Death Wish - Watch Order: 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.
Linear Timeline: Release Order = Story Order
Death Wish
After his wife is murdered by street punks, a pacifistic New York City architect becomes a one-man vigilante squad, prowling the streets for would-be muggers after dark.
Death Wish 3
Architect/vigilante Paul Kersey arrives back in New York City and is forcibly recruited by a crooked police chief to fight street crime caused by a large gang terrorizing the neighborhoods.
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