**How to Watch Purge Movies In Order**

Say hello to horror with Blumhouse’s Halfway to Halloween series! Watch a different genre defining classic every night this week, 3/29-4/2.

The Purge has emerged from its high-concept original film (What if for one annual night all crime was legal?) into a lightly sprawling franchise, mixing horror, action, and politics all in one. If you want to watch the Purge franchise in order to see its events unfold chronologically, start with the conveniently titled First Purge, which was actually the fourth movie released overall.

Recommended: Oral History of the Purge Movies with Jason Blum and James DeMonaco

To become a true Purge completionist, the next movie to watch isn’t actually a movie at all: It’s actually the TV series that ran for two seasons starting in 2018. The second season, considered the best thing to come out of the franchise by diehards, ends with an explicit tie-in to the original Purge movie, starring Ethan Hawke. From there, you can watch the rest of the franchise chronologically as they released in theaters, with Anarchy, Election Year, and now the latest, Forever Purge.

Watch all 5 Purge movies in order with the list below! —Alex Vo

The First Purge (2018)

55%

Critics Consensus: The First Purge should satisfy fans of the franchise and filmgoers in the mood for violent vicarious thrills, even if its subtextual reach exceeds its grasp.

Synopsis: To push the crime rate below one percent for the rest of the year, the New Founding Fathers of America try a radical sociological experiment... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, Mugga

Directed By: Gerard McMurray

The Purge (2013)

41%

Critics Consensus: Half social allegory, half home-invasion thriller, The Purge attempts to make an intelligent point, but ultimately devolves into numbing violence and tired clichés.

Synopsis: In an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government sanctions an annual 12-hour period during which all criminal activity -- including murder --... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane, Max Burkholder

Directed By: James DeMonaco

The Purge: Anarchy (2014)

58%

Critics Consensus: Gritty, grisly, and uncommonly ambitious, The Purge: Anarchy represents a slight improvement over its predecessor, but it's still never as smart or resonant as it tries to be.

Synopsis: One night per year, the government sanctions a 12-hour period in which citizens can commit any crime they wish -- including murder -- without fear... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez

Directed By: James DeMonaco

The Purge: Election Year (2016)

55%

Critics Consensus: It isn't particularly subtle, but The Purge: Election Year's blend of potent jolts and timely themes still add up to a nastily effective diversion.

Synopsis: As a young woman, Sen. Charlie Roan survived the annual night of lawlessness that took the lives of her family members. As a presidential candidate,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mykelti Williamson, J.J. Soria

Directed By: James DeMonaco

The Forever Purge (2021)

48%

Critics Consensus: The Forever Purge fails to fully engage with its most frighteningly timely themes, but the franchise remains largely -- albeit bluntly -- effective.

Synopsis: Adela (Ana de la Reguera, Cowboys & Aliens) and her husband Juan (Tenoch Huerta, Days of Grace) live in Texas, where Juan is working as... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ana de la Reguera, Josh Lucas, Tenoch Huerta, Leven Rambin

Directed By: Everardo Gout