If you are a fan of supernatural horror films, you have probably seen at least one of the “Candyman” movies.
The Candyman is an American horror-slasher film series based on an urban legend called “Candyman,” a ghost who was murdered in the late 19th century.
The series began with the 1985 short story “The Forbidden” by Clive Barker and has since been adapted into several films.
The 1992 film adaptation of Candyman, directed by Bernard Rose and starring Tony Todd as the title character, was initially a box office bomb. However, it has since become a cult classic.
Four films in the Candyman series are sure to send chills down your spine; the series spanned from the first film in 1992 to the latest release in 2021. For starters, the “Candyman” movies are horror packed with great suspense, twists, and turns.
Secondly, the “Candyman” movies have an exciting storyline that will keep you entertained throughout the series. Lastly, the “Candyman” movies are visually appealing and well-made.
If you are interested in watching the “Candyman” movies but are unsure which order you should watch these movies; this article is for you!
We have compiled a list of all the “Candyman” movies so you can enjoy the series to its fullest.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Candyman Movies In Order Of The Release Date
- Candyman (1992)
- Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)
- Candyman Day of the Dead (1999)
- Candyman (2021)
Candyman (1992)
“Candyman” is an iconic 1992 American supernatural horror film directed by Bernard Rose. The excellent cast includes Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons, and Vanessa E. Williams. It is the first movie in the four “Candyman” films.
Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden” inspires the film, which follows a graduate student from Chicago. The student is writing a thesis on urban legends and folklore. This leads her to the legend of the “Candyman.” He was an African-American artist and the son of an enslaved person murdered in the late 19th century. His crime? Having a relationship with the daughter of a wealthy white man.
The film follows Helen Lyle and Bernadette as they write their thesis on the titular character, who attacks anyone foolish enough to say his name five times in front of a mirror.
Critics and audiences loved the film, which grossed over $25 million in the US. It’s also considered a classic of horror cinema by many experts. The movie has epic jump scares and terrific acting and is a great watch!
If you love watching horror movies, “Candyman” is a must-see! This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat with its suspenseful scenes and plot twists. We highly recommend watching “Candyman.”
Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)
After the first film’s success, the franchise released a sequel named “Candyman: Farewell to Flesh” almost three years after the first movie.
This horror classic slasher film came out in theaters in 1995, directed by Bill Condon, and features Tony Todd, Kelly Rowan, William O’Leary, Bill Nunn, Matt Clark, and Veronica Cartwright in its cast.
The story was written by Rand Ravich and Mark Kruger and acted as a sequel to the 1992 film. The story follows when the Candyman, the powerful spirit of a murdered enslaved person’s son, returns to kill those who summon him, targeting a New Orleans schoolteacher.
Professor Phillip Purcell jokingly calls the Candyman in a mirror-like reflection of his book discussing the legend’s life, revealing his real name as Daniel Robitaille. He was born to enslaved people after the civil war, and writing this book is three years after the Candyman murders occurred in Chicago.
Compared to the first movie, “Farewell to Flesh” is not as good. It lacked the first film’s suspense and excitement and only managed to collect $13 million at the box office.
However, we recommend watching this sequel if you have seen the first film. It will not only help you understand the story better, but also it’s essential to the Candyman series.
Candyman Day of the Dead (1999)
The third film, “Candyman 3: Day of the Dead,” was released in 1999. It is an American supernatural slasher film Directed by Turi Meyer and Based on Characters by Clive Barker and Starring Tony Todd, Donna, D’Errico, Jsu Garcia, and Wade Williams.
The film’s plot follows Caroline, Annie Tarrant’s daughter, and a Candyman descendant. The Candyman is a powerful spirit who was murdered son of an enslaved person. He kills those who invoked him and targets Caroline on the eve of the Day of the Dead.
In 2020, artist Miguel Velasco hosted a Candyman-themed gallery event in Los Angeles, which Caroline McKeever attended. As a direct descendant of the Candyman, she summons him by saying his name five times into a mirror; shortly after, he kills Miguel and Lena with his hooked hand.
The third film in the franchise was not given a theatrical release and instead went straight to video on July 9, 1999. The fourth film, Candyman, was released in 2021 and is a direct sequel to the original 1992 film of the same name. This installment returns the storyline to Chicago, Illinois.
The film’s story is not as good as the first two Candyman movies. However, it is still worth watching if you are a franchise fan. Make sure to watch candyman movies to understand them better.
Candyman (2021)
The fourth and final film in the series has the same name as the first film, “Candyman.”
This 2021 horror classic is directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, and DaCosta. As this film is a direct sequel to the original candyman movie, it is also based on the short story “The Forbidden” by Clive Barker.
The film’s story is filled with suspense. It is the first Candyman movie to have a Black protagonist, Anthony McCoy, who returns to his old Chicago neighborhood where the legend of Candyman still terrorizes the residents.
Despite initial reservations about revisiting the story, Anthony soon discovers that the Candyman is all too real and has terrifying plans for him.
The film also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Kyle Kaminsky, Vanessa Williams, Virginia Madsen, and Tony Todd.
Critics largely enjoyed the film, with several citing DaCosta’s direction, visual style, and balance of social commentary with horror as significant factors. On a $25 million budget, the film managed to get $77 million worldwide at the box office. The release date for the film was pushed back three times because of ongoing pandemic worries in 2020.
If you have watched the first three movies in the franchise, then you should watch this one. It is an excellent addition to the series and is one of the best horror movies of 2021.
So here we are, with the complete list of Candyman movies in chronological order. We hope you enjoyed reading this and that it was helpful to you.
FAQs About Candyman Movies
How many Candyman movies are there?
There are four “Candyman” movies, all based on the character of Candyman, who Clive Barker created.
Are all Candyman movies connected?
The 2021 film is a sequel to the 1992 film of the same name and the other installment in the Candyman franchise, based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden.”
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