The Hellraiser movies in order

In 1986, Clive Barker published The Hellbound Heart – a supernatural novella about a mysterious puzzle box. A year later, that novella was turned into a movie.

The film – re-titled Hellraiser – kicked-started a successful series of films, largely centred around the iconic horror character, Pinhead, as well as the puzzle box, the Lament Configuration. But what is the best order to watch the Hellraiser movies?

Let’s take a look…

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The Hellraiser movies

Hellraiser (1987)

First up is 1987’s Hellraiser, which is arguably the best-loved entry in the series, and easily the most famous. Of the many horror movies released during the 1980s, Hellraiser ranks as one of the most iconic.

Based on Clive Barker’s novella, The Hellbound Heart, and directed by Barker himself, Hellraisercentres its story around a mysterious puzzle box which can summon a terrifying group of sadomasochistic beings known as Cenobites. The Cenobites – including the terrifying Pinhead – are pursuing one of their victims who has escaped their realm and is in the process of being resurrected. (94 mins)

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

Picking up after the events of Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II continues the story and sees the demonic Cenobites unleashed once again. (97 mins)

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)

In Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, the demonic Pinhead is resurrected and goes on a rampage. (97 mins)

Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)

In movie No. 4, Hellraiser: Bloodline, a scientist attempts to correct the wrongs of the past – specifically the puzzlebox that opens the gates to Pinhead and his cohorts. (85 mins)

Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)

For movie No. 5, Hellraiser: Inferno, the story focuses on a corrupt detective who finds himself caught up with the cenobites. (99 mins)

Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)

For movie No. 6, Hellraiser: Hellseeker the story switches to an amnesiac stockbroker who crosses paths with Pinhead. (88 mins)

Hellraiser: Deader (2005)

In Hellraiser: Deader, a journalist becomes aware of an underground group who can revive the dead. (88 mins)

Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)

Movie No. 8, Hellraiser: Hellworld, centres it’s story around a group of gamers who play a game based on the Hellraiser films. (91 mins)

Hellraiser: Revelations (2011)

In Hellraiser: Revelations, two college friends unleash Pinhead and his fellow cenobites. (75 mins)

Hellraiser: Judgment (2018)

In Hellraiser: Judgment, three detectives on a case involving a serial killer find themselves delving into the horrific nature of the cenobites. (81 mins)

Hellraiser (2022)

Following a series of loosely connected sequels, the Hellraiser series receives a reboot for movie No. 11: Hellraiser. In this movie, a young woman struggling with addiction comes into the possession of a mysterious puzzle box. (121 mins)

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The Hellraiser movies in order

If you wish to watch all of the Hellraiser movies in order, you should watch them as follows:

• Hellraiser (1987)
• Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
• Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
• Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)
• Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)
• Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)
• Hellraiser: Deader (2005)
• Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)
• Hellraiser: Revelations (2011)
• Hellraiser: Judgement (2018)
• Hellraiser (2022)

The first four films in this series were released theatrically and feature an ongoing story that is linked chronologically. Movies five to ten, i.e. Inferno to Judgement, were released straight to home video and do not adhere to a strict chronology.

As highlighted above, Hellraiser 2022 is the eleventh film and was conceived as a reboot/new entry point for the series.

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Who are the cast of the Hellraiser movies and are the movies the work of the same director?

Notable actors in the Hellraiser movie series include Doug Bradley, Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Terry Farrell, Paula Marshall, Dean Winters, Adam Scott, Craig Sheffer, James Remar, Kathryn Joosten, Kari Wuhrer, Marc Warren, Henry Cavill, Lance Henriksen, Jolene Andersen, Heather Langenkamp, Odessa A’zion, Jamie Clayton, and Brandon Flynn.

In terms of the directors, the Hellraiser movies are the work of the following:

• Clive Barker directed Hellraiser (1987)
• Tony Randel directed Hellbound: Hellraiser II 
• Anthony Hickox directed Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth
• Kevin Yagher directed Hellraiser: Bloodline 
• Scott Derrickson directed Hellraiser: Inferno
• Rick Bota directed Hellraiser: Hellseeker, Hellraiser: Deader, and Hellraiser: Hellworld
• Víctor Garcia directed Hellraiser: Revelations
• Gary J. Tunnicliffe directed Hellraiser: Judgement
• David Bruckner directed Hellraiser (2022)

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Which is the best Hellraiser movie?

According to IMDB, the Hellraiser movies are rated as follows:

• Hellraiser (1987) – 6.9/10
• Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) – 6.4/10
• Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992) – 5.5/10
• Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996) – 5.1/10
• Hellraiser: Inferno (2000) – 5.4/10
• Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002) – 4.8/10
• Hellraiser: Deader (2005) – 4.3/10
• Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005) – 4.2/10
• Hellraiser: Revelations (2011) – 2.7/10
• Hellraiser: Judgement (2018) – 4.3/10
• Hellraiser (2022) – 5.9/10

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Editor/Writer/Hell Raiser

Alex Wiggan

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