What is the order of the Jesse Stone movies?

In 2005, Tom Selleck starred in the mystery crime-thriller, Stone Cold. The television film – based on the book of the same name by the late author Robert B. Parker – told the story of Jesse Stone – an alcoholic police chief, who investigates a series of murders in the generally quiet town of Paradise, Massachusetts.

In the movie, the body of a young man washes up on the shore of Paradise, prompting Jesse to investigate. It appears as if the man was killed, but it’s unclear as to who committed the crime.

Over the next few days further murders take place causing Jesse some considerable concern. But are the crimes connected, and if so, what is the motive?

When Stone Cold made its debut in 2005, the movie was a big hit. Viewers enjoyed the pacing of the film, as well as Selleck’s performance, and this quickly prompted a series of follow-up films.

These films began airing on an almost annual basis, and they soon found a loyal fan base. Over time, the Jesse Stone movie series also built up quite a sizeable collection of titles, leading to a long-running (and very successful) series.

But how many Jesse Stone movies are there and what is the correct viewing order? For all the details, keep reading.

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The Jesse Stone movies

Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005)

As noted above, the Jesse Stone movie series made its debut in 2005 with the television film, Stone Cold. The movie – directed by Robert Harmon – starred Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone – a small town police chief, who is juggling police work with his recent divorce, as well as his ongoing battle with alcoholism.

In the movie, Jesse is called in to investigate a series of murders in his home town of Paradise. The victims do not appear to be connected, but with the bodies beginning to pile up, Jesse needs to get to the bottom of the killings very quickly. (87 mins)

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! movie critic Alex Wiggan said about Stone Cold: 

“Stone Cold is a gem of a movie, ideal for those who adore well-made detective stories. It is a film built on a terrific performance from Selleck, but one which is infused with the perfect balance of mood and atmosphere.”

Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006)

Due to the success of Stone Cold, a second Jesse Stone movie hit television screens in 2006. However, rather than act as a sequel, this next entry – Night Passage – was a prequel, set before the events of Stone Cold.

In Night Passage, Santa Monica police officer Jesse Stone leaves his old job behind and takes on a new role as the chief of police in the town of Paradise, where he meets fellow officers Luther “Suitcase” Simpson and Molly Crane. Here Jesse believes this new role will lead to a quieter life, but he soon realises this will not be the case when the old chief of police is murdered. (89 mins)

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! said about Night Passage:

“Selleck continues to excel in the role of Jesse, all the right ingredients are present and correct (tone, mood, writing, etc), and the end result is another strong entry, which furthers Jesse’s story.”

Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006)

Following hot on the heels of Night Passage was the third entry in the Jesse Stone movie series: Death in Paradise. This film – which chronologically took place after the events of Stone Cold – saw Jesse on a new case, when the body of a fourteen-year-old pregnant girl is found washed up on the lake shore. (87 mins)

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! said about Death in Paradise:

“…Selleck continues to nail every scene as Jesse, remaining a key presence throughout, and the same can be said of director Robert Harmon who continues to sail this series to success.”

Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007)

With the first three Jesse Stone movies proving very popular the series continued in 2007 with a fourth entry: Sea Change. In this film, Jesse opened up an unsolved murder case to help take his mind off his struggles with alcoholism. (88 mins)

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! resident movie critic Alex Wiggan said about Sea Change:

“…there’s a good balance of story and characterisation, and even though the series is now four films in, there’s the general feeling the movies have barely scratched the surface. Another solid entry from Jesse Stone.”

Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)

Following a two-year break, the Jesse Stone movie series continued in 2009 with film number five: Thin Ice. In this entry, Jesse investigates an attempt on his life, which left him with an injury and put his friend, Captain Healy, in hospital. (88 mins)

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! said about Thin Ice:

“In keeping with its predecessors, Thin Ice is a solid slice of entertainment, that delivers for fans of the series. There’s something familiar, reassuring, and likeable on offer here, and there’s certainly no disappointment.”

Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)

Picking up shortly after the events of Thin Ice, No Remorse saw Jesse Stone suspended from the Paradise police force, and essentially out of action. However, this doesn’t stop Jesse from doing police work, and very soon he is working as a consultant on double murder case in Boston. (87 mins)

Here’s the critical verdict on No Remorse:

“While I’m not entirely convinced everything works in No Remorse, with the two crime plots in particular falling a little short in their respective conclusions, there’s really not much to fault here. No Remorse remains on par with the previous Jesse Stone films, meaning there’s much to like, and if you’re a fan you get another enjoyable instalment.”

Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011)

With Jesse being forced into early retirement, following the events of Thin Ice and No Remorse, he soon finds himself at a loose-end in Innocents Lost. That is until an old friend of Jesse’s is found dead in her car, prompting a police investigation and some involvement from Jesse. (91 mins)

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! said about Innocents Lost:

“…fans of the Jesse Stone movies will find Innocents Lost to be enjoyable enough, but this entry is unlikely to draw in newcomers. However, if you’ve waited until the seventh instalment to jump on board, it’s not really the fault of the film series if this one doesn’t quite hook you.”

Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012)

Picking up after the events of Innocents Lost, Jesse has faded from sight and has not been seen for months in the eighth film, Benefit of the Doubt. In the meantime, the new chief of police, William Butler, has taken over and has settled into his new role.

