The Horrors of Halloween: 2025

Friday, June 13, 2025

13 Must-Watch FRIDAY THE 13TH-Style Movies (That Aren’t FRIDAY THE 13TH)

You see, Jason was my son, and today is his birthday...Happy Friday the 13th!

Join @MattDraper as he runs down 13 Friday the 13th films that aren't part of Jason Voorhees' series, but are so close they're a must watch for any fan of the franchise, ranking everything from Madman to Fear Street to Psych to Sleepaway Camp and Just Before Dawn. It's a return to Camp Crystal Lake, or something close enough, to celebrate all things Friday the 13th!

13 Slashers That Channel the Spirit of Friday the 13th (Without Actually Being Friday the 13th)

There’s something uniquely comforting about a Friday the 13th movie. The setting: cabins deep in the woods. The characters: a rotating cast of doomed counselors. And of course, the ever-looming presence of Jason Voorhees—sometimes dead, sometimes undead, always pissed off. But what happens when you’ve watched the whole series more times than you can count? That’s where these Friday-adjacent films come in.

These aren’t necessarily ripoffs—though some shamelessly are—but they all share something elemental with the long-running slasher franchise. From campfire tales and grotesque kills to isolated nature vibes and misunderstood killers, the following 13 films tap into that uniquely Friday flavor… even if they do things a bit differently.

13. Madman (1981)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Yes.
Madman is an early entry in the post-Friday the 13th slasher boom, that follows camp counselors hunted by the supernatural killer Madman Marz. While it fits the slasher formula with spooky woods and a memorable villain, it's ultimately a dull and poorly made film that lacks the charm or quality of its inspirations.

WHERE TO WATCH Madman (1981):

12. In A Voilent Nature (2024)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Oh most definitely.
A rural killer named Johnny is resurrected and takes long walks through quiet woods, delivering gnarly kills—including one unforgettable hook-and-chain moment—make this an ambient horror experiment. But its third act shift in tone and perspective might lose some viewers. Think ASMR with blood.

WHERE TO WATCH In A Voilent Nature (2024):

11. Hatchet (2006)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Yes, though it's a close call.
Victor Crowley is a swamp-dwelling behemoth who explodes his victims with gory precision. Writer-director Adam Green aimed for "Old School American Horror"—and he mostly succeeded. The kills? Spectacular. The vibe? Bro-heavy but fun. The sequels? Even better.

WHERE TO WATCH Hatchet (2006):

10. Fear Street Part 2: 1978 (2021)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Not anymore.
A spiritual sibling to the early Friday films, this Netflix entry brings summer camp carnage, sisterly bonds, and a possessed axe-wielder to the screen. It’s stylish, heartfelt, and clearly made by fans of the genre. Bonus: Sadie Sink kills it. Literally.

WHERE TO WATCH Fear Street Part 2: 1978 (2021):

9. Maniac Cop (1988)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Debatable.
Set in New York and combining police procedural with undead slasher mayhem, this movie is basically “Jason joins the NYPD.” Featuring Bruce Campbell and Tom Atkins, it’s elevated by strong performances and the hulking presence of Robert Z'Dar as Matt Cordell.

WHERE TO WATCH Maniac Cop (1988):

8. Freaky (2020)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Maybe, but this is fun.
A killer body-swapping with a teenage girl? It’s Freaky Friday the 13th in everything but name. Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton absolutely sell the concept, mixing bloody kills with genuine laughs. A horror-comedy that knows how to slash.

WHERE TO WATCH Freaky (2020):

7. Psych: Tuesday the 17th (2009)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Nah, this is a blast.
TV’s best fake psychic detective returns to a haunted summer camp in this clever, twist-filled love letter to the genre. “Tuesday the 17th” is surprisingly spooky, delightfully funny, and full of slasher nods. Plus: Shawn and Gus. Enough said.

WHERE TO WATCH Psych: Tuesday the 17th (2009):

6. The Final Girls (2015)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Nope. This one's special.
A heartfelt, time-looping tribute to 80s slashers, where a grieving daughter gets to reconnect with her late mother inside a camp horror movie. It’s meta, funny, emotional, and stylish—slasher therapy for the soul.

