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When wondering how to watch theSawmovies in order, it’s possible to watch them in order of release date. However, watching these popular horror movies inchronological orderis the best and most compelling way. Ever since the firstSawfilm came out in 2004, fans have been invested in the story of John Kramer/Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) and the gory games that he plays with his victims. Unlike someslasher movie villains who are forgettable, Kramer makes an impression from his first moments onscreen.
Fans who wonder how to watch theSawmovies in order can follow this chronological timeline. When watched this way, theSawfranchise makes the most sense, and horror fans will get the most out of the unnerving experience.
Jigsaw (2017)
When wondering how to watch theSawmovies in order, the 2017 releaseJigsawis the best movie to start with. While it might beSawmovie number eight, it explains more details about John Kramer, thefirst of every Jigsaw killer. Kramer plays his horrible game with five characters who wake up in an unfamiliar and terrifying location. There’s a great twist about the connection between Kramer and one of his latest victims. This is thefirst set of games that Jigsaw/Kramer plays, andJigsawis set10 years before Kramer’s death.
92 minutes
October 27th, 2017
Rotten Tomatoes Score
32%
In a 2017 interview withDen of Geek, Tobin Bell shared that he was happy to play his serial killer again. He said of Kramer:
“I find him, a guy like King Lear. He’s a trained mechanical engineer, he’s an architect, he’s a philosopher, he’s a theologian. He’s huge, as a character…”
Saw (2004)
When wondering how to watch theSawmovies in order, fans should watchSawnext, thefirst film that was released. It’s a good introduction to John Kramer’s sad backstory, thegross and violent traps that Jigsaw sets, and what fans can expect from the entire horror franchise.The ending ofSawincludes an intelligent and engaging twist about the identity of the character lying on the floor. The movie also includes a well-crafted main character, a photographer named Adam (Leigh Whannell), who is stunned to find himself in this brutal situation.
103 minutes
October 29th, 2004
50%
It’s interesting to learn that Leigh Whannell and James Wan viewedSawas a thriller, but the movies are classified as horror, especially since they are so gory. As Whannell toldComplex.com:
“The sequels belong more in the horror genre, but the original film, even when I watch it today, still feels like it’s the locked-room thriller that we were trying to come up with. We noticed that the firstSaw’s traps and more visceral elements were really being championed and celebrated by the fans, so it was a natural progression towards that in the sequels.”
Saw X (2023)
WhileSaw Xwas released in 2023 and isthe tenth movie, it’s both a prequel and a sequel. When it comes to theSawtimeline,Saw Xtakes placebeforeSaw IIand afterSaw. John Kramer’s unsettling and tough backstory is explored here as he goes to Mexico City and hopes that he can find a cure for his cancer. Instead, he learns the truth about the clinic, and begins playing his gory game.
118 minutes
September 29th, 2023
80%
TheSaw Xendingsuggests that there could be more movies, which fans would be happy about given how strong some of the films in the franchise are.
Saw II (2005)
When it comes to how to watch theSawmovies in order,Saw II, which isthe second movie,comes next. This time, John Kramer has created a game where eight characters are being tortured in a home, and he also uses the memorableBilly the Puppetto give messages to his victims on a video screen. Billy the Puppet has tragic origins as Kramer made him so he could play with his child. When his wife Jill Tuck (Betsy Russell) had a miscarriage, Kramer was devastated.
93 minutes
October 28th, 2005
37%
Saw IIis also an important movie in theSawtimeline because fans learn that Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith), the only victim of Kramer’s who lives, wants to take over from him when he passes away. Amanda is a compelling character and one reason whySawis one of themost important horror movie franchises.
Saw III (2006)
When wondering how to watch theSawmovies in order, thethird moviein the franchise,Saw III, can be watchedfifth. While Kramer starts another deadly game, Amanda wants Dr. Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekh) to verify that he can survive longer and achieve his goal.
108 minutes
October 27th, 2008
29%
While there are manyJigsaw killers in theSawfranchise, Kramer is the most intriguing. However,Saw IIIsees Amanda taking center stage, and like all the other movies, this one has a good twist that stays with audiences for a long time after.
Saw IV (2007)
Fans who want to know how to watch theSawmovies in order can watch several of them in order of release. AfterSaw V,Saw IVfits into the timeline next. After John Kramer’s death, there is a new Jigsaw killer, and finding out who they are is the central mystery of the film.
October 26th, 2007
18%
This is also an important movie in theSawtimeline because Jill Tuck explains that she and John Kramer lost their baby and that this always haunted him. Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) is also a key character here.
Saw V (2008)
Saw Vcan be watchedseventhwhen it comes to how to watch theSawmovies in order. While Hoffman has been praised for solving the mystery of the Jigsaw killer, the games haven’t ended. The film opens with Seth Baxter (Joris Jarsky), who is a murderer himself, in one of Jigsaw’s traps.
October 24th, 2008
13%
While not every movie in theSawfranchise is as good as the first one,Saw Vdoes have a compelling cat-and-mouse game between Hoffman and Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson). The movie also has some memorable quotes, such as when Jigsaw says:
“If you’re good at anticipating the human mind, it leaves nothing to chance.”
Saw VI (2009)
Next, fans can watchSaw VI,which was the horror franchise’ssixth movie. By this point in the timeline, the character who has followed in Jigsaw’s footsteps is in full control of their brutal plan.
90 minutes
October 23rd, 2009
39%
Saw VIalso explains more about Amanda, Jill, and John Kramer, which is one reason whySawis a cleverhorror franchise with deep lore. While people might focus on the traps that Jigsaw sets and the amount of gore in each movie, there is also a lot of character and plot development.
Saw 3D/Saw: The Final Chapter (2010)
When wondering how to watch theSawmovies, Saw 3D, also calledSaw: The Final Chapter, should be watchedsecond to last. Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery) pretended to live through one of Jigsaw’s games, and unfortunately for him, the new Jigsaw killer puts him in a real game.
Director
Cast Members
Tobin Bell, Costa Mandylor, Sean Patrick Flanery, Betsy Russell, Cary Elwes
October 29th, 2010
9%
Like thescariest body horror movies, each movie in theSawfranchise has some truly gory scenes. Each movie delves deeply into at least one character, andSaw 3Dshares more of Jill’s story. This helps fans understand John Kramer’s motives better.
Spiral: From The Book Of Saw (2021)
Finally, when it comes to how to watch theSawmovies in order,Spiral: From The Book Of Saw, which is theninth movie in the franchise, can be watched last. The movie focuses on Detective William Schenk (Max Minghella) and Detective Zeke Banks (Chris Rock), who are trying to find the new Jigsaw killer.
May 14th, 2021
The end ofSpiralfeatures aclever and intriguing plot twistthat is as exciting as the one from the first movie. WhileSpiralmight not be as popular asSawfrom 2004, it does have some unforgettable quotes and even some humorous moments. When Schenk asks Banks
“So, uh, how do you take your coffee in the morning?”
and Banks answers “Alone,” this small exchange offers some levity in what is an intense and gory movie.
