To put it simply, Wes Craven’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is one of the most iconic scary movies ever made.
The supernatural slasher horror is up there with the likes of 1931’s “Dracula,” 1960’s “Psycho,” 1973’s “The Exorcist,” 1974’s “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” 1975’s “Jaws,” and 1978’s “Halloween” when it comes to its impact on the genre.
“A Nightmare on Elm Street” made an entire generation (and many viewers in later generations) terrified of going to sleep. It follows a group of Ohio teenagers who are targeted by Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), an undead child killer who can murder his victims in their dreams, which he does seeking revenge against their parents who burned him alive for his crimes.
It was released on November 9, 1984, meaning it will turn 42 years old this year. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be cool to see how the cast look now, compared to when the movie hit theaters? Let’s do exactly that…
Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger)
Above is a social media post with three pictures of Robert Englund on the set of “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Horror legend Robert Englund played Freddy Krueger in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Freddy is the badly burned and razor-gloved undead child murderer who kills teens in their dreams.
Age when “A Nightmare on Elm Street” released: 37.
Selected movie credits before “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Stay Hungry (1976), A Star Is Born (1976), Big Wednesday (1978).
GettyAge now: 78.
Selected movie credits after “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Wishmaster (1997), Urban Legend (1998), Abruptio (2023).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Heather Langenkamp (Nancy Thompson)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Heather Langenkamp in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Actress, filmmaker, businesswoman, and radio host Heather Langenkamp played Nancy Thompson in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Nancy is a a resourceful and intelligent high school girl who becomes Freddy’s primary target, but heroically fights back against him.
Age when “A Nightmare on Elm Street” released: 20.
Selected movie credits before “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Nickel Mountain (1984).
GettyAge now: 61.
Selected movie credits after “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Home (2016), Little Bites (2024), The Life of Chuck (2025).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Johnny Depp (Glen Lantz)
Above is a social media post with several pictures of Johnny Depp in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Iconic actor, musician, and filmmaker Johnny Depp played Glen Lantz in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Glen is Nancy’s boyfriend and one of the teen friends targeted by Freddy (his death scene is one of the most memorable and bloody in horror history).
Age when “A Nightmare on Elm Street” released: 21.
Selected movie credits before “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: N/A.
GettyAge now: 62.
Selected movie credits after “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Alice in Wonderland (2010).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Amanda Wyss (Tina Gray)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Amanda Wyss in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Television and movie actress Amanda Wyss played Tina Gray in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Tina is Nancy’s best friend and one of the movie’s first victims. Her early prominence in the film means she’s considered a decoy protagonist.
Age when “A Nightmare on Elm Street” released: 23.
Selected movie credits before “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Force: Five (1981), This House Possessed (1981), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982).
Above is a 2025 social media post by Amanda Wyss with a recent picture of her.
Age now: 65.
Selected movie credits after “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Silverado (1985), Better Off Dead (1985), Black Magic Woman (1991).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Jsu Garcia (Rod Lane)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Jsu Garcia in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Actor and producer Jsu Garcia, credited as Nick Corri, played Rod Lane in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Rod is Tina’s boyfriend and a troubled teen who becomes both a murder suspect and early victim in the movie.
Age when “A Nightmare on Elm Street” released: 21.
Selected movie credits before “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: N/A.
Above is a 2021 social media post by Jsu Garcia with a recent picture of him.
Age now: 62.
Selected movie credits after “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Predator 2 (1990), Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), Along Came Polly (2004).
Filmography info per IMDb.
John Saxon (Lt. Donald Thompson)
Above is a social media post with a picture of John Saxon in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Actor and martial artist John Saxon played Lt. Donald “Don” Thompson in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Don is Nancy’s father and a police lieutenant who investigates the movie’s mysterious and violent deaths.
Age when “A Nightmare on Elm Street” released: 48.
Selected movie credits before “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Portrait in Black (1961), Enter the Dragon (1973), Black Christmas (1974).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2020 aged 83.
Selected movie credits after “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Fever Pitch (1985), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), From Dusk till Dawn (1996).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Ronee Blakley (Marge Thompson)
Above is a social media post with several pictures of Ronee Blakley in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Ronee Blakley played Marge Thompson in “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Marge is Nancy’s mother who know secrets about the local area’s past involving Freddy Krueger.
Age when “A Nightmare on Elm Street” released: 39.
Selected movie credits before “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Nashville (1975), The Driver (1978), Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff (1979).
GettyAge now: 80.
Selected movie credits after “A Nightmare on Elm Street”: Cinématon (1985), A Return to Salem’s Lot (1987), Someone to Love (1987).
Filmography info per IMDb.
“A Nightmare on Elm Street” remains a seminal horror movie that will continue to interest (and terrify) new audiences long into the future. It’s great to see most of the cast still doing so well, though sad to see not all of them are still around today.
May John Saxon rest in eternal peace.
I can’t believe it has been do long. I was 12 yrs old when this came out. And it still scares me!!! But I still watch them all!!!