10 Scariest Jason Voorhees Versions from Friday The 13th Franchise

Key Insights

In Jason Goes To Hell, viewers encounter a demonic slug version of Jason who can occupy other bodies, hinting at a larger shared universe.
Part 3 establishes Jason’s classic appearance with a bald head and hockey mask, cementing him as a sinister and methodical murderer.
Jason Lives transforms Jason into an undead entity, resulting in increasingly outrageous deaths and a haunting presence.

The Friday the 13th series has had its share of successes and failures, with numerous directors and writers taking creative liberties with the legendary character, Jason Voorhees. Consequently, this iconic slasher has undergone numerous transformations throughout the films, affecting everything from his murderous methods to his visual portrayal and the performances of the actors who bring him to life.

Fans appreciate Jason Voorhees for various reasons, but ultimately, he is designed to evoke terror among the audience. The abundance of interpretations of Jason since the franchise’s inception in 1980 includes several iterations that are particularly memorable for their frightful nature, thereby enriching the films in which they appear.

10 Hell Jason

The Most Unusual Version of Jason Yet

Film: Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday
Release Date: August 13, 1993
Cast: Kane Hodder, Richard Grant, Steven Culp

Despite taking the Friday The 13th series in an unexpected direction reminiscent of Hellraiser, Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday introduces a chilling concept of Jason as a dark, demonic slug capable of transferring its essence from one host to another. The film even attempts to link Jason’s resurrection to the Deadites from Sam Raimi’s renowned Evil Dead series, thereby establishing a shared horror universe.

In this installment, Jason’s true form is grotesquely deformed, with his mask fused into his flesh, and the notion of him seeking to turn random individuals into his avatars after his physical body is vanquished is remarkable. Furthermore, Jason Goes To Hell showcases some of the most exaggeratedly gory deaths in the franchise, which tends to compensate for the film’s less appealing aspects.

9 Part 2 Jason

The First Jason Was a Bumbling Assassin

Film: Friday The 13th Part 2
Release Date: May 1, 1981
Actor: Warrington Gillette

Interestingly, despite Jason Voorhees being the face of this legendary slasher series, his initial appearance as the killer in Friday The 13th Part 2 featured him as a hapless and clumsy murderer. Portrayed by Warrington Gillette, this Jason is often seen tripping and stumbling as he pursues his victims, particularly Ginny, the film’s final girl.

Notably, he does not initially don the iconic hockey mask but instead wears a burlap sack with one eye hole, which in some scenes lacks intimidation. While the stalking moments and killings he executes are noteworthy, this iteration led to a complete redesign later on, as even the creators recognized the limitations of the bag-headed version.

8 Part 7 Jason

Kane Hodder Revitalized the Franchise

Film: Friday The 13th Part 7: The New Blood
Release Date: May 13, 1988
Actor: Kane Hodder

This section marks Kane Hodder’s debut in playing Jason Voorhees—he’s the only actor to portray Jason multiple times. In Friday The 13th Part 7: The New Blood, Jason is showcased in a more zombie-like manner than ever before, with visible bones and decaying flesh. Hodder’s physical performance, along with his stunt work, contributed to an even more formidable version of Jason.

In this film, Jason emerges as a relentless titan, absorbing damage effortlessly while thrashing through obstacles and hurling victims around at will. Nevertheless, the brutality that could have defined this iteration was curtailed due to the MPAA’s stringent regulations, leading to a heavily edited version of his violent kills.

7 Part 5 Jason

The Imitation Killer Divided Fans

Film: Friday The 13th Part 5: The New Beginning
Release Date: March 22, 1985
Actor: Dick Wieand

This installment is often viewed as the most contentious version of Jason because it features no real Jason at all in Friday The 13th Part 5: The New Beginning. The narrative unfolds as Tommy Jarvis and others are menaced by a copycat killer wearing a blue-chevron mask, injecting a whodunit element that keeps audiences guessing about who is behind the murders.

This duplicate Jason is portrayed as a more strategic predator who lurks in the background, waiting for the opportune moment to pounce. The film’s controversial twist comes with the reveal that the paramedic Roy is the true killer. Many fans consider this twist weak, as his character receives little development throughout the narrative and his motive for adopting Jason’s persona goes unaddressed.

