Movies
The ‘Children of the Corn’ Franchise, Ranked
It’s “cult” month here at Horror Press. I don’t know what this says about me, but my thoughts instantly turned to the Children of the Corn franchise. But the inexplicably sprawling series is a perfect fit for cult month, really. After all, it follows a group of killer kids who worship the entity He Who Walks Behind The Rows. Because these children kill adults (often their parents), the taboo-busting franchise has something of a chokehold on the popular imagination. However, very few people have seen all ten installments that followed the original movie. That’s mostly a wise move, I must say. But I thought, as a Corn expert, I should share my guide to the best and worst of the franchise. If you want to plunge further into this particular cult’s offerings, this article will be an invaluable resource.
Ranking All the Children of the Corn Movies
#11 Children of the Corn: Revelation (2001)
Revelation is not just the worst movie in the Children of the Corn franchise. It’s genuinely one of the worst horror movies in history. It’s a byproduct of Dimension Films’ heyday of carelessly producing sequels solely to maintain the rights to franchises. It was an era of ceaselessly pumping out lazy retreads like a dog that accidentally ate a bottle of laxatives. However, Revelation is somehow even worse than any of the garbage Hellraiser movies they put out at the time.
This ploddingly tedious movie follows a woman finding her grandmother’s apartment complex mysteriously empty of inhabitants. (And finding a script that is even emptier of incidents.) It contains few children, very little corn, and a vanishingly small number of moments that might be considered enjoyable whatsoever.
#10 Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return (1999)
At least Isaac’s Return prevents The Falcon and the Winter Soldier from being director Kari Skogland’s worst project. That’s the most noteworthy thing about this abysmal early attempt at a legacy sequel. It could and should have been a huge coup to resurrect the original villain, Isaac (John Franklin). However, this movie (which Franklin admittedly co-wrote) finds absolutely nothing for him to do. Instead, it rushes audiences through a slapped-together, incoherent hodgepodge of nonsense.
#9 Children of the Corn: Runaway (2018)
It turns out that stealing the setup of Terminator 2 doesn’t a good Children of the Corn movie make. Runaway, which follows a woman on the run with her child, strays a bit too far from the formula. While the more formulaic CotC installments are hardly masterpieces, this movie’s alterations simply take away elements without adding anything. It’s a bit too bland for those differences to feel particularly interesting.
#8 Children of the Corn: Genesis (2011)
Just like Isaac’s Return, Genesis is random and stupid. Just like Runaway, it strays from the formula. (This time the plot sees a stranded couple being taken in by a child-worshipping cult.) However, unlike either of those two installments, it is mostly watchable.
#7 Children of the Corn (2009)
This Syfy network remake lacks oomph. The biggest change they could think to make was “what if the lead couple was unbearably annoying?” However, it does have its mild charms. Most notably, the dubstep remix of the main theme that plays over the closing credits.
#6 Children of the Corn (2020)
This not-quite-remake is a bit boring (it’s mostly about corn subsidies, for some reason). However, it benefits from the best villainous child since the original installment. That Child would be Eden (Kate Moyer). Moyer plays the character as more of a petulant toddler than a preternaturally mature cult leader. That pays major dividends by emphasizing the youth of the characters committing these horrifically violent acts.
#5 Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998)
This insipid sequel largely gets by on the novelty of its surprisingly stacked cast. A cameo appearance from Kane Hodder! A slightly less brief appearance from David Carradine! 90210 and The Young and the Restless hottie Greg Vaughan! Trans icon Alexis Arquette! And even a very young Eva Mendes, whose superbly structured hair is reminiscent of a Frank Gehry building.
#4 Children of the Corn (1984)
Having the original in this position is actually a good thing. Most franchises are born because the first movie is a stone-cold classic, but this can make rankings pretty boring. Most rankings of franchises like Poltergeist, Halloween, and Texas Chainsaw will end up with the first movie up top. It’s much more interesting when the original movie is a bit underwhelming but turned out to be a box office success. This allows exciting debate to rage over what the best installment actually is. What will top this particular list? You’ll just have to wait to find out, won’t you?
Anyway, Children of the Corn is a totally fine movie. It does what it says on the tin, but not much more. There are only four factors that prevent this from being a totally forgotten Amblin-esque horror movie. The first two are that it’s based on a Stephen King story and that it stars a pre-Terminator Linda Hamilton. The others (which are more relevant to the watching experience) are John Franklin and Courtney Gains’ superb, chilling villain performances.
