Friday the 13th opens across the U.S. in 1980. The second in the era of slasher film franchises following Halloween. Despite mixed reviews, it becomes a highly influential and successful independent film, spawning several sequels, a crossover film with the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and a reboot.
This Day in Halloween: "Friday the 13th" opens across the U.S. in 1980. / Illustration by CJ Lundblad