Death Race - Watch Order: Release Order

1975 - 20186 Films9h 53m3 Average

The Death Race franchise presents two completely different takes on the concept of deadly vehicular racing. Roger Corman's original films from 1975 and 2017 offer satirical, campy commentary on media violence and dystopian society, while the modern reboot series starting in 2008 delivers grittier prison-based action focusing on the mythology of the masked driver Frankenstein.

This release order watch list includes both timelines, jumping between the absurdist tone of the Corman films and the high-octane action of the modern reboot series. You should expect tonal whiplash but will experience the full evolution of this cult franchise.

1
Death Race 2000 poster

Death Race 2000

19751h 20m3.3
Director: Paul Bartel
Cast: David Carradine, Simone Griffeth, Sylvester Stallone, Mary Woronov, Roberta Collins

In a boorish future, the government sponsors a popular, but bloody, cross-country race in which points are scored by mowing down pedestrians. Five teams, each comprised of a male and female, compete using cars equipped with deadly weapons. Frankenstein, the mysterious returning champion, has become America's hero, but this time he has a passenger from the underground resistance.

ActionScience FictionComedy
2
Death Race poster

Death Race

20081h 45m3.4
Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
Cast: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian McShane, Tyrese Gibson, Natalie Martinez

Terminal Island, New York: 2020. Overcrowding in the US penal system has reached a breaking point. Prisons have been turned over to a monolithic Weyland Corporation, which sees jails full of thugs as an opportunity for televised sport. Adrenalized inmates, a global audience hungry for violence and a spectacular, enclosed arena come together to form the 'Death Race', the biggest, most brutal event.

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3
Death Race 2 poster

Death Race 2

20101h 40m3.1
Director: Roel Reiné
Cast: Luke Goss, Lauren Cohan, Sean Bean, Danny Trejo, Ving Rhames

In the world's most dangerous prison, a new game is born: Death Race. The rules of this adrenaline-fueled blood sport are simple, drive or die. When repentant convict Carl Lucas discovers there's a price on his head, his only hope is to survive a twisted race against an army of hardened criminals and tricked-out cars.

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4
Death Race: Inferno poster

Death Race: Inferno

20131h 44m3.1
Director: Roel Reiné
Cast: Luke Goss, Ving Rhames, Danny Trejo, Tanit Phoenix, Dougray Scott

Carl Lucas / Frankenstein has won four of his races and needs to win one more to win his freedom. Before his final race, Lucas and his team, car and all, are transferred to another prison where they will compete in a Death Race in the desert. Also, at the same time, Ceaser runs into a marketer who wants to franchise the Death Race program.

ActionScience FictionThriller
5
Death Race 2050 poster

Death Race 2050

20171h 33m1.9
Director: G.J. Echternkamp
Cast: Manu Bennett, Malcolm McDowell, Marci Miller, Burt Grinstead, Folake Olowofoyeku

The year 2050 the planet has become overpopulated, to help control population the government develops a race. The Death Race. Annually competitors race across the country scoring points for killing people with their vehicles.

ActionComedyScience Fiction
6
Death Race: Beyond Anarchy poster

Death Race: Beyond Anarchy

20181h 51m3.4
Director: Don Michael Paul
Cast: Danny Trejo, Zach McGowan, Danny Glover, Frederick Koehler, Christine Marzano

Black Ops specialist Connor Gibson infiltrates a maximum security prison to take down legendary driver Frankenstein in a violent and brutal car race.

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