Film · in order
Saw Movies in Order
All ten Saw films, ordered two ways: release order (best for a first watch) and the tangled chronological timeline, where Saw X slots between the first two movies despite being the newest.
Saw Movies in Order — complete list
Check off what you've finished — it saves automatically · See all your lists → ·
Why this order?
The Saw franchise is built on twist endings, and almost every film reaches backward into the timeline through flashbacks. That makes ordering genuinely tricky, so this page gives you two clear paths. For a first watch, use release order. The traps escalate, the lore deepens, and crucially the big reveals land in the sequence the filmmakers designed them to land. Watching any other way risks spoiling the gut-punch moments that made the series famous.
Release order runs straight through: Saw (2004) through Saw 3D: The Final Chapter (2010) form the original John Kramer arc, then the soft reboot Jigsaw (2017), the Chris Rock-led spin-off Spiral (2021), and Saw X (2023), which reaches back into the timeline. This is the default for a reason — it preserves the mysteries about who Jigsaw is, who his apprentices are, and how far his game extends.
The chronological order is where it gets strange. John Kramer dies during Saw III, yet he keeps appearing in later films through flashbacks. Saw X, the most recent release, is actually set between Saw and Saw II, depicting a Kramer-led scheme before his death — an interquel, not a prequel, since it lands after the original film rather than before it. So in story time it comes early, even though you should watch it late. Saw X isn't the only time-jumper, either: Jigsaw (2017) hides a similar trick, revealing that its on-screen game is a flashback run by a previously unknown first apprentice, Logan Nelson — which is exactly why mainstream guides disagree on where it belongs in the timeline. Our chronological list untangles the in-universe sequence for rewatchers who already know the twists and want to follow Kramer's life and the apprentices' overlapping timelines.
If you enjoy this kind of escalating-trap horror with deep continuity, the franchise rewards patience the way long-running series like Halloween or Final Destination do. But start with release order — Saw is one of those series where the timeline is the puzzle, and solving it too early ruins the fun.
Timeline 2004–2023
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many Saw movies are there?
There are ten Saw films, from Saw (2004) through Saw X (2023), including the spin-off Spiral and the soft reboot Jigsaw.
What order should I watch Saw in?
For a first watch, use release order, starting with Saw (2004). It preserves the twist reveals the series is built around. Save chronological order for rewatches.
Where does Saw X fit in the timeline?
Saw X (2023) is the newest film but is set chronologically between Saw and Saw II, before John Kramer's death. Because it lands after the original rather than before it, it's an interquel (a mid-timeline insert), not a prequel.
Should I watch Saw in chronological order?
Only if you already know the twists. Many films use flashbacks, and both Saw X and Jigsaw jump back in time, so chronological viewing spoils key reveals on a first watch.
Do I need to watch Spiral and Jigsaw?
They're optional side stories. Jigsaw (2017) reboots the saga and Spiral (2021) is a Chris Rock-led spin-off, but neither is required to follow the core Kramer arc.
When does John Kramer die in the series?
John Kramer (Jigsaw) dies during Saw III, but he keeps appearing in later films through flashbacks and pre-recorded plans carried out by his apprentices.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
← Browse all orders