10 Horror Movie Sequels Nobody Wanted…. But Everyone Loved

1976’s The Omen is a horror classic, and like so many movies that spawn franchises, it was perfectly self-contained. Hollywood can’t leave well enough alone, though, so they pumped out three unnecessary new installments (yes, there was an Omen IV) and a pointless remake by 2006.

That disappointing track record – coupled with the tendency for prequels to answer questions no one asked – generated more confusion than excitement for The First Omen. (The fact that the undeniably similar looking Immaculate was marketed and released around the same time didn’t help, either.)

Then the trailer premiered, delighting just about everyone by promising a significantly distinctive, haunting, and justified journey.

Indeed, The First Omen lived up to those fresher assumptions, with Nell Tiger Free excelling in the lead role and director Arkasha Stevenson’s keen eye for disturbing imagery injecting several scenes with artfully abject terror. Its viscerally bleak nature (complete with a spot-on homage to 1981’s Possession) added unsettling depth and authenticity, too.

Consequently, The First Omen was quickly praised by casual audiences and critics (including eminent horror YouTubers), with the consensus being that it was both the best entry in the series since the original and one of 2024’s foremost horror outings.