The famous opening monologue for Star Trek referred to outer space as “the final frontier.” It  would seem horror screenwriters truly believe space to be the final frontier as well. When franchises run long and ideas run out – slashers, final girls, and machetes, oh my, are catapulted into the vast and endless universe.

The Critters franchise was the first to make this intergalactic pilgrimage back in 1992. A logical step for a series centered around alien creatures. At least, more logical than a mythical Irish creature terrorizing astronauts.

In 1996, two properties went to outer space. The direct-to-video Leprechaun IV openly parodied Star Wars, Alien, and a host of other sci-fi properties. Meanwhile, Pinhead viciously pursued a scientist from the 22nd century in Hellraiser: Bloodline.

The early 2000’s injected this formula into two more franchises: Friday the 13th with Jason X, and Dracula with well, Dracula... 3000.

These films range in quality from legitimately good to interesting curios to downright unwatchable, and I’m here to celebrate them all.