The Ring movies in order The Ring Marathon
Page Last Modified:
9 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Rings - 2017
Total Runtime:
714 Minutes
Total Items:
7
Average User Score:
(6)The Ring movies in order
Picture this: you're all set for a horror movie night. Snacks are ready, lights are out, and then the debate begins. "Should we start with Ringu or The Ring?" If you've ever been caught in the 'what order do you watch The Ring franchise?' dilemma, we've got you covered. This marathon isn't just a journey through eerie VHS tapes and ghostly figures in white dresses; it's a deep dive into the heart of J-horror and techno-horror. Whether you've been haunted for years by the iconic TV crawl scene or just discovered there's more than the Naomi Watts version, this chronological viewing order brings clarity to the chaos. So grab your blankets, dim the lights, and prepare yourself for a movie night you won't want to spend alone.
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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
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 -
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
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 -
5
The Ring Movie 115 min. 2002Rachel Keller is a journalist investigating a videotape that may have killed four teenagers. There is an urban legend about this tape: the viewer will die seven days after watching it. Rachel tracks down the video... and watches it. Now she has just seven days to unravel the mystery of the Ring so she can save herself and her son.USER SCORE 7 -
6
The Ring Two Movie 110 min. 2005After the ordeal with Samara, Rachel and Aiden move to a rural town. But soon Rachel learns about the death of a girl in a similar fashion. To save Aiden, she must dig into Samara's past even further.USER SCORE 6 -
7
Rings Movie 102 min. 2017Julia becomes worried about her boyfriend Holt when he explores the dark urban legend of a mysterious videotape said to kill the watcher seven days after viewing. She sacrifices herself to save her boyfriend and in doing so makes a horrifying discovery: there is a "movie within the movie" that no one has ever seen before.USER SCORE 5
Ring (1998)
We begin with the Japanese classic that started it all: Ring, directed by Hideo Nakata. This film set the standard for the J-horror genre, elevating the fear of VHS tapes to a global phenomenon. Sadako Yamamura, the iconic ghost girl with long black hair, makes her debut in this psychologically intense thriller. The story follows journalist Reiko Asakawa, played by Nanako Matsushima, as she investigates a series of mysterious deaths linked to a cursed videotape. The atmosphere is pure dread, blending horror with a touch of paranormal detective thriller. This is where the infamous seven-day curse begins.
The Spiral (Rasen, 1998)
Believe it or not, The Spiral, also known as Rasen, was released simultaneously with Ring, yet it feels like a different reality. This direct sequel, based on Koji Suzuki's books, leans more towards medical-scientific horror than supernatural suspense. Think autopsies, viral theories, and the notion that the curse might be biological. The film offers an alternative view of the cursed video mythology, though it was poorly received and often overlooked by fans. However, it is essential for a complete understanding of Sadako's story, including the psychic experiments and her 'birth' as an entity.
Ring 2 (1999)
With Rasen failing to capture audiences, director Hideo Nakata returned with Ring 2, an official sequel continuing where Ring left off. Mai Takano, portrayed by Miki Nakatani, takes the lead, delving deeper into the mystery of Sadako. This film explores Sadako's psychic powers further and expands the lore surrounding the deadly video. The tension builds subtly, and the haunting of the well takes on a more intense meaning. The pace is slower, but the atmosphere is chilling perfect for a late-night viewing where every creak in your house suddenly seems suspicious.
Ring 0: Birthday (2000)
Prequels can be tricky, but Ring 0: Birthday, directed by Norio Tsuruta, is an underrated gem that shines a light on Sadako's tragic past. Here, we see her as a young woman, portrayed by Rie Ino'o, before the murder, the tape, and the well. The film reveals how her paranormal gifts wreak havoc on her life and those around her. It's a melancholic slow burn with more drama than horror, offering a fresh perspective on Sadako as a character. If you ever felt sympathy for the ghost with long black hair, this is when it happens.
The Ring (2002)
Fast forward to the American remake that launched the J-horror boom worldwide. Gore Verbinski directs this stylish retelling with Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller and David Dorfman as her son Aidan. The VHS tape returns, but with a Pacific Northwest aesthetic and chilling island lighthouse scenes. Samara Morgan replaces Sadako, a child with a dark past that elevates the cursed well scenes to new levels of trauma. The film introduces the viral curse horror concept to a new audience, with the legendary TV crawl scene becoming a pop culture moment that lingers.
The Ring Two (2005)
The Ring Two revisits Rachel and Aidan's story, this time under the direction of Hideo Nakata himself the same director of the original Ring. The film delves deeper into Samara's backstory and her unsettling desire for a 'new body.' Martin Henderson returns as Noah Clay, and the atmosphere is darker, with more psychological tension than jump scares. The Morgan family mystery gains depth, raising questions about parenthood, trauma, and the limits of motherly love. While not every fan's favorite, it's essential for the American branch of the Ring continuity.
Rings (2017)
Finally, we have Rings from 2017, a modern attempt to translate the supernatural fear to the streaming generation. Think digital versions of the tape, YouTube-like distribution, and a university where students analyze the seven-day curse as a project. It's more chaotic and bombastic, perhaps not as terrifying as the original, but it adds to the cursed video mythology. The film tries to bridge the VHS world with contemporary digital fear culture. Not everyone finds it successful, but if you want to complete your marathon, this is your finale.
Ready for Your Own VHS Campout?
Whether you're a fan of psychological supernatural thrillers, love J-horror classics, or just want to relive that iconic TV scene, this The Ring movie marathon is a must. Silence your phone, pull your hoodie over your head, and immerse yourself in the dark world of Sadako, Samara, and everything in between. And hey, if you suddenly get a voicemail with no sound afterward... just ignore it. Probably.