Ring movies in order Ringu Marathon
Page Last Modified:
23 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Sadako DX - 2022
Total Runtime:
876 Minutes
Total Items:
9
Average User Score:
(5.7)Ring movies in order
If you've ever been too scared to look at your TV after a scary movie, there's a good chance you've come across the Ringu franchise. This famous Japanese horror series set the standard for the "cursed media" subgenre and sparked a worldwide J-horror craze in the 2000s. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering Sadako Yamamura's spooky world for the first time, this marathon is a must-see. With a mix of films, prequels, alternative sequels, and spin-offs, it can be daunting to know where to begin. Hey, no worries! We've put together the ideal viewing order for your Ringu movie marathon. Grab some popcorn, turn down the lights, and get ready for an evening of creepy atmosphere, long black hair, and psychological horror that'll stick with you.
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1
Ring Movie 96 min. 1998A mysterious video has been linked to a number of deaths, and when an inquisitive journalist finds the tape and views it herself, she sets in motion a chain of events that puts her own life in danger.USER SCORE 7 -
2
Ring 0 Movie 99 min. 2000Taking place thirty years before the events of Ringu, Ringu 0 provides the shocking background story of how the girl on the video became a deadly, vengeful spirit.USER SCORE 6 -
3
Ring 2 Movie 95 min. 1999While investigating the horrifying death of her boyfriend, Mai Takano learns about a videotape haunted by the spirit of a disturbing girl named Sadako, which kills anyone who watches it exactly one week later. When her boyfriend’s son, Yoichi, starts to develop the same psychic abilities as Sadako, Takano must find a way to keep the boy and herself from becoming the next victims.USER SCORE 6 -
4
The Spiral Movie 97 min. 1998A young pathologist seeks answers to the mysterious death of a friend and soon comes into contact with the same cursed videotape that caused the death of the friend's wife and son, which is haunted by the curse of Sadako, a relentless spirit.USER SCORE 5 -
5
Sadako vs. Kayako Movie 98 min. 2016A girl, Yūri Kurahashi, after watching a cursed videotape together with her friend in a haunted house, becomes trapped in a conflict between the two murderous ghosts: Sadako Yamamura and Kayako SaekiUSER SCORE 6 -
6
Sadako Movie 99 min. 2019A psychologist connects her missing brother to the strange case of a mysterious little girl believed to be Sadako reincarnated.USER SCORE 6 -
7
Sadako 3D Movie 96 min. 2012Akane is a high school teacher who hears a rumor from her students that there is actual footage on the Internet of someone's suicide. The footage is said to drive anyone who sees it to also commit suicide. Akane does not believe the rumor at first, but when one of her female students dies after viewing the footage, she and her boyfriend Takanori are fatefully drawn into the horror that has been created by the man who appears in the suicide footage, Kashiwada. Kashiwada's intention is to create chaos in the world by bringing back Sadako and the power of her curse. Now Akane has to fight against Sadako and Kashiwada to save the lives of herself and Takanori.USER SCORE 5 -
8
Sadako 3D 2 Movie 96 min. 2013Five years have passed since the events of Sadako 3D. Akane is pregnant with a child with her boyfriend Takenori. However, Akane dies after giving birth to her daughter. When Takenori's sister Fuko takes up the task of caring for Akane's daughter, the infamous cursed video resurfaces. During her investigation, Fuko learns about the legend of Sadako's daughter...USER SCORE 5 -
9
Sadako DX Movie 100 min. 2022Ayaka Ichijo is a graduate student with an IQ of 200 who tries to investigate the strange deaths happening nationwide after people supposedly watched a cursed video and her younger sister also did the same out of curiosity.USER SCORE 5
Ring 0: Birthday (2000)
We'll start right at the beginning. Ring 0: Birthday is a prequel that tells the story of Sadako Yamamura, the well ghost girl. This film is based on a short story from Koji Suzuki's novel "Birthday," and it shows a younger Sadako, played by Yukie Nakama, before she becomes Japan's most feared vengeful spirit. You'll learn about her psychic powers, her connection to her mom Shizuko, and the early signs of the curse that will eventually destroy the world. If you really want to know where the seven-day curse came from, you've got to watch this film.
