Looking for the correct Pearl movies in order? You’re not alone — this is one of the most mixed-up franchises in modern horror, and for good reason. Release order and chronological order are not the same thing here: two of the three films came out in the same year, and the “prequel” was filmed in secret before anyone knew it existed. Created by Ti West and led by a dual, award-buzzed performance from Mia Goth, the trilogy has become a modern A24 horror staple, with Pearl alone earning Goth a Best Actress win from multiple critics’ groups. Before you press play, here’s the quick answer, followed by the full breakdown.
Also See: A Quiet Place Movies in Order
Quick Answer: Pearl Movies in Order
| # | Film | Year | Director | Timeline Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | X | 2022 | Ti West | 2nd (set in 1979) |
| 2 | Pearl | 2022 | Ti West | 1st (set in 1918) |
| 3 | MaXXXine | 2024 | Ti West | 3rd (set in 1985) |
Quick note: Release order (X → Pearl → MaXXXine) and chronological order (Pearl → X → MaXXXine) diverge right out of the gate — most fans still recommend release order for the best storytelling experience, since X was designed to be watched before its own prequel.
Pearl Movies in Order: The Complete Watch Guide
1. X (2022)
X follows a small film crew who rent an isolated Texas farmhouse in 1979 to shoot an adult movie, only to draw the attention of their elderly landlords, Pearl and Howard. It’s a loving, blood-soaked homage to grindhouse slashers like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Behind the scenes, Mia Goth played dual roles as both Maxine and the elderly Pearl under heavy prosthetics — a twist West kept secret from marketing until release. The final act sets up a mystery about Pearl’s past that the very next film answers in full.
2. Pearl (2026)
Wait — technically 2022, but bear with the sequencing logic: Pearl was shot back-to-back with X on the same sets, then released just six months later that same year. Set in 1918, it’s a vibrant, technicolor-tinged origin story about a young farm girl chasing Hollywood stardom while trapped by war, illness, and a suffocating home life. West and Goth co-wrote the script together during X’s production, and Goth’s unbroken, single-take monologue near the end became an instant awards-season talking point. This is the emotional key that recontextualizes everything you saw in X.
3. MaXXXine (2024)
MaXXXine jumps forward to 1985, following Maxine Minx as she chases her own shot at fame in Hollywood while a killer known as the Night Stalker stalks the city. It trades the rural slasher setting for neon-lit Hollywood noir, with a stacked supporting cast including Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Debicki, and Giancarlo Esposito. West has said this closes out “the Maxine era” of the story, tying together threads planted in both prior films. It’s the intended finale — though not necessarily the last word on the wider universe.
Do You Need to Watch X Before Pearl?
No — but it’s strongly recommended. Pearl functions as a stand-alone character study, but its final scene and much of its emotional weight land far harder if you already know who Pearl becomes decades later in X.
Minimum viable watch order (if you’re short on time):
- Watch X first — it’s the franchise’s entry point and establishes the core mystery
- Follow with Pearl for the origin story and payoff
- Finish with MaXXXine to complete the arc
How Many Pearl Movies Are There?
There is one film actually titled Pearl, but it exists within a three-film trilogy alongside X and MaXXXine — no shorts or spin-offs have been released as of 2026.
All Pearl Movies in Order by Release Date
1. X — March 18, 2022
2. Pearl — September 16, 2022
3. MaXXXine — July 5, 2024
What’s Next for the Franchise?
There’s no confirmed fourth film as of 2026, but Ti West has repeatedly teased that he has “one idea” for how the story could continue, calling it another “unexpected departure” similar to how Pearl swerved from X’s slasher template. Mia Goth and cast members have publicly expressed interest in returning if the right concept comes together. Treat any talk of a new entry as speculative until A24 makes an official announcement — West has said he wants to see how audiences responded to MaXXXine before committing to more.
FAQ
Is Pearl a prequel or a sequel to X?
Pearl is a prequel to X. It’s set in 1918, more than 60 years before the events of X, and explores the same character earlier in her life.
Do I need to watch Pearl before MaXXXine?
Not strictly, since MaXXXine follows Maxine rather than Pearl directly, but watching Pearl first gives you crucial emotional context that pays off in the trilogy’s ending.
What order did Ti West intend the films to be watched in?
West has said release order — X, then Pearl, then MaXXXine — is the intended experience, since X was built to set up questions that Pearl later answers.
Is MaXXXine the last movie in the Pearl and X franchise?
It’s billed as the trilogy’s finale and closes out Maxine’s story, but Ti West hasn’t ruled out a fourth film exploring a different corner of the universe.
However you sequence your rewatch, now you’ve got the full Pearl movies in order roadmap — release date, timeline, and everything in between.
Related: Horror, Slasher, Thriller, Psychological Horror, A24
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