The Films Of James Wan, Ranked From Most Chilling To Least Thrilling
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
While the world is going head over heels for the phenomenon known as "Barbenheimer," horror fans are still satiating their summer scaries with Insidious: The Red Door.
Returning to the story set forth in the first two Insidious films, The Red Door is a solid directorial debut for longtime genre standout Patrick Wilson as well as another successful fright film to the credit of franchise producer James Wan.
With the James Wan-produced The Nun II and the Wan-directed Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom on the way later this year (as of this writing), I've decided to rank all of James Wan's produced and directed works for those looking to revisit his fantastic and frightening filmography.
32.The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
Having directed the first two Conjuring films, James Wan remained on the third Conjuring film as a producer and co-storywriter, but the film is a pale imitation of its predecessors. A boring and uninspired slog from Conjuring universe inheritor Michael Chaves, the film commits the cardinal sin of horror movies by wasting so much potential, and with both Farmiga and Wilson practically sleepwalking through this sequel, it would take the devil itself to make me want to revisit this snooze-inducing stinker.
31.Saw: The Final Chapter [aka Saw 3D] (2010)
There's a Portuguese proverb that states, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," and that's a thought that comes to mind while watching the fairly terrible Saw: The Final Chapter (which was released theatrically during the tail end of the 3D boom as Saw 3D). There's a ton of talent associated with the James Wan-produced film, including a fairly strong turn from Sean Patrick Flanery, a gruesome cameo from the late, great Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, and an extremely campy Cary Elwes reprising his character from the first film, but this erstwhile concluding chapter for the Saw franchise is outrageously goofy, oddly misogynistic, and overwhelmingly convoluted, and relied too heavily on the 3D gimmick (including a "trap" dream sequence...a franchise first).
30.The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Listen, it pains me to sit here and crap on a movie starring Linda Cardellini from producer James Wan, but the truth is The Curse of La Llorona is a one-trick pony, that trick being JUMP SCARES! Add in the film's somehow disputed connection to the Conjuring universe and a plot that inexplicably manages to be both threadbare and confusing at the same time, the true horror of the film is that the real mythos behind "The Weeping Woman" can and should have been resurrected more competently.
29.Jigsaw (2017)
Coming into Lionsgate's glossier, more explosive reboot of the Saw franchise, the mentality among fans was "it can't be worse than Saw 3D." By that standard, the Wan-produced flick is indeed better than The Final Chapter, but not by much, as the film barely brings anything new to the series and could even cause deja vu with the amount of familiar narrative retreads from prior Saw franchise entries. It's certainly entertaining enough that you won't resent yourself for watching it, but it's a dropped ball at a time where the franchise could have really used a home run to shake things up.
28.Annabelle (2014)
It's a no-brainer that New Line Cinema decided to develop Annabelle as their first spin-off from The Conjuring, as the scene-stealing doll continues to serve as nightmare fuel for a whole generation. Unfortunately, having no brains is the best way to enjoy this particular horror picture, relying on mostly jump scares, though a few atmospheric chills do creep their way in on occasion. However, the film's best scare might have come from uncredited second-unit directing from producer James Wan himself, who allegedly jumped behind the camera for the film's standout "elevator" sequence.
27.Saw V (2008)
Saw V is a peculiar double-header of a Saw film, with one track of the film following the players of "Jigsaw's Game" (which includes the always-reliable Julie Benz and Meagan Good), playing as a fairly fun horror-mystery subplot that's worth unraveling. The problem is this plot is buried under the lifeless cat-and-mouse game between Jigsaw apprentice Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) and Peter Strahm (Scott Patterson), which fails to pick up steam and ends in one of the series' more lame-duck finales.
26.The Nun (2018)
Visually speaking, there's no denying that the titular character from The Nun is scary, and the film itself does have a few bright spots of atmospheric dread. But the narrative ground on which the film stands is shaky at best, and despite the best efforts of director Corin Hardy, writer Gary Dauberman, producer James Wan, and the film's more-than-capable stars, the film is more often than not forgettable. Moreover, even with a sequel on the horizon, who among us is in a particular rush to revisit it anytime soon?
25.Insidious: The Last Key (2018)
Directed by Adam Robitel (Escape Room, The Taking of Deborah Logan), Insidious: The Last Key is the least good Insidious film, although that doesn't necessarily mean it is bad. While the film has some solid, unexpected twists and some genuinely scary moments, there's not much suspense in the prequel, given that we know Elise will make it to the first Insidious chapter, and the creatures within the Further are far from the franchise's most imaginative creations. Nevertheless, the infectious charm of a paranormal adventure with the trio of Lin Shaye, Angus Sampson, and Leigh Whannell is always worth your time, and such is the case with The Last Key.
