy Steel).

Given this miraculous escape, it would be wonderful to see Ted return for a future installment. After a protracted legal battle, the first new franchise property, a prequel series called "Crystal Lake," is headed to Peacock in the near future. Set before the events of the original film, the story will likely not include Ted, but he could pop up in a future film release. As for Charno, he has a few ideas about the end of Ted's night all those years ago. When asked what happened to this most fortunate character, Charno told Midnight Spookhouse, "I think I'm not alone when I say that dear waitress and I were made for each other ... She didn't want the bar to fall down on me, and I was collecting empties ... True love..." Perhaps a series further along in the timeline could feature this happy couple owning the bar and warning counselors away from the dangerous campground.

Despite its outlandish premise, the "Final Destination" franchise has become one of the most popular to emerge from the teen horror cycle of the late '90s. Each of the five films begins with a character predicting and surviving a deadly disaster, then attempting to outwit Death as the mysterious force circles back around to clean up its unfinished business. Few characters survive the films, leaving little chance for repeat performances. However, fans of the nail-biting series have been clamoring for the return of Alex Browning (Devon Sawa), who saves a small group of his fellow students from an exploding plane in "Final Destination." Though he survives the first film, Alex does not appear in the sequel. When Sawa declined to reprise his role, the script was rewritten to explain his death before the events of the second film (he becomes a victim of a brick falling randomly from the sky).

Sawa is reluctant to revisit this iconic character but has recently expressed interest in returning to the franchise because of the success of the new "Halloween" trilogy, which features the return of Jaime Lee Curtis. A new film could serve as a direct sequel to the original, with Alex still alive. Or maybe, Alex faked his demise, providing a new tactic against Death's Design, allowing the four popular sequels to remain canon.

Before Kirby and her predecessor, Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy), there was "Evil" Ed Thompson (Stephen Geoffreys) from "Fright Night." The lovably geeky high school student is so entrenched in horror and the occult that he's known by the sinister nickname "Evil." His in-depth knowledge of monsters is a blessing for his friend Charlie Brewster (William Ragsdale), who believes a vampire has moved into the spooky house next door. Simply humoring Charlie at first, Ed is eventually turned into a vampire himself and terrorizes his former friends. He suffers a horrifying death when he's staked in the heart while taking the form of a wolf. He slowly dies, and his body reverts to its human form as famed vampire killer Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall) watches in horror. Fortunately, the film's final scene gives us hope for Ed's survival. A pair of glowing red eyes appear in the darkness outside Charlie's window, and we hear Evil's distinct laugh, followed by what has come to be the film's catchphrase: "Oh, you're so cool, Brewster!"

Stephen Goeffreys declined to return for the film's sequel, opting instead to star in Robert Englund's directorial debut, "976-EVIL." He is also absent from the delightful 2011 remake, though the film does feature a cameo from the original vampire, Chris Sarandon. There are currently no plans for another remake or continuation of the story, but if one is ever announced, we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for Evil Ed's return.

Chris Sarandon is known in the horror world as the voice of Jack Skelington and for portraying Jerry Dandridge, the vampire in the '80s cult favorite "Fright Night," but he has another genre feather in his cap. As Detective Mike Norris in the original "Child's Play," he has the dubious honor of killing serial killer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) and becoming the first to investigate the killer doll known as Chucky. Norris is last seen at the end of the original film, stabbed in the leg and dealing with a concussion. Though Mike is mentioned in a few of the subsequent films, Sarandon never reprised his role as the detective who kick-started the events of the franchise.

Now may be the perfect time for Mike to come back. The new series "Chucky" has been a massive hit for SYFY and features the return of Jennifer Tilly as Chucky's murderous girlfriend, Tiffany. Season 1 concludes with the jaw-dropping revelation that she turned ratted Chucky out to the cops all those years ago, triggering a flashback in which a young version of the character specifically mentions Mike Norris. Series and franchise creator Don Mancini has not mentioned Sarandon by name, but the show is filled with easter eggs, and stunt casting could be in store for future seasons. Mancini told Bloody Disgusting, "I love those characters, and you probably haven't seen the last of them. Stay tuned." Fans of the handsome detective will be doing just that.

With a few notable exceptions, the horror genre is not known for its female killers. In "Urban Legend," Rebecca Gayheart stars as Brenda Bates, a student at Pendleton University whose friends are targeted by a killer who styles their murders after various urban legends. The film's climax reveals Brenda to be the killer. She details her motives in a delightfully unhinged monologue that includes artfully smudged eyeliner, a slide projector, and a room full of candles. After an extensive chase, Brenda is thrown through a car's windshield, off a bridge, and into the rainy river below. Assuming Brenda is dead, final girl Natalie (Alicia Witt), presumably, moves on with her life and puts the horrific killing spree behind her. However, the last scene reveals Brenda (now with straightened hair) telling her version of the story to a new group of students at another university. She makes a brief appearance as a passing nurse in the sequel "Urban Legend: Final Cut," but otherwise, her fate remains unknown.

