Watch Freddy's Nightmares

Name: Freddy's Nightmares
Genre: Thriller
Released: 1988-10-09
Cast: Robert Englund

TV-14
1988
2 Seasons
6.2 (3,318)

Freddy's Nightmares is a horror anthology series that aired from 1988 to 1990. The show was hosted by the iconic horror villain, Freddy Krueger, who was played by Robert Englund. Each episode of the show was a self-contained story that explored different themes of horror and suspense. The series was set in the fictional town of Springwood, Ohio, which was the setting of the Nightmare on Elm Street films. Freddy Krueger was a child killer who was burned alive by the vengeful parents of Springwood after he was acquitted of his crimes on a technicality. In the show, Krueger has somehow been resurrected from the dead and continues to terrorize the town's residents in their dreams. The show's format was similar to other popular anthology series of the time, such as Tales from the Crypt and The Twilight Zone. Each episode had a different cast and director, giving the show a diverse range of styles and tones. Many of the episodes featured young, up-and-coming actors and actresses, including Brad Pitt, Mariska Hargitay, and Wil Wheaton. One of the show's strengths was its ability to blend horror with various genres, including comedy, drama, and romance. Episodes ranged from traditional slasher stories to more surreal and psychological dramas. The show also explored themes such as revenge, addiction, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Despite its reputation as a horror series, Freddy's Nightmares was also notable for its social commentary. Many episodes dealt with issues such as racism, homophobia, and sexism. In one episode, a high school principal punishes a student for not conforming to traditional gender roles. In another, a group of neo-Nazis take over a small town and terrorize its residents. Robert Englund's performance as Freddy Krueger was a major draw for fans of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Englund added a sense of humor and charisma to the character, making him more than just a one-dimensional slasher villain. In many episodes, Krueger served as a narrator, introducing and concluding each story with his trademark quips and puns. One of the show's most memorable episodes was "No More Mr. Nice Guy," which served as a prequel to the original Nightmare on Elm Street film. The episode chronicled Krueger's life before he became a child killer, showing his abusive childhood and eventual descent into madness. The episode provided insight into Krueger's motivations and added depth to his character. Although the show was popular with fans of horror, it struggled to find a mainstream audience. It was cancelled after two seasons due to low ratings. However, it has since gained a cult following and remains a favorite among fans of the genre. In conclusion, Freddy's Nightmares is a compelling and entertaining horror anthology series that explored a wide range of themes and styles. Robert Englund's performance as Freddy Krueger added humor and complexity to the show's central villain. Despite its short run, the show remains a beloved and influential entry in the horror genre.

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Seasons

2 1

22. Life Sentence

March 11, 1990

Warden Hendler recommends an early parole for a violent criminal. Meanwhile, the warden uses a dangerous experimental truth serum to get to the bottom of an unsolved case as he tries to win the election for sheriff.

21. Prisoner of Love

March 4, 1990

A chaplain plots an escape for a female murderer he counsels and has fallen in love with, but their scheme is sabotaged, causing harm. Another death row prisoner also works with the chaplain to get out, until they are betrayed.

20. Dust to Dust

February 25, 1990

A trio of survivors return to cannibalistic habits to get rid of a home invader, whom they later discover was infected with a virus. Instead of receiving the help they request from government scientists, the three undergo cruel experimentation.

19. A Family Affair

February 18, 1990

A man's attempts to conceal his affair result in fatal consequences. A couple years later, a man makes a dismal bargain with Death.

18. Funhouse

February 11, 1990

A couple moves into an old mansion. The wife suspects the residence is haunted but soon discovers an unexpected source of destruction.

17. Interior Loft - Later

February 4, 1990

An artist fakes his death after accidentally killing a subject. However, he starts to suspect his wife is having an affair.

16. Interior Loft

January 28, 1990

A woman decides to take up a side job in the phone sex business, for her husband. Disaster strikes when an unknown psychopath becomes obsessed with Kim and starts murdering women for her.

15. Prime Cut

January 21, 1990

A camping trip turns into a nightmare as the male campers believe that their woman tracker is a vampire, who is planning on feeding off their blood.

14. Easy Come, Easy Go

January 14, 1990

Greta, who has already murdered twice to avoid sharing her first husband's lottery winnings, faces a new challenge when a witness to her crimes blackmails her into marriage.

13. What You Don't Know Can Kill You

January 7, 1990

A psychiatrist uses women under hypnosis to get what he wants. Eventually a fellow psychiatrist finds out what he's up to, and the doctor does his best in mind control to stop word from leaking out.

