10 Horror Movies You Probably Hated The First Time Round (But Loved The Second)

Considering how unapologetically depraved and disturbing 1974’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is, it was reasonable to anticipate more of the same from Tobe Hooper’s belated 1986 follow-up.

Rather than offering another relatively grounded and unsettling journey into figurative hell, though, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 fully embraces the black comedy tone the director allegedly aimed to achieve with the original. From beginning to end, it’s a pointedly colorful and droll picture that – while still grungy and gory – is unlikely to keep anyone up at night.

In keeping with the overarching theme of this list, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is also another instance of initially dismayed moviegoers savoring what they did get when they returned for an additional helping of Hooper’s surreal shenanigans and satire. Be it the outrageous opening road tussle, the carnivalistic closing face-offs, or almost anything in-between, it’s a blast to watch.

In particular, Caroline Williams’ idiosyncratically courageous and irreverent Stretch is an absolutely iconic “final girl”; Bill Mosley’s cartoonishly bizarre Chop Top steals every scene he’s in; and Dennis Hooper (as the vengeful Lt. Enright) gives his most entertainingly unhinged and quotable performance next to his turn as Frank Booth in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet from the same year.