A Nightmare on Elm Street: Inside Robert Englund's Freddy Krueger Transformation (Flashback)

ET looks back at horror hit 'A Nightmare on Elm Street,' unearthing rare footage of Robert Englund's four-hour transformation into Freddy Krueger. ET's been with the horror icon since the first film in 1984; over the years, he's reflected on the success of the franchise -- and what it was like working with a relatively unknown Johnny Depp! The OG film was Depp's first time on the big screen, a feat the actor described as 'incredible' in a 1988 interview. Plus, a look at the famed house from the franchise, which still stands today and sold in 2022 for $3 million.

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

Robert will always be my Freddy! He is a legend!! Amazing actor!!!

[@fearfulclan2007]

Fax

[@kevinmiller7812]

Robert England will always be Freddy Krueger no matter who else plays freddy in the future

[@fearfulclan2007]

@@kevinmiller7812 It's Englund

[@stevenoconnor5693]

Couldn’t have said it better myself

[@kimpoe9174]

i feel the same love that guy

[@BBFirefly420]

I’d cry if I saw him on the street. This man literally made my childhood great🫠😭

[@talariswatts-el9196]

A first for Freddy.

[@BBFirefly420]

@@talariswatts-el9196 hahahaha hell yeah.

[@BBFirefly420]

@@talariswatts-el9196 I was introduced to these movies at too young of an age! I was a weird kid, I enjoyed scary movies, I was never really scared of them! They always made me laugh.

[@talariswatts-el9196]

@@BBFirefly420 I understand, I was a teenager when I first saw the nightmare films. It's just funny that a child murder can make someone's childhood great.

[@nemopouncey3827]

he burnt up like a weenie an his name is fred🎶🎶

[@kprnr7140]

I've met Robert 4 times at horror conventions, he's the nicest guy you could meet.

[@tolvfen]

He was a super nice character in V,,,

[@OphiuchusMan]

Yeah a real malandrino

[@luisthekingjaime94]

He’s such a great actor. My coworker actually met him a couple of times and he’s a great guy. He has a huge line when people want to meet him.

[@CadeD679]

From what I've seen of him in interviews, he seems super nice!

[@odalisgonzalez6875]

The Legend..no one else can play Freddy..

[@Icarusvampire]

Kevin Bacon???

[@emartin86]

@@Icarusvampire Naw… I know that Robert’s co-signed the idea of Bacon potentially playing Freddy… But, Bacon doesn’t have the personality, charisma, swagger, & sense of humour that Robert brings to Freddy’s character… No one can ever top Robert as Freddy… I personally just wanna see Robert do 1 more Movie… Or, however more he’s willing to do… So Nightmare On Elm Street goes out with a bang… Its pointless to continue the franchise without Robert.

[@courtneyscott5630]

Odalis Gonzalez:Exactly and no one else!!!!

[@bradtaylor5828]

@@emartin86 you right and it has to be Robert he is the only freddy

[@OphiuchusMan]

freddie plays the best dual wielding tommy gun guy ever, i love him.

[@tom165983]

He played his character so well! Awesome movies

[@shawnni3014]

Yessss he did

[@Daverz517]

My spouse & I decided to watch Nightmare On Elm St 2 (actually here on YT 🤩), during our monthly Halloween marathon. ..watched it the least of the series during my youth, and forgot just how AWESOME the effects were 😃👌

[@OphiuchusMan]

paesano?

[@RetroReset]

Freddy really scared me as a kid. But something kept calling me back to see more of his movies. Such an iconic horror villain.

[@youngtruth9563]

I think Robert Englund still got it for one more run as Freddy Krueger, it would be awesome and amazing to see him back as Freddy Krueger

[@joshuaa1605]

It's almost 20 years since we last seen him as freddy. I wish he'd come back for one more. One final goodbye.

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

Me too. I heard that heather recently said that she'd love to make one last film with him.

[@theheronexus1199]

He reprised his role as Freddy in an episode of the goldbergs. Was pretty funny and had call backs from his past movies. Worth a look.

[@emartin86]

Jason Blum from Blumhouse Studios, recently said in an interview a few months ago, That he’s 100% confident that he can get Robert back as Freddy, for 1 more Elm Street Film… Robert hasn’t commented on whether he’s down or not yet… But.. He did do a Horror Documentary with Blumhouse Studios recently… Which tells me that he is on good terms with Jason Blum… So… Ya never know… Maybe we’ll get a big announcement in 2023..

[@cngotham4111]

At the very least for a good rip to Wes at those end credits. Although I completely understand if Robert doesn't want to wait for a couple of hours doing that makeup at his age.

[@darrylbrumfield7659]

He literally is Freddy. He can't be replaced period

[@courtneyscott5630]

Darryl Brumfield:Exactly!!!

