Saw Movies in Order: The Complete Chronological & Release Order Guide
- Saloni Gupta
- August 10, 2026
- Entertainment
- Saw Movies
- 0 Comments
Here’s how to navigate The Saw franchise: A Guide To Watching the Saw Movies in Order. Not only is the Saw franchise one of the top-grossing horror film series ever, but it’s also arguably the most convoluted. With various apprenticeships, entangled timelines, flashbacks, and even prequels sprinkled throughout, ordering The Saw movies can be more difficult to follow, even for fans who have been at it since the beginning. From James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s inventive if at times shocking debut over two decades ago to 10 features with multiple follow-ups by various directors, it’s been an ever-expanding world of twisted traps and deadly games by a single puppet master, John Kramer (aka Jigsaw).
Some films will pick right up after the one before it – others time-jump, backtrack, or intersect at the same points in history as others.
We’ve broken both the release and chronological order of The Saw movies and illustrated how each film in the series interweaves.
Saw Movies in Order: By Release
| Order | Movie | Year | IMDb |
| 1 | Saw | 2004 | 7.6 |
| 2 | Saw II | 2005 | 6.6 |
| 3 | Saw III | 2006 | 6.2 |
| 4 | Saw IV | 2007 | 5.9 |
| 5 | Saw V | 2008 | 5.8 |
| 6 | Saw VI | 2009 | 6.0 |
| 7 | Saw 3D (Saw: The Final Chapter) | 2010 | 5.5 |
| 8 | Jigsaw | 2017 | 5.7 |
| 9 | Spiral: From the Book of Saw | 2021 | 5.2 |
| 10 | Saw X | 2023 | 6.6 |
Saw Movies in Chronological Order
Although the release order is the best way for first-time viewers, the in-universe timeline is different.
- Jigsaw (flashback events)
- Saw
- Saw X
- Saw II
- Saw III
- Saw IV (runs simultaneously with Saw III)
- Saw V
- Saw VI
- Saw 3D (The Final Chapter)
- Spiral: From the Book of Saw
Important: While Jigsaw was released in 2017, most of its story takes place before the original 2004 film. Its investigation occurs years later, making it both a prequel and a sequel depending on the storyline.
Why is this timeline confusing and important?
It’s a good way to get fans talking in chronological order, for one, due to many films overlapping,
- Saw III and Saw IV is happening at the same time.
- Saw V follows straight on after the end of Saw IV.
- Saw X falls between Saw and Saw II, and
- Jigsaw not only includes flashbacks before the very first movie, but the actual investigation falls many years after Kramer’s death.
The non-linear storytelling has basically become a characteristic of the Saw films themselves.
Saw Movies in Order Explained
1. Saw (2004)
Source: IMDb
IMDb: 7.6/10
The film that began it all-photographer Adam and oncologist Dr. Lawrence Gordon awaken manacled in a grimy bathroom, armed with one instruction: survive Jigsaw’s sinister game.
Made on a relatively small budget by director James Wan, Saw proved a massive box office hit and went a long way in establishing the new era of horror. If you loved Saw, here are the 25 best horror movies you should watch.
Audience reaction:
Audiences laud the film’s inventive twist while critics extol its ingenious finale. The highest-rated ‘Saw’ installment on IMDb, fans routinely vote it as the best horror movie of the 2000s.
2. Saw II (2005)
Source: IMDb
IMDb: 6.6/10
The police must find their child in Jigsaw’s trap, or the kid gets killed.
In this second installment, the origin myth is expanded to accommodate John’s apprentices, with one becoming key to the entire franchise. It includes probably the most memorable of traps the franchise had ever come up with.
Why is it valued?
Plenty of Saw fans see this as the best of Saw sequels. One of the strongest openings as well as probably the most of shock finishing you have found in your history. It takes the mythology much further compared to the initial movie.
3. Saw X (2023)
Source: IMDb
IMDb: 6.6/10
The plot of Saw X takes place soon after the initial film, where Kramer goes to Mexico with his family to undergo a clinical cancer treatment procedure. A fake. Jigsaw plans his retribution, making many horrific traps in the franchise’s history.
Why is it valued?
Instead of following the disciples’ path, the story highlights Kramer’s background and makes this film one of the highest-rated from the franchise.
Also Read: Best Mystery Movies with Plot Twists
4. Saw III (2006)
Source: IMDb
Amanda carries on Jigsaw’s work while John Kramer faces his own mortality.
The romantic entanglement of John and Amanda lend this movie more depth than others.
5. Saw IV (2007)
Source: IMDb
This takes place during the events of Saw III and follows FBI agents trying to figure out Jigsaw’s last will after his passing.
The ending does the unthinkable by reframing everything that the viewer just understood about the previous three movies.
6. Saw V (2008)
Source: IMDb
Mark Hoffman’s role as Jigsaw’s successor expands even more as he tries to keep his identity as the Jigsaw apprentice hidden from the agents.
This story chronicles Hoffman’s early years as one of the most intelligently constructed group traps yet.
7. Saw VI (2009)
Source: IMDb
Considered to be the most under-appreciated in the entire franchise, Saw VI looks into the American health insurance industry while implementing gruesome and twisted traps.
The movie itself was lauded by many critics as great social commentary.
8. Saw 3D (2010)
Source: IMDb
The chapter that is touted as the finale of the franchise, where the remaining characters of the game face Hoffman.
Visually more ambitious, with plenty of 3D effects, but not well regarded overall.
9. Jigsaw (2017)
Source: IMDb
Despite John Kramer’s death years ago, there have been a few new murders that would imply that Jigsaw is back in some capacity.
Introducing new detectives, new suspects, and a timeline twist that caught everyone off guard.
10. Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)
Source: IMDb
Starring Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson. Spiral is a standalone spin-off about a copycat killer looking to outdo Jigsaw.
Even though it takes place in the same universe, it is also possible to watch it without having seen the first season.
Which Saw Movies Are the Best?
Based on IMDb ratings, critic reviews, and fan discussions, these are widely considered the strongest entries:
- Saw (2004)
- Saw II (2005)
- Saw X (2023)
- Saw VI (2009)
Across Reddit, Letterboxd, and horror forums, these films are consistently praised for their storytelling, memorable traps, and shocking twists.
Release Order vs Chronological Order
Watch in Release Order if:
- It’s your first time watching.
- You want every plot twist to land naturally.
- You want to experience how the mythology expanded.
Watch in Chronological Order if:
- You’ve already seen the series.
- You want John Kramer’s story in timeline order.
- You enjoy connecting overlapping events.
For most viewers, release order remains the best experience.
More Horror Guides on DTurban
If you’re exploring more horror franchises, don’t miss:
- The Conjuring Movies in Order
- The Amityville Horror Movies in Order
- 10 Best Movies Like The Exorcist
- 10 Best Movies Like Deliver Us From Evil
- Best Psychological Thriller Movies Ever Made
These guides help you discover the best horror franchises and supernatural thrillers to watch next.
The Bottom Line!
The complex plots, shocking betrayals, and the undeniable reign of John Kramer make Saw a Halloween tradition even more than 20 years later. And though following this series from the very beginning may appear daunting at first, we have sorted out the best Saw movies to watch and helped you put the series in the most logical order. When starting from the very beginning, try to keep the list strictly to the Saw movies in the order in which films have been released to allow every jaw-dropping shock and character arc unfold with clarity and purpose. Once you’ve completed this franchise as it was intended, the Jigsaw films in chronological order offer yet another way to admire what exactly this series has in store and the elaborate ways in which it’s one of horror’s finest.
