9 Memorable Wes Craven Movies

Wes Craven had an incredible body of work, most notably in the horror genre and with thrillers. This exercise also pulled out a surprise in which he directed Meryl Streep in an Academy Award nominated performance. What were some of his more notable movies?

Take a look at what we've come up with and share your memories of the writer, director and producer in the comments!

1. A Nightmare on Elm Street

A Nightmare on Elm Street is probably Craven's most notable work, as he wrote and directed the classic that would span many sequels. It also made any of us who watched it question our nightmares -- those we have while asleep and awake. Do we ever know what's real?

2. The Last House on the Left

The first move that Craven wrote and directed, his first feature ever, was The Last House on the Left. It was a horrific look at two young girls who are brutally tortured and murdered on what was to be a fun night out at a concert. He later went on to produce a remake. Isn't the original movie poster great?

3. The Hills Have Eyes

Another film written and directed by Craven, The Hills Have Eyes was a monsterous affair of a family trapped in the desert and hunted like animals by misshapen oddities. Do any of them make it out alive? Well, the oddities do, for sure, to go on to The Hills Have Eyes Part 2!

4. Swamp Thing

This comic adaptation was atrocious, in the cheesiest and best way possible. Slap Adrienne Barbeau into a movie, rip off her shirt and pair her with a fellow adapting to life in a swamp after being changed by a chemical spill and you have success written all over it. What? No? Well, people likely still know of it, so that's success enough.

5. Music of the Heart

What? A regular drama starring Meryl Streep? Yep. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and that wasn't the only Oscar nomination for the movie, either. It was also up for Best Song. Did you know Wes Craven directed such a flick? I sure didn't and it puts a whole new spin on his body of work. What a surprising standout.

6. The People Under the Stairs

This is another movie that probably only comes up when you're teasing kids. Most of us probably haven't even seen it, but the idea of people under the stairs? Yes, it's frightening and from the mind of Wes Craven. This one has a funny side to it and stars children, so it's something a little different. Check it out!