Ring movies in order
Ringu Marathon

View Ring movies in order

Page Last Modified:

4 December 2025

Most Recent Release:

Sadako DX - 2022

Total Runtime:

876 Minutes

Total Items:

9

Average User Score:

(5.6)

Ring movies in order

If you've ever found yourself too scared to glance at your TV after a horror film, chances are you've encountered the Ringu franchise. This iconic Japanese horror series not only set the benchmark for the "cursed media" subgenre but also ignited a worldwide J-horror craze in the 2000s. Whether you're a seasoned fan or exploring Sadako Yamamura's eerie world for the first time, this marathon is essential. With a mix of films, prequels, alternative sequels, and spin-offs, knowing where to begin can be daunting. Fear not we've crafted the perfect viewing order for your Ringu movie marathon. Grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and brace yourself for an evening of atmospheric dread, long black hair, and psychological horror that will haunt you.

876 Minutes 9 Movies
  1. Ring Backdrop 1
    Ring Movie 96 min. 1998
    A 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 Backdrop 2
    Ring 0 Movie 99 min. 2000
    Taking 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 Backdrop 3
    Ring 2 Movie 95 min. 1999
    While 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 Backdrop 4
    The Spiral Movie 97 min. 1998
    A 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 Backdrop 5
    Sadako vs. Kayako Movie 98 min. 2016
    A 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 Saeki
    USER SCORE 6
  6. Sadako Backdrop 6
    Sadako Movie 99 min. 2019
    A 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 Backdrop 7
    Sadako 3D Movie 96 min. 2012
    Akane 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 Backdrop 8
    Sadako 3D 2 Movie 96 min. 2013
    Five 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 Backdrop 9
    Sadako DX Movie 100 min. 2022
    Ayaka 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 4

Ring 0: Birthday (2000)

We begin at the very start. Ring 0: Birthday is a prequel that delves into the tragic origins of Sadako Yamamura, the infamous well ghost girl. Based on a short story from Koji Suzuki's novel "Birthday," this film reveals a younger Sadako, portrayed by Yukie Nakama, before she becomes Japan's most feared vengeful spirit. Discover her psychic powers, her bond with her mother Shizuko, and the early signs of the curse that will later consume the world. To fully grasp the origins of the seven-day curse, this film is indispensable.

Ringu (1998)

This is where the journey begins for viewers. Directed by Hideo Nakata, the original Ring is the film that catapulted J-horror into the global spotlight and introduced the cursed media horror subgenre. Starring Nanako Matsushima as journalist Reiko Asakawa and Hiroyuki Sanada as her ex-husband Ryuji Takayama, the story follows their race against time after watching a mysterious videotape that promises death within seven days. Sadako's iconic crawl from the TV remains one of the most terrifying scenes in horror cinema. This core film of the franchise still feels fresh, menacing, and eerily quiet.

Ringu 2 (1999)

Picking up immediately 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 seeks to uncover the fate of Reiko and her son Yoichi Asakawa, played by Rie Ino'o. The horror deepens, and Sadako's power continues to grow. This film explores psychological horror and Japanese supernatural folklore, showing that Sadako's curse extends beyond 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 follows pathologist Mitsuo Ando as he investigates Ryuji's mysterious death. While it logically follows Ringu, it was initially overlooked due to low viewership, making Ringu 2 the official sequel. Nonetheless, The Spiral offers a unique perspective on the curse, emphasizing scientific explanations over supernatural horror. It's a fascinating addition for diehard fans eager to explore every facet of the Ringu universe.

Sadako 3D (2012)

Jumping to the digital age, Sadako 3D brings the curse to the internet. This reboot, loosely based on later books by Koji Suzuki, unfolds years after the original films. Sadako's spirit now spreads through online videos, intensifying the threat. Imagine a cursed videotape meeting YouTube. The film introduces new characters like Akane Ayukawa and experiments with 3D effects for added scares. While not everyone appreciates the stylistic shift, if you enjoy 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 focuses less on jump scares and more on atmospheric dread and psychological tension, bringing it closer to the original Ringu style. Attentive viewers will find intriguing Easter eggs, especially concerning Sadako's background and the curse's spread.

Sadako vs Kayako (2016)

Prepare for a crossover that could only happen in Japan Sadako vs Kayako unites two of the biggest J-horror icons. Sadako from Ringu and Kayako from Ju-On (The Grudge) collide in a delightfully 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, proving that even well ghosts can collaborate or not.

Sadako (2019)

With Sadako, Hideo Nakata returns to the franchise he helped popularize. This film attempts to return to the roots of the original Ringu, focusing more on psychological horror than visual spectacle. We follow a psychologist treating a mysterious girl with a dark past, intertwining with Sadako's story once more. Think of it as a modern echo of the original, with a new perspective and a tragic undertone. Not the scariest, but intriguing for fans of Japanese curse mythology.

Sadako XD (TBA)

Finally, Sadako XD, an upcoming title in the franchise, is already generating buzz despite little being known about it. Fans speculate that this film will bring Sadako to a new platform perhaps social media or VR. One thing is certain: the curse continues to evolve. Keep an eye out for this if you want to expand your marathon later.

Why This Order Works for Your Movie Night:

This order offers a logical, chronological progression of the Ringu franchise from Sadako's tragic childhood to her digital rebirths. You first explore 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 strikes the perfect balance between Japanese psychological horror and the more flashy, modern cursed media horror. And the best part? You can binge this marathon in one weekend if you dare.

Ensure your snacks are ready, curtains are closed, and your phone is 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.