When it comes to classic horror, one of the most iconic slasher flicks is easily Psycho. Everyone has seen and been terrified by the shower scene in that original film. The movie eventually spawned a few sequels, but how do they stack up against the original Hitchcock movie? See how each of them rank below.

4) Psycho III

Norman Bates returns to his old ways of killing in Psycho III. However, it’s not as fun as that may sound for a horror movie. This installment is mostly pretty dull with not a whole lot going on. It feels like this one was more of an attempt to be more like the bigger 80s slashers, but that’s not quite what Psycho is and it’s not quite as fun as the likes of Friday the Thirteenth.

3) Psycho IV: The Beginning

Psycho IV: The Beginning (which also happens to be the final installment in the series) is an especially fascinating film. It explores Norman’s past while also providing a perfect ending for the character. This one is a lot less horror and much more of a psychological deep dive into what makes this psycho tick, but it does so in an interesting and surprisingly suspenseful way. It’s a twisted tale that’s hard to look away from.

2) Psycho II

For years after the original Psycho released, most audiences never thought there should have been any sequels, and if sequels were made, what would they even be about? Many people still stand by the fact that they should have left it as the single standalone film. That being said, this is the perfect way to make a follow-up to the iconic original film. The story picks up after Norman finishes his sentence in prison roughly twenty years later, and it completely puts the concept of the original movie on its head by flipping the main roles. Norman is forced to be the victim as the family of his previous victim seek their revenge in creative and psychotic ways. It’s just as suspenseful and creepy as the original, or close to it, but in ways one may not initially expect.

1) Psycho

It’s no surprise that the 1960 classic is number one on this list. It’s not only the best in this series, but it’s one of the greatest and most beloved horror flicks of all time. The music is creepy, the story is thrilling, and the kills are bloody. There are several specific shots throughout the movie that are nothing short of iconic. The sequels may overall be much better than folks had ever imagined they’d be, but it’s hard to deny that Alfred Hitchcock directed a true winner with the original Psycho.