WHERE TO WATCH The Final Girls (2015):

5. The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Not if I'm in the mood for something real.
Part true-crime docudrama, part proto-slasher, this film is a haunting dramatization of the real-life Texarkana Moonlight Murders. The Phantom Killer’s burlap-sack look later inspired Jason’s “Part 2” design, and the atmosphere here is all sweaty dread.

WHERE TO WATCH The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976):

4. The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Maybe, but this one has a drill.
Written and directed by women, this film flips the male gaze on its head while still delivering classic slasher thrills. There’s tension, commentary, and yes, a lot of blood. Russ Thorn’s giant drill is disturbingly unsubtle, but so is the point.

WHERE TO WATCH The Slumber Party Massacre (1982):

3. Sleepaway Camp (1983)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Nope, I'm having too much fun.
One of the strangest slashers ever made, Sleepaway Camp is weird, wild, offensive, and totally unforgettable. The camp drama is thick, the deaths are brutal, and the ending? Well, if you know, you know.

WHERE TO WATCH Sleepaway Camp (1983):

2. The Burning (1981)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? This is just as good.
Arguably the best of the Friday-adjacent films, The Burning gives us Cropsy—a disfigured caretaker turned mythic killer. There’s teen drama, top-tier practical effects by Tom Savini, and one of the best raft attacks in horror history. Pure summer slasher magic.

WHERE TO WATCH The Burning (1981):

1. Just Before Dawn (1981)

Would I rather be watching an actual Friday the 13th? Not when this is playing.
This is the hidden gem of the genre. A wilderness survival horror that’s more about atmosphere and tension than body count. Haunting sound design, breathtaking scenery, and a final girl moment that’s jaw-dropping. A masterclass in quiet terror.

WHERE TO WATCH Just Before Dawn (1981):

Your Summerween Guide to Friday Vibes

All of the above movies tap into that Friday essence, whether it's through summer settings, masked killers, or the ambient dread of being hunted in nature. Jason Voorhees may always be king, but there’s a whole world of machete-swinging maniacs out there worth exploring.

Whether you’re a diehard Friday fan or just someone looking to broaden your horror palette, there’s something in this list for every slasher lover. And as always: light a campfire, grab a drink, and don’t go in the woods alone.

This was part of a bigger celebration of Summerween—a time to embrace the eerie side of summer. Subscribe to @MattDraper for more Summerween videos!

Monday, June 9, 2025

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL T-shirt Artwork Collection by GUTTER GARBS

AVAILABLE NOW! Officially Licensed E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Collection. Eight brand-new tees: classic Gutter Garbs + Comfort Colors. Open pre-order thru Sunday. Guarantee your size today. Shop at GutterGarbs.com:

His Adventure on Earth Artwork by Sam Coyne @samhain1992 on t-shirt and comfort colors t-shirt:

Happy Halloween Artwork by Yannick Bouchard @moutchy on t-shirt and comfort colors t-shirt:

Phone Home Artwork by Mister Black @misterblackdesigns on t-shirt and comfort colors t-shirt:

Adventure Artwork by Mister Black @misterblackdesigns on t-shirt and comfort colors t-shirt:

Signal Artwork by Brandon Stecz @b.stecz on t-shirt and comfort colors t-shirt:

Classic Artwork by Brandon Stecz @b.stecz on t-shirt and comfort colors t-shirt:

Return Home Artwork by Brandon Stecz @b.stecz on black t-shirt, black comfort colors t-shirt, navy t-shirt and navy comfort colors t-shirt:

...in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Collection at GutterGarbs.com:

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Thursday, June 5, 2025

Watch Now Free with Ads ONCE BITTEN (1985) Happy Pride Month!

Italian Poster:

Happy Pride Month! Even though this movie is kind of homophobic.

Once Bitten (1985) is currently streaming free with ads on Tubi, Pluto TV and YouTube. It's not Jim Carrey's first film but it is his first lead starring role. The vampire teen horror sex comedy underperformed at the box office in 1985, but it has since become a cult classic.

IMDb.com SYNOPSIS: A vampire Countess needs to drink the blood of a virgin in order to keep her eternal beauty. It seems that all is hopeless, until she bumps into Mark Kendall.

