How to watch the Saw movies in chronological order

With 10 Saw projects in the bag and possibly more to come now that the franchise is seemingly back in creator James Wan's hands, figuring out how to watch the Saw movies in order can be as difficult as escaping a reverse bear trap. Just because he couldn't physically put us in a trap, Jigsaw still loves to play mind games with his fans by making sure his outings are not in chronological order. Don't even get us started on the number of flashback scenes. But don't worry, think of us as your very own Billy the Puppet as we guide you through the Saw saga.

Since the first Saw movie terrified audiences in 2004, the Saw franchise has grown into one of the best horror collections out there, has stood the test of time, and broken the torture porn curse, spanning over 20 years. The best Saw movies include the trickiest traps and most disturbing methods of dying. But as the series has gone on, we have also gotten to know a little bit more about serial killer John Kramer's life, and why he chooses to terrorize victims in such a way. This means that, amongst the blood and guts, there is a real storyline running through these movies.

So, while we wait for Saw XI, scroll on down for our guide on how to watch the Saw franchise in order, including the entire timeline, time-jumps, and big twists. After that, check out our list of the best horror movies ever made.

1. Jigsaw (2017)

The eighth movie in the franchise and the first one to lose the title ‘Saw’ is of course the 2017 movie Jigsaw. Directed by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig, Jigsaw is split into two stories, one set in present time years after John Kramer's death where a copycat killer is on the loose leaving victims around the city with puzzle-sized chunks of flesh missing from them, and the other half set decades before back when Kramer was still alive. Although it has not been confirmed, many fans believe that the traps we see in Jigsaw were the first that John ever set up.

Although the bigger portion of this film is supposed to be set before any of the other Saw movies took place, nothing that happens is key to the rest of the franchise and can be watched at any point in the saga.

2. Saw (2004)

The movie that started the catalyst that is Saw is of course the original 2004 movie directed by horror legend James Wan, known for other iconic screen screams such as The Conjuring and Insidious. Saw opens with sneaky photographer Adam Stanheight and oncologist Lawrence Gordon chained to pipes at either end of the famous filthy tiled bathroom. The two men soon realize they must complete Jigsaw’s perverse puzzle to live, and make huge sacrifices to do so. This movie stars key characters that will appear throughout the franchise such as John Kramer AKA Jigsaw, Dr. Lawrence Gordon played by Cary Elwes, and Jigsaw’s most favoured assistant Amanda Young played by Shawnee Smith.

3. Saw X (2023)

Saw X is the tenth film in the saga, but, if you want to watch the Saw movies in chronological order, you have to watch it before Saw II. Trust us. In this movie, set only weeks after the events in the infamous bathroom, we see the return of John Kramer and his assistant Amanda as they travel to Mexico for a risky and miraculous medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer. However, after finding out his new medical professionals are more scammers than they are saviors John must seek revenge the only way he knows how, through a series of ingenious and terrifying traps.

4. Saw II (2005)

Set about a year after Saw and Saw X, the second installment sees a new band of detectives and police officers on the hunt for Jigsaw, only to find that his next test has already begun. In an abandoned house being continuously pumped with poisonous gas, Kramer has placed seven criminals along with the son of a detective, where the only way out is to play a set of twisted and torturous games. Saw 2, directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, sees the return of Amanda who, after being rehabilitated by Kramers tasks, is shown to be working alongside the killer as his assistant. The movie ends back in the infamous tiled bathroom with one of Jigsaw’s many rivals trapped inside.

5. Saw III (2006)

Also directed by Bousman, the third release sees Kramer in a highly fragile state. Bedridden from his battle with cancer, Jigsaw must rely on new assistant Amanda to do his dirty work for him. Whilst a more extravagant test is taking place in the same warehouse, a kidnapped Dr. Lynn Denlon is faced with her task, she must perform a fatal surgery on Kramer to remove his brain tumor or the trap around her neck will explode. Saw 3 also welcomes a new character the very shady Detective Mark Hoffman played by Costas Mandylor as well as returning characters.

6. Saw IV (2007)

After Kramer's dramatic death, detectives seem to think the killings are over, that is until the autopsy of the serial killer Jigsaw reveals yet another cassette tape warning that even after death, his gory games will continue. Taking place straight after the events of Saw 3, the fourth edition of the franchise, and the third movie in a row to be directed by Bousman, follows police officers as they wade through a trail of torture to find victims, including their colleagues. Through time-jumping scenes, we see back into Kramer's life and John’s ex-wife Jill Tuck, played by Betsy Russell, is introduced. In a major flashback we see Kramer as a normal guy, a humble engineer married to a pregnant Jill, after a mishap at Jill’s workplace involving a robbery gone wrong, Jill is harmed and faces a miscarriage. This event snaps something in John’s brain and forces him to take revenge on those who have harmed his family.

7. Saw V (2008)

As Kramer’s death begins to settle in, his protégé Hoffman firmly takes his place as the new Jigsaw murderer, but those closest to him start to suspect his foul play. In Saw 5, directed by David Hackl, we see more group traps taking place set up by the new killer, and in a series of flashbacks, we see just how Hoffman and Kramer got to be working together and how the detective made bad plans to keep the legacy alive.

8. Saw VI (2009)

Directed by Saw X’s Kevin Greutert, the sixth movie to be released in the franchise sees Jigsaw still directing events from beyond the grave. With Hoffman still on the loose, one of Kramer’s most elaborate mass traps begins with new victims including the insurance broker who ripped off Kramer during his battle with cancer, along with his crooked team who have no choice but to face the string of bloody and sacrificial tests set before them. Whilst Hoffman gets his hands dirty, ex-wife Jill carries out Kramer’s final requests.

9. Saw: The Final Chapter 3D (2010)

Saw: The Final Chapter otherwise known as Saw 3D is the seventh movie to be released consecutively and going by its name, we thought it would be the last. This movie, directed once again by Greutert, brings forward a new Jigsaw sidekick with a very familiar face. In the present time, a past victim of Kramer’s has found fame and fortune by selling his story of survival and making himself into a celebrity. When the assistant in question learns that an apparent Jigsaw victim turned self-help guru has been lying about ever playing the killer's cruel game, the con man wakes up in a very real trap and must face the consequences of his lies. Meanwhile, a crazed Hoffman has the tables turned on him after he goes after Kramer’s ex-wife.

(Here it is optional to watch Jigsaw again as the present-day scenes take place between the events of Saw: The Final Chapter and Spiral, but it does not change the trajectory of the franchise.)

10. Spiral: From the Book of Saw

Directed by Bousman yet again, Spiral is the second movie in the franchise to drop the ‘Saw’’ title and the only edition that doesn't star John Kramer. The 2021 movie follows Detective Zeke Banks, played by comedian Chris Rock, and his partner as they look into a new stream of grisly murders that are eerily reminiscent of the long-dead Jigsaw killer. As Zeke plummets further into his findings, he finds himself in the center of the killings. Spiral doesn't really connect to the Saw timeline at all and certainly does not change the trajectory of the overall story, however, directors and fans feel that it does have a place in the franchise with it often being referred to as Saw 9.

For more, check out our list of the most exciting upcoming horror movies heading our way in 2025 and beyond.