The Ultimate Guide to Watching the Saw Movies in Chronological Order

The Saw series, a cornerstone of the horror genre, was brought to life by filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Whannell. Since its debut, this franchise has captivated audiences with its chilling narratives. At the heart of the series is John Kramer, famously known as Jigsaw, a serial killer suffering from cancer who harbors a deep resentment for those who squander their lives through poor choices or crime.

Jigsaw’s modus operandi is far from straightforward; rather than a quick demise for his victims, he finds delight in devising intricate and gruesome traps that challenge both the physical and mental resilience of those caught in his deadly games, forcing them to fight for their freedom or face the consequences of their actions.

This franchise has extended its reach into various forms of media, including video games, comics, and merchandise. For fans eager to revisit the series, the chronological viewing order of the films is outlined below.

Watching the Saw Movies in Order

Saw (2004)

The inaugural film introduces viewers to a deceitful doctor (Cary Elwes) and a disreputable photographer (Leigh Whannell), who find themselves trapped in a room where they must resort to killing one another for a chance to escape. Flashbacks throughout unravel that this is not John Kramer’s first sadistic experiment.

Saw II (2005)

This sequel unfolds a year after the original, centering on Detective Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) as he pursues the Jigsaw Killer while searching for his son Daniel (Eric Knudsen), who has gone missing. This chapter marks the first appearance of John Kramer (Tobin Bell) on screen, detailing how he survived a suicide attempt and resolved to become the Jigsaw killer, offering others a chance for redemption.

Saw III and Saw IV (2006 & 2007)

Chronologically, both Saw III and Saw IV occur simultaneously, taking place six months after the events of Saw II. Saw III dives deeper into darkness as Kramer abducts a grieving father named Jeff (Angus Macfadyen), testing his ability to forgive the man responsible for his son’s death. Furthermore, Amanda, John’s apprentice, captures a doctor named Lynn (Bahar Soomekh) to ensure the Jigsaw remains alive throughout Jeff’s test. This installment shows the climax of Jigsaw’s storyline in real-time.

In Saw IV, despite Jigsaw’s death, a relentless detective (Lyriq Brent) investigates clues left behind to halt one of Kramer’s games. The film discloses that John had always anticipated his demise, revealing that one of the detectives is actually his accomplice, Hoffman. This film also sheds light on the backstory of Jigsaw’s first victim, Cecil (Billy Otis), who contributed to Kramer’s wife’s tragic miscarriage.

Saw V (2008)

The narrative of the fifth film picks up shortly after Saw IV, spotlighting Hoffman, who has been promoted to lieutenant and tasked with uncovering the Jigsaw murders. In a tense rivalry with FBI agent Strahm, Hoffman skillfully eliminates Strahm and frames him as the new face of Kramer’s crimes. Flashbacks reveal that Hoffman devised a trap that compelled Kramer to recruit him in the first place.

Saw VI (2009)

Saw VI begins a few days after its predecessor, with Hoffman seeking vengeance against employees of a health insurance firm that denied Kramer coverage for his cancer treatments. Meanwhile, the FBI discovers that Strahm was wrongfully accused and intensifies its search for Jigsaw’s true successor.

Saw 3D or Saw: The Final Chapter (2010)

This installment highlights Hoffman recovering from his injuries in the previous movie and follows Bobby Dagen (Sean Flanery), who wrongfully claims to have survived a Jigsaw ordeal. Viewers also learn about Dr. Gordon’s survival from the first film, as he becomes an accomplice to Jigsaw.

Jigsaw (2017)

Set seven years after the last film, Jigsaw presents a new wave of gruesome murders similar to those orchestrated by Kramer. Detectives work diligently to uncover the identity of a new figure imitating Jigsaw, introducing two new characters, Halloran (Callum Rennie) and Hunt (Cle Bennett), who are on the case.

Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021)

This film features Detective Zeke (Chris Rock) and his partner William (Max Minghella) pursuing a new killer mirroring the Jigsaw approach, intentionally targeting police officers, including Zeke’s father, Marcus (Samuel L. Jackson). A shocking twist awaits as someone close to Zeke emerges as the killer.

Saw X (2023)

Saw X is set just a few weeks following the events of the first film and before Saw II, detailing John Kramer’s journey to treat his cancer in Mexico. After being duped, he reignites his vicious crusade. This installment further explores the backstories of Kramer’s aides, Amanda and Hoffman.

Horror enthusiasts who have a penchant for gory narratives intertwined with complex storylines can consult this comprehensive list and select a title for binge-watching during their next movie night.

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