A Nightmare on Elm Street is a series of horror films that were exceptionally popular in the 1980s. The series takes its name from the first film, A Nightmare on Elm Street, which was released in 1984 and was written and directed by Wes Craven. The central character of the films is supernatural serial killer Freddy Krueger, played by Robert Englund. Krueger is able to attack and kill people through their dreams and does so with considerable violence and gore. Whatever happens to someone in their dream happens to them in real life.