Summary
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre inspired countless rip-offs that shaped the horror genre for years to come.
- Some films, like The Butcher, failed to capture the essence of the original, lacking in quality and innovation.
- Standout movies like House of the Devil and Wrong Turn successfully paid homage to the iconic Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was among the most influential horror movies ever made, and in the years since its release, there have been countless imitators and copycat movies. Director Tobe Hooper created a new type of horror as he depicted the unstoppable serial killer Leatherface, which would signal the dawn of a new era of over-the-top violence and the use of power tools as a murder weapon. While some rip-offs of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre were blatant cash grabs, others truly added to its concept and led to movies that could be enjoyed on their own merits.
The best rip-offs of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre ranked among the best horror movies of all time, as the influence of the original 1974 film bled into the entire horror genre. As serial killers such as Michael Myers took on some of the innate qualities of Leatherface, it was impossible not to notice striking similarities in later films. While it will always be difficult to top the sheer carnage of the original, for better or worse, lots of subsequent movies ripped off The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
10 The Butcher (2006)
Directed by Edward Gorsuch
The Butcher (2006) RHorrorThriller
The Butcher (2006) is a crime thriller directed by Jesse V. Johnson. The film stars Eric Roberts as Merle Hench, an enforcer for a mob boss who is double-crossed and embarks on a violent journey of revenge. As Merle seeks redemption, he confronts corrupt figures within the criminal underworld. Co-starring Robert Davi and Keith David, the film blends action and dramatic elements through its gritty narrative.
Director Edward Gorsuch Release Date July 11, 2006 Writers Michael Hurst Cast Catherine Wreford , Tom Nagel , Myiea Coy , Alan Ritchson , Ashley Rebecca Hawkins , Tiffany Kristensen , Bill Jacobson , April Lang Character(s) Rachel , Adam , Sophie , Mark , Atlanta , Liz , Franklin Mayhew , Mrs. Mayhew Runtime 90 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand
While many Texas Chain Saw Massacre rip-offs added something new to its concept, The Butcher was an unfortunate low-budget rehash that just did not live up to its inspiration. With a well-worn narrative about college students fighting for their lives in a remote farmhouse, The Butcher was just not up to scratch when it came to paying homage to 1970s horror tropes. With cheap-looking shots and poor sound quality, everything about The Butcher was subpar.
While the acting in The Butcher was not terrible and the special effects were perfectly acceptable, the script was just not strong enough to rise above its many faults. As a mashup between The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes, and Wrong Turn, The Butcher just didn’t have anything new or interesting to say. It’s a horror movie that probably shouldn’t have been made, and there have been plenty of far superior alternatives more worthy of horror viewers’ attention.
9 Escape From Cannibal Farm (2017)
Directed by Charlie Steeds
While the best ripoffs of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre took influence from the film while embuing it with something new, the British horror Escape From Cannibal Farm was such a blatant rehash that it was hard to enjoy on its own merits. When a family’s camping trip was cut short after they were pursued by a chainsaw-wielding killer farmer, it’s impossible not to groan at how unashamedly this concept has been unceremoniously copied. Escape from Cannibal Farm went further than merely paying homage and just felt like all its ideas had been stolen from other films.
This outright thievery could be partly forgiven if Escape from Cannibal Farm were a better movie, but sadly the acting, directing, and script were just not up to scratch. With as many plot holes as there were senseless violence and lackluster special effects, this movie just fell flat on its head. For those looking for something that captures the spirits of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, look elsewhere.
8 The House Of The Devil (2009)
Directed by Ti West
The House of the Devil rHorrorSlasher
The House of the Devil is a Horror film starring Greta Gerwig, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, and Jocelin Donahue. The film was released in 2009 and was written and directed by Ti West. Blending together the “haunted house” and “slasher film” genres, this Horror ride takes place in a remote mansion and follows a student named Samantha Hughes that accepts a babysitting job and gets more than she bargained for.
