How To Watch The Evil Dead Movies And Shows In Order
The Evil Dead franchise, created by Sam Raimi, is one of horror's most iconic series, blending supernatural horror with dark humor. At the heart of the series is the chainsaw-wielding Ash Williams (played by Bruce Campbell), who faces off against demonic forces from the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis. Spanning several decades, Evil Dead has cemented its place in pop culture with a mix of gruesome horror, over-the-top gore, and a quirky protagonist.
How to watch the Evil Dead franchise in chronological order
Watching The Evil Dead chronologically places the events of the franchise in the order they occur in the narrative, though it might feel a bit disjointed due to the series’ evolving style and tone. Here’s how the timeline plays out:
The Evil Dead (1981)
Evil Dead II (1987)
Army of Darkness (1992)
Ash vs Evil Dead (2018)
Reboot
Evil Dead (2013)
Standalone
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
The first three Evil Dead movies and the TV show form the Ash Williams franchise while the 2013 reboot features new characters in a modern setting. Similarly, Evil Dead Rise is a standalone film that takes the original film’s core concepts but with brand new characters.
The film that started it all, Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead follows Ash and his friends as they unleash demonic forces while staying at a remote cabin. This low-budget indie horror became a cult hit thanks to its intense atmosphere and gory special effects.
Both a sequel and a partial remake, Evil Dead II brings Ash back to the cabin, where he once again battles the terrifying demons. The film introduces more of the franchise's signature dark humor, making it a fan favorite.
And then comes the three-season series Ash vs the Evil Dead which follows an older Ash 30 years after the events of Army of Darkness, as he’s forced to face Deadites again.
The 2013 reboot took a more serious and gory tone, with new characters visiting the cabin and facing off against demonic forces. While it lacks the humor of the original trilogy, its intense horror and gore make it a worthy entry.
The violence and jump scares continued in 2023’s Evil Dead Rise. Taking the franchise to a new setting, Evil Dead Rise follows two sisters battling evil in a high-rise apartment. This entry continues the blend of visceral horror with a modern twist.
Here's how you can watch all the movies in release order:
