A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) is the third installment in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, directed by Chuck Russell. The film brings back Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) from the original film, now a counselor at a psychiatric hospital for troubled teens. The new group of teenagers are plagued by Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) in their dreams, and together, they must figure out how to fight back against the villain who kills them in their sleep. With each of them discovering special abilities in their dreams, they form a group of “dream warriors” to combat Freddy’s terror.

Dream Warriors takes the franchise in a more action-oriented direction, incorporating fantasy elements where the teens’ dream powers become key weapons in their battle against Freddy. This makes for some visually creative and memorable dream sequences, where the characters can manifest their dream abilities, like super strength or manipulation of their dream worlds. The film also leans into the more fantastical elements of the Nightmare universe, as Freddy’s powers seem to expand, allowing him to be even more terrifying and creative in his attacks.

The film is notable for its fun mix of horror and camp, with Freddy Krueger being both menacing and darkly comedic. Dream Warriors also deepens the lore of Freddy, with references to his backstory and a stronger connection to the first film. The practical effects are impressive, with some inventive and grotesque transformations, and the film’s tone is more lighthearted compared to the earlier, more tense entries.

Dream Warriors is often regarded as one of the best sequels in the Nightmare on Elm Street series, offering a balance of horror, creativity, and fun that made it a fan favorite.