The Ring Movies: Release Order
The Ring franchise, based on Koji Suzuki's 1991 novel about a cursed videotape that kills viewers seven days after watching it, spans multiple countries and timelines, making it an excessively complex series. The Japanese original Ring (1998) revolutionized J-horror and inspired remakes worldwide, including the highly successful American adaptation in 2002. This release order list contains all theatrical feature films from Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
The franchise is notably complicated due to competing sequels and reboots. After the original Ring and its same-day sequel Rasen (aka The Spiral) both released in 1998, poor reception to Rasen led to Ring 2 (1999) replacing it as the "true" sequel, creating two separate Japanese timelines. The American series also split when Rings (2017) ignored The Ring Two to create an alternate continuation.
Standalone entries include a Korean remake called The Ring Virus (1999), the non-canon crossover Sadako vs. Kayako (2016), and the comedy-focused Sadako DX (2022).
There are 4 other watch orders available - see the links up above.
Ring
A journalist investigates a cursed videotape that kills anyone who watches it within seven days, putting her own life at risk when she views the mysterious footage.
The Spiral
A young pathologist investigates his friend's mysterious death and encounters a cursed videotape haunted by the vengeful spirit Sadako.
Ring 2
Mai Takano investigates a cursed videotape that kills viewers exactly one week after watching it, while trying to protect her boyfriend's son who is developing dangerous psychic abilities.
The Ring Virus
A reporter investigating a series of mysterious deaths discovers a cursed videotape at a resort that threatens anyone who watches it. With the crucial ending erased, she must find a way to break the deadly curse before time runs out.
Ring 0
A prequel exploring the tragic backstory of Sadako, revealing the events that transformed her into the vengeful spirit from the cursed videotape thirty years before the original Ring story.
The Ring
A journalist investigates an urban legend about a cursed videotape that kills anyone who watches it within seven days. After viewing the tape herself, she has one week to solve the mystery and save her own life.
The Ring Two
Rachel and her son Aiden relocate to a rural town hoping to escape their traumatic encounter with Samara, but when similar supernatural deaths begin occurring, Rachel must delve deeper into Samara's dark history to protect her child.
Sadako 3D
A high school teacher becomes entangled in a deadly internet phenomenon when cursed footage drives viewers to suicide. She must confront the vengeful spirit Sadako and the man behind the digital curse to save herself and her boyfriend.
Sadako 3D 2
Five years after the previous film, a cursed video returns to terrorize a new generation when a woman must care for her deceased sister-in-law's daughter, uncovering dark secrets about Sadako's legacy.
Sadako vs. Kayako
A young woman becomes caught between two infamous vengeful spirits, Sadako and Kayako, after watching a cursed videotape in a haunted house. This supernatural horror film pits two of Japan's most terrifying ghosts against each other in a deadly confrontation.
Rings
Julia discovers her boyfriend has watched a cursed videotape that kills viewers after seven days, leading her to uncover a terrifying new layer to the deadly urban legend when she tries to save him.
Sadako
A psychologist investigates the mysterious case of a little girl believed to be the reincarnation of Sadako while searching for her missing brother.
Sadako DX
A brilliant graduate student with an IQ of 200 investigates a series of mysterious deaths linked to a cursed video, becoming personally involved when her own sister watches the deadly footage.
Other Film Series
Benson-Moorhead Universe
An interconnected indie sci-fi/horror universe from filmmaking duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.
Chernobyl
Feature films exploring the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster and its lasting impact on the exclusion zone.
Cults
Films exploring the manipulation, devotion, and darkness of religious and psychological cults.
David Lynch
Visionary surrealist filmmaker known for his exploration of dream logic, suburban darkness, and the mysteries lurking beneath everyday American life.
Unbreakable
M. Night Shyamalan's grounded superhero trilogy following ordinary people who discover extraordinary abilities, culminating in an unexpected crossover.
Voodoo
A curated collection of films exploring voodoo, hoodoo, and vodou practices through horror, thriller, and supernatural storytelling.