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The Purge Movies in Order, Chronologically and by Release Date
For a thrilling journey through the Purge universe, you can watch the movies in both chronological order and release date! Get ready for dystopian horror at its finest.
The Purge franchise has become a wildly popular dystopian horror series in recent years, earning praise for its gripping and thought-provoking plots. It all started in 2013 with the first movie, introducing an eerie alternate reality in America where all crime is legal for 12 hours annually. Since then, The Purge has expanded to include five movies, a TV series, and even talks of a sixth entry with the talented Frank Grillo.
The franchise's success lies in its ability to deliver compelling social and political commentary, coupled with heart-pounding action and psychological horror. While some films were released in chronological order, others were strategically released to delve into the world's backstory. Here's a guide to watching The Purge movies in chronological order or by their release order.
Enjoy this thrilling journey into The Purge universe, where darkness and terror reign for a few unsettling hours each year.
How to Watch The Purge Movies by Order of Release Date
- The Purge - June 7, 2013
- The Purge: Anarchy - July 18, 2014
- The Purge: Election Year - July 1, 2016
- The First Purge - July 4, 2018
- The Purge TV Series - 2018-2019
- The Forever Purge - July 2, 2021
How to Watch The Purge Movies in Chronological Order
1. The First Purge (2018)
- Genre: Horror/Action
- Star Cast: Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, Mugga, Patch Darragh, Marisa Tomei, Luna Lauren Velez, Kristen Solis.
- Director: Gerard McMurray
- Writer: Gerard McMurray
- Run time: 1h 38m
- Year of release: 2018
- OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 5.2/10
The First Purge is a prequel that explains how the yearly event started. It takes place years before the first movie and follows the New Founding Fathers of America, a political group conducting an experiment in Staten Island. They make crime legal for 12 hours and offer a $5,000 payment to those who stay on the island. The goal is to reduce crime, but many people see it as a chance to profit from the chaos.
Despite an interesting plot, The First Purge disappoints in several ways. It introduces societal issues related to the experiment, but it's the weakest movie in the franchise and lacks the atmosphere of its predecessors.
2. The Purge TV Series (2018-2019)
- Genre: Thriller
- Star Cast: Gabriel Chavarria, Derek Luke, Hannah Emily Anderson, Max Martini, Jessica Garza, Paola Núñez, Joel Allen, Rochelle Aytes.
- Director: James DeMonaco
- Writer: James DeMonaco
- Run time: 2 seasons
- Year of release: 2018-19
- OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10
In 2018, USA Network and Syfy aired The Purge TV series, based on the first movie. It had 20 episodes and was created by James DeMonaco, who also wrote and directed the original film. The show's story unfolds during one Purge night, exploring the impact on different characters. The second season took a different approach, showing characters' lives before and after the event. Although fans liked the series and its in-depth character development, it was canceled after two seasons. The show provided a unique and more detailed look at the futuristic world of the Purge.
3. The Purge (2013)
- Genre: Adventure/Action
- Star Cast: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder, Adelaide Kane, Edwin Hodge, Rhys Wakefield, Tony Oller, Arija Bareikis.
- Director: James DeMonaco
- Writer: James DeMonaco
- Run time: 1h 25m
- Year of release: 2013
- OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10
In the first movie of the franchise, called "The Purge," Lena Headey and Ethan Hawke play a couple caught in a home invasion on Purge Night. In this futuristic society, crime and violence are legal for twelve hours each year with no consequences. The movie introduces a world where people have to survive and face moral challenges during this dangerous time.
The movie became a box office hit because of its interesting plot and impressive cinematography. It stood out from other masked-home invasion movies like "The Strangers" by presenting an alternate reality where crime is allowed for a specific period.
4. The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
- Genre: Horror/Action
- Star Cast: Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez, Zoë Soul, Justina Machado, John Beasley, Jack Conley.
- Director: James DeMonaco
- Writer: James DeMonaco
- Run time: 1h 43m
- Year of release: 2014
- OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10
The Purge: Anarchy is a fan-favourite, winning three awards. It follows different groups of people stuck on the streets during the Purge. They become unlikely heroes and join forces to survive. Frank Grillo plays Sergeant Barnes, an important character in the whole series.
People loved The Purge: Anarchy as it went beyond the typical home invasion theme. It got praised for its unique world-building, showing government corruption and class divisions. The movie had a gripping soundtrack and was more intense than the first one. Fans wanted more from the writer and director, James DeMonaco.
5. The Purge: Election Year (2016)
- Genre: Horror/Action
- Star Cast: Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mykelti Williamson, J.J. Soria, Betty Gabriel, Terry Serpico, Edwin Hodge, Kyle Secor.
- Director: James DeMonaco
- Writer: James DeMonaco
- Run time: 1h 48m
- Year of release: 2016
- OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 6/10
In The Purge: Election Year, Frank Grillo plays Leo Barnes, the head of security for a senator running for president. She aims to stop the Purge, but powerful forces want to keep it going. Barnes and his team must protect her as enemies try to eliminate her before election day.
The movie's advertising campaign was excellent, resembling real political ads from the Clinton/Trump campaign. It has a political angle, showing how elected officials use the Purge to gain power and get rid of rivals. It also comments on the influence of money and organized religion in politics. However, some viewers wanted more character development and horror elements.
6. The Forever Purge (2021)
- Genre: Horror/Action
- Star Cast: Ana de la Reguera, Tenoch Huerta, Josh Lucas, Leven Rambin, Cassidy Freeman
- Director: James DeMonaco
- Writer: James DeMonaco
- Run time: 1h 43m
- Year of release: 2021
- OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 5.4/10
The Forever Purge is the most recent movie in the franchise, continuing from The Purge: Election Year. This time, the annual Purge night is back, but something's different – the violence doesn't end when the night is over. Survivors must now face the aftermath and stay alive.
The film earned over $500 million at the box office and won a Feature ReFrame Stamp Award in 2022. While opinions were mixed among critics and fans, many praised director Everardo Gout's work. The movie combines intense political themes and successful horror elements.
The Purge franchise has been a hit over the years, with a captivating story and interesting characters. Each installment brings its own unique twist while staying true to its core values of political and social commentary. Fans are excited for the upcoming sixth installment, which will be directed by James DeMonaco once again.
Also read: Top 15 Time Travel Movies of All Time
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