Ranking all the Hatchet movies, including Victor Crowley

Almost two decades ago, Adam Green introduced horror fans to a new slasher legend: Victor Crowley in 2006s Hatchet. With its raw, gory practical effects and unapologetically gruesome tone, the film immediately carved out a unique place in modern horror. This success led to three sequels over the next decade, each starring Kane Hodder as the unstoppable Victor Crowley. Greens work on these films established him as a notable figure in the slasher genre, even if these movies never reached the mainstream fame of Friday the 13th or Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The Hatchet series stands out for its gritty, over-the-top style, blending camp with shocking violence. These films demonstrate what can be achieved with a small budget and a strong indie filmmaking spirit. But among these swamp-drenched thrill rides, which is the best? Lets rank all four films, including 2017s Victor Crowley, from worst to best.

Hatchet III

By the time BJ McDonnell directed Hatchet III, the franchise was starting to show signs of fatigue. The film continues Marybeths (Danielle Harris) story after she seemingly defeats Crowley, now facing a skeptical local officer (Zach Galligan) and teaming up with his ex-wife to finally end the carnage. While the movie offers impressive kills and Victor even battles a SWAT team, it feels less inspired than the earlier films. Crowleys final defeat is anticlimactic, and the story treads familiar ground, even though Green remained closely involved in the script and production.

Hatchet II

Hatchet II is a more confident sequel, staying close to the original story while expanding its universe. Marybeth returns to the Louisiana swamps with a team of hunters to recover her familys bodies and confront Crowley. Tony Todd joins the cast as Reverend Zombie, adding legendary horror presence. Kane Hodders performance solidifies Victor Crowley as a memorable slasher. The sequel combines extreme practical gore with playful energy, proving that the franchise could sustain itself beyond a single film.

Hatchet (2006)

The original Hatchet arrived during the height of torture porn horror but offered something different: excessive gore with a sense of dark humor. College students Ben (Joel David Moore) and Marcus (Deon Richmond) encounter the terrifying Victor Crowley during a Mardi Gras swamp tour. Despite its small budget, the film delivers unforgettable kills and a distinctively grimy atmosphere, standing out as a cult favorite in early 2000s horror. Its originality and punk-rock spirit set the tone for the entire series.

Victor Crowley (2017)

The fourth film, Victor Crowley, is rare in that it arguably improves on its predecessors. Released a decade after the previous installment, the film brings Victor back when a plane crash mistakenly resurrects him. Kane Hodder fully embraces the role, and the movie amplifies the action, gore, and humor of the series. It reinvents the formula in a fun, confident way, making it feel like the ultimate expression of the Hatchet franchise. Despite its low budget, the film demonstrates Greens mastery of the material, delivering both laughs and thrills while honoring the legacy of Victor Crowley.

From the swampy origins of Hatchet to the triumphant Victor Crowley, the series showcases the evolution of a cult slasher icon. Each entry contributes to the legend, but the fourth film stands as the most complete and confident expression of the franchises vision.

Author: Zoe Harrison