Watch the Evil Dead franchise in release order for the clearest first experience. The original trilogy and Ash vs Evil Dead form the direct Ash Williams story, while Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise, and Evil Dead Burn are best treated as separate or not-yet-placed branches.
Quick answer: watch the Evil Dead franchise in release order
For a first-time viewer, the best order is the order in which the films and series were released. That approach preserves the franchise’s evolution from the original Ash Williams trilogy to its television continuation and then to separate modern branches.
- The Evil Dead (1981 production; commonly listed with 1983 release metadata)
- Evil Dead II (1987)
- Army of Darkness (1992/1993, depending on market and release convention)
- Evil Dead (2013)
- Ash vs Evil Dead, Season 1 (2015)
- Ash vs Evil Dead, Season 2 (2016)
- Ash vs Evil Dead, Season 3 (2018)
- Evil Dead Rise (2023)
- Evil Dead Burn (2026, according to the research cutoff of August 12, 2026)
The important qualification is that these entries do not form one confirmed, linear chronology. The first three films and Ash vs Evil Dead make up the direct Ash Williams continuity. Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise, and Evil Dead Burn are best treated as re-imaginings or separate franchise branches unless an authoritative source establishes otherwise.
Evil Dead movies and shows in release order
1. The Evil Dead (1981/1983)
Five friends visit an isolated cabin and discover the Book of the Dead. Reading from it releases demonic forces—often called Deadites—that begin possessing the group one by one. Ash Williams emerges as the central survivor and the character around whom the original continuity develops.
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The year can look inconsistent in databases because the film was produced in 1981 but is commonly listed by Sony with 1983 release metadata. That is a release-labeling issue, not a separate film.
2. Evil Dead II (1987)
Evil Dead II returns to Ash and another major Deadite encounter. It follows the same broad franchise continuity and establishes the mixture of supernatural horror, physical comedy, frantic action, and Ash’s increasingly recognizable persona that defines the later Ash stories.
3. Army of Darkness (1992/1993)
After Evil Dead II, Ash is transported to a medieval setting, where he must battle the Dead and find a way back. It belongs firmly between Evil Dead II and Ash vs Evil Dead in the Ash Williams timeline.
Some sources use 1992 and others use 1993 because release conventions vary by territory and market. The difference does not change its position in the viewing order.
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4. Evil Dead (2013)
The 2013 film is a re-imagining of the original premise, not a straightforward sequel to Army of Darkness or Ash vs Evil Dead. It uses a new group of young protagonists and revisits the Book of the Dead and possession from a harsher, more modern horror angle.
Watch it after the original trilogy if you are following release order, or treat it as a separate entry once you understand the basic Book of the Dead setup. You do not need to place it inside Ash’s chronology.
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5–7. Ash vs Evil Dead, Seasons 1–3 (2015–2018)
Ash vs Evil Dead is the direct television follow-up to the classic film series. STARZ describes Ash as returning to the Deadite fight decades after his previous battle, making the show the next stop after Army of Darkness for anyone following Ash’s story.
Watch all three seasons in sequence:
- Season 1 (2015): Ash is pulled back into the Deadite conflict after years away.
- Season 2 (2016): The continuing consequences of the Book of the Dead and Ash’s choices drive the next stage of the story.
- Season 3 (2018): The third and final season expands Ash’s personal stakes while continuing the Deadite mythology.
Do not stop after Season 1 or omit Seasons 2 and 3. The series has three seasons, and they should be watched consecutively after the original trilogy.
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8. Evil Dead Rise (2023)
Evil Dead Rise shifts the action from the familiar isolated-cabin setup to an urban environment. Its story centers on two estranged sisters and the family crisis created when flesh-possessing demons are unleashed.
It is best treated as a standalone modern franchise story. The available official material establishes its separate family cast and setting but does not establish an exact year within the Ash Williams timeline. Do not insert it between episodes of Ash vs Evil Dead or describe it as a confirmed Ash sequel.
9. Evil Dead Burn (2026)
As of August 12, 2026, Warner Bros. lists Evil Dead Burn as playing in theaters and available for pre-order, while Universal describes it as the sixth film in the franchise. It belongs last in the current release-order list.
However, the available research does not establish a precise position for it in a shared Ash timeline. The safest description is that it is the latest documented franchise film, not a confirmed direct continuation of Ash vs Evil Dead. Theater dates, home-video availability, and regional listings may change, so verify current local listings before planning a viewing.
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Chronological order by continuity
There is no authoritative all-film timeline that places every Evil Dead movie and the television series into one sequence. Instead, use the following continuity-based structure.
