Back in 2010, iconic horror filmmaker James Wan directed Insidious, a film that would soon grow into a supernatural horror franchise. Made in response to the iconic body horror of his hit movie, Saw, and written by Leigh Whannell, who would go on to direct the third installment of the series, the film and its ensuing storyline focused on the Lambert family. Audiences followed two parents (played by Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne) as they attempt to protect their son Dalton against paranormal forces that have invaded their lives. Along the way, they instill the help of paranormal investigator Elise Rainer (played by Lin Shaye), who would surprisingly become a recurring character throughout the course of the series.
Throughout the past decade, the Insidious series has titillated audiences with creepy spirits and plenty of excellent jump scares. Insidious movies deliver the perfect adrenaline rush and spooky shivers that we crave from a good horror movie. The Insidious films have gone down as classics in the paranormal horror sub-genre, becoming one of the best horror movie franchises of all time.
Updated July 14, 2023: If you're a fan of things that go bump in the night, then you'll be glad to know this article was recently updated by Amanda Minchin with new content.
Much like other horror franchises, knowing what order to watch the Insidiousseries can make or break the viewing experience. Unfortunately, watching the Insidious movies in chronological order isn't exactly a straightforward process. The series is known for its twists and turns back and forth in time, and its chronological order is no exception. As it turns out, the Insidious chronological order and the release order of Insidious movies are two very different beasts.
So, just how many Insidious movies are there? And is there a correct Insidious order to watch? Viewing the movies in chronological order makes the most sense if you want to follow the timeline narrative while watching them in release date order can bring the story to a close in a more shocking way.
The Insidious Movies in Order of Release
There are five films in the Insidious series order, ranging in release from 2011 to 2023, starting with Insidious and ending with Insidious: The Last Door. Those looking to watch this way should use the following breakdown.
Watching the franchise as it was meant for viewers to see it brings the events of each movie together, revealing a satisfying "aha!" moment that would not be replicated otherwise. While the directors and writers have switched hands over time, much of the original cast remained throughout the course of the films. Which is a good thing considering the story was told chronologically out of order.
The Insidious Movies in Chronological Order
While some sticklers may prefer to watch the Insidious films in order of release date, watching Insidious in order chronologically is arguably the best bet for viewers. Watching it in this way makes for a more cohesive narrative and a far more coherent timeline of events. Those looking to watch this way can use the following breakdown as a viewing guide.
So, why does this method make the most sense? Here is an overview of how the story plays out if you watch the series in this order.
Insidious: Chapter 3
To watch in story order, it's best to start with Insidious: Chapter 3. In it, we meet teenager Quinn Brenner, who believes that her mother is trying to contact her from beyond the grave. In an attempt to reach her, she contacts paranormal investigator Elise. When Quinn is attacked by an evil entity in an oxygen mask, named the 'man who can't breathe,' Elise ventures off into The Further, where she finds herself up against an evil demon hungrily searching for a soul. This movie first introduces Elise, who becomes an important and life-saving character for the rest of the series while feeding us some wonderful horror in the process.
Insidious: Chapter 3 is currently free to watch on Tubi.
Insidious: The Last Key
Insidious: The Last Key delves further into Elise's life and how she came to work as a paranormal investigator. It is the most recent entry in the franchise, and while it takes place after the events of Chapter 3, it is still a prequel to the first two movies. It also includes flashbacks to Elise's childhood.
In The Last Key, Elise receives a phone call from a man who claims that his house is haunted. What Elise thinks is a normal job, however, soon turns into something more sinister. She learns that the caller's address is her haunted childhood home. Now, she will need to confront her worst fears and return to the house to deal with the demon she accidentally released years earlier. We are introduced to the Lambert family for the first time alongside her journey into The Further. Elise unintentionally leaves the door between The Further and the Lambert's home open. Later that night, Elise has a dream about Dalton and soon after receives a phone call from the Lamberts. This sets up the events that unfold in the first Insidious installment.
Insidious: The Last Key is currently available to buy or rent on Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Vudu.
Insidious
Insidious is technically the first film in the series, the one where audiences were first introduced to the Lambert family, who Elise became aware of at the end of The Last Key. A demon is now terrorizing the Lambert's son, Dalton, after finding its way through the door between The Further and the real world. Dalton appears as if he is in a coma, but he is actually stuck in The Further, and is trying to find his way back home.
In a remarkable discovery, Elise remembers Josh Lambert (Dalton's father) from when she met him as a child. She informs Josh that he has the same astral projection powers as his son, but his memories were suppressed to protect him from a demon that terrorized him as a child. Josh enters The Further and drives the demon away, rescuing Dalton and reuniting the happy family... or, so it would seem. Soon after, Elise realizes that Josh has been possessed, leaving audiences on a cliffhanger as her newly deceased body is discovered in the Lambert home.
Chock full of fantastic jump scares, what's next for the Lambert family is perfectly set up for the second installment in the Insidious franchise. This iconic original can now be streamed on Max.
Insidious: Chapter 2
Insidious: Chapter 2 opens with Josh being investigated for the murder of Elise, completely unaware that he is at present possessed by a demon. With the help of Elise's team, they contact Elise's spirit. Josh finds himself once again traveling into The Further to rid himself of his possession and to put all the horror to rest for good. After the family is reunited, Josh and Dalton decide that it's best to suppress their memories of the tragedy so that they can live in peace. The audience is also treated to flashbacks from 1986, where Elise suppresses young Josh's memory of his psychic abilities, abilities that just might come in handy for this film.
Technically, Chapter 2 is the perfect ending to the Insidious series and brings the story to a close. However, it also leaves the door open for Insidious: The Red Door. Insidious: Chapter 2 is now available to stream on Max.
Insidious: The Red Door
Insidious: The Red Door is the most recent entry in the franchise, over ten years after the release of the second film (The title was changed from Insidious: Fear the Dark at the beginning of 2023 to better highlight the use of the red door throughout the course of the series). Directed by lead actor Patrick Wilson, it fittingly takes place ten years after the events of the previous, with the third and fourth films acting as prequels to the first two. The film opens with Wilson's character divorced from his wife and mourning the recent loss of his mother. Adding to the transition is his son, Dalton, who is going off to college. Repressed memories of their shared trauma prove hard to suppress, however, leading to a whole onslaught of entities, both new and old. Only by facing the past can they overcome their issues in the present.
This last in the series is meant to tie up the Lambert family storyline. The ending of Insidious: The Red Door perfectly wraps up the Lambert's experience while still leaving room for ongoing material. Insidious: The Red Door is currently playing in theaters.
What's Next For The Insidious Series?
To this day, the Insidious movies remain some of the scariest movies ever made. And while the Lambert's story might have wrapped up, the Insidious universe is wrought with story fodder. While the Lambert's might be done (for now), there have been talks of a new film in the same universe. The story, titled Thread: An Insidious Tale, will feature Eternals actor Kumail Nanjiani and This Is Us star Mandy Moore, as well as Moon Knight writer Jeremy Slater in his directorial debut. Inspired by The Conjuring films (which also have Wan attached), the story will focus even more on the mysterious Further.
The title alone hints at its adjacent nature to the ongoing series. Where it will fall in the Insidious movie order, however, is still yet to be seen.
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