When it comes to iconic slashers, there really is no one like Freddy who can cleverly dispose of those teenage pesky “piggies”, as he so lovingly refers to his victims. The Nightmare series as a whole is filled to the brim with memorable, bloody-as-hell Freddy Krueger kills; but there are a few in my eyes that stand out among the rest in the extraordinary department of death that lies in the cleverly thought out corner of Krueger’s boiler room.

Throughout the franchise, Krueger plays on his victim’s deepest fears as a final slap, er slash rather, and more so than not, the casualties are unique and even a little artistic in a twisted fuck kind of way. One has to appreciate just how different these death scenes are from any other slasher film of the 80s’ and the originality brought to the table makes for some truly unforgettable scenes from the movies. It’s these types of deaths that have led me to believe that more modern horror franchises like Saw and Final Destination have taken notes from Freddy on how to stand out in a film when tearing someone’s head off their body.

Now reading that you might say, “Holy Mother Amanda, this bitch is one disturbed individual.” This is also fine as I am at peace with this realization I myself made years ago.

Beyond the fact I may think the death scenes in ANOES can be considered poetic art, I think we can all concur to some degree on the point I’m trying to make here. Some of these scenes are just memorable as fuck and absolutely stand out among other kills in the franchise. Note I don’t think these are the OVERALL BEST, but rather the most unique as well stated in the headline. So, enough with the babble; on to my top 5 unique Freddy Krueger kills!

5. Ron Grady

Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge

For the Nightmare 2 haters, I just wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably tonight had I left this little gem out of this list, and here’s why: Ron Grady’s inanimate death may have been basic with a mere grab and slash, but it was the nail-biting tension and Jesse’s transformation that really made his fate a memorable one. Freddy’s face busting out of a scared as hell Jesse Walsh’s chest, a scene that could even rival 1979 Alien‘s chest burster sequence, is truly spectacular to witness and when it’s all over, you have a teary-eyed Jesse in the corner realizing that the Freddy entity has just made him kill his best bud in the film. It’s actually quite tragically sad in a sense when looking at this from Jesse’s mentally strained angle.

Also, the special effects are fun as fuck.

4. Carlos Rodriguez

Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare

 Nails on a chalkboard indeed is the GODDAMN worst; so I can only imagine how the scrapping of Freddy’s glove along the latter could be enough to induce a Scanners-like scenario. Freddy takes advantage of Carlos’ disability and turns the dial up a notch in the audible kill department by dragging him through a dream sequence that suggests our victim had an abusive childhood, which may have ultimately impaired his hearing. The torture continues with Freddy slowly and aggressively working on Carlos’ eardrums until his damn head just explodes.

Carlos always felt like one of the nicest and most likable characters of the entire series; so I always felt a little bad for this guy that was given this drawn-out and seemingly painful death. Still a cool scene tho!

3. Dan Jordan

Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

The fastest man on three legs really must have pissed Krueger off to get this kind of death. I suppose surviving the Dream Master film has its consequences, eh? The images were so brutal, or I guess too brutal for 1989 ratings, that Dan’s death scene was heavily edited to avoid an X rating from the MMPA. Luckily for us, we have the footage thanks to the fine folks of the Interwebs, as you can see below Dan’s unedited death scene in all its gruesome, twisted Ghost Rider glory. It’s truly BADASS and deserves a lot more credit.

2. Debbie Stevens

Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master

Debbie was about as tough as they come as far as potential Freddy foes, but alas, the fear of little roaches was her kryptonite; and Krueger used that to his full advantage ruthlessly. Debbie’s cockroach transformation to this day stands out as one of the godammn raddest excerpts from the Nightmare on Elm Street movies. Slowly succumbing to the insect kingdom, Krueger traps the body-building beauty inside a roach motel, where Debbie ultimately meets her fate. My only gripe beyond this visual excellence is that we never get to really see Debbie at her full potential in a face-off with Krueger. Damn you Katsaridaphobia!

1. Phillip Anderson

Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

I feel like this would be almost unanimous within the Nightmare community in saying Phillip’s death from Dream Warriors was clearly the most unique, and frankly coolest of all the films.

Not only for me personally, was this the most terrifying and original- excuse me, creepy Freddy puppet everyone– of the entire franchise, but it also looks painful AS FUCK! Your tendons used as some twisted marionette show that leads you to a fatal leap off the top floor of Westin Hills- all while your friends are watching nonetheless. The whole scene is just filmed so beautifully and when I think of Dream Warriors, this is the first image that always comes to mind. Phillip being puppeteered through the hospital halls in agonizing pain with a look of absolute terror on his face is downright chilling and most definitely, the most unique way to utilize one of our victim’s hobbies against him.

Honorable Mention: All the kids at Lisa’s pool party

A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge

While still to this day, Freddy’s Revenge gets a monumental amount of shit, there’s no denying in a true horror sense that the pool scene in Nightmare 2 is one of the greatest in the franchise-PERIOD. It truly is the only time in the whole franchise we see Freddy go absolutely APESHIT on a bunch of kids and I respect that. Also, I really love to see his uncontrollable rage towards the youth of Springwood. Let us also have a moment of silence for the poor “fucker” that thought it would be a good idea to try and calm Mr. Krueger down.

I’ll never not think that isn’t funny.