With the release of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” 40 years ago, the horror villain Freddy Krueger clawed his way to becoming a pop culture phenomenon. By Jason Bailey When “A Nightmare on Elm ...

"One, two, Freddy's coming for you... three, four, better lock your door..." "A Nightmare on Elm Street" opened in theaters nationwide on Nov. 16, 1984 -- more than two weeks after Halloween.

Arguably one of the most enduring and captivating of these monsters is Freddy Krueger, the villain of the A Nightmare on Elm Street series who celebrates his 40th screen birthday this November.