The Franchise Files unleash their 2025 Halloween special!

What are the 10 scariest things in film? What’s the nastiest kill, the screamiest jump scare? And what’s the greatest horror movie ever made? Join The Franchise Files as they turn out the lights, step into the pentagram and summon the demons of horror’s highpoints

After a 19 year absence, Superman returns in 2006’s does-what-it-says-on-the-tin Superman Returns

With a film no one loves but no one hates, and lots of set up for a sequel that never came, has time been kind to this cinematic one-off? And is anyone involved NOT cancelled? Join The Franchise Files as they stay awake for the whole podcast but not the whole film. Fire up the files!

Freddy goes postmodern in 1994’s Wes Craven's New Nightmare

In the last movie Freddy died – but it’s the meta-90’s, so who even is Freddy? Aren't we all Freddy really? (No). What's a movie? And why is Wes Craven making a movie about Wes Craven making a movie. Confused? No, it’s postmodernism! Join The Franchise Files as they pretend to understand. Fire up the files Freddy!

Christopher Reeve bows out with 1987’s Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.

With the budget slashed, Milton Keynes replacing New York and Reeve insisting on a political plotline, the Quest for Peace flirted with disaster. Can The Franchise Files find anything to love in this bizarre swansong? It can’t be THAT bad, can it? Fire up the files!

Freddy meets his end in 1991’s Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare.

After five movies, the Elm Street producers decide to kill Krueger. Will he go out in glory? Or will he murder someone with a Nintendo power glove then defy gravity by dressing as the Wicked Witch of the West? Join The Franchise Files as they bid Freddy goodbye - before he returns for another three movies. Fire up the files Freddy!

The Superman movies try replacing their lead with 1984’s Supergirl.

Join The Franchise Files as they ask why Supergirl turns brunette, how Lawrence of Arabia ended up as a wizard, and whether the film takes place underwater (still unclear). Fire up the files!

Freddy is the daddy in 1989’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

You like bikes? Freddy turns you into a bike. Like comics? Freddy sucks you into a comic. Like swimming? Freddy becomes a diving board. The Franchise Files shake their heads as Elm Street goes completely off the rails. Fire up the files Freddy!

The Superman movies ruin their run of brilliance with 1983’s bewildering Superman III.

Join The Franchise Files as they try not to get scared by the robot lady, wonder why Richard Pryor is in every scene, and question how this franchise went so wrong so quickly. Fire up the files!

Freddy hits the mainstream with 1988’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master

So there’s a writers’ strike, you’ve started filming without a director, and your lead actor refused to return. What can go wrong!? The Franchise Files unpick how things went from horror classic to Freddy eating people on a pizza. Fire up the files Freddy!

Superman gives up his powers for love just as General Zod arrives in 1980’s Superman II

Join The Franchise Files as they explain a complex production, ponder why camp villainy is the best villainy, and try desperately to avoid giving the film 100% from the off. Fire up the files and kneel before Zod!