But when Butler and another officer are killed in action, in what appears to be a targeted attack, Jesse is reinstated. He then works hard to uncover the truth behind the murders. (90 mins)

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! said about Benefit of the Doubt:

“…Benefit of the Doubt is a slight step up from the previous film, Innocents Lost. That film had some pacing issues and a bit of an iffy story, while this one brings things back in line with the earlier movies and sees Jesse more or less back on form.”

Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015)

Following the debut of Benefit of the Doubt in 2012, the Jesse Stone movie series went on hiatus for four years before returning in 2015 for the ninth entry, Lost in Paradise. The movie – set two years after the events of Benefit of the Doubt – saw Jesse open up a cold case with the Boston Police Department. (86 mins)

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! said about Lost in Paradise:

“As with pretty much every Jesse Stone movie, Lost in Paradise hits the same level of enjoyment and entertainment that has become a mainstay of the film series. The combination of (director) Robert Harmon, (star, executive producer and co-writer) Tom Selleck, and (executive producer and co-writer) Michael Brandman, keep these films in safe hands, and continues to deliver for fans.”

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The Jesse Stone movies in production order

If you wish to watch the Jesse Stone movies in production order, then follow this list:

• Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005)
• Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006)
• Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006)
• Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007)
• Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)
• Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)
• Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011)
• Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012)
• Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015)

But before you dive right in, make sure you are following the best list for you. You may wish to check out the list in chronological order instead (see below).

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Jesse Stone in chronological order

Although the above list is the exact order in which the Jesse Stone movies originally aired, you may wish to watch the movies in a slightly different order. This is because one of the movies is a prequel.

As noted above, Night Passage was the second movie to be released, but chronologically it is the first entry in the series. In Night Passage, Jesse Stone arrives in the town of Paradise for the first time, and the film details his initial encounters with characters such as “Suitcase” Simpson, Molly Crane, and love interest, Abby Taylor.

Because Night Passage slots in perfectly as the first entry in the series, it is recommended new audiences begin with this film. There really is no good reason not to start with Night Passage, before moving onto Stone Cold and beyond.

Therefore, if you wish to watch the Jesse Stone movies in chronological order, you should view the movies as follows:

• Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006)
• Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005)
• Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006)
• Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007)
• Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)
• Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)
• Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011)
• Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012)
• Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015)

The above viewing order is highly recommended.

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Who are the cast of the Jesse Stone movies and who are the directors of the film series?

Tom Selleck is the most notable cast member in the Jesse Stone movie series. Selleck plays the role of Stone across the entire series, and is also involved as executive producer and co-writer on some of the movies.

Selleck is a well-known actor who has starred in movies such as Three Men and a Baby, Quigley Down Under, and In & Out. The actor has also starred in hit television shows including Magnum, P.I. and Blue Bloods, and had a memorable guest role on Friends.

Outside of Tom Selleck, notable names in the Jesse Stone movie series include Viola Davis, Kohl Sudduth, Stephen McHattie, Saul Rubinek, Kathy Baker, William Sadler, William Devane, Polly Shannon, John Beale, Gil Anderson, Mae Whitman, Leslie Hope, Jeremy Akerman, Gloria Reuben, Jeff Geddis, Vito Rezza, Kerri Smith, Mimi Rogers, Jane Adams, Reg Rogers, Mike Starr, Jessica Hecht, Camryn Manheim, and Luke Perry.

In terms of the directors, the series is the work of the following directors:

• Robert Harmon directed Stone Cold, Night Passage, Death in Paradise, Sea Change, Thin Ice, No Remorse, Benefit of the Doubt and Lost in Paradise
• Dick Lowry directed Innocents Lost

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What is the best Jesse Stone movie?

The Jesse Stone movies are generally considered to be of the same quality. The general rule of thumb is that if you like one of the movies, you will probably like all of the movies.

According to IMDb, the Jesse Stone movies are ranked as follows:

• Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005) – 7.1/10
• Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006) – 7.2/10
• Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006) – 7.1/10
• Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007) – 7.1/10
• Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009) – 7.1/10
• Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010) – 7.2/10
• Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011) – 7.0/10
• Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012) – 7.0/10
• Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015) – 7.2/10

Meanwhile, the in-house critical ratings from It’s A Stampede! are as follows:

• Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005) – 4/5
• Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006) – 4/5
• Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006) – 4/5
• Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007) – 4/5
• Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009) – 4/5
• Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010) – 4/5
• Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011) – 3/5
• Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012) – 3.5/5
• Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015) – 4/5

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If you are a fan of the Jesse Stone movie series (and who isn’t?), you might like to know that the entire movie collection is currently available to buy now on Region 1 DVD.

The nine-movie collection offers over 13 hours of detective stories featuring Tom Selleck and is ideal for those playing catch-up, as well as for fans who simply want to revisit the movies at their convenience.

The Jesse Stone 9-Movie Collection is available to purchase on DVD from all good entertainment stores, including Amazon US.

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Disclaimer: I earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

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Editor/writer/wishes he was Tom Selleck

Alex Wiggan

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I hope this post on the Jesse Stone movie series on It’s A Stampede! has proved useful. If you’ve never watched a Jesse Stone film, then give the collection a whirl – they are a great run of TV movies, with Selleck on fine form throughout.