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''Freddy's Nightmares'' (also known as ''A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series'') is an American horror
anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs, or related fiction/non-fiction excerpts by different authors. There are also thematic and g ...
television series that aired in syndication from October 8, 1988 until March 12, 1990. A spin-off from the ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' film series, each episode is introduced by
Freddy Krueger Freddy Krueger () is a fictional character and the antagonist of the ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' horror film franchise. Created by Wes Craven, he made his debut in Craven's '' A Nightmare on Elm Street'' (1984) as the malevolent spirit of a ...
(played by
Robert Englund Robert Barton Englund (born June 6, 1947) is an American actor and director. Englund is best known for playing the villain Freddy Krueger in the ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' franchise. Englund has received multiple accolades and honors, incl ...
, as in the films) and features two different stories. Eight episodes throughout the series actually feature Freddy Krueger as the main antagonist. The
pilot episode A television pilot (also known as a pilot or a pilot episode and sometimes marketed as a tele-movie) in United Kingdom and United States television, is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell a show to a television netwo ...
, directed by
Tobe Hooper Willard Tobe Hooper (; January 25, 1943 – August 26, 2017) was an American filmmaker, best known for his work in the horror film, horror genre. The British Film Institute cited Hooper as one of the most influential horror filmmakers of al ...
, begins with Krueger's prosecution on child-murdering charges. The series was produced by New Line Television, and Stone Television. It was originally distributed by
Lorimar-Telepictures Lorimar-Telepictures Corporation, Inc. was an entertainment company established on February 19, 1986 with the merger of Lorimar Productions, Inc. and Telepictures Corporation. Headquartered at the former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (now Sony Pi ...
. After Lorimar-Telepictures was acquired by Warner Bros. Television in 1989, Warner Bros. assumed syndication rights.


Premise

Due to the murderous nature of Freddy Krueger, New Line Cinema opted not to develop a television series with a regular cast of characters interacting with Krueger continuously, as he would inevitably kill most of them, leaving no one left. Instead, the producers created an anthology series, featuring a new cast of actors for each episode. Each episode tells a different story with dark or grim themes, set in the fictional town of Springwood, Ohio, specifically on Elm Street, the same setting as the ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' films. Although the Freddy Krueger character occasionally plays a role in the plot, most of the stories do not involve him directly. However, it is often hinted that Krueger indirectly influenced the desolate nature of the plotlines. Similar to the Crypt Keeper in ''Tales from the Crypt'', Krueger's primary function is to host the series. He appears in regular bumper segments, offering ominous or slapstick reactions to the episode's events, culminating in a quick and usually eerie
epilogue An epilogue or epilog (from Greek ἐπίλογος ''epílogos'', "conclusion" from ἐπί ''epi'', "in addition" and λόγος ''logos'', "word") is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature, usually used to bring closure to the ...
at the end. One unique element of the series is its two-tier story approach. Most episodes feature two different stories, each occupying the first and second halves of the episode. The second story usually builds on a character who played a minor or supporting role in the first. Several episodes throughout the second season form mini-arcs, where the events of one episode are followed up and/or referenced in a later episode. For example, the episode "Interior Loft" was given a direct sequel, "Interior Loft-Later," and "Lucky Stiff" was followed up with "Easy Come, Easy Go." Torrance High School was used as the filming location for Springwood High School, predating its use in later horror series like ''
Buffy the Vampire Slayer ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' is an American supernatural fiction, supernatural drama television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon. The concept is based on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film), 1992 film, also written by Whedon, a ...
''.


