Freddy Krueger was created by Wes Craven for A Nightmare on Elm Street, released in 1984, and became one of horror cinema's most recognisable villains, known for haunting teenagers in their dreams. The character returned across sequels, a television series and a remake, keeping the striped sweater, burned face and bladed glove in popular culture for decades. Online, short Freddy clips are now reused as shorthand for approaching danger, Halloween humour and horror reactions, because even a few seconds instantly recall the films without needing the full scene.