[@netterz3411]

This man scared the shit out of me as a child, I would cry anytime one of his movies was on the TV lol I'm just now starting to watch them

[@iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372]

There will never ever be another Freddy as good as Robert portrayed him. They already tried and failed miserably to reboot the franchise. He's just as much as part of popular culture as the character he plays. I wish he could give just one more performance buy we all know it's never going to happen.

[@Daverz517]

yep definitely part of the broader culture following..didn't care for the remake either...as a child of the 80s I just couldn't relate

[@iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372]

@@Daverz517 it's hard to recapture what was already great and good enough as it is. 80's Freddy is way better.

[@Daverz517]

@@iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372 🤝😔Yeah it seems EVERY category of film has that problem these days. I miss the grainy cinematography (and characters we actually cared about)

[@iamthewalruscuckookachoo1372]

@@Daverz517 Could not agree more.

[@emartin86]

Never say never… Jason Blum from Blumhouse Studios, recently said in an interview a few months ago, That he’s 100% confident that he can get Robert back as Freddy, for 1 more Elm Street Film… Robert hasn’t commented on whether he’s down or not yet… But.. He did recently do a Horror Documentary with Blumhouse Studios recently… Which tells me that he is on good terms with Jason Blum… So… Ya never know… Maybe we’ll get a big announcement in 2023..

[@ricomarcelmusic]

We need another nightmare movie WITH ROBERT!!! He is still young and very capable and still scary!

[@GlamourBella]

He sure came into my nightmares and still do 😂 Thanks Dad for having me watch Freddy since I was 3 lol. My Dad loves this guy. It's crazy how much my husband looks like him, sometimes impersonate him, to scare me.

[@fearfulclan2007]

Lol

[@snowwhite9274]

Will always remember Robert Englund first in V.. then only in Elm Street movies

[@censorshipsucks9493]

Yep. Willy the shy alien who fell in love with Harmony.

[@joshuaa1605]

No. Keep trying tho

[@bradthomas1027]

Nailed both characters

[@davidw5532]

He will always be Freddy to me. Grew up on those films throughout the ‘80s. I also got to meet him and he’s a really nice and chill guy.

[@courtneyscott5630]

David W:Exactly and I grew up on those films throughout the 80's also!!!

[@NiftyMahoganyMom]

There is no other Freddy Krueger! Can’t wait to meet him at Monster Con later this month!!! 😃

[@rrmosley1]

Wow! 37 years!? I actually finally saw Nightmare on Elm St the Summer of 1986 when I worked as a Camp Counselor. I was a Freddie Kruegar fan from that time forward! Robert English really looks nice, healthy and put together! So good to see him!😊

[@Critic_Chris90210]

Met him twice at conventions. So nice and easy to talk to. Talks so much like a college professor in college like in Urban Legend.

[@lv2465]

Robert Englund is among the great Horror Royalty, and I celebrate them all around this time of year every year. With the modern CGI visual FX I'd love to see another Nightmare movie with the visual FX of Doctor Strange.

[@dreamland7661]

Robert Englund, our eternal Freddy Krueger, always in our hearts. Childhood, charm, endless nostalgia... ❤📻📼☎📺

[@jonnaking3054]

I think I heard Robert say what SHOULD have happened was, they should have done a Freddy vs Jason 2 and then a Nightmare prequel. I wish they'd done that instead of the remake

[@TheBattleMaster100]

Man Robert Englund is the one and only. Always kept my blood pumping watching Freddy movies.

[@shawnni3014]

He is such a legend love him❤❤❤

[@gaba-goo3733]

FINALLY A REAL HOLLYWOOD LEGEND

[@VelekaDatDiva]

One of my favorites and still is watched all the series !! ❤

[@johnnycage5481]

I love Robert Englund. He will always be Freddy, no one can ever replace him.

[@Terelon]

Englund always gave it his all as the character, Glen's death in the first movie can't be explained in the real world to this day!

[@chelsieryan9029]

Robert Englund is the best! He will always be freddy to me. Love this man!

[@dawilliamparrish8921]

Greatest person to ever play Freddy Krueger what a legend 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@dianeumunnah6808]

The scariest villan ever 😫

[@jonnaking3054]

It's close between him and Michael Myers, I think they're both the most evil.

[@jonnaking3054]

​@Courtney Oldford I guess you're entitled to that "wrong" opinion, though many would disagree.... the idea of looking over your shoulder 40 plus years knowing he's gonna eventually get you, no matter where you go is pretty damn scary to me

[@jonnaking3054]

@Courtney Oldford again you're entitled to your "wrong" opinion. I'd like to see your ass running if Michael was chasing you 😂😆

[@larein7692]

He single-handedly scared us child of The 80’s aNd 90s

[@jonnaking3054]

Nightmare On Elm Street series has become comfort movies for me now because they take me back to a good time, 80s and 90s

[@LibraLuvStyle]

My childhood wouldn’t have been complete without the Freddie character, growing up in the 80’s Freddy Krueger and breakdancing and roller skating was my life lol

[@kevinluschak5241]

He can t be replaced he s the boss of the character!

