The film was directed by Renny Harlin and stars Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger, Lisa Wilcox, and Danny Hassel. Following the death of Nancy Thompson, Krueger reappears in the dreams of Kristen Parker, Joey Crusel, and Roland Kincaid.

After completing his revenge against the families who killed him, Krueger uses Kristen’s best friend, Alice Johnson, to gain access to new victims in order to sate his murderous needs.

The film is a sequel to A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) and was followed by A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989). It is often popularly referred to as “the MTV Nightmare” of the franchise.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master: Theatrical release poster with the words “Terror beyond your wildest dreams.”

Theatrical release poster by Matthew Peak

Directed by: Renny Harlin

Screenplay by: Brian Helgeland, Ken and Jim Wheats

Story by: William Kotzwinkle & Brian Helgeland

Based on Characters by Wes Craven &

Bruce Wagner

Produced by Robert Shaye & Rachel Talalay

Starring: Robert Englund

Cinematography: Steven Fierberg

Edited by Michael N. Knue, Jack Tucker

& Chuck Weiss

Music by Craig Safan

Production companies: New Line Cinema

Heron Communications

Smart Egg Pictures

Distributed by New Line Cinema

Release date: August 19th, 1988

Running time: 93 minutes

Country: United States

Language: English

Budget: $6.5 million

Box office: $49.4 million (US)

The Dream Master was released on August 19, 1988, and grossed $49.4 million at the domestic box office on a budget of $6.5 million, which made it the highest-grossing film in the franchise in the United States until the release of Freddy vs. Jason, a crossover with the Friday the 13th franchise, in 2003. It received mixed reviews from critics.