In 1987, George A. Romero and Stephen King’s anthology horror classic got a sequel, Creepshow 2, and here’s how its stories stack up, worst to best. Released in 1982, Creepshow was a critical and commercial hit, and is arguably the best horror anthology movie ever made. Creepshow 2 is, to be blunt, not in that conversation. It made a profit, but a considerably smaller one, and ended up getting its budget slashed to the point where two planned stories were cut from the final script.
Critics also hated Creepshow 2, and it took years for the sequel to finally begin amassing a cult following. While Creepshow 2 is definitely a flawed film, it’s quite possible looking back that the sterling reputation of the original led both audiences and critics to be harsher on the sequel than it deserved, holding it up to its predecessor and taking in all the ways it had come up short. If one asks a fan of Creepshow 2 nowadays though, they’re likely to be told that while the sequel isn’t a great movie, it’s a nice slice of cheesy 1980s fun.
With that in mind, it’s time to take a look at the stories that Creepshow 2 presents viewers, and decide the best of the lot. For these purposes, the animated wraparound segments are being considered their own story.
4. Wraparound Segments
Unsurprisingly, Creepshow 2‘s wraparound story doesn’t measure it to its three proper tales, but it’s amusing for what it is. The story centers on a little boy named Billy that loves horror comics, similar to the original. In this version, Billy orders a set of Venus Flytraps from an ad in the comics, then concocts a plan to use them on a group of local bullies. The Flytraps grow to giant size and make a buffet out of the bullies. It’s a simple plot, but harmless.
3. Old Chief Wood’nhead
“Old Chief Wood’nhead,” Creepshow 2‘s first proper story, is also the worst of the three, and is only really saved by a few good performances. George Kennedy and Dorothy Lamour are immensely likable as the proprietors of a small general store in a dying town, and future Mindhunter actor Holt McCallany makes for an entertaining, despicable villain as the vain Sam Whitemoon. It’s regrettable in hindsight that the white McCallany was cast as a Native American, but that would obviously never fly now. The actual horror part of the story though, with the titular “cigar store Indian” going on a rampage against Sam and his friends, is surprisingly dull.
2. The Hitch-hiker
Best known for the “Thanks for the Ride, lady” catchphrase spouted repeatedly by its titular zombie, “The Hitch-hiker” is a big improvement on “Old Chief Wood’nhead”. Whereas the earlier story does its kills almost entirely offscreen, “The Hitch-hiker” goes for the gross-out, and for the most part, does that quite well. The gooey practical special effects work is great, and while simple, the supernatural battle between Lois Chiles’ unfaithful wife and her unintentional murder victim is satisfying.
1. The Raft
For anyone familiar with Creepshow 2, there was probably little suspense as to which story would take this top spot. Based on a Stephen King short that’s also very good, “The Raft” is the main reason Creepshow 2‘s reputation has improved, and is clearly the standout. It sees two college student couples head out to a deserted lake for a quiet day of swimming and getting high, only to run in to what’s essentially the world’s hungriest oil slick. All four characters are likable, and the special effects work is again terrifically nasty. The only real issue is an absolutely bone-headed decision made by one of the guys later on.