6 Part 1 Jason

The Jump Scare That Shocked Audiences

Film: Friday The 13th
Release Date: May 9, 1980
Actor: Ari Lehman

In the original Friday The 13th, Jason Voorhees is not the antagonist; rather, he serves as the catalyst that drives his mother, Pamela, into a vengeful frenzy at Camp Crystal Lake. After being believed to have drowned, Pamela succumbs to madness, seeking vengeance for her son.

Jason’s first appearance occurs in the climactic moments, delivered as a startling dream sequence. Following Pamela’s defeat at the hands of Alice, viewers are treated to a shocking moment when the disfigured form of Jason emerges from the depths of the lake to drag her down, a scene that sent shivers through audiences and hinted at the terror that Jason would embody in future installments.

5 Crossover Jason

Fans Relished the Clash with Freddy

Film: Freddy Vs. Jason
Release Date: August 13, 2003
Actor: Ken Kirzinger

Both Friday The 13th and A Nightmare On Elm Street reigned supreme in the slasher realm during the 80s and 90s, so the long-anticipated Freddy Vs. Jason finally materialized in 2003. The film pitted the hockey-masked murderer against Freddy Krueger, representing a spectacle that showcased the clash of these two horror titans while also delivering tense moments.

While many fans expressed a desire for Kane Hodder to reprise his role, Ken Kirzinger stepped in, presenting a towering and formidable version of Jason. Though he possessed a slower pace, Kirzinger executed several memorable kills, showcasing his strength—from folding a victim using a bed to vanquishing Freddy with his own clawed hand. His portrayal managed to honor the character while adding a fresh interpretation.

4 Part 3 Jason

The Emergence of the Iconic Hockey Mask

Film: Friday The 13th Part 3
Release Date: August 13, 1982
Actor: Richard Brooker

This third installment established Jason Voorhees’ visual identity that is now widely recognized. No longer depicted as awkward and long-haired, Richard Brooker portrayed Jason as a chilling and bald figure, giving him an imposing look that has inspired countless horror games and films. It was also in this film that he donned his signature hockey mask for the first time.

Brooker’s Jason in Friday The 13th Part 3 is strikingly effective; he sheds his earlier clumsiness and embodies a proficient killer, adeptly stalking and dispatching victims. This film also features one of the rare occasions where Jason is seen running, with his unmasked face charging toward Chris leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

3 Part 6 Jason

The Zombie Transformation Redefined the Series

Film: Friday The 13th Part 6: Jason Lives
Release Date: August 1, 1986
Actor: C.J. Graham

C.J. Graham took on the role of Jason Voorhees when the decision was made to resurrect him in Friday The 13th Part 6: Jason Lives. With the fifth installment attempting a different route, there was a need to reintroduce fans to the true essence of Jason, resulting in a transformation into an immortal zombie-horror icon.

By embracing a blend of horror aesthetics, including elements from classic Universal monster films, Jason Lives successfully reimagined Jason as an unyielding force of terror. This revitalization led to a series of incredibly imaginative and gruesome deaths while ensuring his portrayal remained ominously formidable.

2 Part 4 Jason

The Pinnacle of Slasher Formula

Film: Friday The 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter
Release Date: April 13, 1984
Actor: Ted White

In Friday The 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter, a beloved installment within the horror franchise, Ted White took over the role of Jason as this film marked the last occasion he was portrayed as just a deranged human killer. With the intent of this being a series finale, the filmmakers pushed the envelope to present Jason as an even more relentless executioner, elevating his ruthlessness to new heights.

The Final Chapter showcased Jason throwing people from heights, dismembering victims, smashing through doors, and even attacking youth, cementing his legacy as one of horror’s most terrifying villains. Had this been the actual concluding chapter, it would have been a fitting exit for Jason, complete with minor changes to his design and iconic machete, representing what many fans envision when they think of Jason Voorhees.

1 Reboot Jason

Returning to Basics Made Jason More Terrifying

Film: Friday The 13th
Release Date: February 13, 2009
Actor: Derek Mears

The late 2000s witnessed a wave of slasher reboots, leading to a revival for Jason Voorhees in the 2009 Friday The 13th, considered one of the more successful attempts. Much credit goes to Derek Mears, who portrayed Jason with a homage to the essence of Part 4 but upgraded to a more aggressive and agile killer.

This reboot takes inspiration from Jason’s first three appearances, merging key elements—from acquiring the hockey mask to transforming into an adept stalker able to utilize any item as a weapon. The film introduces fresh elements, such as Jason’s underground lairs, adding depth to his character and showcasing him as more than just a mindless entity.

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