Hannibal Lecter Movies: Release Order
The Hannibal Lecter franchise spans multiple adaptations from Thomas Harris's acclaimed novels, featuring different interpretations and timelines of the iconic cannibalistic psychiatrist. This watch order presents the complete film series as it evolved, showcasing the various approaches to adapting Harris's complex character.
Starting with Manhunter, Michael Mann's stylized 1986 adaptation featuring Brian Cox as the first screen Lecter, the series then moves through the celebrated Anthony Hopkins trilogy and concludes with the origin story Hannibal Rising. Note that Manhunter exists as a standalone alternate adaptation of the same source material later remade as Red Dragon, while a brief television series also exists in a separate continuity.
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Manhunter
A retired FBI profiler must reluctantly return to duty and consult with the imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter to catch a new murderer terrorizing families.
The Silence of the Lambs
FBI trainee Clarice Starling must interview the brilliant but dangerous cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter to gain insights that could help catch another serial killer.
Hannibal
Years after his escape, the notorious Hannibal Lecter lives quietly in Italy until his cover is blown, forcing him to return to America where he reconnects with FBI agent Clarice Starling. Both fugitive and agent find themselves pursued by dangerous enemies in this psychological thriller sequel.
Red Dragon
Former FBI Agent Will Graham reluctantly seeks help from imprisoned cannibal Hannibal Lecter to catch a new serial killer terrorizing families.
Hannibal Rising
This prequel explores the dark origins of cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter, tracing his transformation from a traumatized Lithuanian child who witnesses wartime horrors to a calculating predator during his medical studies in France.
Other Film Series
Bryan Edgar Wallace
A series of German crime thrillers produced by CCC Filmkunst in the 1960s-70s, marketed under the name of Edgar Wallace's son Bryan, featuring standalone mysteries with gothic atmosphere and masked killers.
Edgar Wallace
German crime thriller series from 1959-1972 that created a distinctive subgenre of atmospheric gothic mysteries, featuring recurring cast and iconic villains.
Grindhouse
An exploitation cinema tribute that began as a 2007 double feature and spawned multiple spin-off films from its fake trailers.
Saw
A horror franchise centered on the elaborate death traps and moral philosophy of serial killer John Kramer, known as Jigsaw.
Scream
A meta-horror franchise following Sidney Prescott and others as they face various Ghostface killers, known for its self-aware commentary on slasher film tropes.
Sherlock Holmes
Feature films based on Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary detective, spanning multiple eras, actors, and interpretations across nearly a century of cinema.