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Friday the 13th (film series)

Friday the 13th is an American horror film series that began with the 1980 slasher film *Friday the 13th*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Friday the 13th is an American horror film series that began with the 1980 slasher film *Friday the 13th*. The franchise centres on Camp Crystal Lake and the character Jason Voorhees, and it expanded into sequels, a television series, novels, comic books, video games, and merchandise. The series is one of the best-known slasher franchises in popular culture.

Origin

The series began with the 1980 film *Friday the 13th*, which was created to follow the success of other slasher films of the period. It was written by Victor Miller and produced and directed by Sean S. Cunningham.

Story and characters

The franchise is most closely associated with Jason Voorhees and the Camp Crystal Lake setting. Across the series, Jason appears either as the killer or as the force motivating the killings.

Expansion

The property expanded beyond cinema into a television series, novels, comic books, video games, and merchandise. It also included crossover material such as *Freddy vs. Jason*.

Reception and legacy

The films became a major part of the slasher genre and achieved substantial commercial success. The original film’s success helped establish the franchise as a long-running horror brand.

Key facts

  • The franchise began with *Friday the 13th* in 1980, written by Victor Miller and produced and directed by Sean S. Cunningham.
  • The series is centred on Jason Voorhees, who became the main figure associated with the franchise.
  • The films are set mainly around Camp Crystal Lake, a fictional summer camp with a tragic past.
  • The franchise includes twelve films, including *Freddy vs. Jason* and the 2009 remake *Friday the 13th*.
  • The franchise has grossed more than US$464 million worldwide at the box office.

Frequently asked questions

What is Friday the 13th?
It is an American slasher film franchise that began with the 1980 film *Friday the 13th*.
Who is Jason Voorhees?
Jason Voorhees is the central character associated with the franchise and its main horror icon.
How many films are in the series?
The franchise includes twelve films.
Who created the first film?
The first film was written by Victor Miller and produced and directed by Sean S. Cunningham.
What other media is part of the franchise?
The franchise also includes a television series, novels, comic books, video games, and tie-in merchandise.

References

  1. Simple Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise overview, number of films, media expansions, creators, Jason Voorhees, box office total.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise overview, Jason Voorhees, creators, box office total, crossover film.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080761/
    Supports: Original film plot summary and franchise impact.
  4. Hindustan Times — https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/how-many-friday-the-13th-movies-are-there-heres-which-ones-the-best-101749818275243.html
    Supports: Franchise overview, Jason Voorhees, first film release year, total number of films.
  5. Friday The 13th: The Franchise — http://www.fridaythe13thfranchise.com/
    Supports: Television series information.