#3 Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996)
Here’s where you need to take my assessment with a grain of salt. The Gathering also goes off-formula, and it is weird. I guess you’d call it a supernatural medical thriller? The story follows med student Naomi Watts being baffled by a mysterious disease that is sweeping through her town’s children. Whatever it is, as a card-carrying germaphobe, I find it entirely compelling and eerie.
#2 Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)
The Final Sacrifice is honestly a gem. The sequel, which finds the newly adopted corn children terrorizing the next small town over, is packed with cheesy delights. For one thing, there may be nothing else in the franchise as giddily campy as the bingo hall death scene. However, it also has some of the best sequences of sustained tension that these mostly misbegotten movies ever offered.
#1 Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995)
Goopy Screaming Mad George effects have salvaged plenty of 1990s horror trash. However, even without his indelible third act contributions, Urban Harvest is a fun watch. The movie, about two Nebraska boys ending up in the Chicago foster system, has plenty to recommend it. Including some shockingly transgressive material with the franchise’s newest creepy kid, Eli (Daniel Cerny). It’s an enjoyably nutty time, through and through.
Movies
8 Horror Movies That Are Red Flags When Dating Men
‘Tis February, and because of 2025’s Heart Eyes, we now celebrate Valentine’s Day. While many outlets are going to list romantic horror movies featuring the ultimate horror couples, we’re doing something different at Horror Press. We’re highlighting horror movie red flags. That way, you don’t waste your time this Hallmark season with duds who watch crap. These movies are grounds for automatic swipes to the left and leaving messages on read. Read this list to see the ultimate film filter to help you focus on more sustainable hookups, dates, and cuffing season partners.
8 Horror Movies That Are Dating Red Flags
A Serbian Film (2010)
An old pornstar agrees to do an art film only to discover it’s a snuff film. A Serbian Film is possibly the reddest of the red flags. The pedophilia and necrophilia make it a hard watch, so anyone who revisits it often should probably raise all your alarms. We try not to judge people, but this is definitely a title that will get you some bombastic side eye if you try to bring it to movie night. Would definitely not recommend spending the night after being shown this hellish title.
Any Eli Roth Movie
They’re all the same, and that’s why Eli Roth movies are the free space on this red flag bingo board. Whether it’s taking place in a cabin, a hostel, or during Thanksgiving, there is something inherently gross about a Roth film. I need a shower whenever some guy tries to convince me Roth has made any movies of note. Only people who want to be ghosted are suggesting these movies, and you should respect their wishes this February.
Alone in the Dark (2005)
A paranormal investigator looks into mysterious events that connect to his past. There is nothing nice to say about this Uwe Boll movie. It’s actually one of the few movies where I can’t even count on the design team when searching for compliments. While Christian Slater, Tara Reid, and Stephen Dorff have the misfortune of being the faces we associate with this shit fest, I’m not even letting the colorist and craft service off for their parts in this dud. When we talk about how we all love an occasional bad movie, no one means this one. This makes Alone in the Dark a red flag and alerts you that someone might not have taste.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)
A 1988 prom queen race turns deadly when a killer begins slaying the candidates. Fear Street: Prom Queen is another huge red flag because it has no redeeming qualities. People who like this movie are being contrarians and should immediately lose the right to recommend movies. From the lack of energy to the unserious kills, there is no reason to swipe right on anyone pretending this movie is good. Save yourself some time and probably more ridiculously bad watches and shut it down immediately.
I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)
When a Fourth of July Prank goes wrong, someone dies, and their friend circle finds themselves stalked by a mysterious figure. No matter what we think of any other installment/iteration of this story, this one is the worst. This is not my franchise, but this steep decline in quality is not like the others. Anyone who likes this movie is a walking red flag and possibly the most chaotic individual you have ever met.
Men (2022)
A woman heads to the English countryside to work through trauma and discovers more horrors are awaiting her. Men should have been my last straw with Alex Garland. However, I am a damn fool and suffered through Civil War, too. Which is why I can confidently say most Garland films are a red flag for me, but Men specifically underscores all of my problems with his work. If someone likes this movie, I will need them to explain it to me like I am five years old.
Skinamarink (2022)
Two kids wake up in the middle of the night and find that all of their doors and windows are gone. Skinamarink is the embodiment of “Girl, What?” The grainy footage gives many people headaches, and too much time is dedicated to the ceiling. Listening to people suggest watching it in closets, under blankets, with headphones to fully “get it” is weird and extremely unsexy. Which is why the movie and the people forcing the mood onto it are all red flags. I don’t want to kink shame but if someone is that into ceilings then maybe we’re not a good match.
