Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For a first watch, see the Friday the 13th movies in release order. That preserves how the story and its iconic killer developed on screen without treating a disputed fan-made chronology as settled canon. One key point: Pamela Voorhees, not Jason, is the killer revealed in the 1980 original; Jason becomes the recurring killer in the sequels.
Who are Pamela Voorhees and Jason?
The series begins at Camp Crystal Lake, where a boy drowned and the camp acquired a history of deadly incidents. In the original Friday the 13th, Pamela Voorhees is the killer, driven by the death of her son. Jason is that son: thought to have drowned, he is listed in the original film’s cast, but the sequels make him the franchise’s recurring slasher figure. Paramount’s official page for the 1980 film identifies Betsy Palmer as Mrs. Voorhees and Ari Lehman as Jason.
Camp Crystal Lake is more than a backdrop. Its past and the warnings surrounding it set up the original killings and the legend that later films build on.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →What order should you watch the Friday the 13th movies?
Watch them in release order for the clearest first experience. The list below follows Paramount+’s guide to the first eight films; the franchise has twelve movies to date, according to both Paramount+’s film guide and the Jason Universe franchise overview.
- Friday the 13th (1980)
- Friday the 13th Part 2
- Friday the 13th Part III
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
- Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning
- Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives
- Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood
- Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
The title The Final Chapter is not a promise: the series continued with A New Beginning and later films. Paramount+’s guide provides the first eight entries and their broad setups, making release order a practical way to follow the series’ development.
Where does Tommy Jarvis fit?
Tommy Jarvis is a continuing survivor across three middle entries: The Final Chapter, A New Beginning, and Jason Lives. Paramount+’s summaries connect his encounters across those films. Watching in release order lets you follow that thread as the movies present it, rather than trying to resolve every continuity wrinkle first.
Is there an official in-universe timeline?
No complete, authoritative chronology is established by the sources available here. The films contain contradictions, and a fan-maintained timeline acknowledges discrepancies and labels some dates as guesses. It places the first film in 1979 while also noting that June 13, 1979 was not a Friday. Treat such dates as a fan reconstruction for orientation, not confirmed canon.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Release order avoids that problem: it tracks when audiences encountered each story. A chronological reconstruction is an optional experiment for returning viewers, not a more definitive order.
Rank #3
![Friday the 13th 1-8 Boxset Collection [Blu-ray] [2019] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51npFrR4vtL._SL160_.jpg)
- Polish Release, cover may contain Polish text/markings. The disk has English audio.
Where can you watch or find the original film?
Paramount+’s guide reported the first eight movies streaming on Paramount+ when that guide was current, but it warns availability can change. Catalogs also differ by country, so check the service’s local listing before subscribing or planning a watch-through.
For physical media, Paramount says the 1980 Friday the 13th is coming to 4K UHD for the first time. Its official film page is the cited source for that release; it does not establish current retailer stock.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is next for the franchise?
A24 lists Crystal Lake, a prequel focused on Pam Voorhees after Jason’s drowning, with Linda Cardellini starring and an October 15, 2026 release date. As of October 3, 2026, that date is upcoming and may change; consult A24’s official page for the latest information.
The Jason Universe overview also identifies a thirteenth theatrical film and a sequel console game among announced projects, without firm release dates. They should be treated as announced, not as available releases.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