24.Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)
When word began to leak that Chris Rock was being given the reins to the Saw franchise, it was a weird but welcome development that many would hope could flip the entire concept of a Saw film on its head. Sadly, the film (for which James Wan held an executive producer credit) just felt like more of the same, if not a little bigger and more star-studded, with a socially conscious message about police corruption to underscore this otherwise paint-by-numbers Saw affair.
23.There’s Someone Inside Your House (2021)
22.Saw IV (2007)
21.Demonic (2015)
A long-delayed horror offering with found footage elements produced by James Wan, Demonic is effortlessly eerie, having been criminally overlooked due to its bungled release, having gone from a planned theatrical release in 2014 to debuting on Spike TV in 2017. Demonic doesn't really reinvent the wheel, but if you're looking for a tight and occasionally terrifying fright flick to throw on during a dark and stormy night, Demonic should do the trick.
20.Malignant (2021)
Released in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of Warner Bro.'s theatrical-streaming day-and-date hybrid release model, James Wan's most recent directorial effort follows a young woman who believes her nightmares and a series of regional murders may be linked to a traumatizing incident with an "imaginary friend" from her past. I'll be frank with you: Your mileage with Malignant will go as far as your expectations going in, as it's not one of the scare-a-minute works of Wan's past franchise-starters. But if you're looking for a goofy and over-the-top grand guignol or the campy exploitation horror films that would be irresistible on a video rental store shelf, Malignant's got that, plus one of the wildest twists in recent memory.
19.Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)
A prequel to the previous Insidious films that doubles as the directorial debut for franchise scribe Leigh Whannell, Insidious: Chapter 3 doesn't carry as much impact as the main "Lambert family" story, but the film has a number of seriously effective scares. Adding in some strong performances, including Lin Shaye, who essentially moves into the forefront for this movie, Insidious: Chapter 3 does exactly what an Insidious sequel should by expanding the universe and offering solid scares, even if it's not as chilling as the films that came before it.
18.Insidious: The Red Door (2023)
Ranking neck-and-neck with Chapter 3, the most recent Insidious film is another solid yet unexceptional addition to the franchise, offering some top-notch scares (and even a couple of gross-out moments) in an otherwise fairly ordinary cinematic package. Bringing back the film’s original cast also helps the film emotionally resonate with the audience, and Patrick Wilson effectively showcases his talents both behind and in front of the camera.
17.Mortal Kombat (2021)
One of the first bonafide theatrical hits of the COVID-19 era, this James Wan-produced big-screen adaptation of the beloved gaming property offered the gore and bone-crunching action that Mortal Kombat fans have come to love, even if certain character choices polarized some of the more hardcore gamers out there. Nevertheless, Mortal Kombat's narrative issues do not discount the fun and cartoonishly wild atmosphere that the film brings to the table, which is why the upcoming sequel is among the more anticipated follow-ups that Hollywood has to offer.
16.Lights Out (2016)
James Wan notably introduced the world at-large to filmmaker David F. Sandberg by producing the feature adaptation of his viral short film, Lights Out, which follows a supernatural entity that can only attack its victims in the dark. Dealing with themes of grief and generational trauma, Lights Out matches its allegorical strengths with some supremely spooky jump scares and a more-than-capable cast, who all sell the hell out of the creepy concept.
15.Dead Silence (2007)
James Wan's second major directorial effort is an underrated genre gem that surrounds a young man who returns to his hometown to solve the murder of his wife, which may have ties to a local legend about an evil ventriloquist. The film has some campy elements, and you can likely see the climactic twist a mile away, but some of the scare sequences in this horror offering are among the most hair-raising of Wan's esteemed career.
14.Saw VI (2009)
In every horror franchise, there's one truly awesome entry buried somewhere among the late-era sequels, and among the Saw films, Saw VI is deceptively outstanding, providing audiences with some of the series' best traps as well as an incredibly apt statement about the American healthcare system. In addition to the quality of the Wan-produced film, Saw VI also offers the twist-laden series' best ending since the second Saw flick.
13.Saw III (2006)
The last Saw film written by James Wan's longtime collaborator, Leigh Whannell, based on a story from Whannell and Wan, Saw III is one of the most brutal and shocking Saw movies, but it also has one of the most engaging narratives of the series. Outside of the escalating series of tests that racks up the body count while pushing the boundaries of the audience's gag reflex, Saw III showcases an understated trio of performances from Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, and Bahar Soomekh, whose tense and intriguing scenes together help elevate Saw III above most of the subsequent sequels.
12.Annabelle: Creation (2017)
In the second spin-off in The Conjuring universe, the blood-curdling Annabelle: Creation saw Wan bring Lights Out's David F. Sandberg into the fold, cementing the film as a far scarier and surprisingly gruesome affair than its predecessor. Also bringing in a cast of established veterans (Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto) and up-and-coming stars (Lulu Wilson, Grace Fulton), Annabelle: Creation is a petrifying prequel that showcases the doll's terrifying origin and sports a number of sincerely suspenseful set pieces that will keep you watching from behind your fingers.
