All the ‘Hellraiser’ movies, ranked from worst to best

Jamie Clayton as PinheadHulu All the feature-length “Hellraiser” movies, ranked from worst to best. Insider dives into the likes of Scott Derrickson’s “Inferno” and the cosmic “Bloodline. ” The list also includes the 2022 movie on Hulu, starring Jamie Clayton as Pinhead.

11. “Hellraiser: Revelations” (2011)Stephan Smith Collins as Pinhead. Miramax FilmsAt the bottom of the list is the infamous “Hellraiser: Revelations,” which is reported to have been hastily made by The Weinstein Company as a way of keeping its hands on the rights to the franchise.

Unfortunately, this means it was made with very little budget, time, or care that the series deserves. It sees Nico (Jay Gillespie) and Steven (Nick Eversman) get their hands on the iconic puzzle box in Mexico and cross paths with Pinhead (Stephan Smith Collins). It isn’t long before Steven has to go on a killing spree to revive a skinless Nico, lazily retreading a similar path from the original movie.

Watching “Hellraiser: Revelations” is probably one of the tortures that Pinhead has for his victims because it’s a pale imitation of what a “Hellraiser” movie should be.  10. “Hellraiser: Deader” (2005)Paul Rhys as Winter LeMarchand and Doug Bradley as Pinhead.

Miramax FilmsPinhead might have such sights to show us, but “Hellraiser: Deader” isn’t one of them. It sees a journalist, Amy (Kari Wuhrer), investigate a cult called the “Deaders” in Bucharest, and it only gets dumber from there. While the sequel tries to explore the lore of the puzzle box further by introducing the descendant of its creator, Winter LeMarchand (Paul Rhys), the cult setting doesn’t inject much life into the story.

In its defense, the film does bring its nihilistic themes full circle by the end of things as Amy sacrifices herself after reliving her own troubled past, while also stopping Pinhead in his tracks.  While there are bones of a good story in there (somewhere), it doesn’t live up to the gory heights of other chapters in the franchise. 9.

“Hellraiser: Judgment” (2018)Gary J. Tunnicliffe as the Assessor. Miramax FilmsOh, “Hellraiser: Judgment,” there was so much potential.

It starts off strong by adding a brand new hellish group alongside the cenobites, called the Stygian Inquisition. They have a disturbing way of assessing their victims as a horde of gruesome judges. However, once the film establishes the inquisitors, it quickly moves on to a paint-by-numbers serial killer plot with a blatant twist that can be seen from the get-go.

 It’s hugely disappointing because the Stygian Inquisition is a fascinating addition to the “Hellraiser” lore, but the script chooses to fill in the blanks with a mind-numbing storyline. No wonder Doug Bradley chose not to return to play Pinhead. 8.

“Hellraiser: Hellworld” (2005)Henry Cavill as Mike and Katheryn Winnick as Chelsea. Miramax Films”Hellworld” really tries to push the franchise into the 21st century, as Pinhead goes online… Sort of. This movie follows a group of friends who are obsessed with a game based on the “Hellraiser” franchise, in what’s clearly an attempt to copy “Scream” and its self-referential in-world film series, “Stab.

” It’s mildly entertaining because it at least tries something new in the “Hellraiser” lore, but once the gang gets to a mysterious party held in an asylum, it mainly relies on predictable slasher stereotypes. Sure, a twist in the finale does keep it from being completely boring, and at least Lance Henriksen has fun stretching his horror limbs again after “Aliens,” and “Pumpkinhead. “Unfortunately, the mediocre story keeps this one from ascending up the list, but it’s at least worth a watch for a young Henry Cavill.

7. “Hellraiser: Hellseeker” (2002)Dean Winters as Trevor Gooden. Miramax Films”Hellraiser: Hellseeker” brings back Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence), an admirable feat in itself, and it expands her story in a fascinating way, albeit with a bait-and-switch in the film’s opening.

The story follows her husband, Trevor Gooden (Dean Winters), as he stumbles through a nightmarish existence in the aftermath of a grisly accident. But once Trevor figures out that there’s something else going on, the film escalates the horror in a really unique way before it all culminates in an effective finale. However, there are moments early on in “Hellseeker” that feel like it was intended to be a different film entirely, and in fact, it was.

Writer Michael Lent had a different take for the sixth film in the series, and elements of his script were used in “Hellseeker,” which creates a disjointed atmosphere hanging over the final product. There are moments of greatness, but not enough to redeem it entirely. 6.

“Hellraiser IV: Bloodline” (1996)Doug Bradley as Pinhead. Miramax FilmsThere’s no getting around it: “Hellraiser IV: Bloodline” is Pinhead in space. But quite frankly, it deserves more praise for having the sheer audacity to pull that off, let alone weaving in a backstory that stretches back to the 1700s.

