A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

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A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

R

Released Aug 11, 1989

1h 30m

Horror

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Popcornmeter

30%

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33 Reviews

31%

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100,000+ Ratings

The fifth installment of the popular franchise focuses on Alice (Lisa Wilcox), a survivor of the fourth, who believes Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) has been eliminated for good. She optimistically hopes to start a life with fellow survivor Dan (Danny Hassel). The nightmares begin soon enough, though, and Alice learns she is pregnant. When her friends start dying, Alice suspects that Freddy is using the fetus within her as a weapon. Can she fight the demon while protecting her unborn child?

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Critics Consensus

A Nightmare on Elm Street feels exhausted by this cheesy fifth entry, bogged down by a convoluted mythology while showing none of the chilling technique that kicked off the franchise.

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David Hughes

Empire Magazine

Despite an impressive bag of special effects tricks, old Fred is starting to resemble one of those dead horses that studio execs insist on flogging.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 5, 2010

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The series here takes a depressing nosedive into zero-degree filmmaking.

Apr 5, 2010

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Variety Staff

Variety

Fifth edition of the hit Nightmare series is a poorly constructed special effects showcase.

Mar 26, 2009

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The Freddy Muppet Baby is laughable, but give this some credit: It might be the only movie in history to contain references to both M.C. Escher and a-ha.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 20, 2024

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

What "The Dream Child" most successfully carries to term is an empathetic, emotional engagement of teenage trauma and pregnancy. It reflects a decade-ending boiling point in the tension between Hollywood button-pushers and political pencil-pushers.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 7, 2022

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Cody Leach

Cody Leach (YouTube)

Dream Child is a series low-point. Any terror or menace from Freddy Krueger is now gone in favor of a failing stand-up comedian. Lisa Wilcox tries her best to carry a lackluster cast of characters whose deaths (almost) all lean into the silly and stupid.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 20, 2022

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Sondra J S

Oh Hell No This Movie Was a Disgrace To The Franchise Freddy Is Getting Cartoony With This Movie 2/10

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/25

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Alexander S

Elm Street’s fifth film aims to maintain its continuous source of entertainment for fans by introducing a more comical Freddy Krueger. However, it ultimately squanders the franchise’s potential and leads to a downward spiral. Grading: D+

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/25

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James B

The franchise has dried out by now and Freddy Krueger just isn't scary anymore and has just become cheesy. There is probably one good kill but the rest just isn't great.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

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Justin T

It dawdles along a bit at the start but the rebirth sequence is so epic, absolutely fantastic. Then it goes back to dawdling along not doing much until the dream sequences which are so much fun. The bits in-between dreams are just filler. Overall the story and tone is a bit of a mess. Whilst it is far from the worst in the Freddy and Jason series it is certainly not my favourite. The fantastic dream sequences are offset by a whole lot of nonsense and nothing.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/25

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Jerod S

Dream Child tries to be Freddy's origin story, but turns into a goulash of dreams, drawings, claymation and "Take On Me" graphics.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/25

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Grayson D

Worst movie I’ve ever watched the ending is just ew worst movie ever 🤢🤮

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

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Stephen Hopkins

Director

Robert Englund

Freddy Krueger

Lisa Wilcox

Alice Johnson

Danny Hassel

Daniel 'Dan' Jordan

Kelly Jo Minter

Yvonne

Erika Anderson

Greta Gibson

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Synopsis

The fifth installment of the popular franchise focuses on Alice (Lisa Wilcox), a survivor of the fourth, who believes Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) has been eliminated for good. She optimistically hopes to start a life with fellow survivor Dan (Danny Hassel). The nightmares begin soon enough, though, and Alice learns she is pregnant. When her friends start dying, Alice suspects that Freddy is using the fetus within her as a weapon. Can she fight the demon while protecting her unborn child?

Director: Stephen Hopkins
Producer: Robert Shaye, Rupert Harvey
Distributor: New Line Cinema, Image Entertainment Inc., Media Home Entertainment
Production Co: New Line Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 11, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.2M
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR

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