The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie premiered in 1974. The film was loosely inspired by the serial killer Ed Gein and centered around the cannibalistic, skin-wearing, chainsaw-wielding killer Leatherface. The movie was a massive hit and laid the groundwork for the modern slasher genre. Check out our guide below to find out how to watch every Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie in order and discover where every movie is streaming online.
Before we dive into the multiple timelines the series has, let’s check out the franchise in its release date order.
Texas Chainsaw Movies in Release Date Order
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
- Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1995)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
- Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013)
- Leatherface (2017)
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Chronologically, the timeline is much messier. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a franchise that’s had a few massive hits…but tons of misses, which prompted film studios to attempt numerous reboots, prequels, and legacy sequels with the hopes of reviving the series. That’s given us four timelines – the original continuity, the 2003 reboot timeline, the 2013 reboot timeline, and the 2022 sequel timeline.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies in Chronological Order
Original Texas Chainsaw Timeline
The original timeline consists of the first five films. After the first movie, the series got weird and wild. The sequel was a fun and quirky ‘80s film that leaned heavily into camp and kitsch, making it feel nothing like the first movie, though it was still super enjoyable. The third film is… actually, let’s just ignore the third film, it’s that bad… and The Next Generation (which is called The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre outside of America) is so weird and bonkers you’ll have no idea what you’re watching. It is, however, really interesting and despite being super confusing, its meta, satirical take on the franchise is awesome.
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
- Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation
2003 Remake Timeline
After Texas Chainsaw’s four sequels made everything completely weird and ruined all hope of continuity, New Line Cinema knew the only way to bring back the franchise was to reboot it. Initially, this started with the 2003 remake starring Jessica Biel. After the film grossed more than $107 million, another movie was soon on the way. But instead of a sequel, it received a prequel that showed the origins of how Thomas Hewitt became Leatherface.
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
2013 Reboot Timeline
In 2013 Texas Chainsaw got a present-day sequel that ignored everything except the first movie from 1974. Then there was Leatherface. Set in the same continuity, Leatherface was a prequel showing Thomas Hewitt’s childhood. It was supposed to be released in 2016, but wasn’t, and then was released in 2017, but only on select VOD platforms. The film wouldn’t finally be available to the wider public until years later when it started streaming.
- Leatherface
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Texas Chainsaw 3D
2022 Timeline
In 2022, Texas Chainsaw’s timeline was rebooted yet again. This time around, a present-day sequel takes place in a small ghost town and ignores everything except the first movie. It’s also been reported that another sequel titled Texas Chainsaw Legacy is on the way.
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Where Can I Watch All Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies Online?
Check out our guide below to find out where every Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is streaming online.