Aside from its cosmic storyline, “Bloodline” explores the history of the Lament Configuration and how it was created by a toymaker who made it for a rich client. From there it’s awash with blood, guts, and cheesy performances. But it excels at adding to the “Hellraiser” universe, even offering an antithesis to the Lament Configuration with a giant space station.

It even features a surprisingly villainous performance from “Parks and Recreation” star Adam Scott. What’s not to love?5. “Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth” (1992)Eric Wilhelm as CD.

Miramax FilmsSo, who was Pinhead before he got his infamously painful look? “Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth” deconstructs the classic villain by literally splitting his consciousness in two. The audience gets to know Captain Elliot Spencer (Doug Bradley), who descended into a hedonistic frenzy after World War I, which is when he found the puzzle box and ultimately became Pinhead. Not only that, but its main story sees Pinhead hunting victims in a nightclub, and generally causing mass chaos throughout New York City.

Some of the clubbers face grim fates, including being turned into some brilliantly designed cenobites, like CD (Eric Willhelm), who churns out discs from his stomach to use as throwing knives.  It’s a shame he doesn’t pop up elsewhere though. 4.

“Hellraiser: Inferno” (2000)J. B. Gaynor as young Joseph Thorne, Doug Bradley as Pinhead, and Craig Sheffer as Detective Joseph Thorne.

Miramax Films”Hellraiser: Inferno” in fourth place? Damn right. It deserves your attention for one reason, and one reason only: Scott Derrickson. Yes, the director of “Sinister,” “Doctor Strange,” and “The Black Phone” helmed a “Hellraiser” movie, and it deserves way more love than it gets.

 “Inferno” follows Detective Joseph Thorne (Craig Sheffer) as he investigates a brutal murder, before finding himself stuck in a web of Cenobite torture. This works so well because of its noirish streak in typical supernatural horror, mixed with a cautionary tale about corruption.  It’s clear that 2018’s “Hellraiser: Judgment” was aiming for this type of story, but fell at every hurdle, while “Inferno” succeeds.

It also boasts some of the creepiest cenobite designs since the earlier films, and it was immediately clear that Derrickson’s horror career was going to flourish after this. 3. “Hellbound: Hellraiser II” (1988)William Hope as Dr.

Kyle MacRae and Ashley Laurence as Kirsty Cotton. New World PicturesComing in third is “Hellbound: Hellraiser II. ” which picks up with Kirsty Cotton almost immediately after the events of the original movie, as she’s placed into psychiatric care because of her encounter with her uncle, Frank Cotton (Sean Chapman) and Pinhead.

Unfortunately, Kirsty finds herself in the care of Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham), who’s equally obsessed with the Lament Configuration and even resurrects a skinless Julia Cotton (Clare Higgins). The sequel’s mainly so exciting because fans get a closer look at the Cenobite dimension, which is ruled by a Lynchian entity known as Leviathan.

The sprawling set design of the labyrinth feels incredibly creepy, and Kirsty constantly feels like she’s at the mercy of whatever’s lurking around the corner.  It’s also great to see that the series isn’t afraid to establish other villains aside from its figure(pin)head with Julia and Channard. Monsters, alternate dimensions, and Kirsty Cotton being a true hero… It’s clear why “Hellraiser II” is so beloved.

2. “Hellraiser” (2022)Jamie Clayton as Pinhead. HuluComing in hot at second place is 2022’s “Hellraiser,” which recently arrived on Hulu and stars Jamie Clayton as the iconic priest of hell.

Many fans had high expectations for the film by director David Bruckner, and the reimagining exceeds them all. Clayton’s haunting performance is utterly stunning, as she slowly stalks Riley (Odessa A’zion) and her friends.  The story has plenty to say about addiction, selfishness, and hubris, as Riley battles her inner demons, as well as the cenobites.

Although a wrench is thrown into her fight for survival as she searches for answers and comes across a depraved businessman who has had his own dealings with Pinhead. To say any more would ruin the beauty of the movie, but it’s a gloriously gory treat for audiences with some truly unhinged set pieces. And this is all without praising the chilling new cenobite designs that are destined to haunt a million different nightmares for years to come.

1. “Hellraiser” (1987)Doug Bradley as Pinhead. Entertainment Film DistributorsThe top spot couldn’t go to anything else but 1987’s “Hellraiser,” of course.

Clive Barker’s grim masterpiece is the one to kick off the whole franchise, and it delivered one of the most iconic horror villains of all time. It’s filled with hideous imagery, but there’s none so disgusting as Frank Cotton’s resurrection in the loft. It’s the kind of scrappy, gross horror that sears itself into the viewer’s brain with an impressive flair.

Whether it’s his ribs snapping back into place, or the gooey residue dripping off his brain, it’s just visceral.  However, its most impressive feat is using Pinhead like the shark in “Jaws. ” He doesn’t surface very often, but when he does it’s instantly memorable.

Doug Bradley’s performance is a sight to behold, especially when delivering bone-chilling lines like “No tears, please. It’s a waste of good suffering. “Long live Pinhead.

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