From the moment Pitch Black lit up screens in 2000, the Riddick franchise captured our imagination, pairing gritty sci‑fi with Vin Diesel's unforgettable antihero. Over the next decade, the series evolved spectacularly, moving from claustrophobic terror to epic space opera in The Chronicles of Riddick, then returning to raw, survivalist roots with Riddick.
Its loyal fanbase kept the fire burning, even through studio dips and creative reinventions. There's a steadfast devotion to this universe, and it's only grown stronger as Diesel and director David Twohy prepare to bring the franchise back to the big screen. But before that happens, here's how to watch all the Riddick movies in order on platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Prime Video.
Pitch Black (2000)
Weirdly tense and beautifully bleak, Pitch Black introduces Richard B. Riddick (Diesel), a notorious criminal with surgically altered eyesight, being transported on a prison ship. When meteorite debris crashes the vessel onto a barren planet, those on board must rely on Riddick's murderous instincts and his ability to see in the dark to survive. It's lean, mean planetary horror that earns its chills.
The stripped down setting cranks tension to 11, and Riddick is an outsider you root for even when he's stabbing your sympathies. Pitch Black is perfect for people who get a kick out of atmosphere over explosions (think Alien (1979) vibes, but with more attitude). This movie set the mood for everything that follows, and honestly, nothing beats that first descent into darkness.
The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (2004)
The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury is a 35‑minute anime‑influenced short that bridges the gap between the first and second live-action feature films. The story shows Riddick rescuing survivors, surviving a zero-gravity melee in the hangar, and choosing exile over submission. Visually, it's a thrilling blend of classic and CGI animation. The luminescent threats and visceral fight sequences pay homage to the franchise's dark aesthetic.
Despite its minimalist runtime, Dark Fury gives fans exactly what they crave, a deeper dive into Riddick's brutal moral code and survival edge. Although the critical response was mixed, viewers appreciated the animated short, which is essentially a compact dose of Riddick's violence, wit, and survival skills. If you're secretly into anime's more violent cousins (think 2003’s Animatrix energy), this is the weird, turbocharged appetizer you didn't know you needed.
The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
Five years after escaping Pitch Black's horrors, Riddick remains hunted, his fugitive status escalating. When bounty hunters led by Toombs betray him, he escapes to Helion Prime, reunites with Imam, and learns of the encroaching Necromonger crusade, a species-spanning cult bent on converting or annihilating humanity. Despite its ambition and Diesel's popularity, critics weren't thrilled with The Chronicles of Riddick, calling it narratively muddled.
Yet, it remains a cult darling, with fans loving its cosmic scale and the entire space adventure. If you want mythology with your action, and prophecy battles with your Vin Diesel one-liners, this is your galactic playground. Compared to the tight terror of Pitch Black, this feels like trading a cozy horror novel for a sprawling sci-fi epic.
Riddick (2013)
Returning to the franchise's roots, Riddick strands its antihero on a strange planet. Betrayed by the Necromongers, he's left for dead until bounty hunters arrive, drawn by the colossal reward for his capture. This entry feels more Pitch Black than Chronicles, thanks to its grounded story and claustrophobic vibe. Diesel's performance is at peak Riddick, with brutal efficiency and a twisted moral code.
Critics generally welcomed the film as a return to form for the franchise. Packed with star power and a dark core, it's a rebound that reminds fans why they fell for Riddick in the first place. If you've been rolling your eyes at too-much fluff, Riddick is here to steal you back with snarls and sand monsters. It's comfort food for fans who missed the gritty roots of the original, with just enough polish to remind you why Riddick works best when he's scraping to stay alive.
Riddick: Furya (TBA)
Picking up where Riddick left off, the fourth chapter in the franchise will see Richard B. Riddick finally return to his homeworld of Furya, which he barely remembers. Once ravaged by the Necromongers, Furya was thought to be a dead rock, but Riddick discovers a world teeming with survivors hardened by war and generational trauma. But the planet is far from safe as a new threat prepares to emerge.
Although Riddick: Furya has no official release date at this time, it is rumored to hit screens sometime in 2027. It could be the emotional payoff this saga has been hinting at like X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) but with deeper scars, survival, and a homecoming that's as muddy as it is mythic.
