Looking for the correct Hellboy movies in order? Here’s the short version: release order and chronological order are basically the same within each version of Hellboy, but this franchise isn’t one continuous story — it’s three separate continuities that all reboot the character from scratch. Created by Mike Mignola for Dark Horse Comics, Hellboy has spawned two Guillermo del Toro cult classics, two animated TV movies, and two competing reboots, grossing well over $200 million combined and earning a reputation as one of the most visually distinct comic-book franchises ever put to screen. Before you dive in, here’s your quick-answer cheat sheet.
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Quick Answer: Hellboy Movies in Order
| # | Film | Year | Director | Continuity/Timeline Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hellboy | 2004 | Guillermo del Toro | del Toro Universe — Start |
| 2 | Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms | 2006 | Tad Stones | del Toro Universe — Between films 1 & 2 |
| 3 | Hellboy Animated: Blood and Iron | 2007 | Victor Cook | del Toro Universe — Between films 1 & 2 |
| 4 | Hellboy II: The Golden Army | 2008 | Guillermo del Toro | del Toro Universe — End |
| 5 | Hellboy | 2019 | Neil Marshall | Reboot #1 — Standalone |
| 6 | Hellboy: The Crooked Man | 2024 | Brian Taylor | Reboot #2 — Standalone |
Bottom line: Watch films 1–4 together as one story, then treat #5 and #6 as separate, unconnected “what if” versions of the character.
Hellboy Movies in Order: The Complete Watch Guide
1. Hellboy (2004)
Ron Perlman’s Hellboy debuts as a wisecracking demon raised by the U.S. government to fight the supernatural threats his own kind unleashes. The plot centers on a Nazi-occultist plot to open a portal that could end the world, with Hellboy caught between duty and destiny. Del Toro reportedly fought hard to cast Perlman after Miramax wanted a bigger name for the lead. It’s a self-contained adventure, but it plants the “Beast of the Apocalypse” seed that pays off later. This is the essential starting point for any Hellboy movies in order marathon.
2. Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms (2006)
This TV movie picks up shortly after the first film, with Hellboy investigating a Japanese legend involving twin thunder gods and a cursed sword. Perlman, Selma Blair, and Doug Jones all returned to voice their roles, keeping continuity intact despite the animated format. It leans harder into folklore-horror territory than the live-action films did. It’s a direct lead-in to the second animated feature, forming a loose two-part story of its own.
3. Hellboy Animated: Blood and Iron (2007)
The stronger of the two animated entries, this one pits Hellboy against a vengeful witch and an army of the undead risen from a sunken ship. It expands Liz Sherman’s character arc more than the films typically do, giving her genuine emotional stakes. Critics generally rated it above its predecessor for pacing and atmosphere. Chronologically and narratively, it slots in right before Hellboy heads into his biggest live-action showdown yet.
4. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
Del Toro’s sequel trades Nazi occultists for an elf prince awakening a mechanical army, and it’s widely considered the visual high point of the franchise. The production reportedly built thousands of practical creature designs rather than leaning on CGI, a signature del Toro choice. It also deepens the romance between Hellboy and Liz while raising the stakes on his apocalyptic destiny. This closes out the del Toro continuity — everything after this point is a fresh start.
5. Hellboy (2019)
David Harbour takes over as Hellboy in a harder-R reboot pitting him against an ancient sorceress bent on wiping out humanity. This version ditches del Toro’s continuity entirely and leans into gorier, more comic-accurate violence. Neil Marshall (The Descent) directed, aiming for a grittier tone than the previous films. It underperformed at the box office and has no narrative ties to what came before or after — treat it as its own standalone experiment.
6. Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024)
Jack Kesy steps into the role for a low-budget, folk-horror-flavored reboot set in 1950s Appalachia, where Hellboy and a rookie B.P.R.D. agent confront a demon tied to a community of witches. Director Brian Taylor deliberately shrunk the scope and budget, going for practical effects and a leaner, monster-of-the-week structure closer to Mignola’s original comics. It skipped a wide U.S. theatrical release, debuting mostly on streaming and VOD instead. It’s a third, completely separate continuity — no connection to del Toro’s films or the 2019 version.
Do You Need to Watch the Del Toro Films Before the Reboots?
No. The 2019 and 2024 films are standalone reboots with zero narrative connection to Ron Perlman’s version or to each other. You can start anywhere depending on which tone you want — gothic adventure (del Toro), gory action (2019), or folk horror (2024).
Minimum viable watch order:
- Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) — the essential, most acclaimed pair
- Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024) — if you want the take closest to the comics
- Skip the animated films unless you’re a completionist
- The 2019 Hellboy is optional — watch only if you’re curious about the David Harbour version
How Many Hellboy Movies Are There?
There are six Hellboy movies total: four theatrical/streaming live-action and animated features from the del Toro era, plus two unrelated reboots (2019 and 2024). No true sequel has followed either reboot.
All Hellboy Movies in Order by Release Date
1. Hellboy — April 2, 2004
2. Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms — October 28, 2006
3. Hellboy Animated: Blood and Iron — March 6, 2007
4. Hellboy II: The Golden Army — July 11, 2008
5. Hellboy — April 12, 2019
6. Hellboy: The Crooked Man — September 2024 (international) / limited U.S. release, 2024
What’s Next for the Franchise?
As of mid-2026, there’s no confirmed new Hellboy film in active development. Both reboot attempts underperformed, and studios appear cautious about a third live-action relaunch. The franchise is currently more active in print than on screen — Dark Horse Comics has multiple Mike Mignola-written series in the pipeline for 2026, including Hellboy in Hell: Parade of Horrors and Giant Robot Hellboy Returns, alongside a tabletop expansion, Unmatched: Hellboy. The original del Toro films have also been shifting streaming homes throughout 2026, landing on Netflix before a move to Peacock. Until a studio commits to a new film, comics and games remain where the franchise is actively growing. Treat any “in development” rumors with caution until a studio makes an official announcement.
FAQ
Are the Hellboy movies connected to each other?
Only partially. The 2004 and 2008 del Toro films (plus the two animated TV movies) share one continuity, but the 2019 and 2024 films are separate, unconnected reboots.
What order should I watch Hellboy movies in?
Follow the Hellboy movies in order of release: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2019, 2024. Since only the first four share continuity, you can also just watch the del Toro pair and either reboot independently.
Is Hellboy: The Crooked Man a sequel to the 2019 movie?
No. It’s a completely separate reboot with a new actor (Jack Kesy), a new setting, and no narrative link to David Harbour’s version.
Do I need to watch the animated Hellboy movies?
Not really. Sword of Storms and Blood and Iron are enjoyable extras set within the del Toro continuity, but skipping them won’t leave you lost in the main films.
That’s the full Hellboy movies in order breakdown — pick your era, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the Beast of the Apocalypse in whichever flavor suits you.
Related: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Superhero
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