# Freddy vs. Jason

> 2003 film by Ronny Yu

**Wikidata**: [Q965859](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q965859)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddy_vs._Jason)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/freddy-vs-jason

## Summary

Freddy vs. Jason is a 2003 slasher film directed by Ronny Yu that serves as a crossover between two iconic horror franchises—Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street—bringing together the antagonists Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger in a single narrative. The film was released in the United States by New Line Cinema, with theatrical release dates of August 13, 2003, and November 20, 2003. As a piece of crossover fiction, it represents the convergence of two seminal horror series that defined the slasher genre throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

## Key Facts

- **Title**: Freddy vs. Jason
- **Director**: Ronny Yu
- **Release Date**: August 13, 2003 (theatrical), November 20, 2003 (US release)
- **Production Company**: New Line Cinema (American film studio founded in 1967, headquartered in Q65)
- **Country of Origin**: United States (independence declared July 4, 1776; recognized May 12, 1784)
- **Genre Classification**: Slasher film (subgenre of horror films involving a violent psychopath stalking and murdering a group of people, usually by use of bladed tools)
- **Franchise Connections**: Part of Friday the 13th franchise and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise
- **Predecessor**: Jason X (2001 film directed by James Isaac)
- **Wikidata Description**: 2003 film by Ronny Yu
- **Sitelink Count**: 44

## FAQs

**What franchises does Freddy vs. Jason connect?**
Freddy vs. Jason is a crossover film that unites two major American horror franchises: Friday the 13th (featuring Jason Voorhees) and A Nightmare on Elm Street (featuring Freddy Krueger), both of which began in 1984.

**What type of film is Freddy vs. Jason classified as?**
The film is classified as a slasher film, which is a subgenre of horror films characterized by a violent psychopath who stalks and murders a group of people, typically using bladed weapons.

**Who produced Freddy vs. Jason?**
The film was produced by New Line Cinema, an American film studio founded in 1967 and headquartered in Los Angeles, which operates within the film industry.

**When was Freddy vs. Jason released?**
Freddy vs. Jason premiered on August 13, 2003, with a wider US release on November 20, 2003.

**What film did Freddy vs. Jason succeed?**
Freddy vs. Jason succeeded Jason X (2001), directed by James Isaac, which was the tenth installment in the Friday the 13th franchise.

**Where was Freddy vs. Jason made?**
Freddy vs. Jason was produced in the United States, a country located primarily in North America that declared independence on July 4, 1776.

## Why It Matters

Freddy vs. Jason holds significant importance in horror cinema history as it represents the culmination of one of the most anticipated crossovers in the slasher genre. The film brings together two of horror's most recognizable antagonists—Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise and Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street—fulfilling years of fan speculation and crossover fiction desires. This convergence represents a milestone in franchise filmmaking, demonstrating the commercial viability of merging separate horror universes into a single narrative.

The film matters because it bridges two distinct horror traditions: the camp-based, machete-wielding menace of Jason Voorhees against the dream-invading, psychological terror of Freddy Krueger. This clash of horror icons created a unique viewing experience that appealed to fans of both franchises while introducing elements that satisfied the crossover fiction format. The film's release also marked a significant moment for New Line Cinema, a studio that had built its identity on horror properties including the A Nightmare on Elm Street series.

Furthermore, Freddy vs. Jason represents a cultural touchstone in the evolution of horror crossovers, demonstrating how franchise consolidation can revitalize aging series and create new narrative possibilities within established fictional universes.

## Notable For

- First official theatrical crossover between the Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises
- Directed by Ronny Yu, bringing an international filmmaker's vision to American slasher cinema
- Released by New Line Cinema, the studio behind the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise
- Released in 2003, continuing the slasher genre's evolution into the 21st century
- Succeeded Jason X (2001), continuing the Friday the 13th franchise's theatrical presence
- Represents the crossover fiction genre within horror, placing otherwise discrete fictional characters into a single story

## Body

### Franchise Background and Development

Freddy vs. Jason exists at the intersection of two of horror cinema's most successful franchises. The Friday the 13th franchise began with the 1980 film directed by Sean S. Cunningham and introduced Jason Voorhees, the hockey-mask-wearing killer who haunts Camp Crystal Lake. The A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise began in 1984 with Wes Craven's film and introduced Freddy Krueger, the burned killer who invades the dreams of teenagers. Both franchises became foundational pillars of the slasher film genre throughout the 1980s, spawning numerous sequels and establishing iconic horror antagonists.

The concept of a crossover between these two franchises had been discussed by fans and filmmakers for years before the film's production. The narrative premise allowed for exploration of both characters' abilities—Jason's physical, relentless pursuit contrasted with Freddy's psychological dream manipulation—creating a unique dynamic that leveraged the distinct horror approaches of each franchise.

### Production and Distribution

The film was produced by New Line Cinema, an American film studio founded in 1967. New Line Cinema was the original distributor of the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and held the rights to Freddy Krueger, making the studio a natural choice for producing a crossover that required access to both franchises. The studio's headquarters are located in Los Angeles, and it operates within the broader film industry.

Director Ronny Yu brought an international perspective to the project. The film was released in the United States, a country located primarily in North America with a film industry that has global reach and influence.

### Release and Reception

Freddy vs. Jason was released on August 13, 2003, with a wider theatrical release in the United States following on November 20, 2003. The dual release dates reflect common industry practice for wide theatrical distribution, with limited releases preceding broader premieres.

The film was preceded in the Friday the 13th franchise by Jason X, released in 2001 and directed by James Isaac. Jason X represented the tenth installment in that franchise and pushed the series into science fiction horror territory by setting the film in the future with Jason in space. Freddy vs. Jason returned the franchise to a more traditional horror approach while incorporating the crossover element.

### Genre Significance

As a slasher film, Freddy vs. Jason belongs to a subgenre of horror films characterized by a violent psychopath who stalks and murders a group of people, typically using bladed tools. The film adheres to slasher conventions while also innovating through its crossover premise. The genre itself was codified in the early 1980s with films like Friday the 13th (1980), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and Halloween (1978), establishing templates for stalk-and-kill narratives that would influence horror cinema for decades.

Freddy vs. Jason represents crossover fiction within the horror genre—a creative approach that places otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. This narrative technique allows for creative interactions between established characters and provides fans with the spectacle of seeing their favorite icons interact within shared fictional spaces.

### Cultural Impact

The film's sitelink count of 44 reflects its ongoing relevance in popular culture discussions and its documentation across multiple knowledge platforms. Freddy vs. Jason remains a reference point for franchise crossovers in horror and continues to be discussed in the context of genre evolution and franchise filmmaking strategies.

The film's existence demonstrates how major studios leverage established intellectual properties through crossover events, a strategy that has been applied across various entertainment franchises. By bringing together Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger, the film created a unique entry in both franchises' filmographies that could not exist outside this specific crossover context.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. Freddy vs. Jason. Rotten Tomatoes
4. FilmAffinity
5. Freebase Data Dumps
6. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329101/releaseinfo)
7. Kinopoisk
8. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/freddy-vs-jason/)
9. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
10. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=26880.html)
11. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
12. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/108997)
13. mymovies.it
14. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/27C4-991B-66B7-467A-DAD3-B)
15. Danish Film Database
16. TheTVDB
17. Trakt.tv
18. FilmVandaag.nl