Ringu (1998)
This is where the journey begins for viewers. Hideo Nakata directed the original Ring, which made J-horror a global sensation and introduced the cursed media horror subgenre. Nanako Matsushima and Hiroyuki Sanada star in the film as journalist Reiko Asakawa and her ex-husband Ryuji Takayama. The story follows their race against time after they watch a mysterious videotape that promises death within seven days. Sadako's famous crawl from the TV is one of the most terrifying scenes in horror movies. This core film of the franchise still feels fresh, menacing, and eerily quiet.
Ringu 2 (1999)
Picking up right where the original left off, Ringu 2, also directed by Hideo Nakata, shifts focus to Miki Nakatani as Mai Takano, a colleague of Ryuji. She's trying to find out what happened to Reiko and her son, Yoichi Asakawa, who's played by Rie Ino'o. The horror is getting worse, and Sadako's power is getting bigger. This film is a combo of psychological horror and Japanese supernatural folklore, and it shows that Sadako's curse goes beyond just a single videotape. With more lore, greater threats, and an even darker atmosphere, this is a crucial part of your marathon.
The Spiral (1998)
Released alongside the original Ringu, The Spiral (also known as "Rasen") is an alternative sequel based on another part of Koji Suzuki's novel. It's about a pathologist named Mitsuo Ando who's investigating Ryuji's strange death. While it makes sense that it's a follow-up to Ringu, it was initially overlooked because not a lot of people watched it. That's why Ringu 2 is the official sequel. Still, The Spiral offers a unique take on the curse, focusing more on science than on the supernatural. If you're a diehard fan of the Ringu universe, you'll love this fascinating addition that explores every facet of it.
Sadako 3D (2012)
Jumping to the digital age, Sadako 3D brings the curse to the internet. This new version is loosely based on the later books by Koji Suzuki, and it takes place years after the original movies. Sadako's spirit is spreading through online videos, which is making the threat even worse. Picture a cursed video meeting on YouTube. The film brings in new characters like Akane Ayukawa and tries out 3D effects to mix things up and add some scares. Not everyone's into the stylistic shift, but if you're into modern horror with a retro twist, this film is a guilty pleasure.
Sadako 3D 2 (2013)
The sequel to the reboot, Sadako 3D 2, takes place five years later and follows Fuko Ando, a young woman caring for her niece, who has a mysterious connection to Sadako. This film isn't as much about jump scares as it is about creating a sense of dread and tension, similar to the original Ringu style. If you watch closely, you'll spot some interesting hidden details, especially about Sadako's past and how the curse spread.
Sadako vs. Kayako (2016)
Get ready for a Japan-only crossover. Sadako vs. Kayako teams up two of the biggest J-horror stars. Sadako from Ringu and Kayako from Ju-On (The Grudge) come together in a super over-the-top horror mash-up. It's creepy, absurd, and surprisingly entertaining. The film plays with the rules of both franchises, offering fan service and bizarre moments. It's the perfect lighter break in your marathon, showing that even well ghosts can collaborate or not.
Sadako (2019)
With Sadako, Hideo Nakata returns to the franchise he helped popularize. This film tries to go back to the roots of the original Ringu, focusing more on psychological horror than on visual effects. We're following a psychologist treating a mysterious girl with a dark past, and it's all tied to Sadako's story again. It's like a modern take on the original, but with a fresh perspective and a bit of a tragic undertone. It's not the scariest, but it's definitely interesting for anyone into Japanese curse mythology.
Sadako XD (TBA)
Finally, Sadako XD, an upcoming title in the franchise, is already generating buzz, even though we don't know much about it. Fans are thinking that this film could bring Sadako to a new platform, like social media or VR. One thing's for sure: the curse is always changing. Hey, just a heads-up for anyone looking to expand their marathon later on. Now, let's dive into why this order works so well for your movie night. This sequence takes you on a logical, chronological journey through the Ringu franchise, starting with Sadako's tragic childhood and then moving on to her digital rebirths. You start out by exploring the lore and origin (Ring 0), then the core (Ringu, Ringu 2), followed by the alternative branch (The Spiral), and finally, modern interpretations and crossovers. It hits the sweet spot between classic Japanese psychological horror and more modern, flashy cursed media horror. And the best part? If you're up for it, you can binge this marathon in one weekend.
Just make sure your snacks are ready, close the curtains, and put your phone on silent (you never know who might call). This marathon is a rollercoaster of tension, mystery, and pure horror vibes. And who knows, you might just want to unplug your TV afterward. Just in case.