[@kjh7108]

I’ll never forget the school bus scene and him being a snake and leaning the bed up and swallowing the victim whole.

[@angelotero7729]

these are the horror movies I remember they can't be duplicated

[@aliciasimmons8473]

Please Robert give us one more nightmare on elm street! 🙏

[@MrMegatron85]

He definitely has another movie in him

[@jonnaking3054]

In a 2017 interview he said "I may have one more movie in me" so who knows

[@MrMegatron85]

@@jonnaking3054 he would likely need to loose a few pounds, but he's in great shape for 75!

[@MrMegatron85]

Much better shape than I will be in, if I even make it that far haha

[@johnperry708]

As a little boy seeing this I had to sleep with my grandparents for two weeks 😂😂😂

[@trustnoone3007]

SO DID I!! Well, not two weeks lol bit still.

[@johnperry708]

@@trustnoone3007 😂😂😂

[@Silasx4]

I could never sleep after watching Freedy. For obvious reasons.

[@blackwingsandblindangels2162]

Legends never die

[@roxtar38]

I remember in 1984, the theater we saw Nightmare at was actually checking ids to see if you were 17 or above. This is tame stuff even by the standards of television shows today. Englund is iconic. Freddy, Michael Meyers, Jason Voorhees...there will never be characters with that pop culture impact in horror movies again.

[@dennishopper2701]

Great! My Favorite Slasher Character Ever. 😎

[@luislantigua423]

After re-watching all of Halloween’s, Friday The 13s, Nightmare on Elm Street & Child Plays, the only slasher franchise with no misses is Nightmare on Elm Street!

[@johnwebb2442]

Facts

[@luislantigua423]

@@johnwebb2442 even the series “Freddy’s Nightmares” was 🔥!

[@maryp1141]

Robert was the best Freddy ever..... Happy Halloween everyone! 👻

[@aaronpeters1770]

yes jolt cola..good memories. just turned 43 and have recently been able to sleep without nightmares from watchn these as a kid. and i love horror movies.

[@sabrinacarpenter5431]

I remember the first time I saw the original Nightmare on Elm Street movie. My Dad let me watch it on tv when I was in 1st grade. I was instantly hooked and Freddy Krueger became my favorite character of all time!! Over the years I watched all the movies, tv series and any other tv shows featuring Freddy Krueger

[@Quantum-Omega]

I had the entire Elm Street collection, Robert Englund is an absolute legend.

[@brendenharris7439]

I need him to do it just one more time. Pleaseeeeeee 🎃

[@Darren-sn4ki]

Iconic movie legend

[@kevinsinclair105]

Such a fan.

[@erkanyunis470]

No one can play freddy like Robert englund

[@shawnab8484]

Freddy Krueger scared the 💩 out of me when I was a kid. My uncle dressed up to the T like him and come at me. Let’s just say I ran up my mom like I was running a marathon. I will never forget it…lol

[@CadeD679]

I've seen so many interviews with Robert Englund that my first reaction whenever I see Freddie Krueger is to wish I could hug him!

[@rhianhegarty3383]

In any role he's in I always see Freddy!!!! The only thing that helped me realise he wasn't real was seeing Robert in an interview in normal self ... I use this technique with my children now if they're scared of something, I show them a making of. . It works

[@talariswatts-el9196]

Thanks for the upload. Robert England is such a nice guy but Ironically is able to play the most evil person imaginable.

[@KatharinaK117]

Johnny Depp 😊 the 1st bigger movie 🎥 I guess he was in...and when I later saw him on screen, since then I love him 😂...and I knew, he was dropped on this Earth, too, lol 😂 Wow time flies! I love to hear, he was polite! Oh boy...but I don't like horror movies. But I remember, when I watched this movie and saw him sinking into the bed, I actually had to laugh hard lmao 😂

[@phollabangerz]

Even his regular hands look like the razor gloves to me 😊 there will never be another Mr. Englund Aka Freddy

[@tyronepower6521]

From all here in Ireland 🇮🇪 your a legend robert I've been watching freddy since I was 11 I'm 42 and I still watch I hope some day to meet you

[@rickymitchell5579]

Robert England is and always will be the one and only Freddy Krueger

[@gray-fox6789]

He is literally the embodiment of freddy krueger... No one ever could replace him! 👍

[@goddyssbacon9317]

To think these are the special effects that had me terrified of Freddy as a child 😂. STILL my favorite character after all these years and the reason horror is favorite genre.

