A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

Play trailer

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

R

Released Feb 27, 1987

1h 35m

Horror

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

During a hallucinatory incident, young Kristen Parker (Patricia Arquette) has her wrists slashed by dream-stalking monster Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). Her mother, mistaking the wounds for a suicide attempt, sends Kristen to a psychiatric ward, where she joins a group of similarly troubled teens. One of the doctors there is Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp), who had battled Freddy some years before. Nancy senses a potential in Kristen to rid the world of Freddy once and for all.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors offers an imaginative and surprisingly satisfying rebound for a franchise already starting to succumb to sequelitis.

Read Critics Reviews

Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Abysmal, and the only thing worth cheering is special effects work by Peter Chesney.

Jul 27, 2023

Full Review

Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

It's the dumbest installment in the series.

Jul 25, 2023

Full Review

Bill Briggs

Orlando Sentinel

Drive-In Academy Award nominations for... Robert Englund, as Freddy Krueger, the one and only, and Chuck Russel, the director, for doing a heck of a job.

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

Alan Jones

Radio Times

Full of great special effects and with Freddy's pre-history filled in very satisfyingly, this is a rollercoaster ride from the opening Edgar Allan Poe quotation to the final Ray Harryhausen homage.

Rated: 3/5

May 23, 2025

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Easily the best film in the series.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 20, 2024

Full Review

Michael D. Reid

Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada)

The ingeniously, splendidly executed fantasy sequences are what make the movie so ultimately enjoyable.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 25, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Khaliel P

Following the poor reception of the previous film, Wes Craven returned to write what was originally meant to be the franchise’s conclusion: a final showdown between Nancy and Freddy, exploring teen suicide and Freddy’s origins. Directed by newcomer Chuck Russell, the film delivers some of the series’ most iconic nightmare sequences, relying on practical effects—miniatures, animatronics, and clever tricks—that make Freddy’s inventive kills unforgettable. With Robert Englund and Heather Langenkamp reprising their roles, and Patricia Arquette and a young Laurence Fishburne joining the cast, the movie feels like a definitive chapter. Though lighter on genuine scares, it stands out as one of the most imaginative and entertaining entries in the saga.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

Julian S.

A lot of DREAM WARRIORS just kind of drifts—the scares and soul aren’t really there. But if you’re here for a couple of solid death scenes, it’s got those.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

Full Review

Joshua H.

I thought this one was ok ...it does have a great cast of characters ..some classic one liners

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

Jean R

This is the best nightmare film so many cool kills you must see this if your a fan of slashers

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

Nick O

Freddy Krueger becoming the irresistible psycho he was destined to be, as he sleep-stalks the last group of Elm Street kids in maybe the best sequel of the franchise.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

Full Review

Shaun R

The sequels to the original classic are silly and not scary.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Chuck Russell

Director

Heather Langenkamp

Nancy Thompson

Patricia Arquette

Kristen Parker

Craig Wasson

Dr. Neil Gordon

Laurence Fishburne

Max

Priscilla Pointer

Dr. Elizabeth Simms

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

30%

31%

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

Watchlist

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge

42%

33%

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge

Watchlist

A Nightmare on Elm Street

94%

84%

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Nightmare on Elm Street

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare

22%

32%

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare

Watchlist

Wes Craven's New Nightmare

76%

67%

Wes Craven's New Nightmare

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Wes Craven's New Nightmare

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

During a hallucinatory incident, young Kristen Parker (Patricia Arquette) has her wrists slashed by dream-stalking monster Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). Her mother, mistaking the wounds for a suicide attempt, sends Kristen to a psychiatric ward, where she joins a group of similarly troubled teens. One of the doctors there is Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp), who had battled Freddy some years before. Nancy senses a potential in Kristen to rid the world of Freddy once and for all.

Director: Chuck Russell
Producer: Robert Shaye
Screenwriter: Wes Craven
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., New Line Cinema, Media Home Entertainment
Production Co: New Line Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 27, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 30, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.1M
Runtime: 1h 35m

Most Popular at Home Now