Red Christmas (2016)
A family Christmas Eve gathering is interrupted by a killer seeking revenge. I cannot think of a bigger red flag than an anti-choice Christmas movie. I like my horror to be on the correct side of feminism, and this mess feels gross from a distance. That’s why this Dee Wallace title is a huge red flag and a festive horror mood killer. I know people like to talk about the great kills in this movie, but I insist on not hooking up with guys who like this one. If for no other reason, it probably tells you where they land on Roe v. Wade and we do not have time for that.
So these are some horror red flags from our team to your group chats. Now you can’t say no one warned you about the Eli Roth filmbros, or A Serbian Film fanatics.
Happy hookups and potential dating now that you know what to be on the lookout for! Never forget that it’s okay to swipe left, force close the app, and watch better horror movies than the ones listed above.
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in February
It’s still too cold to seriously consider going outside, so I am still in my couch potato era. Cozy, comfort, and Netflix are the three words people will hear me chanting under my breath this month. I also recently finished a group rewatch of Slasher: Solstice and have been looking at the other TV shows currently living on Netflix. Which is why I am looking for the warmth of my next quick binge. That’s right! I’m here with a few shows that could be taken down in one frosty February weekend. Most of them have been on my radar forever, and one of them I want to revisit because it screams lazy Stephen King Sunday. However, what I find most appealing about each of them is that I am guaranteed to lose at least a whole day if it’s a match made in hell.
Without further ado, here are the five titles I have my evil eye on this month. Check out my five Netflix picks for this February below! Happy binging to all my fellow couch potatoes!
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
Archive 81 (2022)
An archivist finds himself reconstructing the work of a filmmaker and her investigation into a dangerous cult. I missed Archive 81, but have only heard good things about it. Which is why it’s weird it was cancelled after only one season, consisting of eight episodes. The popular show was created by Rebecca Sonnenshine and starred talent like Mamoudou Athie and Matt McGorry. So, I’m long overdue for this Netflix watch and am excited to finally see what all of the fuss is about.
Castle Rock (2018 – 2019)
A series set in the town of Castle Rock and inhabited by characters from some of Stephen King’s most infamous works. This is the only show on this streaming guide that I have already seen. However, it’s very cozy, and I want to go back in. While this divisive series wasn’t for everyone, it scratched my King itch better than most of his adaptations. Also, this cast was ridiculously stacked. Where else can you see André Holland, Melanie Lynskey, Bill Skarsgård, Jane Levy, Sissy Spacek, and Lizzy Caplan all play together? I will definitely be revisiting these twenty episodes that make up these two seasons of what the fuckery.
NOS4A2 (2019-2020)
An immortal who feeds on children is threatened by a young woman with a mysterious gift. This show has circled my list forever, and it’s high time I cross it off my list. I also need to know what Zachary Quinto and Ebon Moss-Bachrach were doing during this era of genre TV for research. I’m ready to run through these twenty episodes and report back on my findings. More importantly, I love to see a show with big “fuck them kids” energy. So, fingers crossed, he eats a few kids to keep me leaned in. I need this to be good for so many reasons.
Peaky Blinders (2013 – 2022)
A mob family in 1900s England sews razor blades in their caps and causes a ruckus. I am so ready to find out how this alleged crime drama collected so many horror fans. Is it just because it stars Cillian Murphy? Or is it very bloody and violent due to the razor blades being a key factor? Whatever the case, I’m excited to see all six seasons on Netflix. I plan to take these thirty-six episodes down like it is my job. I also cannot get over how lucky I have been to avoid all spoilers for the show, and I need to jump on it before someone ruins it for me already.
Reality Z (2020)
When a zombie apocalypse breaks out, a TV studio becomes a shelter for a small band of survivors in Rio de Janeiro. Because of the pandemic, I missed this Brazilian horror show. However, this seems like the kind of international gory zombie situation that I would like to make my new personality. I’m looking forward to seeing if these 10 episodes are one of the few reasons to keep talking to Netflix this year. Fingers crossed it is a scary good time, because we deserve some scares this February.
So, that’s where you can find me this February. Under a weighted blanket, in front of a TV, and eagerly taking advantage of the shows Netflix has collected. Let me know if any of these titles on my list will be your excuse to stay in this winter, too. Although, I am sure many of you will be revisiting your favorite Mike Flanagan Netflix Originals. Meanwhile, I am trying to get into some new (to me) stuff because the winter of our discontent is upon us. I plan to beat the winter of our discontent by being unreasonably comfortable and drowning in genre shows. I advise you to do the same because the weather outside is frightful and we have no place to go.



