🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Steve Miner
- Genre: Horror, Slasher, Thriller
- Release year: 1982
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10 (64K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 26%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
After getting a minor owie, Jason decides to upgrade his look with a hockey mask and then interrupts a totally awesome 80s party with extreme prejudice.
🍿 Friday the 13th Part III: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Aftermath and New Beginnings
Picking up directly after Part 2, Jason recovers from his injuries and continues his murderous spree. He encounters Harold and Edna at a roadside store, brutally killing them and stealing their clothes. Meanwhile, Chris Higgins and her friends are heading to Higgins Haven for a weekend getaway.

Arrival at Higgins Haven and Biker Trouble
Chris, haunted by a past attack near Crystal Lake, hopes to confront her fears. Her friends include Debbie and Andy, stoners Chuck and Chilli, prankster Shelly and his friend Vera, and her boyfriend Rick. On their way, they encounter a trio of bikers. Shelly’s antics lead to a confrontation, setting up a later conflict.

Jason’s Rampage Begins
Jason, lurking in the barn at Higgins Haven, begins his attacks. He targets the bikers, picking them off one by one. Shelly, attempting a prank, finds himself face to face with Jason, who claims his iconic hockey mask. As night falls, Jason begins stalking Chris and her friends, leading to a series of gruesome deaths.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Chris Higgins (Dana Kimmell): The final girl, traumatized by a past encounter, returns to Crystal Lake hoping to confront her fears but ends up fighting for survival against Jason.
- Jason Voorhees (Richard Brooker): The vengeful, hulking killer terrorizing Crystal Lake, now donning his iconic hockey mask after stealing it from a prankster.
- Shelly (Larry Zerner): A nerdy prankster whose practical jokes and eventual demise lead to Jason acquiring his signature hockey mask.
- Rick (Paul Kratka): Chris’s boyfriend, who is protective and supportive but ultimately falls victim to Jason’s brutal attacks.
- Fox (Gloria Charles): The tough, female leader of a biker gang who encounters Jason and meets a gruesome end in the barn.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Shelly: “Sorry. And I’m not an asshole, I’m an actor.” – Shelly says this after Andy calls him an asshole for his practical jokes.
- Abel: “You’re all doomed! Doomed!” – Abel shouts this as a warning to the group of friends as they drive past him.
- Chris: “Oh my god, it’s you… it’s you isn’t it?” – Chris says this when she sees Jason’s face and recognizes him as her attacker from years earlier.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $2.3M
- Domestic Gross: $36.69M
- Worldwide Gross: $36.70M
💥 Friday the 13th Part III Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I gotta admit, ‘Friday the 13th: Part III’ is a guilty pleasure. It’s not high art, but who cares? Jason gets his iconic mask! The 3D effects are so cheesy they’re hilarious, especially watching it now. I remember the eyeball popping scene freaking me out as a kid, and the final canoe scene is still good for a jump scare. Sure, the acting is questionable, and the plot is thin, but sometimes you just want a fun, mindless slasher flick. It’s a classic for a reason.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of 80s slasher films”
- “Viewers interested in the Friday the 13th franchise”
- “Those seeking a campy horror experience”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and gore”
- “Nudity and sexual content”
- “Drug use”
- “Language”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Friday the 13th Part III is the best film ever made when compared to some of the sequels that followed the Final Chapter, the music in this film is the worst in the entire series, the acting ranges from awful to painful, while it would be better to ignore this and just watch Parts 1,2 & 4 the film is far from unwatchable.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “I was disappointed in the 3-D aspect. Some of the acting was quite bad and for the most part, the movie just wasn’t all that good. In fact, it gets a failing grade from me, due to a whole lot of things that I found wrong with it.
- AllMovie: “Friday the 13th Part III looks cheap, lacks suspense and has only a few gory, often repellent murders to interrupt the long stretches of general boredom. It’s not as corny as the original, but it’s extremely repetitive – just one slashing after another.
Audience Reactions
The kills were great, eye popping scene is the best and the effort put into the 3D effects is really impressive and goofy.: This is the one where Jason gets his iconic hockey mask
Overall Consensus: Friday the 13th Part III is considered a pivotal entry for Jason’s iconic look, but the use of 3D is considered a cheesy gimmick.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot in 3D, capitalizing on the early 1980s 3D movie revival. Many scenes were specifically designed to showcase the 3D effects.”
- “Richard Brooker, who played Jason, had a background in acrobatics and used those skills in several of the film’s stunts.”
- “The location used for Higgins Haven was the Melody Ranch in Newhall, California. The lake was man-made for the film, but it wasn’t properly sealed, leading to water draining into the ground during production.”
🖥️ How to Watch Friday the 13th Part III?
Friday the 13th: Part III is widely available on various streaming and rental platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are also readily available at most major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Friday the 13th Part III, you might like these similar films:
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984): Direct sequel continuing the story of Jason Voorhees with more intense kills and character development.
- My Bloody Valentine (1981): Classic early 80s slasher with a masked killer and creative kills.
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006): A prequel that delves into the origins of a notorious horror icon, akin to uncovering Jason’s early motivations.
🛒 Friday the 13th Part III Related Products
- Friday The 13th Part 3 – Jason Voorhees 1/6 Scale Figure: Limited edition Jason Voorhees figure from Part 3. Detailed sculpt and accessories, including machete, axe, and alternate hands. A must-have for serious collectors.
- Friday the 13th: The Game – Ultimate Slasher Edition: Play as Jason Voorhees or a camp counselor in this asymmetrical multiplayer horror game. Includes single-player challenges, various Jason incarnations, and map environments. Stalk your prey or try to escape the clutches of the infamous killer.
- Friday the 13th Part III (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Vinyl]: Limited edition vinyl release of Harry Manfredini’s iconic score. Captures the eerie and suspenseful mood of the film.
- Friday the 13th Part III Movie Poster: High-quality reproduction of the original theatrical poster. Perfect for fans of the franchise.
🎧 Soundtrack
Friday the 13th Part III features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Jason acquires his iconic hockey mask from Shelly, a prankster in the group of friends. Shelly wears the mask as part of a joke, but Jason later kills Shelly and takes the mask for himself.
The main setting is Higgins Haven, a lakefront property near Crystal Lake. It is not the traditional Camp Crystal Lake setting from the first two films.
Yes, the film was originally released in 3D in theaters. Many scenes were designed to take advantage of the 3D effects, with objects thrusting towards the audience.
🔥 Bonus Content
Friday the 13th Part 3 (1982) KILL COUNT [Original]
Ever wondered exactly *how* many people Jason offed in Part 3? This Kill Count breaks it all down with hilarious commentary. Trust me, it’s way more entertaining than it sounds!
Friday the 13th Part III | THEY TALK!
Imagine if the characters in Friday the 13th could talk back…to each other *and* to Jason! This ‘They Talk’ sketch is pure gold, hilariously revealing their inner thoughts. You’ve gotta see it!
The Entire Friday The 13th Story Finally Explained
Lost in the Friday the 13th lore? This video gives you the *entire* story, from beginning to (sort of) end, and it’s surprisingly engaging! It’ll make you appreciate Jason’s journey…or at least understand it better!
How To Make Friday The 13th Part 3 and 4 Jason Masks – DIY Painting Tutorial
Want to be Jason for Halloween? This tutorial shows you exactly how to make your own realistic Friday the 13th Part 3 or 4 mask! It’s easier than you think, and way cooler than buying a cheap one.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.





