Film · in order
Evil Dead Movies in Order
All five Evil Dead movies in order: Sam Raimi's original Ash trilogy (1981-1992), the 2013 reboot, and Evil Dead Rise (2023). Release order is the way to go.
Evil Dead Movies in Order โ complete list
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Why this order?
The Evil Dead franchise isn't one continuous story but two: Sam Raimi's original cabin-in-the-woods trilogy starring Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, and a newer continuity that began with the 2013 reboot. Because the two timelines barely touch, the cleanest way to experience everything is simply release order, which is why we default to it here.
Release order means starting with The Evil Dead (1981), the scrappy, blood-soaked original Raimi shot on a shoestring. Evil Dead II (1987) is a strange beast: part remake, part sequel, it re-stages the first film's setup before lurching into slapstick horror. Army of Darkness (1992) then flings Ash back to the Middle Ages and leans fully into comedy. From there, the 2013 Evil Dead reboots the premise with a grimmer tone and no Ash, and Evil Dead Rise (2023) shares that newer, gorier continuity while moving the chaos from the cabin to a Los Angeles apartment building.
The one thing to watch out for is the two films both titled "Evil Dead." The 1981 original launched the series; the 2013 film is a standalone reboot, not a remake of the same events. They're connected only by the Necronomicon and the franchise's love of Deadites and chainsaws.
If you want the connective tissue, the TV series Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018) continues the original Raimi trilogy and gives Ash a proper send-off, while the older Raimi-adjacent splatter of films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Re-Animator share its scrappy DNA. For movies, though, the five entries below are the whole picture, and release order serves them best.
Timeline 1981โ2023
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many Evil Dead movies are there?
There are five Evil Dead films: Sam Raimi's original trilogy (The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness), the 2013 reboot Evil Dead, and Evil Dead Rise (2023). The TV series Ash vs Evil Dead is separate.
What order should I watch Evil Dead in?
Watch in release order: The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), Army of Darkness (1992), Evil Dead (2013), then Evil Dead Rise (2023). The series splits into two continuities, so release order is the simplest path.
What's the difference between the two 'Evil Dead' movies?
The Evil Dead (1981) is Sam Raimi's original starring Bruce Campbell as Ash. Evil Dead (2013) is a standalone reboot with a different cast and tone, not a remake of the same story.
Are the 2013 reboot and Evil Dead Rise connected?
Yes. Evil Dead (2013) and Evil Dead Rise (2023) share the newer continuity, separate from Raimi's original Ash trilogy. Rise moves the action from a cabin to a Los Angeles apartment building.
Do I need to watch the original trilogy before the reboot?
No. The 2013 Evil Dead and Evil Dead Rise stand on their own and don't require knowledge of the Raimi trilogy. Watching the originals first just adds context and Easter eggs.
Where does Ash vs Evil Dead fit in?
Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018) is a TV series that continues Sam Raimi's original trilogy, with Bruce Campbell returning as Ash. It isn't part of the 2013 reboot continuity.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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