12. It's My Party and You'll Die If I Want You To

December 24, 1989

Marla Murlee is a con artist posing as a psychic. She tries to contact someone from the Titanic disaster but is booed by her rival Harry Lee. Freddy hears this and decides to accept her invitation at the real ceremony.

11. Dreams That Kill

December 17, 1989

A talk show host who is doing a story about if nightmares can kill is being haunted by Freddy. He goes ahead with the story anyway, despite Freddy's warnings.

10. Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?

December 10, 1989

Lisa Wax has to baby-sit for the Burtons, not knowing that the Burtons' eldest adopted daughter Patty has been locked up in the family basement most of her life for killing her adopted mother.

9. Monkey Dreams

December 3, 1989

Joe is a gambler who is fleeing from some gangsters. He is really a scientist who is trying to search for alien life-forms. Another scientist is trying to see if monkeys can talk.

8. Bloodlines

November 26, 1989

An escaped convict goes on a search for the money he stole before he went to jail but his wife and his offspring aren't ready to forgive him. Meanwhile, Jack adopts a young girl but his wife believes that she is possessed by the devil.

7. Silence Is Golden

November 19, 1989

Rick Blake is haunted by a mime who keeps tormenting him. Meanwhile it turns out that the mime is also a burglar who learns that the last people he robbed were also killed.

6. Lucky Stiff

November 12, 1989

A man wins a lottery and he and his wife are in the money ... or so they think. Tragedy strikes, and after his death his lottery ticket turns up missing.

5. Memory Overload

November 5, 1989

Professor Windom is a man with a drinking problem. But he has to get over his fears, and quickly, as a former student of his needs his help.

4. Photo Finish

October 29, 1989

A woman photographer is being terrorized by Freddy, and whatever photos she takes, tragedy strikes on every one.

3. Welcome to Springwood

October 22, 1989

A couple move to Springwood. Right away the wife of the couple begins to suspect that a serial killer has targeted the house that they have moved into, which leads to a surprising ending.

2. Heartbreak Hotel

October 15, 1989

A reporter who does some tacky stories for a newspaper is sent to the Springwood Hotel to investigate an Elvis sighting there. At the hotel he discovers that whatever he writes becomes reality.

1. Dream Come True

October 8, 1989

A young boy is suffering from nightmares by Freddy. A psychiatrist is asked to help the boy. The doctor does help but at the most horrible cost. Meanwhile a cameraman is determined to prove that Freddy does exist.

Description

The series was set in the fictional town of Springwood, Ohio, which was the setting of the Nightmare on Elm Street films. Freddy Krueger was a child killer who was burned alive by the vengeful parents of Springwood after he was acquitted of his crimes on a technicality. In the show, Krueger has somehow been resurrected from the dead and continues to terrorize the town's residents in their dreams.

The show's format was similar to other popular anthology series of the time, such as Tales from the Crypt and The Twilight Zone. Each episode had a different cast and director, giving the show a diverse range of styles and tones. Many of the episodes featured young, up-and-coming actors and actresses, including Brad Pitt, Mariska Hargitay, and Wil Wheaton.

One of the show's strengths was its ability to blend horror with various genres, including comedy, drama, and romance. Episodes ranged from traditional slasher stories to more surreal and psychological dramas. The show also explored themes such as revenge, addiction, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Despite its reputation as a horror series, Freddy's Nightmares was also notable for its social commentary. Many episodes dealt with issues such as racism, homophobia, and sexism. In one episode, a high school principal punishes a student for not conforming to traditional gender roles. In another, a group of neo-Nazis take over a small town and terrorize its residents.

Robert Englund's performance as Freddy Krueger was a major draw for fans of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Englund added a sense of humor and charisma to the character, making him more than just a one-dimensional slasher villain. In many episodes, Krueger served as a narrator, introducing and concluding each story with his trademark quips and puns.

One of the show's most memorable episodes was "No More Mr. Nice Guy," which served as a prequel to the original Nightmare on Elm Street film. The episode chronicled Krueger's life before he became a child killer, showing his abusive childhood and eventual descent into madness. The episode provided insight into Krueger's motivations and added depth to his character.

Although the show was popular with fans of horror, it struggled to find a mainstream audience. It was cancelled after two seasons due to low ratings. However, it has since gained a cult following and remains a favorite among fans of the genre.

In conclusion, Freddy's Nightmares is a compelling and entertaining horror anthology series that explored a wide range of themes and styles. Robert Englund's performance as Freddy Krueger added humor and complexity to the show's central villain. Despite its short run, the show remains a beloved and influential entry in the horror genre.