Ranking the ‘Child’s Play’ Franchise from Worst to First
I consider the Child’s Play series to be one of the most consistently enjoyable horror franchises. Sure, not every entry nails it. But there isn’t a single film in the series that I can’t sit through. And that’s a testament to the quality of the series and its films. Series creator Don Mancini has managed to keep the franchise alive over the course of multiple decades. That feat is particularly impressive when stopping to consider the series revolves around a killer toy. And malevolent playthings are pretty low on the list of what most of us consider frightening.
In celebration of the Child’s Play franchise, we’re ranking each installment from the original canon. So, read on for the series ranking from worst to first.
Seed of Chucky
I’m not the biggest fan of Seed of Chucky. It is really light on scares and sort of forgoes a conventional protagonist in favor of making Chucky the star. The end result is a little muddled. I definitely think of this installment as a misstep. But I do kind of enjoy how over-the-top and self-referential it is. And I also respect the inclusion of a nonbinary character with Glenn/Glenda. It was a progressive move for 2004 and that should be celebrated. Moreover, it’s kind of amusing that John Waters features in an extended cameo as a tabloid journalist.
All in, despite being the least impressive of the bunch, even Seed of Chucky isn’t without merit.
Child’s Play 3
The introduction of Andy’s military school classmate Tyler (Jeremy Sylvers) didn’t do a lot to help elevate this installment. Tyler is grating and obnoxious and never really grows into his potential as a sidekick. This follow-up effort is lacking in both atmosphere and tension. Some of that can be attributed to Tyler being a secondary protagonist that isn’t all that easy to invest in. With that said, the film features a handful of good kills and it’s reasonably entertaining. So, it’s certainly not a total bust.
Cult of Chucky
While it’s ranked third from last, Cult of Chucky isn’t a bad sequel. It’s just not quite on the same level as the top four series installments. Cult features some epic death sequences, impressive set design, and the puppeteering is really well done. My biggest complaint with this follow-up is actually that Alex Vincent doesn’t get nearly enough screen time. I was grateful to see a fan-favorite character return but I wish he had been given more to do here. Additionally, I wish the film had been a little scarier. Not to mention, some of the one-liners were a little groan-inducing. With that said, I enjoy Cult of Chucky and I think it succeeds more than it fails.
Bride of Chucky
This series installment leans pretty heavily into dark comedy but still manages to be scary on occasion. Bride of Chucky sets the stage for the over-the-top antics that would unfold in Seed of Chucky. The difference being that Bride is more restrained and doesn’t position Chucky in as much of a protagonist role.
Dread Central contributor Nat Brehmer once likened Bride of Chucky to Natural Born Killers and I think he’s got a point. Both films see a toxic couple setting off on a killing spree and descending into utter madness with the news media playing an important role in both efforts.
Bride leans a little too heavily into comedy for me to rank it any higher. But it is absolutely a noteworthy effort in the series’ canon and one I enjoy it very much.
Curse of Chucky
Curse of Chucky is one of the best direct-to-video sequels ever. It brought the franchise back to its dark origins and successfully made Chucky scary again. Additionally, this follow-up effort introduces some great new characters, particularly Fiona Dourif as Nica. With Curse of Chucky, Don Mancini breathed new life into the franchise and simultaneously brought it full circle by connecting this film with the first.
Child’s Play
This may be an upset. I know a lot of fans may rank the inaugural installment as the best of the bunch. And I get it. There wouldn’t be a Child’s Play franchise without Child’s Play. However, I think the second installment is ever-so-slightly superior. But more on that in a moment.
I think Child’s Play works so well because it manages to overcome its unconventional premise. Master of horror Tom Holland delivers a bone-chilling horror-thriller in Child’s Play. From the cacophonous score to the tightly-framed camera angles, this film serves up an ever-present sense of peril and unease. And that’s no small feat, considering Holland has effectively succeeded at convincing his audience that a children’s toy is terrifying.
Child’s Play 2
Controversial as it may be to say, I count Child’s Play 2 as the best film in the series. Why? Well, there are several reasons. For one, all of the groundwork was laid by the original, allowing this sequel to hit the ground running and begin serving up the scares right out of the gate. Additionally, this follow-up effort delivers one of the most memorable final girls of the ‘90s with Kyle (Christine Elise). Kyle was stylish, empathetic, and a total badass. She made me want to take up smoking and start wearing berets. Additionally, the final showdown in the factory is absolutely epic. It’s the perfect ending to a near-perfect horror movie.
All in, this second franchise installment delivers a similar level of intensity to the first but ups the ante by serving up an unforgettable final femme and a killer denouement. And for that reason, it stands as the most effective film in a consistently impressive series. Bravo.
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