11.Death Sentence (2007)
James Wan's third film took him out of the horror genre for the first time with a gritty, violent, and disturbing adaptation of Brian Garfield's 1975 revenge novel. Not only does Death Sentence give audiences a chance to see Wan as a more versatile and provocative filmmaker, but it gives a really overlooked leading performance for Kevin Bacon, who brings legitimate gravitas and emotional vulnerability to the kind of leading action role that has become parody fodder in recent years.
10.M3GAN (2023)
The first horror hit of 2023 was also a big win for producer James Wan, who once again collaborated with Blumhouse Productions and helped bring another fantastic genre filmmaker, Housebound's Gerard Johnstone, to a greater international audience. For those who have been living under a rock all year, M3GAN follows a lifelike robotic doll that is advertised as "the last toy you'll ever need," but its incredibly protective artificial intelligence threatens all who cross her path.
9.Saw (2004)
Though James Wan's first film was technically an independent film titled Stygian that is currently (and, likely, always) inaccessible to all who seek it, Wan's breakout film is undoubtedly Saw, a macabre horror-mystery surrounding a doctor and a private investigator who wake up chained in a bathroom with a corpse and a tape player in the center of the room. A stylish, visceral vision made on a micro-budget that ultimately changed how horror movies could be made, Saw launched a franchise and turned James Wan into an in-demand filmmaker virtually overnight.
8.Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
Insidious: Chapter 2 may not be on the same level as the first film, playing as a slightly goofy, Back to the Future Part II-esque continuation of the first film's eye-widening cliffhanger, but the sequel has several very scary scenes, even if some of it rides the line of high-camp at times. Outside of Patrick Wilson, who is swinging for the fences in a mostly villainous turn, Insidious: Chapter 2's MVP comes in the form of Rose Byrne, who feels like she's given more of an opportunity to shine in this go-round.
7.Saw II (2005)
Produced by James Wan, who passed off the Saw mantle to filmmaker Darren Lynn Bousman, Saw II took the first film's style and formula and perfected it, creating the darkest "funhouse" version of the franchise that wielded some of the franchise's most ghastly traps (needle pit, anyone?). But perhaps the reason Saw II works better than the original is the expanded role for Tobin Bell, who relishes the opportunity to flesh out John Kramer (aka Jigsaw) from a voyeuristic corpse-on-a-floor to an authentic horror icon.
6.Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
If the first Annabelle film was practically a dud and the second markedly increased the series' horror quotient, Annabelle Comes Home is the Annabelle film that found the perfect balance between the starker horror of Annabelle: Creation and the "haunted house" horror of The Conjuring 2. An incredibly fun time that throws myriad monsters at the audience around every turn, Annabelle Comes Home is high among the most perfect chillers to revisit during the Halloween season.
5.The Conjuring 2 (2016)
It's a testament to James Wan's inherent understanding of the horror genre that he was able to make a sequel to The Conjuring that was almost equally as terrifying and gripping. While this sequel isn't as taut or intense as the first film in the franchise, there are more than a few unforgettable scares throughout, including the introduction to "The Nun" character which has been burned into the brains of even the most hardened horror fans.
4.Aquaman (2018)
Of all the DCEU properties, Aquaman was always the most curious film of the bunch, given that the character had been a pop culture punchline for decades, and Jason Momoa was still an unproven star in his own regard. Yet with James Wan behind the camera, Aquaman played as an infectiously fun and refreshingly old-school action-adventure flick that had audiences clamoring for more.
3.Insidious (2010)
Directed by James Wan in an effort to prove that he's far more capable than just blood and guts, Insidious helped to redefine the modern jump scare and put Blumhouse on the map while introducing multiple terrifying creeps into the horror lexicon. Besides, Insidious had audiences collectively gasping when hauntings were occurring in the middle of the day, as if we all, for whatever reason, didn't think they could do that!
2.Furious 7 (2015)
By most standards, it's an absolute shock that Furious 7 made it to the finish line, given everything that had to happen to complete the film following the passing of star Paul Walker. It's even more unbelievable that the film itself actually rocks, with newcomers Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Kurt Russell, and Tony Jaa helping to add new life into the franchise's most understandably emotional entry to date.
1.The Conjuring (2013)
The crown jewel of James Wan's filmography, The Conjuring has lasted as well as it has for a decade because it is simply, utterly terrifying. From the myriad heart-stopping set pieces, including the instantly iconic "clap game" scene, to the astounding practical effects work, it is going to take some serious mountain moving to dethrone The Conjuring as Wan's definitive masterpiece.
