If you've got a soft spot for supernatural horror, chances are you're familiar with the bone-chilling Insidious movie series. With Insidious: The Red Doorin theaters (get your tickets now on Fandango), we're plunging into the eerie world of Insidious to get you up to speed.
Need to catch up on the series, or wondering where to start? Buckle up as we embark on a chilling journey.
There are currently five hauntingly spectacular Insidious films to delve into right now, with a sixth on the way: Insidious, Insidious: Chapter 2, Insidious: Chapter 3,Insidious: The Last Keyand the new Insidious: The Red Door.What order should you watch them in? We have two suggestions.
Insidious Movies in Order of Release Date
Here is a list of the Insidious films in the order of their release date:
1. Insidious (2010): The first in the series, this film sets the eerie tone of the franchise and introduces us to the Lambert family.
2. Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013): Released three years after the first movie, it offers a deeper exploration into the supernatural realm first introduced in the original film.
3. Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015): This prequel takes us back before the haunting of the Lambert family, revealing more about the ghostly entities.
4. Insidious: The Last Key (2018): This film delves into the backstory of psychic Elise Rainier, expanding our understanding of the series' ghostly universe.
5. Insidious: The Red Door (2023): A gripping new chapter in the Insidious saga, "The Red Door" takes audiences deeper into the spine-chilling ghostly universe.
Remember, this is the order of their release date, and not the chronological order of the storyline. Here's how to watch the story unfold.
Insidious Movies in Chronological Order
Ready for a twist? Watching these movies in their release order makes for an undeniably thrilling experience, but watching the movies in the order they take place in the Insidious universe offers a different perspective.This viewing method can enhance your understanding of the storyline, unraveling the complexities of the supernatural realm in an unexpected manner.
Prepare yourself as we embark on this never-before-seen timeline of the Insidious universe, a pathway that might even make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up a little more. Spoilers ahead!
1. Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)
Insidious: Chapter 3is a pulse-pounding prequel to the first film in the series, directed by the immensely talented series creatorLeigh Whannell. In this riveting installment, gifted but reluctant psychicElise Rainier(Lin Shaye)is called upon to use her unique abilities to assist a troubled teenage girl (Stefanie Scott) who finds herself the target of a malevolent supernatural evil entity.
The intense plot is further enriched by the standout performances of Dermot Mulroney,Angus Sampsonand Whannell himself, who brilliantly round out the cast. This film allows us to venture back to a time before the haunting of the Lambert family, weaving an intricate tapestry of the chilling events that build up to the terrifying ordeals of the subsequent films.
2. Insidious: The Last Key (2018)
Insidious: The Last Key marks an eerie return to the haunted childhood home of Dr. Elise Rainier, the gifted parapsychologist who forms the heartbeat of the Insidious series. This gripping film delves deep into Elise's past, shedding light on her initial encounters with the ethereal realm and the beginnings of her incredible psychic abilities. As revisiting her past triggers a flood of suppressed memories and invites a chilling encounter with a dangerous spirit known as the Key Demon, Elise finds herself plunged into a harrowing struggle between good and evil.
This chapter of the series serves as a vital piece of the puzzle, letting audiences witness Elise rediscovering her gift and using it to confront the demons that have long tormented her. As Elise delves deeper into the shadowy world of the supernatural, Insidious: The Last Key crafts a narrative around Elise's story that’s sure to send shivers down your spine.
3. Insidious (2011)
Insidious is the groundbreaking movie that started it all. The film follows the Lambert family as they navigate the nightmarish reality of their eldest son, Dalton (Ty Simpkins), becoming trapped in a terrifying limbo between the living and the dead. As the family moves into their new home, they soon discover that the house holds more than just their belongings: it's a gateway to a realm far beyond our own.
This 2011 release, directed by acclaimed horror maestro James Wan, introduces us to a chilling tone that reverberates through the entire Insidious series. Drawing inspiration from seminal horror films like Poltergeist, Insidious crafts a narrative fraught with tension suspense, and otherworldly terror that leaves audiences on the edge of their seats.
