The Purge - Watch Order: Essential Films
This curated watch list focuses on two films that best capture the essence of The Purge franchise's social commentary and survival horror elements. The Purge: Anarchy expands the concept beyond a single location to showcase the city-wide chaos and class divisions at the heart of the series.
The Purge: Election Year serves as the political and thematic culmination, exploring how the event intersects with American politics and power structures. Together, these two films provide the core experience of the franchise's horror entertainment and dystopian social critique.
The Purge: Anarchy
One night per year, the government sanctions a 12-hour period in which citizens can commit any crime they wish -- including murder -- without fear of punishment or imprisonment. Leo, a sergeant who lost his son, plans a vigilante mission of revenge during the mayhem. However, instead of a death-dealing avenger, he becomes the unexpected protector of four innocent strangers who desperately need his help if they are to survive the night.
The Purge: Election Year
Two years after choosing not to kill the man who killed his son, former police sergeant Leo Barnes has become head of security for Senator Charlene Roan, the front runner in the next Presidential election due to her vow to eliminate the Purge. On the night of what should be the final Purge, a betrayal from within the government forces Barnes and Roan out onto the street where they must fight to survive the night.
Other Film Series
Alien
Humanity's terrifying encounters with a perfect killing organism across centuries of space exploration.
Phantasm
A surreal horror franchise following young Mike Pearson and ice cream vendor Reggie in their ongoing battle against the interdimensional Tall Man and his deadly silver spheres.
Scanners
A sci-fi horror series about people with telepathic and telekinetic abilities, beginning with David Cronenberg's acclaimed 1981 film.
The Prophecy
A supernatural horror series exploring angelic warfare and humanity's role in the celestial conflict between good and evil.
Tremors
Kevin Bacon and Michael Gross battle subterranean Graboids in this cult monster franchise spanning three decades.
Underworld
A gothic action series following the centuries-old war between vampires and Lycans (werewolves), centered on vampire Death Dealer Selene.