Cast

The only actor from the film series retained for the TV series was
Robert Englund Robert Barton Englund (born June 6, 1947) is an American actor and director. Englund is best known for playing the villain Freddy Krueger in the ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' franchise. Englund has received multiple accolades and honors, incl ...
, as
Freddy Krueger Freddy Krueger () is a fictional character and the antagonist of the ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' horror film franchise. Created by Wes Craven, he made his debut in Craven's '' A Nightmare on Elm Street'' (1984) as the malevolent spirit of a ...
. Some of the featured actors who went on to later become notable were: * Rosalind Allen * Robin Antin *
Shiri Appleby Shiri Appleby is an American actress and television director. She is best known for her leading roles as Liz Parker in the WB/ UPN science fiction drama series '' Roswell'' (1999–2002) and Rachel Goldberg in the Lifetime/Hulu drama series '' ...
*
Sarah Buxton Sarah Jane Buxton (born July 3, 1980) is an American country music singer formerly signed to the independent Lyric Street Records. Between 2006 and 2008, she issued three singles from an extended play titled '' Almost My Record'', in addition t ...
* Bill Camp * Kyle Chandler *
Morris Chestnut Morris Lamont Chestnut (born January 1, 1969) is an American actor. He first came to prominence for his role as Ricky in the 1991 film ''Boyz n the Hood''. He has appeared in feature films such as ''G.I. Jane'', ''The Brothers (2001 film), The B ...
*
Clifton Collins Jr. Clifton Craig Collins Jr. (born June 16, 1970) is an American film and television actor. He is a Primetime Emmy Award, Independent Spirit Award, Satellite Award, and four-time ALMA Award nominee, and a Screen Actors Guild Award winner. Prior t ...
* Raymond Cruz * Richard Eden *
Mariska Hargitay Mariska Magdolna Hargitay Mariska says her own first name and the name of her father; the interviewer, James Lipton, also says her full name near the start of the show. (; born January 23, 1964) is an American actress, producer, and philanthrop ...
* Penny Johnson Jerald *
Eva LaRue Eva Maria LaRue (; born December 27, 1966) is an American actress and model. She is known for her roles as Maria Santos (All My Children), Maria Santos on ''All My Children'' and Det. Natalia Boa Vista on ''CSI: Miami''. Early life LaRue was b ...
*
Phill Lewis Phillip David Lewis (born February 14, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, and director. He is best known for playing hotel manager Mr. Moseby on the Disney Channel series ''The Suite Life of Zack & Cody'' and its spin-off, ''The Suite Life ...
*
John Cameron Mitchell John Cameron Mitchell (born April 21, 1963) is an American actor, playwright, screenwriter, singer, songwriter, producer and director. He is known as the writer, director and star of the 2001 film ''Hedwig and the Angry Inch (film), Hedwig and t ...
*
Bill Moseley William Moseley (born November 11, 1951) is an American actor, primarily known for his performances in horror films. His best-known roles include Chop Top in '' The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2'' (1986), Otis B. Driftwood in Rob Zombie's ''Firefly ...
* Yvette Nipar * Lori Petty *
Brad Pitt William Bradley Pitt (born December 18, 1963) is an American actor and film producer. In a Brad Pitt filmography, film career spanning more than thirty years, Pitt has received list of awards and nominations received by Brad Pitt, numerous a ...
* Tim Russ * Richard Speight Jr. *
Glynn Turman Glynn Turman (born January 31, 1947) is an American actor. First coming to attention as a child actor in the original 1959 Broadway production of ''A Raisin in the Sun'', Turman is known for his roles as Lew Miles on the prime-time soap opera '' ...
Other notable guest stars featured in the series were: *
Marc Alaimo Marc Alaimo is an American actor known for his villainous roles. He is best known for his role as recurring villain Gul Dukat in the TV series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''. Early and personal life Alaimo was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He ...
* Sandahl Bergman * Timothy Bottoms *
Jeffrey Combs Jeffrey Alan Combs (born September 9, 1954) is an American actor. He is best known for starring as Herbert West in the ''Re-Animator'' film series (1985–2003) and portraying multiple characters in the ''Star Trek'' universe, most notably the ...
*
Jeff Conaway Jeffrey Charles William Michael Conaway (October 5, 1950 – May 27, 2011) was an American actor. He portrayed Kenickie in the film ''Grease (film), Grease'' and had roles in three television series: struggling actor Bobby Wheeler in ''Taxi (TV ...
* Mary Crosby * Burr DeBenning * Ellen Albertini Dow * Tony Dow *
Diane Franklin Diane Franklin (born February 11, 1962) is an American actress, producer, and model. Early life Franklin was born in Plainview, New York. Her parents were both German immigrants. Franklin is Hearing loss, deaf in her left ear. Education Fran ...
* Richard Gautier * Tamara Glynn *
Bob Goen Robert Kuehl Goen (born December 1, 1954) is an American game show emcee and television personality, best known for his work on ''Entertainment Tonight'' between 1993 and 2004 and as the fourth and final host of the daytime ''Wheel of Fortune ( ...
* Wings Hauser * Tiffany Helm * Mark Herrier * Joyce Hyser * Jill Jacobson * David Lander *
George Lazenby George Robert Lazenby (; born 5 September 1939) is an Australian retired actor. Lazenby began his professional career as a model and had only acted in commercials when he was cast to replace the original James Bond actor, Sean Connery, playing ...
*
Lar Park Lincoln Laurie Jill "Lar" Park Lincoln (née Park; May 12, 1961 – April 22, 2025) was an American actress. She appeared in the 1987 film ''House II: The Second Story'' as Kate, the 1988 horror film ''Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood'' as List o ...
*
Dick Miller Richard Miller (December 25, 1928 – January 30, 2019) was an American character actor who appeared in more than 180 films, including many produced by Roger Corman. He later appeared in the films of directors who began their careers with Corm ...
* Susan Oliver * Philip Proctor * Paul Regina * Jay Thomas * Glen Vernon *
Tracey Walter Tracey Walter (born November 25, 1947) is an American retired character actor. He has appeared in more than 170 films and television series. Life and career Walter was born and grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a truck driver. He h ...
* Jill Whitlow