A reboot of the stylish franchise was announced in 2020, with Colin Minihan set to direct what he describes as "an iconic new slasher for the digital age in a world where internet urban legends are born and move at a terrifying pace." This new film would feature a different cast of characters falling victim to modern legends born on social media. Plans for this exciting reboot fell through but will, hopefully, be revived with the return of our favorite female killer.

"A Nightmare on Elm Street ” is one of the most beloved horror franchises of all time, but its reboot carries a different distinction. The 2010 film is often listed among the worst horror remakes of all time. Despite this dubious honor, many filmmakers would love to challenge themselves with a new iteration of the classic story. With the rights to the franchise recently reverting to Wes Craven's estate, now might just be the perfect time to relaunch the dreamy franchise. Elijah Wood has expressed interest in taking a stab at the beloved film series, and original star Heather Langenkamp would love to reprise her role as Nancy Thompson. Remaking one of the most popular films in the "A Nightmare on Elm Street” series, "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors," would allow for the return of not only Nancy but another beloved survivor.

Max (Laurence Fishburne) is an orderly at the Westin Hills Psychiatric Hospital, treating a group of teenagers with a curious sleep disorder. Dedicated to protecting the children, Max bars Nancy from the facility's quiet room but gives her five minutes to say goodbye to her patients, allowing her to lead the group in a final assault against Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). A future reboot could see Max in charge of the institute, trying to help teens still tormented by the killer. Fishburne declined to participate in the recent "Matrix" reboot, but having never encountered Freddy in the franchise, his head-to-head battle with the iconic villain could be a tempting challenge for the actor.

"Aliens" is widely considered one of the best horror movie sequels of all time. In addition to the Alien Queen, the bombastic film is known for introducing fan-favorite character Lance Bishop (Lance Henriksen). The kind and compassionate synthetic crew member is a far cry from his malevolent android predecessor, Ash (Ian Holm), and earnestly tries to help Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) escape the ruined colony on LV-426 — regardless of what will happen to the valuable alien specimen. Bishop is ripped in half during a showdown with the massive Queen, but Ripley salvages his parts. Bishop is further damaged in a crash-landing, and Ripley reactivates him for information stored in his memory system. She complies when he begs to be turned off for good. This may have been the last time we've seen the loveable robot, but Henrickson has appeared in several other "Alien" films and voiced characters in the adjacent game series.

A planned sequel, helmed by Neil Blomkamp, would have featured Ripley and Bishop, though it's unclear if a script was ever completed. Disney's acquisition of the rights to the franchise generated newfound interest, and there appear to be two adaptations in development. Fede Alvarez is set to begin filming "Alien: Romulus" in 2023, and Noah Hawley is currently in pre-production on an "Alien" series for FX. Neither has announced Henrickson's involvement, but as Bishop is an ageless android and there are different versions of his model potentially scattered throughout the galaxy, the possibility remains that our favorite synthetic will soon be reactivated.

Legendary author Stephen King has a knack for writing young characters, and he often revisits them once they've reached adulthood. "It" follows the Losers' Club as both children and adults, and his 2013 novel, "Doctor Sleep," catches up with Danny Torrance decades after he escaped the sinister Overlook Hotel. However, a child from one of his most famous novels remains a mystery. Ellie is the eldest child of the Creed family and the sole survivor of the terrifying novel "Pet Sematary." When her toddler brother, Gage ( is struck and killed by a truck, she is sent to her grandparents' house in Chicago while her father buries his body in the Micmac burial ground, sparking a horrific cycle of death and resurrection that kills her parents as well.

Mary Lambert, director of the original "Pet Sematary," had planned to base her sequel on an adult, Ellie returning to Maine to find out what happened to her parents. King has speculated that "Ellie Creed [is] alive and well, raised by adoptive parents, but still has nightmares ..." A prequel series to the 2019 film has been announced, but details about the production are sparse. Ellie is a child during the events of the original story, and a prequel would likely take place before her birth, but hopefully, the success of a new series would spark interest in an additional sequel. For now, Constant Readers will have to keep our fingers crossed that we will one day learn what became of the young girl with the frightening cat.

