Freddy Krueger to Ghostface: Epic films of horror legend Wes Craven that you cannot miss

When it comes to movies, especially the horror genre, there are very few filmmakers who could be called ’true originals’. Wes Craven was one. [caption id=“attachment_2414184” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AP image[/caption] A master of cinematic horror whose legendary directorial credits include A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream, died Sunday aged 76. Craven had been suffering from brain cancer and passed away at his home in Los Angeles. In a career which spanned over four decades, Craven reshaped the horror landscape and inspired a number of films and directors that followed. Here are some of his best: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) [caption id=“attachment_2414788” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  Freddy Krueger. Twitter @deadoftheday[/caption] Craven directed 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, whose terrifying scarred villain Freddy Krueger left a permanent mark on the genre. It was reprised with a string of sequels and a 2010 remake. Krueger, who wore a scruffy fedora and had a glove with razor blades attached to the fingers, would visit his victims in their dreams and slash them to death. The first film in the franchise included a character played by a then-unknown Johnny Depp. Scream (1996) [caption id=“attachment_2414802” align=“aligncenter” width=“825” class=" “]  Scream. Twitter @deadoftheday[/caption] In 1996, Craven brought another (now famous) horror figure to life, the Ghostface with Scream. A plot involving teenagers hunted by a man in a ghost mask was a take on the horror films of the 80s and 90s. The film became an instant classic and was followed by three sequels by Craven himself, although none lived up to the original. The Hills Have Eyes (1977) [caption id=“attachment_2414992” align=“aligncenter” width=“825” class=” “]  The Hills Have Eyes. Twitter @thepauldoherty[/caption] The film follows a family travelling to California when their car breaks down in an area closed to the public, and inhabited by violent savages ready to attack. The film was remade in 2006. The Last House on the Left (1972) [caption id=“attachment_2414984” align=“aligncenter” width=“825” class=” “]  The Last House on the Left. Twitter @RhymeswForeign[/caption] Craven’s directional debut follows a two girls as they get involved with a gang of psychotic convicts. This movie too was remade in 2009. Other notable works: New Nightmare (1994): A demonic force has chosen Freddy Krueger as its portal to the real world. Can Heather play the part of Nancy one last time and trap the evil trying to enter our world? Swamp Thing (1982): After a violent incident with a special chemical, a research scientist is turned into a swamp plant monster. Music of the Heart (1999): Perhaps Craven’s only non-horror movie, the story follows a schoolteacher’s struggle to teach violin to inner-city Harlem kids. The film was nominated for two Oscars. Craven, who was known also for his writing and television work, directed several episodes of The Twilight Zone revival in the 1980s. With inputs from AP and AFP.