Wes Craven directed the 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street, the first movie in its franchise.
Craven also wrote the screenplay, creating Freddy Krueger as a supernatural killer who attacks teenagers in their dreams. The premise turns sleep into a threat: unlike a conventional masked killer, Freddy can reach victims in a realm that should be private and safe.
New Line Cinema released the film in November 1984. Heather Langenkamp played Nancy Thompson, while Robert Englund made his first appearance as Freddy. The film’s commercial success produced numerous sequels, a television series, a crossover with Friday the 13th, and a 2010 remake.
Craven’s name is sometimes confused with other major horror directors such as John Carpenter or Tobe Hooper. Carpenter directed Halloween, and Hooper directed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre; Craven directed the original A Nightmare on Elm Street.