Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies: Release Order
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise is notorious for its complex web of sequels, reboots, and competing timelines that have accumulated over nearly five decades. Starting with Tobe Hooper's groundbreaking 1974 horror classic, the series has spawned multiple continuities, remakes, and legacy sequels that often ignore previous entries.
This release order presents all nine films sorted by their theatrical debuts, showing the full evolution of the franchise from its gritty independent origins through various studio interpretations. You'll experience everything from direct sequels and soft reboots to complete reimaginings, each bringing different approaches to the Leatherface mythology and the cannibalistic Sawyer family.
Up top you'll find the films organized into various timelines. Note that both the third and the fourth film can be seen as sequels to the 1974 original, but continuity is so loose that we consider them soft reboots and have decided not to list them as separate timelines.
There are 4 other watch orders available – see the links up above.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Five friends traveling through rural Texas stumble upon a seemingly abandoned house where they encounter a family of deranged cannibals, including the iconic chainsaw-wielding Leatherface.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
A radio DJ becomes the target of the murderous cannibal family from the original massacre, while a vengeful former Texas marshal pursues them for justice.
Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III
Two college students on a cross-country road trip are lured onto a deserted Texas highway where they encounter the cannibalistic Leatherface and his demented family. Their only hope for survival lies with a well-armed survivalist who might be able to help them escape the bloodthirsty clan.
The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre
A group of teenagers crash their car after leaving prom and seek help from locals, only to encounter the deranged Slaughter family and their chainsaw-wielding member Leatherface.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
A group of friends on a road trip encounter violent bikers and a corrupt lawman, leading them to the infamous Hewitt family homestead where the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface is honing his deadly skills. This prequel explores the origins of the iconic horror villain in brutal detail.
Texas Chainsaw 3D
A young woman inherits a Victorian mansion in Texas from her grandmother, but discovers a terrifying secret lurking in the property's cellars. This horror sequel continues the legacy of the infamous chainsaw-wielding killer.
Leatherface
A young nurse is kidnapped by violent teens who escape from a mental hospital, leading to a deadly road trip pursued by a vengeful lawman. This prequel explores the dark origins of how one of the teens becomes the iconic killer Leatherface.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
After nearly 50 years in hiding, the notorious Leatherface emerges to terrorize a group of young influencers who disturb his secluded existence in a remote Texas town.
Other Film Series
Child's Play
A horror franchise following the murderous adventures of Chucky, a killer doll possessed by the soul of serial killer Charles Lee Ray.
Evil Dead
A horror franchise following the battle against ancient evil forces unleashed by the Necronomicon, spanning from Sam Raimi's original trilogy to modern entries.
Frankenstein
Classic horror films based on Mary Shelley's novel, spanning from Universal's iconic 1930s series to Hammer's gothic interpretations and modern reimaginings.
Open Water
An anthology of standalone survival horror films about people stranded at sea, with no narrative connections between installments.
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.
The Howling
A werewolf horror franchise that begins with Joe Dante's cult classic but quickly devolves into a collection of largely standalone sequels with minimal continuity.