The original was written by Wes Craven, and is rated quite highly on Rotten Tomatoes (94%). If you’re an 80’s child you very likely remember being scared silly by “1,2 Freddy’s coming for you”. Not only was Freddy Krueger in the nightmares of the teens on Elm Street, he was probably in yours, too. For the purpose of this comparison, movies that had Bay or Craven as director, producer and/or writer will be considered. It’s time for a face-off: Wes Craven vs. Michael Bay, in terms of scary movies [Rotten Tomatoes rating in square brackets].

Bay Briefly

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) REMAKE

Friday the 13th (2009) [26%] REMAKE

The Unborn (2009) [12%]

Horsemen (2009) [33%]

The Hitcher (2007) [19%] REMAKE

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006) [13%] REMAKE

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) [36%] REMAKE

The Amityville Horrow (2005) [24%] REMAKE

Craven Quickly

The Last House on the Left (2009) [41%] REMAKE (Craven)

The Hills Have Eyes 1 and 2 (2006/2007) [49% and 11%] REMAKE (Craven)

Pulse (2006) [12%] REMAKE

Red Eye (2005) [78%]

Cursed (2005) [17%]

Scream 1-3 (1996-2000) [83%, 79% and 38%]

The People Under the Stairs (1991) [69%]

A Nightmare on Elm Street 1-5 (1984-1989) [94%, 33%, 69%, 58% and 25%]

Ratings

According to the above ratings, it would appear that Wes Craven is the winner. While it’s not a perfect way to compare the success of their scary movies, Rotten Tomatoes is an aggregator and therefore uses multiple ratings taken mostly from accredited media outlets and online film societies.

Remakes

If one were to gauge success by comparing the number of remakes (more being the negative, in my opinion), then Craven would once again be the winner. The two remakes listed above both featured Craven as director, which is more admirable than taking someone else’s movie and remaking it. In all instances, Bay’s remakes receive lower Rotten Tomatoes ratings. In all but one, the ratings are drastically lower.

Notoriety

I’ll admit, I’m pretty biased in this face-off; but I was willing to give Bay a chance. I honestly had no idea he had his hand in so many horror films. Mind you, they’re mostly unoriginal, but this was the first time I realized the extent to which Bay had helped create the modernized fear flick. The fact is that Wes Craven’s name has become synonymous with fear, horror, and terror. Justifiably so.

Conclusion

While Craven may be the winner (probably not surprisingly) of the scary movie face-off, this does not mean that he hasn’t made some stinkers. Although I remember liking it, Shocker gets an 8% on Rotten Tomatoes. Ouch. Conversely, Bay has given us some movies that aren’t SO bad:

Transformers 1 & 2 (2007/2009)

The Island (2005)

Armageddon (1998)

The Rock (1996)

Bad Boys 1 & 2 (1995/2003)