Director Ti West Release Date October 30, 2009 Writers Ti West Cast Ti West , Jocelin Donahue Runtime 95minutes Budget $900,000 Main Genre Horror Expand See at AmazonSee at WalmartSee at Best Buy
Much like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The House of the Devil claimed to be based on a true story, although director Ti West revealed this had more to do with the satanic panic during the 1980s than any singular event (via Filmmaker.) However, the sense that this story of a babysitter spending the night in an isolated house could be true made the viewing experience all the more unnerving. With elements of slasher and haunted house genres, The House of the Devil was a truly fear-inducing film that cleverly pays tribute to horror movies of the past.
With a slow-building creepy atmosphere, in many ways, The House of the Devil was far more subtle than 1970s classics like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. As the fear that pervaded America during the 1980s was explored, it was clear that West had a real reverence for horror movies of the past and paid tribute to them through his mature and accomplished direction. While it’s uneven at times and not nearly as impactful as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The House of the Devil had plenty to offer for horror lovers.
7 Eaten Alive (1976)
Directed by Tobe Hooper
Eaten Alive (1977) RHorrorThriller
Combining creature feature chills with a redneck horror movie vibe, Eaten Alive! centers on a psychotic hotel owner terrorizing rural Texas. Said hotel owner has a secret: a giant crocodile he keeps as a pet in the swamp next to his hotel, who he feeds anyone who crosses him to.
Director Tobe Hooper Release Date May 13, 1977 Writers Alvin L. Fast , Mardi Rustam , Kim Henkel Cast Neville Brand , Mel Ferrer , Carolyn Jones , Marilyn Burns , William Finley , Stuart Whitman , Roberta Collins , Kyle Richards Runtime 91 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre director Tobe Hooper continued developing his directing skills with his follow-up film Eaten Alive in 1976. Much like what came before it, this was a horror film about a deranged killer who, unlike Leatherface’s passion for skinning his victims, instead fed their remains to his large pet crocodile in the swamp beside his hotel. In the same way that The Texas Chain Saw Massacre took inspiration from the real serial killer Ed Gein, this time the inspiration was loosely based on the real Texan killer Joe Ball.
Eaten Alive shared many similarities with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and faced censorship in the UK for what was deemed gratuitous violence (via Waddell.) While not nearly as successful as its predecessor, Eaten Alive also maintained the Southern Gothic atmosphere of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as it addressed the dark underbelly of rural American society. Eaten Alive was well worth checking out for those looking for some shocking 1970s horror.
6 Motel Hell (1980)
Directed by Kevin Connor
Motel Hell RComedyHorror Where to Watch
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Directed by Kevin Connor, Motel Hell is a comedy horror film released in 1980. Known for their unique meat dishes, a kindly farmer and his sister who run the Motel Hello. However, the secret to their success involves kidnapping travelers and converting these unwilling victims into the main course.
Director Kevin Connor Release Date October 18, 1980 Studio(s) Camp Hill Distributor(s) United Artists Writers Robert Jaffe , Steven-Charles Jaffe Cast Rory Calhoun , Paul Linke , Nancy Parsons , Nina Axelrod , Wolfman Jack Runtime 102 Minutes Budget $3 Million Expand
The comedy horror Motel Hell was not just a blatant rip-off of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre but also a satirical look at other horror films such as Psycho. With a unique blend of humor and wit, similar to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the story involves a deranged rural man who hunts and kills his victims for his own sadistic glee. This farmer, butcher, motel manager, and meat entrepreneur named Vincent Smith trapped travelers with the goal of harvesting them into human sausage.
As a low-budget horror with plenty of ambition and intensely disgusting sequences, Motel Hell certainly wouldn’t have existed without the influence of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. As imitations go, Motel Hell was an artistic success that imbued the horrific atmosphere of Tobe Hooper’s original film with a wickedly deranged sense of humor. Motel Hell has built up a cult following over the years and was an enjoyable early 1980s horror comedy.
5 House Of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Directed by Rob Zombie
House of 1000 Corpses RHorrorComedy Where to Watch
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Rob Zombie steps into the world of filmmaking with House of 1000 Corpses, the first film in the Firefly trilogy. In the film, a group of teenagers heads across the country to compile a book of strange and unique roadside attractions. Unfortunately for them, they happen upon “The Museum of Monsters & Madmen,” which may be their last stop.