Episodes

With the exception of the pilot, and the first season's seventh episode "Sister's Keeper", all of the episodes carried two separate storylines. The first half hour would be devoted to one story, while the last half hour would be devoted to a second storyline.


Series overview


Home media


VHS

In the US, five VHS tapes were released by
Warner Home Video Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, Inc. (doing business as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment; formerly known as Warner Home Video and WCI Home Video and sometimes credited as Warner Home Entertainment) is the American home video distribution ...
in September 1991. Each tape featured one episode. The episodes released were: * "No More Mr. Nice Guy" * "Lucky Stiff" * "It's My Party and You'll Die If I Want You To" * "Dreams That Kill" * "Freddy's Tricks and Treats" In the UK, eight VHS tapes were released by Braveworld Ltd., originally in 1989 as rental-only tapes and then again in 1993 to the sell-through market. Each tape features two episodes. The tapes released were: * ''The Nightmare Begins Again'': "No More Mr. Nice Guy" and "Killer Instinct" * ''Freddy's Nightmares 2'': "Sister's Keeper" and "Freddy's Tricks and Treats" * ''Rock Me, Freddy'': "Judy Miller, Come on Down" and "The Bride Wore Red" * ''Saturday Nightmare Fever'': "The End Of The World" and "Saturday Night Special" * ''Do Dreams Bleed?'': "Do Dreams Bleed" and "Rebel Without a Car" * ''Freddy's Mother's Day'': "Mother's Day" and "Black Tickets" * ''Safe Sex'': "Safe Sex" and "Deadline" * ''It's a Miserable Life'': "It's a Miserable Life" and "Love Stinks" In Germany, eight VHS tapes were released by Virgin Video, originally in 1989 as rental-only tapes. Eacht tape features two episodes. * ''Freddy - Wie alles begann'': "No More Mr. Nice Guy" and "Killer Instinct" * ''Schere, Tupfer, Kralle...'': "Freddy's Tricks and Treats" and "It's a Miserable Life" * ''Saturday Nightmare Fever'': "Saturday Night Special" and "Judy Miller, Come On Down" * ''Freddy's Muttertag'': "Sister's Keeper" and "Mother's Day" * ''Rock me Freddy'': "Rebel Without a Car" and "The Bride Wore Red" * ''Blutige Träume'': "Do Dreams Bleed" and "Out To Lunch" aka "The End Of The World" * ''Freddy's Killerinstinkt'': "Deadline" and "Black Tickets" * ''Freddy's Höhenkoller'': "School Daze" and "Cabin Fever"


DVD & Blu-ray

In 2003, Volume 1 (the first 3 episodes) was released on Region 2 DVD in Ireland and the UK, by
Warner Home Video Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, Inc. (doing business as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment; formerly known as Warner Home Video and WCI Home Video and sometimes credited as Warner Home Entertainment) is the American home video distribution ...
. Volume 2 and Volume 3 was also planned to be released later in future years to come, however, Warner canceled the releases due to poor sales. In 2011, a
Blu-ray Blu-ray (Blu-ray Disc or BD) is a digital optical disc data storage format designed to supersede the DVD format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released worldwide on June 20, 2006, capable of storing several hours of high-defin ...
collection of the original seven ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' films was released in the US. The set included a DVD with special features, which included two episodes of the show ("It's a Miserable Life" and "Killer Instinct"). In 2022, sixteen german dubbed episodes were published in Germany by Pidax.


