The Omen Films: Ranked

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With the release of 2024’s The First Omen, audiences have proven that The Omen franchise is one of the most enduring properties in horror history. Starting with Richard Donner’s 1976 classic, The Omen, this series has been chugging along at a steady pace for the past five decades. Coming along at the height of the horror boom in the 1970s, this franchise’s sturdy bones have helped it to stand out among the glut of other horror properties that proliferated in movie theaters in the era. 

However, not all Omen films are created equal, as every series has peaks and valleys. Today, we’ll be ranking the entire Omen franchise, looking at this venerable franchise’s highs and lows. Let’s get started!

6. Omen IV: The Awakening (1991)

This made-for-TV horror film works as a gender-swapped retelling of the original film’s story. The film centers on Gene and Karen York, Virginia attorneys who adopt a daughter named Delia after failing to conceive a child on their own. As Delia begins to go through puberty, strange and horrific deaths begin to plague those around Delia, leading to a discovery so shocking it will terrify the York Family to its core. An attempt by 20th Century Fox to expand its film division to television, this cheap cash-grab feels derivative of the other films in the series. However, watching Michael Lerner play a sleazy private detective is always a blast. It’s not essential, but you could do much worse.

5. The Omen (2006)

Directed by Good Day to Die Hard director John Moore, this remake of the 1976 original sees the return of original screenwriter David Seltzer. (There is contention as to how much of the script he actually wrote for this film.) Though the film is a regurgitation of the original’s plot and structure, the slick direction from Moore and excellent performances from its principal cast, including Liev Schreiber and David Thewlis, make it one horror remake that’s worth a watch!

4. Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981) 

The third film in the Omen franchise sees Sam Neill take the mantle as an adult Damien Thorn, who’s taken the position of the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom. In his attempt to ascend to the Presidency and unleash the Second Coming of Satan, he must work to kill every male child born in England in the hopes of stopping the resurrection of Christ. As ridiculous as this premise sounds, it leads to many goofy horror antics that may entertain the rabid horror fan. It was not particularly scary, but an absolute blast, nonetheless. 

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3. The Omen (1976) 

The one that started it all! For those who don’t know, the film follows diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck), who must fight the forces of evil as he is forced to kill his adopted son upon discovering that he’s the son of the Antichrist. Masterfully directed by Richard Donner, the film’s status as a horror classic is undeniable, though it does leave the viewer with a bit of yearning. For a film riddled with so many classic sequences, it leaves a little to be desired, never living up to the heights of its gonzo premise. 

2. Damien: Omen II (1978) 

Though many see this sequel as inferior to the original, there’s a case to be made about how this film seeks to improve on the formula of that original film. The film follows Damien after the first film’s events, moving to Chicago and attending military school at the behest of his uncle, Richard Thorn (William Holden). Upon discovering Damien’s origins, Richard seeks the Seven Daggers of Megiddo, a Biblical weapon needed to kill Damien once and for all. What we lose in not having Donner return to the director’s chair is more than made up for by having British crime filmmaker Mike Hodges helm the screenplay, giving us the nastiest deaths of the series. It was an absolute blast! 

1.  The First Omen (2024) 

This half-century-old series’ latest entry is also its best. A prequel to the original film, The First Omen follows Margaret, a nun who relocates to an Italian orphanage to finish her mission. During her residency, however, she begins to discover a conspiracy in the Catholic Church to resurrect the Antichrist to get people to turn back towards Christianity. A frightening good time, this reboot is gorgeously directed, containing some of the scariest sequences of the entire series. Overlooked upon its theatrical release, this is one sequel that stands head-and-shoulders above the original film!

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