Director Rob Zombie Release Date April 11, 2003 Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Rob Zombie Cast Chad Bannon , William Bassett , Karen Black , Erin Daniels , Joe Dobbs III , Judith Drake Runtime 89 minutes Sequel(s) 3 From Hell Budget $7 million Expand
With a story about a group of teenagers captured and tortured by a psychotic family, Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses owed a lot to the legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Featuring a talented cast that included Walton Goggins and a pre-Office Rainn Wilson, this enjoyable black comedy received negative reviews upon release but has since gained a cult following. With Sid Haig as the killer clown Captain Spaulding, the character would appear in the rest of the Firefly trilogy in The Devil’s Rejects and 3 From Hell.
House of 1000 Corpses was Zombie’s directional debut as he carved out a new career as a filmmaker outside of his role as the frontman of the heavy metal group White Zombie. As a homage to the style and spirit of 1970s horror, House of 1000 Corpses captured much of the innate terror of Tobe Hooper’s original film. With an eerie atmosphere and plenty of jump scares, House of 1000 Corpses signaled a new major voice within horror as Zombie proved himself an interesting new director.
4 Halloween (1978)
Directed by John Carpenter
Halloween (1978) RHorrorThriller Where to Watch
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Halloween is a horror film released in 1978 that centers on the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, as a masked serial killer terrorizes it. Over a decade after the brutal murder of Judith Myers by her brother, Michael, Michael escapes from the local Sanitarium to continue his silent killing spree- with teenage Laurie Strode being his new potential victim.
Director John Carpenter Release Date October 27, 1978 Studio(s) Falcon International Productions Distributor(s) Aquarius Releasing Writers John Carpenter , Debra Hill Cast Donald Pleasence , Jamie Lee Curtis , Tony Moran , Nancy Kyes , P.J. Soles , Kyle Richards , Charles Cyphers Runtime 91 Minutes Sequel(s) Halloween II (1981) , Halloween III: Season of the Witch , Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers , Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers , Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers , Halloween H20: 20 Years Later , Halloween: Resurrection , Halloween (2007) , Rob Zombie’s Halloween II , Halloween (2018) , Halloween Kills , Halloween Ends Budget $300,000 Expand
John Carpenter’s Halloween was a definitive slasher film that borrowed a lot from The Texas Chain Massacre. As the almost supernatural, unstoppable babysitter killer Michael Myers single-mindedly pursued Laurie Strode, it was impossible not to think of the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. However, despite their similarities, Halloween also carved out its own unique identity and helped popularize the final girl trope within horror cinema.
Halloween ushered in a new era for slasher movies, and the influence of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre helped lay the template for these developments within the genre. Much like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Halloween also acted as the dawning of a major franchise that has been endlessly rebooted and reimagined with varying timelines and mythologies. Both films had a lot in common, but there’s no denying that Halloween also brought something new to the table.
3 The Funhouse (1981)
Directed by Tobe Hooper
The Funhouse (1981) RHorror
The Funhouse is a 1981 horror film directed by Tobe Hooper. It follows a group of teenagers who decide to spend the night inside a carnival funhouse, only to encounter a monstrous presence and a night of terror. The film stars Elizabeth Berridge, Shawn Carson, and Cooper Huckabee, and blends suspense with horror in a carnival setting.
Director Tobe Hooper Release Date March 13, 1981 Writers Lawrence J. Block Cast Elizabeth Berridge , Shawn Carson , Jeanne Austin , Jack McDermott , Cooper Huckabee , Largo Woodruff , Miles Chapin , David Carson Character(s) Amy Harper , Joey Harper , Mrs. Harper , Mr. Harper , Buzz Dawson , Liz Duncan , Richie Atterbury , Geek Runtime 96 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand
With the incredible success of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Eaten Alive behind him, director Tobe Hooper helmed his first major production with The Funhouse. While The Funhouse was a commercial disappointment, Hooper carried forward many of the lessons he’d learned from his previous movies and delivered a highly unnerving and claustrophobic horror about teenagers tracked in a carnival ride. Much like the unstoppable terror of Leatherface, The Funhouse also included a mentally deranged killer determined to kill his young victims.
One theme that connected The Funhouse to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was the repressed nature of American families, as the killer carnie Gunther Twibunt was yet another dark representation of the dark underbelly of the United States. With style and suspense, The Funhouse had an interesting narrative that helped it rise above more by-the-numbers horror films from this era. While there are elements of Hooper’s gory past, the suspenseful style of The Funhouse also owed a lot to the work of Alfred Hitchcock.
2 Wrong Turn (2003)
Directed by Rob Schmidt
Wrong Turn (2003) RHorrorThriller
Chris Flynn is en route to an interview when a car accident strands him in the West Virginia woods with a group of friends on a camping trip. Their plan to find help leads them deeper into the forest, where they discover a cabin inhabited by a grotesque family of cannibals. As night falls, Chris and his companions must use their wits and survival skills to evade the bloodthirsty residents.
Director Rob Schmidt Release Date May 30, 2003 Studio(s) Summit Entertainment , Constantin Film Distributor(s) 20th Century Fox Writers Alan B. McElroy Cast Desmond Harrington , Eliza Dushku , Emmanuelle Chriqui , Jeremy Sisto , Kevin Zegers Runtime 84 minutes Franchise(s) wrong turn Sequel(s) Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007) , Wrong Turn 3: Left For Dead (2009) , Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings (2011) , Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines (2012) , Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort (2014) Main Genre Horror Expand
The first entry in the Wrong Turn series owed a lot to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as it followed a group of five friends stranded in the woods and pursued by a cannibal family. As a homage to 1970s horror movies, Wrong Turn felt like one of the better rip-offs to hit theaters throughout the 2000s. While the plot was a predictable retread of a storyline that horror lovers have seen countless times before, there were enough gore and in-your-face scares to keep this engaging for jaded horror viewers.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Eliza Dushku did a great job in the lead role, alongside Desmond Harrington as her boyfriend, as a no-nonsense young woman ready to push back against the would-be killers. With unnerving tension, Wrong Turn played its story straight and did not fall into the trap of so many other horror films of this era by leaning too heavily into ironic parody. With an impressive sense of style, this first entry was definitely the best release in the Wrong Turn series.
1 The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
Directed by Wes Craven
The Hills Have Eyes (2006) RHorrorThriller
The Hills Have Eyes is a 2006 horror film directed by Alexandre Aja. It is a remake of Wes Craven’s 1977 classic, focusing on a family who becomes stranded in the Nevada desert and falls prey to a group of murderous mutants. As they struggle for survival, they are forced to confront their deepest fears and fight for their lives against relentless, bloodthirsty attackers.
Director Alexandre Aja Release Date March 10, 2006 Writers Alexandre Aja , Wes Craven , Grégory Levasseur Cast Aaron Stanford , Kathleen Quinlan , Vinessa Shaw , Ted Levine , Emilie de Ravin , Dan Byrd , Tom Bower , Billy Drago Main Genre Horror
Director Wes Craven has not been shy about admitting the influence The Texas Chain Saw Massacre had on The Hills Have Eyes and has even described it as among his favorite movies of all time (via Esquire.) With a plot involving the suburban Carter being pursued by a family of cannibal savages, both movies were categorized by a building sinister energy. With themes of moral depravity and a derision of class inequalities in America, The Hills Have Eyes was a layered horror that can be enjoyed on many different levels.
Alongside The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes stood as one of the most influential horror movies of the 1970s. With highly terrifying imagery that led to the development of an entire franchise, The Hills Have Eyes blended its intense narrative with a healthy dose of self-aware humor. As a true must-watch horror film, The Hills Have Eyes was one of the few rip-offs of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre that can boast a legacy almost equal to its predecessor’s influence.
Sources: Filmmaker, Waddell, Esquire