TheParanormal Activityfranchise is one of the most popular horror series of all time. The first movie was released in 2007 as a found-footage film and introduced audiences to the terror of demonic possession. While the first installment was wildly successful, some sequels were even more popular among viewers. Throughout the 2010s, the franchise was referred to as one of the scariest horror series of the decade, and helped turn the production company Blumhouse into the massive and respected name it is today.
TheParanormal Activityseries is not just a collection ofhorrormovies but also a study of how sequels are made and received by audiences. Many horror franchises rely on jump scares and gore in their sequels to scare audiences, but theParanormal Activityseries is unique because it relies on atmospheric tension to create suspense. The 2007 film was shot in just one week on a small camera to mimic the look of a home video. This allowed the movie to feel like it was actually documenting supernatural events as they were occurring.
This found-footage style would be used in the sequels, with each one expanding on the characters' story and their struggle against demonic possession. While some fans griped about certain sequels not living up to the original film, theParanormal Activityseries is still an incredibly successful franchise; there was even a Japanese remake of the original (in an interesting reversal of America’s frequent remakes ofthe scariest movies from Japan), though that film is not considered canon and contradicts the events of the official franchise.
Let’s take a look at this series chronologically to better understand theParanormal Activityfilms and help prepare for your next binge session.
Paranormal Activity Movies in Chronological Order
Paranormal Activity 3
Paranormal Activity 2
Paranormal Activity
Paranormal Activity 4
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin
By Order of Release
WhileParanormal Activity 3is the third movie released in the series, it is the first entry when looking at the films in chronological order. Released in 2011, the events are set nearly 18 years before those inParanormal ActivityandParanormal Activity 2. In this installment, sisters Katie (Katie Featherston/Chloe Csengery) and Kristi (Sprague Grayden/Jessica Tyler Brown) are young girls facing the demon Tobi in their home for the first time. Hidden cameras were placed in the house by the girls’ father, Dennis (Christopher Nicholas Smith), who caught the first proof of the terror that would plague this family for decades.
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Directed byHenry JoostandAriel Schulman, this chapter of the demonic series broke records at the box office on its release weekend. If you want to watch the films in chronological order, the third chapter provides context and background for the first two installments.
First released in 2010,Paranormal Activity 2is the second film in the franchise in terms of release date and chronological order. This movie is technically a prequel, as it largely takes place two months before the events of (and partly just after) the first-releasedParanormal Activity. InParanormal Activity 2, we learn more about the demon that has taken hold of Katie (Katie Featherston) and the history behind this attachment. While the first movie focused on the terror in their home, this movie expands on the backstory of the demon and how it has been tormenting this family for years.
This installment is directed by Tod Williams and, as the first movie, was a box office success.Paranormal Activity 2is a key film in the series as it expands on the mythology of the demon and sets up the events of the third prequel installment.
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Paranormal Activityis the first movie of the series to be released, back in 2007, and follows a couple, Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat), who are having strange experiences inside their home. With its unique style and low-budget framework,Paranormal Activityis one of thebest found footage movies, reigniting a filmmaking style that had grown dull afterTheBlair Witch Project. The film follows the couple as they try to document and understand the strange goings-on in their home; as the story progresses, it’s clear that Katie has a deeper connection to these occurrences. Though this was released before any other in the series, it sits third in chronological order of the story.
This movie was a massive success both critically and commercially, making over $193 million on a budget of just $15,000. TheParanormal Activityfranchise was born with this movie and the numerous sequels and prequels it spawned, as was a renewed interest in found-footage horror and the commercial appeal of the genre no matter the budget.
Released in 2012,Paranormal Activity 4is set five years after the events of the third movie. This installment follows the teenage Alex (Kathryn Newton) and her family as they navigate strange occurrences after the arrival of new neighbors. With strange things continually happening in the house after gaining guardianship of a young boy, Alex begins to film the events in an attempt to understand what is happening.
Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman once again, this movie is a crucial link in the series as it bridges the gap between films.Paranormal Activity 4made over $142 million on a budget of $5 million, proving that the horror franchise could stick to a relatively modest budget and still be a massive hit.
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Oneswas released in 2014 and is the fifth movie in chronological order of the story. This entry is a spin-off of the main series and follows Jesse (Andrew Jacobs), a teenager living in California who starts experiencing strange behavior after a neighbor is murdered. Jesse and his friends begin to film the events in order to document and understand what is happening to him.
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This installment was directed by Christopher B. Landon, and while it was a commercial success, it received more mixed reviews from critics than most of the films in the franchise. Nonetheless,The Marked Onesis important in the series, as it introduces new characters and expands on the world ofParanormal Activity.
In chronological order,Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimensionwas the sixth film, and was released in 2015. This installment provides incredible background and elaboration on the demon, Tobi, that has been tormenting the families in the series. Set shortly after the events ofParanormal Activity: The Marked Ones, this movie follows Ryan (Chris J. Murray), his girlfriend Emily (Brit Shaw), and their daughter Leila (Ivy George) as they move into a new house and begin experiencing strange activity.
Directed by Gregory Plotkin,Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimensionmade over $104 million on a budget of $10 million. As a kind of intended finale to the development of theParanormal Activityuniverse as we knew it, this movie provides an important end to the series and ties up several loose ends in the plot.
The most recent installment in theParanormal Activityseries,Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, was released in 2021 and is technically the seventh movie in chronological order, but is ultimately a reboot of sorts of this universe and could stand alone on its own. This film follows a group of friends making a documentary about the Amish lifestyle. After learning about a dark secret the Amish residents are hiding, they begin to film the supernatural activity happening in the community.
Directed by William Eubank, this movie is an excellent bridge between the current story and the possibility of sequels. With the success of prior films and this installment, fans may see more movies in theParanormal Activityseries, which now has the potential to branch out into interesting directions.
