Friday the 13th is a series of recorded works.
Friday the 13th (franchise) . The original film was written by Victor Miller and was produced and directed by Sean S. Cunningham . While the franchise was owned by Paramount , four films were adapted into novels , with Friday the 13th Part III adapted by two separate authors . Although the films were not popular with critics , Friday the 13th is considered one of the most successful media franchises in America -- not only for the success of the films , but also because of the extensive merchandising and repeated references to the series in popular culture .