Friday the 13th Franchise Timeline

There are 12 theatrical films, from the original Friday the 13th (1980) through the 2009 remake, including the crossover Freddy vs. Jason (2003). A prequel series, Crystal Lake, premieres on Peacock in October 2026 as a separate, 13th entry.

Mostly. The films play out roughly in the order they were released, with one real exception at the end: Freddy vs. Jason (2003) is generally placed chronologically after Jason Goes to Hell (1993) despite releasing a decade later, and the 2009 remake exists in its own separate continuity rather than continuing the original timeline.

Yes, loosely. It follows Jason's resurrection at the end of Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) and is generally placed right after it. It's also a crossover with the Nightmare on Elm Street series, so you don't need to have seen Freddy's films to follow Jason's side of the story.

No. The 2009 film is a standalone reboot that borrows plot elements from the first four movies but exists in its own continuity. It's not required viewing to understand the original series, and the original series doesn't lead into it.

Yes. Crystal Lake, premiering on Peacock on October 15, 2026, is a prequel series set before the original 1980 film, centered on Pamela Voorhees and young Jason. It's part of the franchise's original continuity, not a separate reboot.

No. Despite the shared title, the 1987 TV series has nothing to do with Jason Voorhees or Camp Crystal Lake. It's an unrelated horror anthology, and the name alone causes frequent confusion with the film franchise.

By HorroRated's verdicts, the original 1980 film is rated Legendary, and Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) is the only other entry rated above Worth a Look, at Recommended. Every other sequel, including Freddy vs. Jason and the 2009 remake, sits at Worth a Look or below.