Millennium - Watch Order: Release Order
The Millennium series adapts Stieg Larsson's internationally bestselling novels about investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist and enigmatic hacker Lisbeth Salander as they uncover dark conspiracies in Swedish society. The franchise spans two distinct adaptation approaches: a cohesive Swedish trilogy and separate Hollywood productions with different casts and interpretations.
This watch order presents all theatrical adaptations in release sequence, beginning with the original Swedish films that directly adapt the first three novels, followed by Hollywood's English-language reboot of the first story, and concluding with a 2018 soft reboot that features an entirely new cast and adapts later source material. Each adaptation brings its own visual style and interpretation to Larsson's dark thriller world.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Swedish thriller based on Stieg Larsson's novel about a male journalist and a young female hacker. In the opening of the movie, Mikael Blomkvist, a middle-aged publisher for the magazine Millennium, loses a libel case brought by corrupt Swedish industrialist Hans-Erik Wennerström. Nevertheless, he is hired by Henrik Vanger in order to solve a cold case, the disappearance of Vanger's niece

The Girl Who Played with Fire
Mikael Blomkvist, publisher of Millennium magazine, has made his living exposing the crooked and corrupt practices of establishment Swedish figures. So when a young journalist approaches him with a meticulously researched thesis about sex trafficking in Sweden and those in high office who abuse underage girls, Blomkvist immediately throws himself into the investigation.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
After taking a bullet to the head, Salander is under close supervision in a hospital and is set to face trial for attempted murder on her eventual release. With the help of journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his researchers at Millennium magazine, Salander must prove her innocence. In doing this she plays against powerful enemies and her own past.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist investigates the disappearance of a weary patriarch's niece from 40 years ago. He is aided by the pierced, tattooed, punk computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander. As they work together in the investigation, Blomkvist and Salander uncover immense corruption beyond anything they have ever imagined.

The Girl in the Spider's Web
After being enlisted to recover a dangerous computer program, hacker Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist find themselves caught in a web of spies, cybercriminals and corrupt government officials.
Other Film Series
Alex Cross
Film adaptations of James Patterson's detective novels featuring forensic psychologist Alex Cross, spanning two connected films and a standalone reboot.
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.
Dr. Mabuse
A decades-spanning German crime thriller series following the criminal mastermind Dr. Mabuse through various incarnations, from Fritz Lang's original trilogy to 1960s sequels and later spiritual successors.
Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective has been adapted across multiple eras, from early talkies to modern star-studded ensembles.
Philip Marlowe
Film adaptations spanning eight decades featuring Raymond Chandler's iconic private detective Philip Marlowe, with different actors and interpretations across multiple eras.
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.