When it comes to cult horror favorites, few are as beloved as "The Slumber Party Massacre." A feminist slasher through and through, the story follows a group of teenage girls as they fight for survival when their slumber party is attacked by the notorious driller killer. One of the film's few survivors is Courtney (Jennifer Meyers), who observes the soirée from across the street. Though she has a limited role in the first film, she wins over the audience with her sassy wit and fondness for Playgirl Magazine. Courtney, now played by Crystal Bernard, returns as the star of the film's sequel, a musical version of the story in which she and her bandmates are attacked at their slumber party by the killer, who, this time, carries a drill-equipped electric guitar. Though she survives the film, her mental health may not. She's last seen in a psychiatric ward, under attack by her murderous rival, who may be a figment of her imagination.

In 2021, the story was updated in a brilliant satire by Danishka Esterhazy and Suzanne Keilly, which received a rare 100-percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Keilly's script reimagines the story for a new group of young women who travel to a remote cabin, where their slumber party is crashed by the killer with the power tool. There are currently no plans for another film, but if one were to arise, it could only benefit from the sassy and empowered young woman with direct experience fighting the misogynistic killer.

"Scream" may be the pinnacle of meta-horror, but another lesser-known gem lovingly skewers the slasher subgenre from a different angle. "Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon" is a mockumentary in which a film crew follows would-be killer Leslie Vernon as he plans the slasher movie-style slaughter of a group of teenagers. This clever film lovingly pokes fun at the trappings of the genre from the killer's perspective as Leslie explains his every move. From the necessity of cardio to flyby harassment of a future victim, Leslie systematically deconstructs the slasher formula with frequent nods to the horror scholar Carol J. Clover.

Played by the charismatic Nathan Baesel, Leslie is an intensely likable killer. He's so charming that our hearts break when we realize he actually plans to follow through with his murderous plans. Baesel's performance is the main reason this indie film has achieved cult status, and fans have asked for a sequel since the original's 2006 release. Creators Scott Glosserman and David Stieve reportedly fleshed out a new story but were never able to raise sufficient funding to begin production. A six-issue comic series was released in 2017, with more of the scythe-wielding killer's horrific story. There are currently no plans to begin production on a sequel. Baesel revisited the character during the COVID lockdown and hopes that innovations in filmmaking may allow for a leaner production. For now, the talented actor and teacher is flattered by the continued interest in the film.

The "Paranormal Activity" franchise is one of the most fascinating in horror and the rare series that seems to get better with its sequels. The third film takes us back to the '80s and follows Katie (Chloe Csengery) and Kristi (Jessica Tyler Brown) as children when they first encounter the demonic spirit that will torment them in adulthood. In addition to an inventive oscillating camcorder, "Paranormal Activity 3" also features one of the franchise's most fascinating survivors. Randy Rosen (Dustin Ingram) is a videographer and family friend who becomes fascinated by the mysterious entity caught on video.

One of the film's most terrifying sequences sees Randy play an ill-advised game of Bloody Mary with Katie while her mother is away. They don't see the fabled specter appear in the mirror behind them, but they do receive a visit from the demonic presence. The invisible entity scratches Randy and traps them in the bathroom while ransacking the girls' bedroom. Randy earns major points from the audience by calming and protecting Katie but abruptly quits his job and leaves the house once Katie's mother returns. The original script saw the demon follow Randy and kill him in another location, but his death was never filmed. The series diverges after the original trilogy, and fans have divided views on the quality of its subsequent sequels. Randy remains a wildcard in the canon, and a film following his investigation into his friends' death could help bring the "Paranormal Activity" series back to its roots.

While Kirby's return is thrilling, there's another character fans of the "Scream" franchise would love to see again: Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard). Stu is the second killer in the original "Scream" and was last seen crushed under a TV dropped on his head by his intended victim, Sidney Prescott. Rumors have long persisted that Stu did not die in this attack, and Lillard has confirmed that he was supposed to be the killer in the third film, compelling high school students to continue his murderous games from behind bars. This plan was scrapped after the Columbine Shooting for fear that it would feel too similar to the real-life tragedy.

Although Stu has never returned, Lillard has had a presence in all five films, from background extra to distorted voice recording. Perhaps he will pop up in the sixth film in disguise or hiding in plain sight on one of the crowded city streets. "Scream" (2022) introduced a ghost version of Stu's original partner in crime, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), so it's possible that a ghostly version of Stu could appear as well. Lillard has been coy about his involvement, saying, "I am not in it. Unless of course I'm totally in it and I'm lying to your face." With this closely guarded secret, "Scream" fans will have to wait and see if the charming killer will grace the screen again.