Paranormal Activity movies in order Paranormal Activity Marathon
Page Last Modified:
23 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin - 2021
Total Runtime:
616 Minutes
Total Items:
7
Average User Score:
(5.6)Paranormal Activity movies in order
If you've ever been startled awake by a strange noise or caught a shadow lurking in the corner of your room, you know the eerie power of the Paranormal Activity films. This found footage franchise from Blumhouse Productions and Oren Peli became a cultural phenomenon with its night vision scenes, low-fi domestic horror, and clever time jumps. If you're wondering why Part 3 comes before Part 1, you're not the only one. The release order isn't the best way to watch these films. If you're looking to create the ultimate Paranormal Activity movie marathon, we've laid out the correct chronological order for you. Grab your popcorn and get ready for a night of spooky fun! Set your smart lights to the perfect spooky mode and get ready for a night filled with security camera scares, demonic entities, and unexpected connections.
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1
Paranormal Activity 3 Movie 83 min. 2011In 1988, young sisters Katie and Kristi befriend an invisible entity who resides in their home.USER SCORE 6 -
2
Paranormal Activity 2 Movie 91 min. 2010Just as Daniel and Kristi welcome a newborn baby into their home, a demonic presence begins terrorizing them, tearing apart their perfect world and turning it into an inescapable nightmare.USER SCORE 6 -
3
Paranormal Activity Movie 86 min. 2007After a young, middle-class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is certainly the most active in the middle of the night.USER SCORE 6 -
4
Paranormal Activity 4 Movie 87 min. 2012It has been five years since the disappearance of Katie and Hunter, and a suburban family witness strange events in their neighborhood when a woman and a mysterious child move in.USER SCORE 5 -
5
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones Movie 84 min. 2014Seventeen-year-old Jesse has been hearing terrifying sounds coming from his neighbor’s apartment, but when he turns on his camera and sets out to uncover their source, he encounters an ancient evil that won’t rest until it’s claimed his very soul.USER SCORE 5 -
6
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension Movie 87 min. 2015Using a special camera that can see spirits, a family must protect their daughter from an evil entity with a sinister plan.USER SCORE 5 -
7
Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin Movie 98 min. 2021Margot is a documentary filmmaker looking to meet her long-lost mother and extended family in a secluded Amish community. She and her film crew soon realize the family that welcomes them into their home might be hiding a sinister secret.USER SCORE 6
Paranormal Activity 3
We begin in the 1980s with the story of young Katie and Kristi. Yeah, these are the same sisters you see as adults in the later films. Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman directed Paranormal Activity 3, which looks into the origins of the evil. Picture VHS tapes, old-school video recorders, and that iconic Bloody Mary scene. This movie sets up the demon Toby and the creepy cult that'll show up a lot later on. The retro atmosphere is intense, and you immediately sense that this is more than just a haunted house story. It's the start of a fully developed horror timeline.
Paranormal Activity 2
Fast forward to just before the events of Part 1. In Paranormal Activity 2, we meet Kristi Rey, her husband Daniel, and their baby Hunter. The film uses the same camcorder and security camera style, but it takes it to a new level. The tension mounts with every still shot of an empty kitchen. The link to Katie becomes clearer, and the demonic threat grows. This film adds layers to the franchise's mythology and provides context for the events that will unfold in Part 1.
Paranormal Activity
Now we're at the original. The first film that started it all. Oren Peli directed Paranormal Activity, which tells the story of Katie and Micah, a couple who experience some strange stuff in their home. The film's strength is in its simplicity: static shots, long silences, and subtle movements that'll get your heart pumping. After watching it after Part 2, it all makes sense. You get what Katie's dealing with and why her nights are so messed up. This film is the heart of the franchise, and it's even more impactful when you know the backstory.
Paranormal Activity 4
Now we jump a few years ahead. Paranormal Activity 4 is about a new family, with Alex as the main character. She starts recording weird stuff that happens using her laptop and Kinect cameras. It looks like her neighbor Robbie's got something up his sleeve, and the connection to the earlier movies is becoming clearer. This installment is like a bridge between the original storyline and the bigger mythology of the Midwives cult. It's got a more modern vibe, the scares are more subtle, and the paranoia creeps in gradually. You think you know everything, but then you're surprised again.
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
It's time to expand the franchise, both in terms of location and lore. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones takes you to a Latin American neighborhood in California, where Jesse and his friend Hector solve a mystery about a neighbor. This spinoff connects surprisingly well to the main storyline, with returning characters and crossovers that fans will appreciate. It's a mix of urban horror and spiritual myths, with a lot of found footage chaos. This one's a bit different, but it's a must-see for your Paranormal Activity movie marathon. It's based on the idea of the "marked ones" and the forces manipulating them.
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
Here, everything comes together. Gregory Plotkin directed Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension has 3D visuals, VHS recordings from the '80s, and a portal to another dimension. Yes, really. You follow a new family that finds a mysterious camera that reveals the invisible, including Toby. This film reveals more about the demon, the cult, and the fate of previous characters. Some fans find it a bit much, but if you've been following the whole franchise, this film is a must. It wraps up all the main storylines and shows just how much supernatural stuff affects the story.
Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin
This is the final film in the series, and it's the most different from the others. William Eubank directed Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin is a soft reboot that's different from the original storyline. But don't be fooled; this installment brings fresh tension. We follow Margot as she searches for her family history in an isolated Amish-like community. What you'll see next is a spooky mix of folklore, cult secrets, and claustrophobic found footage. It's got a modern vibe, the horror feels different, but it's still 100% Paranormal Activity. It's great for a closer or if you want to try something new.
Why This Order Works
This order is important to understand the timeline of the horror movies. You can see Toby's demonic presence building up, and you can also see how the Midwives cult is influencing things across generations. You meet young Katie and Kristi, follow their adult lives, and discover how the evil spreads to outsiders like Jesse and Margot. Instead of loose threads, you get a continuous line from old VHS scenes to modern documentary recordings, from suburban nightmares to isolated cult communities. This is the best of smart, smart horror.
Tips for Your Paranormal Activity Movie Marathon
Plan ahead: This marathon will take at least 12 hours, so have your snacks, blankets, and horror buddies ready. Start early in the evening and take breaks between films to rest (or turn the lights back on). Set your speakers for every creak, crack, and nighttime whisper. And if you really want to go all-in, watch with all the lights off, using only the glow of your screen, just like in the movies. If you want the best atmosphere, we suggest going at night. Let's be real, nothing makes Paranormal Activity scarier than watching it at 3:00 a.m.