The franchise consists of nine feature films, including sequels, a meta-horror reboot, a crossover, and a remake.

The franchise is notable for its rich subtext, often more so than its slasher contemporaries.

While the timeline can be tricky due to meta-narratives and crossovers, the theatrical release order is the standard way to watch the saga:

The A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise is one of the most enduring and influential pillars of the American horror genre. Created by Wes Craven and launched in 1984, the series revitalized the slasher subgenre by moving the threat from the physical world (campgrounds, suburbs) into the subconscious mind.