4. Urban Legend (1998)

Let’s be honest: Urban Legend wouldn’t be half as good as it is if it wasn’t for Rebecca Gayheart’s balls-to-the-wall performance during the film’s climax. I swear whenever someone answers a question correctly I hear her yelling “DING! DING! DING!” in my head over and over again. Urban Legend actually has a lot going for it. The main draw is its central premise, about a psychopath who kills people in the style of urban legends. It was also directed by a pre-Valentine Jamie Blanks, who seems much more passionate behind the camera than he was with that film. The film is filled out by a pretty impressive cast. In addition to Gayheart you’ve got Tara Reid (who’s got a great chase scene but doesn’t come close to the quality of a certain other chase scene I will bring up in a bit), a pre-Smallville Michael Rosenbaum, Danielle Harries, Robert Englund, Jared Leto, Joshua Jackson (there’s even a meta nod to Dawson’s Creek that inspires laughs every time I watch it). Silvio Horta’s screenplay is playful and fast-paced. Overall, Urban Legend is a ton of fun and one of the better cash-ins on Scream‘s success.

Just for fun, here’s a supercut of the best parts of Urban Legend. You’ll notice they all have one thing in common.

3. Bride of Chucky (1998)

Much like Halloween, the Child’s Play films had essentially died by the mid-90s. Child’s Play 3 grosses a mere $14.9 million domestically in 1991 and even franchise creator Don Mancini would go on to admit that he had run out of idea. That is, at least, until after Scream came out and he decided to take the franchise in a new direction. Bride of Chucky marks the shift of the Child’s Play franchise into one of self-referential comedy. Gone are most of the horror aspects of the previous films; in are scenes in which Chucky (Brad Dourif) argue over whether they need to use a condom since they are made of rubber (or is it plastic?). Spoiler alert: They did need to use a condom. Bride of Chucky is one of the more enjoyable slashers of the 90s and this is mostly thanks to the vocal performances of Dourif and series newcomer Jennifer Tilly who, lets face it, is pretty amazing. The film knows exactly what kind of movie it is and there isn’t a dull moment in any of its 89 minutes. It is arguably the best sequel in the franchise, at least until Curse of Chucky came along.

2. Final Destination (2000)

Technically, Final Destination isn’t a slasher movie. But it also kind of is a slasher movie. The serial killer just happens to be death itself as opposed to a flesh and blood killer. Final Destination is the most original and creative film on this list. It features some incredibly creative kills that constantly keep you guessing. Watching Final Destination is such a fun experience that it doesn’t matter if it peaks early with the bus kill. James Wong directs with a firm hand and a keen eye while the screenplay (which Wong co-wrote with Jeffrey Reddick and The X-Files‘s Glen Morgan). The film only drags in any scene that Roger Guenveur Smith’s FBI agent is on screen, but otherwise Final Destination is an exciting roller coaster ride of a film that is more inventive than most horror films released at the time. The later films would inject a bit more humor into the proceedings, but the original is a dark, horrifying tale.

1. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

It should come as no surprise that I Know What You Did Last Summer tops this list. Many of you know how I feel about the film. Personal bias aside, I Know What You Did Last Summer is a solid teen film. It also has the distinction of being the only film on this list written by Scream screenwriter Kevin Williamson (he did do some work on the Halloween: H20 script but wasn’t credited). Of course, I Know What You Did Last Summer is nowhere near as witty as Scream, but it doesn’t try to be. It’s just a good old fashioned slasher movie with one of the best third acts in horror movie history (I’m being totally serious). With the beauty pageant, Helen’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) superb chase scene and Julie’s (Jennifer Love Hewitt) confrontation with the fisherman on his boat, I Know What You Did Last Summer more than makes up for it’s arguably slow beginning. Director Jim Gillespie (Venom) keeps things relatively bloodless, but the charming cast and John Debney’s powerful score keep you interested. It’s not a flawless film, but it’s a perfect time capsule of 1997 and the best Scream imitator.

Which of the above films is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!