Every Psycho Movie Ranked, Worst To Best

It’s been over fifty years since the release of Alfred Hitchcock’s fundamental contribution to the horror genre, Psycho, yet the film continues to find ways to provoke audiences and stay relevant through a collection of sequels.

Alfred Hitchcock simply wanted to make a transformative, frightening horror film with Psycho, but he ended up creating one of the most important films of the genre. Not only is Psycho still a deeply terrifying experience over half a century later, but Norman Bates remains one of the most iconic characters in all of cinema. Plus, the film’s big third-act twist is still legendary. Hitchcock didn’t realize the floodgates that he was opening when he directed a film based on Robert Bloch’s novel of the same name, yet he helped introduce audiences to a world that’s still being discussed and dissected today.

It’s not unusual for popular films—especially horror movies—to receive sequels, but Psycho is quite the anomaly in that regard. Hitchock’s classic was considered high art for so long that a sequel didn’t materialize until 23 years after the release of the original movie. It took some time for audiences to be reintroduced to Anthony Perkins’ Norman Bates, but once the character was back it seemed like he was fully ready for the franchise treatment. There have been some very interesting Psycho sequels and side projects over the years and, while any of them might seem blasphemous in theory, some of them actually have a lot to offer. Accordingly, here’s a dissection of the many films in the Psycho universe and how they all fare.

6. Bates Motel (1987)

Originally intended as the pilot for a prospective series at the titular Bates Motel, the failed 1987 Bates Motel project instead ended up as a made-for-TV movie. Bates Motel is really just for the diehard fans of the franchise and, even then, this material steers wildly off course. Bud Cort plays Alex West, a troubled man who befriended Norman Bates in the mental institution and ends up inheriting the Bates Motel after Norman’s death. West sets up shop in the motel and a series of strange events start to take place. However, the film features outlandish supernatural events for the source of its horror, rather than turning West into the next Norman Bates.

5. Psycho (1998)

Gus Van Sant’s 1998 remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s film is still seen as one of the most curious projects in Hollywood. Not only does Van Sant remake Psycho, but he delivers a shot-for-shot adaptation, which prompted many to wonder what the point of this remake was in the first place. There are certain novelties here, like seeing Psycho in color and Van Sant does assemble a strong cast who are entertaining in these roles. It’s also extremely entertaining to watch Vince Vaughn in the Norman Bates role after the trajectory his career has gone on to take. Van Sant’s Psycho has its fans, but to many it just comes across as an unnecessary monument to hubris. Just re-watch the original movie.

4. Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990)

Psycho IV: The Beginning is the final film in the original Psycho chronology and, even though it does act as an epilogue and conclusion to the events of Psycho III, it’s much more interested in flashing back to Norman’s troubled childhood and how he was raised with his mother. The premise of the made-for-TV movie sees Norman married with a baby on the way, but concerned that his offspring will carry the same mental illness and murderous tendencies that he suffered from. It’s a cathartic story that attempts to finally exorcise Norman’s demons, but like most origin stories, many may argue that it’s not necessary to witness this chapter of Norman’s life. Psycho IV still provides some interesting revelations and the script also comes from Joseph Stefano, who wrote the original film.

3. Psycho III (1986)

Psycho III has a bit of a maligned reputation due to how it becomes the very kind of slasher film that the original movie attempts to elevate to higher art, but it still takes a very creative premise to the Psycho formula. Psycho III cleverly operates as a pseudo-remake of the original film as it deconstructs and adds to the idea. Norman is back to his murderous ways, he has a corpse in his home that he refers to as mother, and a fresh drifter enters his orbit who looks suspiciously similar to Marion Crane and even has the same initials. What follows is a twisted love story that mixes love and death in a complex way. It’s a bizarre alternate take on the events of the first film and actually has a unique point of view for a second sequel.

2. Psycho (1960)

The original film that helped audiences understand that “we all go a little mad sometimes.” Hitchcock’s film from the ‘60s isn’t just one of the most accomplished horror films of all time, but it’s also a landmark picture from his filmography that helps illustrate why he’s such an important, influential filmmaker in the first place. Hitchcock’s striking psychological thriller chronicles a broken man, with many layers, like so few other films can. It dresses itself up as a mystery, but it operates as a proto-slasher film, and still carries some incredible evocative imagery from simple shots like a raised knife. The reveal at the end of Hitchcock’s film remains one of the most satisfying twists in all of cinema and Anthony Perkins plays Norman Bates to creepy perfection. Besides, it’s not every horror film that makes the general public so terrified of showers that people temporarily stopped bathing.

1. Psycho II (1983)

It may be a highly controversial opinion, but in many ways Psycho II is just as satisfying, if not more so, than Hitchcock’s classic. The sequel was hardly a rushed cash grab and comes out two decades later, with a story that reflects that lapsed time. Norman Bates (still played by Perkins) returns to run his hotel after he’s been released and cured from his stay at the mental institution. However, murders begin to happen again and Norman can’t tell if he’s responsible for them or there’s a copycat afoot who wants to provoke him. In that sense, Psycho II tells a more gripping, emotional mystery than its predecessor, and Perkins truly rises to the occasion. It also extends the original film’s iconic shower scene and shows what happens after with very satisfying results. Psycho II is a sequel that gets unnecessarily dragged down, but it deserves a fresh look and an open mind.

About The Author