Syndication

The series originally aired in syndication across the United States. Due to its violent and sexual content, episodes were often heavily edited before being broadcast. A notable example is the series finale, "Safe Sex," which had 8 minutes of explicit footage removed. In 2006, AOL partnered with Warner Bros. Television to make ''Freddy's Nightmares'' available on its new broadband service,
In2TV In2TV was a website offering ad-supported streaming video of classic TV shows in the United States. It was operated by AOL Time Warner as an outlet for the company's archival television programming. History In2TV was announced in November 20 ...
.
NBCUniversal NBCUniversal Media, LLC (abbreviated as NBCU and Trade name, doing business as NBCUniversal or Comcast NBCUniversal since 2013) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational mass media and Show business, entertainment conglomerate (comp ...
's horror-themed cable channel,
Chiller A chiller is a machine that removes heat from a liquid coolant via a vapor-compression refrigeration, vapor-compression, adsorption refrigeration, or absorption refrigerator, absorption refrigeration cycles. This liquid can then be circulated th ...
, aired monthly marathons of ''Freddy's Nightmares''. Both seasons were shown consecutively with commercial breaks, but the channel stopped airing the series on March 31, 2011. In the UK,
Sky The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the planetary surface, surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere of Earth, atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from ...
and
Virgin Media Virgin Media Limited is a British telecommunications company which provides telephone, television and internet services in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters are at Green Park in Reading, England. It is owned by Virgin Media O2, a 50:50 ...
customers could watch the entire first series on Zone Horror, airing one episode per night at 8 PM, starting June 8, 2009. In Sweden, TV4 Guld aired the show weekly from 2010 to 2012.
El Rey Network El Rey Network (Spanish for ''The King'') is a media brand founded by Robert Rodriguez on December 15, 2013, that is currently owned in a joint venture with FactoryMade Ventures. Until December 31, 2020, El Rey was a cable and satellite network ...
began airing the series on November 3, 2015. As of February 15, 2022, the series became available on Screambox, a streaming service focused on horror content. As of 2024, ''Freddy's Nightmares'' is not available on
Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational mass media and Outline of entertainment, entertainment Conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It was formed from WarnerMedi ...
's streaming service,
Max Max or MAX may refer to: Animals * Max (American dog) (1983–2013), at one time purported to be the world's oldest living dog * Max (British dog), the first pet dog to win the PDSA Order of Merit (animal equivalent of the OBE) * Max (gorilla) ...
. Instead, it is now streaming on
Tubi Tubi (stylized as tubi) is an American over-the-top ad-supported streaming television service owned by Fox Corporation since 2020. The service was launched on April 1, 2014, and is based in Los Angeles, California. In 2023, Tubi, Credible L ...
, a free, ad-supported platform owned by Fox Corporation.


Reception

Mark Pellegrini of ''Adventures in Poor Taste'' gave the show an overall rating of 6 out of 10. In his review, he explains that only 8 out of the 44 episodes focus on Freddy Krueger, which influenced his rating. Among these, "Photo Finish" received the highest praise, while "Safe Sex" was deemed the weakest. The episode "No More Mr. Nice Guy" was seen as paying homage to the first five ''Nightmare on Elm Street'' films. However, he notes that the scene where Freddy is burned alive, depicted in this episode, is shown differently in '' Freddy vs. Jason'' and '' Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare'', made decades later. John Kenneth Muir in his book ''Terror Television'' (2001) placed ''Freddy's Nightmares'' as the worst of the horror television programs between 1970 and 1999. Muir found the series having uninteresting stories and that its production was so low that it appeared to be homemade, and that it wasted the talents of Englund.


Legacy

The genesis of the series and its impact were later revisited in the 2010 documentary '' Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy'', which features interviews with a number of the show's writers, directors and other parties involved like original Elm Street director
Wes Craven Wesley Earl Craven (August 2, 1939 – August 30, 2015) was an American film director, screenwriter and producer. Amongst his Wes Craven filmography, prolific filmography, Craven worked primarily in the Horror film, horror genre, particularly sla ...
and New Line producer Bob Shaye. The Blu-ray release of the documentary includes outtakes from the series as well as footage that was deleted due to it being too graphic for television.


Notes


References


Sources

*


External links

* {{A Nightmare on Elm Street 1988 American television series debuts 1990 American television series endings 1980s American horror television series 1990s American horror television series 1980s American anthology television series Television shows set in Ohio American horror fiction television series American English-language television shows First-run syndicated television programs in the United States Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios Live action television shows based on films A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise) mass media Television series by New Line Television Television series by Stone Stanley Entertainment Horror anthologies Television shows about nightmares 1990s American anthology television series Television series by Lorimar-Telepictures