Death Wish Movies: Release Order
The Death Wish franchise follows Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson), an architect who becomes a vigilante after criminals attack his family in 1970s New York. This complete chronological journey spans four decades and shows one of cinema's most dramatic tonal evolutions - beginning as a serious, controversial commentary on urban crime and vigilante justice, then gradually transforming into increasingly over-the-top action spectacle through the sequels.
The watch order concludes with the standalone 2018 remake starring Bruce Willis, which shares only the basic vigilante concept with no narrative connection to the original Bronson storyline.
There are 2 other watch orders available – see the links up above.
Linear Timeline: Release Order = Story Order
Death Wish
After his wife is murdered by street criminals, a pacifistic New York architect transforms into a vigilante, patrolling the city streets at night to fight crime.
Death Wish II
Paul Kersey returns as a vigilante seeking justice against a gang of criminals who attacked his family in Los Angeles.
Death Wish 3
Vigilante Paul Kersey returns to New York City where he's recruited by a corrupt police chief to take on a violent gang that's terrorizing the neighborhoods.
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
Paul Kersey wages a personal war against a local drug cartel after tragedy strikes close to home in this fourth installment of the vigilante action series.
Death Wish V: The Face of Death
Paul Kersey returns as a vigilante when his fiancée's business becomes the target of dangerous mobsters, forcing him back into his deadly crusade for justice.
Death Wish
A mild-mannered father becomes a vigilante after his family is devastated by a violent crime, taking justice into his own hands on the streets of Chicago.
Other Film Series
Christopher Nolan
Visionary British-American filmmaker renowned for his complex narratives, temporal experimentation, and spectacular practical filmmaking.
Dirty Harry
San Francisco Inspector Harry Callahan's uncompromising approach to justice across five iconic cop thrillers.
Michael Mann
A collection of standalone crime thrillers and character studies from the acclaimed director known for his distinctive visual style and procedural authenticity.
Pusher
A Danish crime trilogy exploring Copenhagen's criminal underworld through different protagonists, plus an unconnected English remake.
Quentin Tarantino
Influential American filmmaker known for nonlinear storytelling, stylized violence, pop culture references, and memorable dialogue across ten acclaimed directorial works.
The Joker
A collection of major live-action Joker portrayals across different Batman film universes.