STORYLINE: The Countess has a problem. She is a 400 year old vampire who will cease to look young unless she is able to feed on a virgin three times before the upcoming Halloween, a week away. She sends Sebastian, her servant and all of her lesser vampires out to find one. Finding a virgin is difficult in 1980s Los Angeles. Mark has a problem. He wants to 'do it' with Robin in the worst way, but she wants to wait. Jamie and Russ, Mark's goofy friends convince him to go to a Hollywood pick up spot where Mark meets the Countess, on the prowl. Robin's not going to understand this.

Once Bitten is the directorial debut of Howard Storm from a screenplay written by Jonathan Roberts, David Hines, Jeffrey Hause and Terence Marsh, it stars Lauren Hutton, Jim Carrey, Karen Kopins, Cleavon Little, Thomas Ballatore, Skip Lackey, Richard Schaal, Peggy Pope, and Megan Mullally as Suzette.

Filmed over the course of 45 days in and around Los Angeles and was released on November 15, 1985, on 1,095 screens, opened at number one at the U.S. box office, grossing $4,025,657 for the weekend. It eventually earned around $10 million in the United States and Canada.

Teaser:

Once Bitten (1985) - Official Trailer (HD) - Jim Carrey

VHS Trailer:

TV Spot VHS quality:

Waking Up On the Wrong Side Of The Coffin scene:

ONCE BITTEN (1985) | Waking Up On the Wrong Side Of The Coffin | MGM

Once Bitten (1985) 1-12 Movie CLIPs by Scream Factory Playlist:

Mark Hisses at Kids scene:

Halloween Dance scene "Hands Off" 4K scene:

Jim Carrey, Karen Kopins, Lauren Hutton dancing in Once Bitten (1985) (4K60FPS)

Halloween Dance scene "Hands Off" HD scene:

Halloween Dance scene VHS quality:

Mark Disocvers He's A Vampire scene:

ONCE BITTEN (1985) | Mark Disocvers He's A Vampire | MGM

Mark Dreams Of The Countess scene:

ONCE BITTEN (1985) | Mark Dreams Of The Countess | MGM

The Shower scene:

I'm a Day Person scene:

So Fuck Off scene:

Film Recap:

Once Bitten: The Vampiress Film Recap

Jim Carrey (1985) Interview Promoting 'Once Bitten':

Jim Carrey (1985) Interview Promoting "Once Bitten"

Official Music Video of Once Bitten by 3 Speed:

Fan Made Music Video of Once Bitten by 3 Speed:

ONCE BITTEN 3 Speed - Once Bitten

FULL SOUNDTRACK:

Once Bitten *1985* [FULL SOUNDTRACK]

Once Bitten 3 Speed's Cover by STEFANO ERCOLINO

STEFANO ERCOLINO - ONCE BITTEN (Cover 3 Speed)

Once Bitten 3 Speed's (Synthwave) Cover by STEFANO ERCOLINO:

STEFANO ERCOLINO - ONCE BITTEN (Synthwave) Cover 3 Speed

WHERE TO WATCH Once Bitten (1985):

Watch Once Bitten (1985) Full Film on YouTube:

Once Bitten (1985) Full Film

#VundaHalloweenathon Once Bitten(1985) Commentary Track by @Vundablog:

Once Bitten(1985) Commentary Track

Jack-O's Review: "Cheesy 80's vampire sex comedy with poorly aged homophobic gay jokes. Some scenes show the crazy funniness of Jim Carrey in his later films but he mostly plays it straight in this film with a few funny lines. Michael J. Fox was the first choice to play Carrey's role but the producer disliked the idea. Karen Kopins is cute and Lauren Hutton is hot. Hutton's role was originally written for Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira but she turned it down. I think I would have liked the movie more if it starred the Mistress of the Dark. Great 80's music, fantastic 80's Halloween decorations and costumes at the high school Halloween Dance. The dance off is my favorite scene, love how Carrey plays his leg like a guitar. I didn't even recognize that was Cleavon Little who was also in Blazing Saddles, he plays a gay character so well." ★★★ = Good @trickhorrortreater

More Reviews:

"...Once Bitten is just spectacularly unfunny most of the time, trading on supposed double entendres to work up fitful humor...it’s notable that the film pretty much jettisons the vampire angle in its closing moments..." ★★★½ Blu-ray.com

