How (and Where) to Watch All the Saw Movies In Order
James Wan and Leigh Whannell are two of the most well-known and successful names in the world of horror, with massive franchises like Insidious, and The Conjuring under their belts. But they started very humbly, with a low-budget film that would go on to revolutionize the genre and spawn one of the most enduring horror franchises of all time: Saw.
The filmmaking duo James Wan and Leigh Whannell met back in college, where they conceived the initial idea for a story about two people chained in a dingy bathroom, forced to play a series of twisted games that test their survival instincts. After years of pitching their concept without success, the duo created a short film that gained attention, leading them to take a leap of faith and move from Australia to Los Angeles in search of bigger opportunities. Backed by Evolution Entertainment, they released their first feature-length film, Saw, in 2004. The movie became an unexpected box office success, marking the beginning of a billion-dollar multimedia franchise that includes comics, multiple sequels, video games, and even a theme park ride— with an eleventh film on the way. The Saw saga not only captivated audiences but also paved the way for the rise of the "torture horror" sub-genre, influencing many films that followed.
The first Saw movie introduced us to the infamous Jigsaw killer, John Kramer, who traps his victims and gives them a chance to escape and start over by forcing them into a series of survival tests, rather than killing them outright. However, as the films progress, it can feel like you're caught in one of Kramer’s twisted games, trying to piece together the timeline jumps, plot twists, and all of John Kramer’s disciples. But don’t worry, we’re here with a cheat sheet to help you navigate the madness.
Here’s a breakdown of all the Saw movies in both release and chronological order to make sense of it all. (We recommend watching the films in release order if this is your first time around, as it's more straightforward and easier to follow.)
How to watch all the Saw movies in chronological order
Beware: This section of the article is only for people already familiar with the Saw franchise and looking to watch the films in chronological order to make sense of the bizarre events that unfold in the later movies through flashbacks. It contains heavy spoilers to the plot of the Saw series.
If you want to follow John Kramer’s life from the very beginning, start by watching Jigsaw. Even though this film is technically the eighth in the franchise, it serves as a prequel, offering insight into some of John Kramer’s early victims and games. The film includes several pivotal flashbacks that explain more about Kramer’s twisted philosophy and his motivations for starting his deadly series of tests.
Next, move on to the original Saw (2004), which introduces Kramer’s core motivation: trapping victims in deadly games that force them to make life-altering choices. It also establishes key elements of the franchise, including the infamous puppet, Billy, and Jigsaw’s signature traps. After Saw, continue with Saw X (2023), which takes place shortly after the events of the first film. In Saw X, we see Kramer attempting to solidify his legacy while battling terminal cancer.
From here, follow the release order of the films, from Saw II through Saw 3D (also known as Saw VII). This sequence delves deeper into Jigsaw’s accomplices, explores increasingly elaborate traps, and shows how Kramer’s deadly legacy continues through his devoted followers, even after his death. The seventh film, Saw 3D, was originally intended to be the final chapter, offering a climax to the storylines developed throughout the series.
Finally, finish with Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021). Set after the events of the original Saw films, Spiral introduces Detective Zeke Banks as he investigates a new series of murders inspired by Jigsaw’s methods.
Read on to learn more about the Saw franchise and to find out where the movies are all streaming online in India.
