The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most iconic psychological horror films, bringing the fatally charming and charismatic psychiatrist-turned-cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter into the spotlight. Anthony Hopkins' performance breathed life into one of the most memorable and terrifying villains in cinematic history, earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor. The film offered an unprecedented look into the inner workings of a serial killer's mind and curiosities about his life, leaving audiences fascinated. To everyone’s delight, the franchise went on to give way to several films and TV series that explore his past, the psychological depths of his dark mind, and even the lives of the FBI agents that he manipulated along the way. But with so many adaptations and back-and-forth timelines, the Hannibal Lecter universe can be tricky to navigate. Check out JustWatch’s guide to see all the different ways you could watch the Hannibal Lecter movies.
The Best Way To Watch All The Hannibal Lecter Movies and TV Shows
The Silence of the Lambs is the best place to start for most people new to the Hannibal Lecter franchise. Even though it’s not the first movie in release or chronological order, it is the most popular and well-made one, making it the easiest and most satisfying introduction. From there on it makes sense to watch the rest of the movies in release order as it’s the easiest way to follow along the story, and then dive into the TV series for fans who really want to get into the depths of Hannibal’s dark life.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Undoubtedly the most iconic and celebrated entry in the Hannibal Lecter franchise, The Silence of the Lambs is the movie most viewers think of when they hear about Hannibal Lecter. Following FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she consults the brilliant yet terrifying Hannibal to catch the serial killer Buffalo Bill, it blends suspense, psychological horror, and crime thriller perfectly. Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins deliver career-defining performances, with their magnetic pairing setting the gold standard for cat-and-mouse dynamics in cinema, comparable to suspenseful duos like Joker and Batman in The Dark Knight, or Martin Vail and Aaron Stampler’s dynamic in Primal Fear. The Silence of the Lambs is a landmark in both horror and crime cinema, whose influence can be seen in countless psychological films like Copycat and shows like Criminal Minds. It’s a must-see for fans of psychological films and cinephiles, but beware, you might find yourself double-guessing everyone around you, or losing a little sleep over Hannibal’s chilling brilliance.
Hannibal (2001)
Taking place years after his interactions with Clarice, the movie follows Hannibal after his escape and shows the repercussions of his freedom as he finds new victims to wreak havoc on. Hannibal is more stylish, darker, and graphic than its predecessors, making it a fun watch for fans of movies like American Psycho and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.But longtime fans who love the franchise for the psychological tension and layered storytelling of The Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon might not enjoy Hannibal as much, as it trades the tight, suspenseful pacing for a more operatic style. While Anthony Hopkins’ performance remains iconic, Hannibal is widely considered the weakest entry in the franchise due to the sharp turn from the franchise’s otherwise tense and methodical approach.
Red Dragon (2002) or Manhunter (1986)
Both Red Dragon and Manhunter adapt Thomas Nolan’s book Red Dragon, which focuses on Will Graham’s pursuit of the serial killer known as the Tooth Fairy. You can choose to watch either of the films here. Manhunter, is the first ever Hannibal Lecter adaptation, and it stars Brian Cox, which may be a let-down for fans who are after consistency and prefer Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of the character. The movie is a lot grittier and clinical, with a cold, procedural tone and moodiness that’s reminiscent of 1980s serial killer movies like Body Heat or Blue Velvet. It’s a fitting choice for completists and fans of retro, methodical crime thrillers who want to see the origins of Hannibal on screen.Red Dragon, released after The Silence of the Lambs, revisits the same story as Manhunter but with Anthony Hopkins reprising his role as Hannibal Lecter, bringing continuity and the familiar chilling presence that fans have come to expect. If you’re only going to watch one adaptation, Red Dragon is generally considered the better choice by most viewers, thanks to its tighter pacing, more modern storytelling similar to movies like Se7en and Zodiac, and direct continuity with The Silence of the Lambs.
Hannibal Rising (2007)
The fourth entry into the Hannibal film series, Hannibal Rising serves as the origin story of Hannibal Lecter. The movie traces his life from his traumatic childhood in Lithuania to all the key events that drove him to the life of a ruthless serial killer. Hannibal Rising is the darkest and most straightforward entry into the franchise. It doesn’t have the same mind games or psychological depth as The Silence of the Lambs orHannibal (TV series). Instead, it plays out more like a classic revenge-driven serial killer film like Zodiac. Hannibal Rising is best suited for fans of atmospheric horror films who appreciate dark and gritty origin stories. The film’s slower pacing makes it less accessible for fans expecting the same clever mind games and elegant storytelling synonymous with the rest of the mainstream films in the franchise.
Hannibal - TV series (2013)
While the TV series blends elements from various parts of Hannibal’s life, it primarily takes place between Red Dragon and Hannibal Rising. The show deep dives into Hannibal’s life before his capture, and explores the complex relationship between Hannibal Lecter and FBI profiler Will Graham. The series isn’t canon to the main films. With a completely new cast and a reimagining of Lecter’s life, it borrows elements from the main films while reinterpreting the story directly from the books, making it more of a side-quest for fans than essential viewing. Hannibal is far more atmospheric and sophisticated than the movies, drawing comparisons to prestige crime dramas like True Detective and Mindhunter. The show’s deliberate pacing and slow-burn experience allows for deep character development, which is great for fans who want a more nuanced understanding of the characters and psychological depth, but it also makes the show harder to watch for fans of classic crime procedural dramas like NCIS, Law & Order, or Criminal Minds, which are faster paced.
Clarice (2021)
Set only a year after the events of The Silence of the Lambs, this spin-off TV series focuses on the life of FBI agent Clarice Starling, as she deals with the aftermath from her interactions with Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Like Hannibal, Clarice isn’t canon to the main films either. The series doesn’t directly feature Hannibal, but it does provide an interesting perspective from Clarice’s point of view, and shows how far she’s come as a detective as she continues to take on more challenging cases.Clarice is less stylised and psychologically tense compared to Hannibal (TV series), focusing more on procedural crime-solving and character growth, and stemming out of Hannibal’s direct storyline, and using original material to expand on Clarice’s story, making it an easy watch even for newcomers that aren’t familiar with the previous films. Fans of procedural crime dramas like Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, and Mindhunter will find Clarice a compelling watch. Out of all the movies and TV series in the franchise, Clarice provides the most grounded and accessible entry into the Hannibal Lecter universe.
How To Watch Hannibal Movies and TV Shows In Chronological and Release Order
Now if you find this order too out of place, and prefer to go about films in a more standardised format, you could also watch them in their release or chronological order. If you’re already familiar with the Hannibal Lecter franchise, the chronological order can provide an interesting perspective on the entire story, letting you experience the events in a linear fashion similar to the way they unfold in his actual life. Here’s a chronological timeline of every Hannibal Lecter movie and TV series:
- Hannibal Rising (2007)
- Hannibal (TV Series, 2013-2015)
- Manhunter (1986) / Red Dragon (2002)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Clarice (TV Series, 2021)
- Hannibal (2001)
If you prefer watching the Hannibal Lecter movies and TV shows in order of release, here’s a sequence that you can follow:
- Manhunter (1986)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Hannibal (2001)
- Red Dragon (2002)
- Hannibal Rising (2007)
- Hannibal (TV Series, 2013-2015)
- Clarice (TV Series, 2021)
