Boo! It’s Friday the 13th, and you know what that means – time for some spine-tingling chills and thrills. This spooky day has long been associated with superstitions and eerie occurrences, thanks in no small part to the iconic horror movie franchise, Friday the 13th. So, grab your hockey mask (or a cozy blanket) and join us as we unearth 13 fun and freaky facts about this beloved and terrifying series.
1. The Hockey Mask Icon
Would you believe that Jason Voorhees didn’t don his famous hockey mask until the third film in the series? In the 2nd movie (where Jason was actually the killer), he terrorized campers with a burlap sack over his head.
2. The Original Inspiration
The Friday the 13th franchise began as an answer to the success of Halloween. Director Sean S. Cunningham set out to create a low-budget horror flick to ride the slasher movie wave.
3. Pamela Voorhees, the Original Killer
In the inaugural film, Jason’s mother, Pamela Voorhees, took center stage as the main antagonist. It was only in the sequels that Jason became the star of the show.
4. Groundbreaking Special Effects
While Friday the 13th took inspiration from Halloween, there was one thing it had a lot of that Halloween did not: Blood. Tom Savini, a legendary special effects artist, was responsible for the film’s gory and realistic makeup effects. Savini’s work on Friday the 13th helped set new standards for practical effects in the horror genre.
5. The Budget
The original Friday the 13th was made on a shoestring budget of about $550,000. It turned out to be a financial juggernaut, grossing over $39 million at the box office.
6. A Young Kevin Bacon
One of the film’s stars, Kevin Bacon, made one of his earliest career appearances in the first Friday the 13th movie. His character, Jack, met a grisly end that still haunts our nightmares.
7. Camp Crystal Lake
The movies were primarily set at Camp Crystal Lake, a fictional summer camp. But in real life, filming took place at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco in New Jersey. This camp still operates today and occasionally offers tours for die-hard fans.
8. The Record-Breaking Sequels
The original Friday the 13th was made on a shoestring budget of about $550,000. It turned out to be a financial juggernaut, grossing over $39 million at the box office.When it comes to sequels, Jason and his machete hold the crown. The Friday the 13th franchise boasts a whopping 12 sequels (excluding the 2009 reboot).
9. Unmasking Jason
The filmmakers teased fans by rarely showing Jason’s face in the early films. When they did, it was often in a gruesome, decayed state. Talk about a face only a mother could love!
10. The Music Man
Composer Harry Manfredini is responsible for that spine-chilling “ki-ki-ki, ma-ma-ma” sound effect that signals Jason’s presence. He created it by manipulating Mrs. Voorhees’ voice saying, “kill her mommy”.
11. The Impact on Horror Culture
Friday the 13th played a monumental role in shaping the slasher film genre, inspiring countless other horror flicks and leaving a mark on pop culture that endures to this day.
12. Jason's Many Deaths
Jason Voorhees may be the undisputed king of resurrections. Despite countless deaths throughout the series, he always manages to bounce back, making him one of the most unkillable horror villains in cinematic history.
13. The Legacy Continues
Although legal disputes have caused delays, fans of Friday the 13th continue to crave new scares. The franchise’s legacy lives on, promising more blood-curdling tales from the depths of Camp Crystal Lake.
There you have it, 13 eerie and entertaining facts to spice up your Friday the 13th! Whether you’re binge-watching the movies or just sharing these facts around the campfire (preferably not at Camp Crystal Lake), may your day be filled with spooky thrills and a touch of superstition. Happy Friday the 13th, and remember, you can run from Jason, but you can’t hide!