The ordeal of the Lambert family in this terrifying journey into the unknown hints at the depths of the supernatural horror that the Insidious movies have come to represent.
4. Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
Insidious: Chapter 2 picks up right where the original left off, delving deeper into the nightmare that has engulfed the Lambert family. In this nerve-wracking sequel, Josh Lambert(Patrick Wilson) is revealed to be under the control of a malevolent force, a shocking twist that adds a new layer of terror to the unfolding plot. As Josh's wife Renai (Rose Byrne) struggles to grapple with this horrifying reality, she finds herself thrust into a fight to save her family from the clutches of the supernatural.
Central to this story is the enigmatic psychic Elise Rainier, who, despite making the ultimate sacrifice in the previous film, continues to influence events from beyond the grave. With the help of her trusted companions Specs and Tucker (Whannell and Sampson), Elise guides Lorraine Lambert - Josh's mother, portrayed by Barbara Hershey - on a haunting journey into the past, uncovering startling secrets that hold the last key to freeing Josh from his possession.
This sequel is an integral part of the Insidious series, further exploring the first film's unique blend of supernatural horror and family drama. While the threat against the Lambert family grows exponentially, their determination to confront and defeat these evil forces only strengthens. Insidious: Chapter 2 skillfully intertwines suspense, terror and emotion, delivering a horror experience that is as heartrending as it is hair-raising.
5. Insidious: The Red Door (2023)
Insidious: The Red Door is the fifth installment in the chilling Insidious franchise, sees Patrick Wilson both returning to play Josh Lambert and making his directorial debut. Several beloved characters also return to delve deeper into the lore of the Insidious universe. Releasedon July 7th, 2023, this film adds another layer of horror and suspense to the series' already rich tapestry.
The film's title hints at a return to the iconic Red Door - a terrifying symbol central to the franchise's lore. This installment unravels more secrets of the supernatural world that has been terrifying the Lambert family - and audiences - for over than a decade. With Wilson's intimate familiarity with the series and his passion for storytelling, we're looking forward to a gripping new chapter in the Insidious anthology that will keep us on the edge of our seats.
TBD: Thread: An Insidious Tale (2024)
Franchise spin-offThread: An Insidious Tale, expected in 2024, promises to carve a fresh storyline while staying true to the lore of the Insidious series.
Detailed plot information remains under wraps, but here's what we know now: Thread chronicles the harrowing journey of a young married couple who, in a desperate bid to prevent their daughter's death, resort to a dark blend of supernatural forces and time travel. As they journey deeper into the shadows of the insidious universe, they must confront both their deepest fears and the potential heart-wrenching implications of reviving their lost child. Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani are set to star; Jeremy Slater will write and direct.
Thread: An Insidious Tale is shaping up to be a continuation of the franchise's exploration of dark magic, supernatural elements and the hauntingly thin line that separates the living from those beyond. It's a fitting addition to the chilling tapestry that makes up the Insidious franchise, providing an ample dose of signature Insidious scares while exploring the new ground of time travel. One thing's for sure: Thread: An Insidious Tale will be a milestone in the evolution of the Insidious series.
Conclusion
The Insidious franchise of movies, with its deft blend of supernatural horror and riveting storytelling, has captivated audiences worldwide since its debut in 2011. Each installment in the series - from the chilling introduction ofInsidious and the spine-tingling expansions in Insidious: Chapter 2 to the much-anticipatedInsidious: The Red Door and Thread: An Insidious Tale - has enriched this terrifying universe, exploring new themes, unveiling shocking twists and consistently delivering edge-of-your-seat suspense.
The enduring appeal of the Insidious movies underscores the series' exceptional ability to enthrall, terrify and surprise, cementing its place as a cornerstone in modern horror cinema. As we eagerly await the franchise's future offerings, the Insidious saga continues to be a juxtaposition of cinematic horror and gripping narrative that never fails to draw us in and keep us on tenterhooks.