The direct Ash Williams timeline
- The Evil Dead
- Evil Dead II
- Army of Darkness
- Ash vs Evil Dead, Season 1
- Ash vs Evil Dead, Season 2
- Ash vs Evil Dead, Season 3
This is the best chronological order if your priority is Ash. The original trilogy establishes his encounters with the Book of the Dead and the Deadites; Ash vs Evil Dead then resumes his story decades later.
Separate or standalone branches
- Evil Dead (2013): A re-imagining with new protagonists. It can be watched after the Ash branch or independently.
- Evil Dead Rise: A separate family-centered story in an urban setting. Its precise relationship to the Ash continuity is not established by the cited official material.
- Evil Dead Burn: The latest documented film as of the research cutoff, but its exact shared-timeline position is not confirmed.
Which order should you choose?
| If you want to… | Use this order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Experience the franchise as audiences did | Release order | It preserves the progression from the original trilogy to television and later film branches. |
| Follow Ash Williams only | The Evil Dead → Evil Dead II → Army of Darkness → Ash vs Evil Dead Seasons 1–3 | These are the entries that form the direct Ash-focused continuity. |
| Watch the modern re-imaginings | Evil Dead (2013) → Evil Dead Rise → Evil Dead Burn | These are later standalone or separately positioned franchise films, rather than confirmed Ash-timeline chapters. |
| Get to the most recent film | Watch the original trilogy, then the later films in release order | This gives the franchise history context without pretending every film shares one timeline. |
Where to watch the Evil Dead movies and show
Availability changes by country, service, licensing period, and format. The films may be divided among subscription streaming services, digital rental, digital purchase, and physical DVD or Blu-ray listings rather than appearing together in one permanent catalog.
STARZ’s official pages list all three seasons of Ash vs Evil Dead, including episode-level information. For the films, check your local streaming services and digital storefronts title by title before starting the marathon. Do not assume that because the television series is available through one service, every Evil Dead film is available there too.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Best physical collection for the Ash branch
For viewers who want a physical copy of the core Ash material, The Evil Dead: Groovy Collection is the most directly relevant set identified in the research. The reported contents are:
- The Evil Dead
- Evil Dead II
- All three seasons of Ash vs Evil Dead
It is not a complete franchise box set. The collection described by the cited home-video reporting does not include Army of Darkness, Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise, or Evil Dead Burn. Collectors seeking every entry will need to source those separately. Sony has also issued Evil Dead (2013) on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD, while the newer films require their own current-format availability checks.
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Common ordering mistakes
- Calling the 2013 film a direct sequel: Sony characterizes it as a re-imagining, so it should not be placed directly after Army of Darkness as though it continues Ash’s story.
- Putting Evil Dead Rise into the Ash timeline: Its premise and characters are separate, and no precise placement in Ash’s chronology is established here.
- Leaving out Army of Darkness: It is essential to the Ash continuity and belongs between Evil Dead II and Ash vs Evil Dead.
- Skipping Seasons 2 and 3: Ash vs Evil Dead ran for three seasons, not one.
- Assuming one streaming service carries everything: Rights and catalogs vary by location and change over time.
- Calling the Groovy Collection complete: It is a strong Ash-branch set, not an all-films collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best order to watch the Evil Dead movies and series?
For a first viewing, use release order: The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, Evil Dead (2013), Ash vs Evil Dead Seasons 1–3, Evil Dead Rise, and Evil Dead Burn. If you only want Ash’s story, watch the original trilogy followed by all three seasons of Ash vs Evil Dead.
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Where does Army of Darkness fit in the Evil Dead timeline?
Army of Darkness comes after Evil Dead II and before Ash vs Evil Dead. It is the third entry in the Ash Williams continuity.
Is Evil Dead (2013) a sequel to Army of Darkness?
No. Sony describes Evil Dead (2013) as a re-imagining, so it is not a straightforward sequel to Army of Darkness or Ash vs Evil Dead.
Are all the Evil Dead movies part of one timeline?
No confirmed all-franchise chronology is established in the cited official material. Evil Dead Rise is best treated as a standalone branch, and Evil Dead Burn’s precise shared-timeline position is not confirmed.
What does The Evil Dead: Groovy Collection include?
The reported Groovy Collection contains The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, and all three seasons of Ash vs Evil Dead. It does not include Army of Darkness, Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise, or Evil Dead Burn.
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For most viewers, watch The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, and then Ash vs Evil Dead Seasons 1–3. Watch Evil Dead (2013), Evil Dead Rise, and Evil Dead Burn as separate modern branches, with Evil Dead Burn last in release order as of August 12, 2026.
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