In 2010, supernatural horror film, Insidious arrived in cinemas. Written by Leigh Whannell and directed by James Wan, the movie focused on the Lambert family and their encounters with demonic forces.
In the film, Josh and Renai Lambert move into their new home with their children. But while this should be a joyful time, one night their son Dalton encounters a mysterious force, before slipping into a coma.
Released to a positive response from critics and audiences alike, as well as a healthy box office, Insidious kick-started a very profitable horror film series. But how many Insidious movies are there and what is the best viewing order?
Well, fear not because all the answers are revealed below. This post opens up a door to the spirit world to provide you with all the information.
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The Insidious movies
Insidious (2010)
As noted above, the first entry in the horror series was 2010’s Insidious. The movie focused on the Lambert family, who cross paths with something sinister, which greatly impacts the life of their child, Dalton.
In the film, the family have recently moved into a new home. One evening, Dalton sneaks into the attic, where he encounters a mysterious entity.
The next day, Dalton slips into a coma which defies medical explanation. Three months later, Dalton’s parents, Renai and Josh take their son home from the hospital, but soon begin to experience a series of paranormal events which are connected to Dalton’s condition. (101 mins)
Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
Upon release, Insidious was a big success with audiences. Produced on a budget of $1.5 million, the movie went on to take over $100 million at the worldwide box-office, cementing its place as a horror hit!
Due to the popularity of Insidious, a sequel was soon put into production, arriving in 2013 under the title Insidious: Chapter 2. In this movie, Josh and Renai Lambert experience further paranormal events, leading them to uncover a secret that has connected them to the spirit realm. (106 mins)
Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)
As with its predecessor, Insidious: Chapter 2 was another big hit at the box-office, which instantly guaranteed a follow-up. However, rather than take the story forward for the next instalment, Insidious: Chapter 3 was conceived as a prequel.
Set before the events of Insidious, Insidious: Chapter 3 broke away from the Lambert family to instead focus on the Brenners. In this film, Quinn Brenner becomes the central figure of a demonic haunting. (98 mins)
Insidious: The Last Key (2018)
Although Insidious: Chapter 3 opened to a mixed response from critics, the film proved to be another popular entry at the box-office. As such, a fourth film soon followed, opening in cinemas in 2018 under the title Insidious: The Last Key.
As with Chapter 3, The Last Key was designed as a prequel. The film was set after the events of Chapter 3, but before the events of Insidious, and focused on the early adventures of psychic paranormal investigator, Elise Rainer. (103 mins)
Insidious: The Red Door (2023)
With plenty of backstory filled in during the events of Chapter 3 and The Last Key, the fifth instalment in the Insidious series dropped the prequel format and instead moved back into sequel territory. Released in 2023, Insidious: The Red Door was set around a decade after the events of Insidious, with Josh and Dalton Lambert finding themselves in the midst of another paranormal situation. (107 mins)
The Insidious movies in production order
If you wish to watch the Insidious film series in the order the movies were produced, then simply view them as follows:
- Insidious (2010)
- Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
- Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)
- Insidious: The Last Key (2018)
- Insidious: The Red Door (2023)
OK, so that’s the production order, but it is not the only order for the Insidious films.
The Insidious movies in chronological timeline order
In terms of the Insidious movie timeline, the third and fourth films are prequels, with the events of each film taking place before Insidious, Insidious: Chapter 2, and Insidious: The Red Door. Therefore, if you wish to watch the Insidious films in chronological timeline order, this is how the movies should be viewed:
- Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)
- Insidious: The Last Key (2018)
- Insidious (2010)
- Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
- Insidious: The Red Door (2023)
If you watch the films in this order, you will watch the story play out chronologically. It’s debatable as to whether this is really important, but the viewing option is there for you.
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Who are the cast of the Insidious movies and are the films the work of the same director?
Notable cast members in the Insidious movie series include Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Ty Simpkins, Barbara Hershey, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Danielle Bisutti, Jenna Ortega, Stefanie Scott, Dermot Mulroney, Hayley Kiyoko, Tom Gallop, Bruce Davison, and Joseph Bishara.
In terms of directors, the Insidious movies are the work of the following:
- James Wan directed Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2
- Leigh Whannell directed Insidious: Chapter 3
- Adam Robitel directed Insidious: The Last Key
- Patrick Wilson directed Insidious: The Red Door
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Which is the best Insidious movie?
According to IMDb, the Insidious movies are rated as follows:
- Insidious (2010) – 6.8/10
- Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) – 6.5/10
- Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) – 6.1/10
- Insidious: The Last Key (2018) – 5.7/10
- Insidious: The Red Door (2023) – 5.5/10
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about the Insidious movie series on It’s A Stampede! For more horror-related posts please check out the recommended reads below.
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