Friday the 13th Movies in Order: The Friday the 13th franchise is a cornerstone of horror cinema, captivating audiences with its chilling tale of Jason Voorhees and the cursed Camp Crystal Lake. Since its debut in 1980, this American slasher series has spawned twelve films, a television series, novels, comics, and a treasure trove of merchandise, grossing over $468 million at the box office. Fans often search for the Friday the 13th movies in order to experience the terrifying journey of Jason’s evolution from a tragic backstory to a hockey-masked icon. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned fan, understanding the release and chronological order of Friday the 13th movies enhances the thrill of this legendary saga. This guide dives into both orders, crossovers, and where to watch these horror classics.
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Friday the 13th Movies in Chronological Order: The Ultimate Guide to the Iconic Slasher Franchise
The chronological order of Friday the 13th movies follows the in-universe timeline, accounting for Jason’s resurrections, time jumps, and the 2009 reboot’s separate continuity. Below, we explore each film’s place in the timeline with a brief overview of its plot and significance.
1. Friday the 13th (1980)
Set in 1979, the original film introduces Camp Crystal Lake, where counselors are preparing to reopen the site years after Jason Voorhees’ supposed drowning in 1957. Pamela Voorhees, Jason’s mother, seeks vengeance for her son’s death, murdering counselors to prevent the camp’s reopening. Alice Hardy survives by decapitating Pamela, but the film ends with a hint that Jason may still be alive. This movie establishes the franchise’s slasher roots and sets up Jason’s legacy.
2. Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
Taking place in 1984, five years after the first film, Jason, now an adult, is revealed to be alive, having survived his childhood drowning. After killing Alice Hardy, he targets a new group of counselors at Crystal Lake. Survivor Ginny Field discovers Pamela’s shrine and temporarily defeats Jason with a machete to his shoulder. This sequel marks Jason’s debut as the primary killer, cementing his role as the franchise’s face.
3. Friday the 13th Part III (1982)
Set days after Part 2 in 1984, Jason, recovering from his injuries, targets Chris Higgins’ homestead near Crystal Lake. He dons his iconic hockey mask, stolen from a victim, and continues his killing spree. Chris seemingly kills Jason with an axe to the head, but her trauma lingers. This film introduces the hockey mask, a cultural icon, and was notably filmed in 3D for added scares.
4. Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)
Continuing directly from Part III in 1984, Jason’s body is taken to a morgue but awakens to resume his rampage at Crystal Lake. A group of teens and the Jarvis family become his targets. Young Tommy Jarvis kills Jason with a machete, seemingly ending his reign. Known for its intense kills and strong cast, this was intended as the series’ conclusion but proved too popular to stop.
5. Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)
Set in 1989, this film follows a traumatized Tommy Jarvis in a halfway house. A copycat killer, Roy Burns, adopts Jason’s persona to avenge his son’s murder. Tommy, Pam, and Reggie defeat Roy, revealing he was the killer. This entry diverges by focusing on a new antagonist, disappointing some fans but adding psychological depth to Tommy’s arc.
6. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)
In 1990, Tommy inadvertently resurrects Jason via a lightning strike while attempting to destroy his body. Jason returns to Crystal Lake, killing camp staff. Tommy traps Jason at the lake’s bottom, chained to a boulder. This film leans into supernatural elements and humor, revitalizing the series with a more action-packed tone.
7. Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)
Set an indeterminate time after Part VI (likely early 1990s), Jason is freed from the lake by Tina Shepard’s telekinetic powers as she attempts to resurrect her father. Jason resumes his murders until Tina defeats him, chaining him back underwater. This film introduces a supernatural protagonist, often dubbed “Jason vs. Carrie,” adding a fresh dynamic.
8. Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)
Continuing from Part VII, Jason is resurrected by an underwater cable and stows away on a cruise ship bound for New York. He kills most of the crew and students before chasing survivors Rennie and Sean into Manhattan’s sewers, where toxic waste melts him. Budget constraints limited New York scenes, but the urban setting offers a unique twist.
9. Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)
Set after Part VIII, Jason is killed by an FBI sting but survives by possessing bodies via his demonic heart. His niece, Jessica Kimble, defeats him with a mystical dagger, sending him to Hell. This film explores Jason’s supernatural origins and family ties, diverging from traditional slasher tropes but setting up crossovers.
10. Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
Set in the early 2000s, Freddy Krueger resurrects Jason to terrorize Springwood, hoping to regain power through fear. Their conflict escalates into a battle at Crystal Lake, with an ambiguous ending. As a crossover with A Nightmare on Elm Street, this film sits outside the main timeline but connects via Jason’s resurrection.
11. Friday the 13th (2009)
A reboot set in an alternate continuity, this film reimagines Jason’s origin. After witnessing his mother’s death, Jason becomes a killer at Crystal Lake, kidnapping Whitney Miller. Her brother Clay helps defeat him. This standalone story condenses elements from earlier films, offering a modern take on the franchise.
12. Jason X (2002)
Set in 2010 and jumping to 2455, Jason is cryogenically frozen after a rampage. Revived on a spaceship, he becomes a cyborg and kills the crew. He’s ejected into space, incinerated by Earth Two’s atmosphere. This sci-fi entry is the furthest in the timeline, disconnected from earlier films’ continuity.
Chronological Notes:
The main timeline spans 1979 to the early 2000s (Freddy vs. Jason), with Jason X occurring centuries later. The 2009 reboot exists in a separate universe. Time skips occur between Part IV (1984) and A New Beginning (1989), and Part VI to Part VII is vague but likely a few years. Freddy vs. Jason loosely fits after Jason Goes to Hell due to Jason’s resurrection.
How many movies does Friday the 13th Have?
The Friday the 13th franchise has Twelve (12) movies, spanning from the 1980 original to the 2009 reboot, including the crossover Freddy vs. Jason.
All Friday the 13th Movies in Order of Release Date
Here is the list of Friday the 13th Movie in Order of Release Date:
- Friday the 13th — May 9, 1980
- Friday the 13th Part 2 — May 1, 1981
- Friday the 13th Part III — August 13, 1982
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter — April 13, 1984
- Friday the 13th: A New Beginning — March 22, 1985
- Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives — August 1, 1986
- Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood — May 13, 1988
- Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan — July 28, 1989
- Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday — August 13, 1993
- Jason X — April 26, 2002
- Freddy vs. Jason — August 15, 2003
- Friday the 13th — February 13, 2009
This order reflects how audiences experienced the franchise, with each film introducing new elements, from Jason’s iconic hockey mask in Part III to sci-fi twists in Jason X. However, the chronological order of the Friday the 13th movies differs slightly due to timeline shifts and reboots.
Bonus: Freddy vs. Jason and Franchise Crossovers
Freddy vs. Jason (2003) is a pivotal crossover between Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Set in the early 2000s, Freddy Krueger manipulates Jason to create fear in Springwood, only for their rivalry to ignite a brutal showdown. Chronologically, it follows Jason Goes to Hell in the main timeline, as Jason is resurrected yet again. The film blends Friday’s slasher violence with Nightmare’s dream-based horror, appealing to fans of both franchises. Other crossovers include comics like Jason vs. Leatherface and Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash, expanding Jason’s battles beyond films, though these are non-canonical.
Where to Watch Friday the 13th Movies
As of June 2025, Friday the 13th movies are available on various streaming platforms, though availability may vary by region. Check the following services (affiliate links may apply):
- Peacock: Often hosts the Friday the 13th series, especially with the upcoming Crystal Lake prequel series. Check Peacock for availability.
- Paramount+: Paramount, the original distributor, frequently streams the early films.
- HBO Max: Occasionally includes the franchise, particularly Freddy vs. Jason.
- Amazon Prime Video: Offers rentals or purchases for most films.
- Shudder: A horror-focused platform that may carry select titles.
Physical media like Blu-ray or DVD box sets are also great options for collectors, available through retailers like Amazon or Walmart.
Conclusion:
Watching the Friday the 13th movies in order—whether by release or chronological timeline—offers a thrilling journey through one of horror’s most enduring franchises. From Pamela Voorhees’ vengeful rampage to Jason’s unstoppable terror, each film adds to the legacy of Camp Crystal Lake. The chronological order deepens the narrative, revealing Jason’s evolution, while release order captures the franchise’s cultural impact. Share your favorite Friday the 13th moment or film in the comments below—do you love Jason’s hockey mask debut or a specific kill? Dive into the Friday the 13th movies in order for a chilling marathon that keeps the horror alive. For More: Wikipedia.org
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