[@handznet]

Love how he is still happy about being Freddy

[@lessonsjulielearned1401]

Classic!!!👌🏾💯🎥

[@nevg21]

Simply the 🐐 of horror!

[@talksick508]

My fav since a kid in the 90s Really want one more with englund He’s the only one who can play Freddy

[@Bart851]

The most twisted villains are almost always played by actors who are chill and wholesome in real life

[@LoepkeVisionFilms]

Robert England is such a legend

[@cereal4u]

My favorite horror icon !

[@therealdjx214]

Great genuine guy, I glad I had the privilege to meet him and some of the cast of the first nightmare on elm st.

[@michaelmagnano5443]

Loved this vid! I don’t remember seeing quite a few of these little behind-the-scenes clips ever. Is this something entertainment tonight compiled for this specifically

[@jackriley7772]

Robert England is awesome Actor From V the series to Nightmare on elm Street To Hatchet.

[@alexthemoviemanoutofmymind7897]

i wish he would make one more film with him as freddy.

[@beautifulibra]

He scared me sooo much back in the 80’s. I recall having dreams of him where his knives would dig deep into my spine. I’m 43 and to this day I still remember that.

[@chrissychris1360]

He is the only one who can play Freddy. 🥰

[@harrisonsmith4059]

I met him in makeup at the London Film and Comic Con this year, it was absolutely surreal. He's a class act.

[@erinnoyd1147]

I loved how in the opening of A Nightmare on Elm Street, they don't explain who or what Freddy Krueger is, its just this mysterious burned man, and it made it feel super scary. If they remade it they should stick with the mystery of freddy Kruger it makes it soo much more scarier.

[@rodtaylor5476]

Freddy Krueger was my hero when I was a kid. Grew up with these movies. I love them.

[@MissTia777]

Seen this in 84 when I was 7! SO SCARED to sleep alone for about 3 weeks! lollll! But felt better when I talked about it with my classmates in the second grade who felt the same! The house got SUPER updated inside!

[@skylerwright94]

My heart stopped because I thought it was going to say he passed away. Phew 🖤

[@drewstareid1386]

He should do a amazon or Netflix series would be awesome with the original Robert as Freddy 😃

[@gcaplan1]

Bring Englund back as Freddy ! With cgi , deepfake , motion capture now is time to bring him back !

[@mom16x91]

I'm sorry but, if I seen him in that freedom makeup at night in a restaurant I'll freak out too!!!😱😱😱

[@RobertQuant]

To me the best Freddy movies are in this order 1) a nightmare on elm street 2 part 3 Dream warriors 3) Wes craven new nightmare 4 Freddy vs Jason

[@DanTheRazorRamone]

Robert is the only reason I watched these movies and one of my favorite horror flicks

[@gellerbingsgaming]

It looks strange seen him talk as Freddie in his normal every day voice 😆

[@TheMuscleman31]

The Legend Himself Freddy

[@metalman5655]

No one will ever take Robert's place

[@mylifefornick]

Love that this movie is such a classic. It deserves it.

[@damainmane4765]

Scariest thing about the 1st Freddy movie to me was his voice changing from creepy neighbor when chasing Tina at the beginning (Tina!!!Watch this) to a demonic creature from Hell when chasing Nancy ("I'm here") almost like he gotten stronger after every kill...

[@guinnevereschronicles2225]

The one horror icon I wouldn’t even dare to replace

[@TravelChimp]

great video. I love the nightmare on elm street series. Robert Englund is brilliant!

[@mezmerized4lifejay654]

Bring back Robert as Freddy 🙏

[@oldhollywoodfan8009]

He did such a fantastic job with that character!😃 I just rewatched New Nightmare last night. Oh my goodness Heather Langenkamp is so friggin fantastic in it! I LOVE the emotional work and all of the physicality work they gave her to do in it!! So much high octane action with her! I absolutely love her performance in it and Freddy is so creepy in it. Such a great movie.

[@magicvampirelver1321]

The Legend himself... I💜Freddy who doesn't

[@izzy3166]

Favorite Nightmare On Elm Street movies, original & part 3.

[@koolaid1982]

WE LOVE YOU ROBERT ❤️💚❤️💚🙏🏾🙌🏾✊🏾💪🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🍿🎥🍿🎥🍿🎥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@dreamwarriorss4731]

I love you Robert England you're my favorite villain as Freddy Krueger

[@andymuir2877]

Legend I hope he does at least one more for us fans

[@MrBooone]

Nice to see ET talking about a horror icon like Englund

[@barrellracer]

Love him as Willie from V then Freddy Krueger made me a fan for life♥️💚