Blumhouse's Paranormal Activity franchise is one of its most popular and for good reason, as the movies are eerie, memorable, and enjoyable. When the first one was released in 2007, the smart marketing campaign had audiences vote for the movie to play at a theater in their city, and there was a lot of buzz surrounding this entertaining story. There have been seven entries, and while they aren't all great, it's still compelling to see what the franchise is doing next.
There is actually a good Paranormal Activity viewing order that allows horror fans to discover the franchise and watch it in chronological order. This is different from the order of release, as the story often jumps around and some of the films are prequels.
Paranormal Activity 3
Paranormal Activity 3 was released in 2011 and is a prequel that takes place 18 years prior to Paranormal Activity. The movie follows VHS tapes of Katie (Katie Featherson) and her sister Kristi (Sprague Grayden) when they were younger (played by Chloe Csengery and Jessica Tyler Brown) as they deal with a terrifying demon in their house.
A good horror prequel needs to add something fresh to the existing franchise and give some important information about beloved characters or offer up a strong setting. This third entry in the Paranormal Activity franchise does both of those things, as fans got to know Katie in the first movie, and she is a relatable character since she's a regular person dealing with a sinister presence in the places where she thought she could feel safe.
Paranormal Activity 2
Paranormal Activity 2 was released in 2010 and should be watched second. Another prequel, the movie opens in August 2006 and sees Kristi and her husband Daniel Rey (Brian Boland) wondering if a robbery is actually a supernatural occurrence, as Kristi and Katie reflect on a demon haunting them when they were kids.
Because the film talks about the demon, which the characters call Tobi, it's one of the best Paranormal Activity movies and definitely answers some important questions. It also sets up the rest of the franchise, as it's now clear that Tobi has always wanted to stick close to Katie and she will never be able to get free.
Paranormal Activity
Even though Paranormal Activity was released first in 2007, it should actually be third in the Paranormal Activity viewing order. The story follows Katie and her husband Micah (Micah Sloat) as they realize that their house is haunted and Katie shares that a demon has always been after her. It stands out from other movies about similar subjects as it's genuinely creepy and the couple feels realistic.
Often considered the most compelling and scariest movie out of the franchise, the first movie also had the viral marketing that The Blair Witch Project popularized, and that makes it a cool part of horror history.
Paranormal Activity 4
Paranormal Activity 4 should be watched fourth in the Paranormal Activity viewing order and opens several years after the horrifying events of 2006. Now, in 2011, Alex Nelson (Kathryn Newton) notices strange things happening in her home and begins figuring out that a demon is after her, too.
Newton is no stranger to the horror genre. She starred in The Society, a Netflix series that deserved a season 2, and played Millie Kessler in Freaky. She shows her ability to inhabit a strong and tough teenage character in Paranormal Activity 4 and is fun to watch as she is equally shocked by what she finds but also curious and eager to discover more.
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
The 2014 release Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones can be watched fifth. The movie opens in 2012 when Jesse Arista (Andrew Jacobs), who has finished high school, is investigating the dark and intense story of Kristi and Katie. By this point, the story feels a little stale, as there has already been a lot of information given about these sisters and the strange and unique experiences they have had.
The Paranormal Activity franchise lost its earlier magic and this isn't one of the better movies, as it delves into witchcraft and strays from the original premise. While there's a tricky balance between giving fans what they are looking for and making sure to keep the storytelling fresh, this one is a little too different.
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
Next up is Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, which was released in 2015. The movie opens with a flashback to 1988 and then switches to the present day, which is 2013. A new family including Ryan Fleege (Chris J. Murray) watches the tapes of Kristi and Katie and learns the terrifying reality of what they are up against.
This movie has a 15% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer and 27% Audience Score, which reflects the consensus that this isn't one of the strongest entries in the franchise. It joins the Blumhouse horror movies with low Rotten Tomatoes ratings.
Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin
Critics are wrong about Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin, the seventh movie in the franchise that was released in 2021, as it's better than people think. It switches up the story and focuses on Margot (Emily Bader) and her friend Chris (Roland Buck III) as they shoot a documentary focusing on the experiences that Margot has had. As could be expected, they discover a horrifying supernatural presence at Beiler Farm.
While not as popular as the other entries in the franchise, Next Of Kin does offer up a gruesome and eerie story of demonic possession and will appeal to fans of that subgenre.