"Released by The Samuel Goldwyn Company in the wake of other light horror comedies such as Teen Wolf and Transylvania 6-5000, Once Bitten is a mildly amusing affair which doesn’t have much style or horror elements for that matter, but it seems to embrace more 1980s teen comedy movie clichés than Hot Tub Time Machine." DVDDrive-In.com

"...affects a glossy, sophisticated look that does little to upgrade the film’s adolescent humor. As directed by Howard Storm, it has a lot more stylishness than wit. Miss Hutton looks great in black, but her predatory vampire grows tiresome very quickly, as do all the Bloody Mary jokes." NYTimes.com

"...not as dumb as some but still kind of dumb." John Stanley, Creature Features

"LAUREN HUTTON has a space between her fangs as the vapid vampiress of Once Bitten, a sappy, sophomoric sex farce in which the supernatural's answer to Mrs. Robinson sucks the blood of virgin boys. Well-preserved for a 400-year-old who never gets any sun, the aging fiend must nonetheless feed from the thigh of a virgin teen to retain youth, beauty and that Cover Girl look. But life in the fast vein isn't what it was in the Dark Ages (or even the '50s), when uninitiated males did not have access to MTV—thus there was still a chance they'd remain chaste till the wedding night. Her gay valet—a tiresome role for Cleavon Little—consoles her with a tumbler of blood garnished with a celery stick. She moues thoughtfully. 'I came out of the closet centuries ago,' he minces, uttering one of the movie's many dated inanities. (The writers still think 'What's your sign?' is a good joke.)." WashingtonPost.com

"Lauren Hutton stars as a 400-year-old vampire only slightly older than the jokes in David Hines, Jeffrey Hause and Jonathan Roberts' screenplay, based on a story, such as it were, by a fourth party, Dimitri Villard." (Our drunk uncle review) Daily Record, Morristown, New Jersey; 20 Nov 1985 Liner-Notes.com

"Every season it appears that Hollywood has truly and finally run out of comic things to say with coming- of-age scenarios, and every once in a while it's demonstrated that the genre simply needs intelligent handling. Once Bitten is one of the better things to happen lately to adolescent sex comedies simply because it isn't gross; because it isn't mean-minded; because Jim Carrey has a way of pouting that makes him look like he has buck teeth." Globe and Mail, Canada; 27 Nov 1985 Liner-Notes.com

"Hutton has appeared in more prestigious pictures, but none so liberating as this unpretentious comedy, which allows her to slink and vamp with much good humor. In his first major screen role Carrey proves to be an important discovery, who also seems to know how not to take himself too seriously. And Kopins is another revelation, so deceptive is the primness of her first scenes. Thomas Ballatore and Skip Lackey are Carrey's pals, as funny as Little is in support of Hutton." LAtimes.com

"Once warned you won't want to see 'Once Bitten,' a thoroughly dumb teen-age sex comedy that's filled with stale gags, hokey gimmicks and attrocious acting. Its 2.2 laughs are spread evenly throughout a tame and extremely tired plot that seems as endless as a vampire's life is eternal." ★★ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 15 Nov 1985 Liner-Notes.com

"Scenes of Carrey and Hutton enacting sexy blood transfusions are more sensual than funny and disrupt the more flippant moments that make this film work at all." (For all their implied superiority, it's amazing how many reviewers couldn't even get a vampire pun right.) Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; 19 Nov 1985 Liner-Notes.com

"In 1985, American cinema struck it big with the release of cult classics like The Breakfast Club, Back to the Future, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and Weird Science. But in between these gems was a hidden jewel called Once Bitten starring a very young Jim Carrey and sultry model-turned-actress Lauren Hutton as the bloodsucker seeking her next big score." SYFY.com

"Carrey's knack for comedic timing is perfect, even back in 1985, as he commands every silly scene he's in. When Mark becomes to the victim of a vampire (played the gorgeous Lauren Hutton), and gets bitten, he finds his world turned upside down, and begins to act different than he typically does, leading his girlfriends and friends to try to figure out what's wrong with him. It's a hilarious film." IconsOfFright.com

"The film does have some really good humor in it, and good ideas. It's never ridiculously funny, but there's a sort of charm I found and would definitely pop this one in again sometime." ★★★ WhySoBlu.com

YouTube Reviews:

10 Things You Didn't Know About OnceBitten