On This Day

A Nightmare on Elm Street released

November 9th 1984

14:57 9 November 2025

Wes Craven's 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' was released in the US on this day in 1984. The first instalment in the 'Elm Street' franchise stars Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Johnny Depp (in his film debut) and of course Robert Englund as the terrifying Freddy Krueger who invades the dreams of a group of teenagers with murderous intent.

Filmed on a budget of just over $1 million, the movie went on to gross $57 million worldwide and spawned a franchise consisting of nine films, a TV series and a crossover with 'Friday the 13th'. 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' opened to rave reviews and has come to be regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made.