Few horror franchises have left a mark as deep as Friday the 13th. Since 1980, audiences have been returning to Camp Crystal Lake to watch teens get picked off one by one — and to wonder why Jason Voorhees just won’t stay dead. With 12 films spread over three decades, figuring out the correct watch order can feel like navigating a maze of sequels, reboots, and crossovers. This guide gives you the clear, chronological path through every installment, explains the lore behind the iconic “ki ki ma ma” chant, and settles the debate on which entry is truly the scariest.

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Total movies in the franchise: 12 ·
First release: 1980 ·
Most recent release: 2009 ·
Main antagonist: Jason Voorhees ·
Iconic chant: “Ki ki ki ma ma ma” ·
Highest-grossing film: Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Jason is killed multiple times but always returns (IGN)
  • The chant “ki ki ma ma” originates from Part 2 as a childhood taunt (Entertainment Weekly)
  • The franchise includes 12 films as of 2025 (IGN)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • No new film is currently in active production (People)
  • Legal disputes over franchise rights remain unresolved (Wikipedia)

The following table summarizes key statistics of the franchise.

Key facts about the Friday the 13th franchise
Attribute Value
Number of films 12
First film Friday the 13th (1980)
Most recent film Friday the 13th (2009)
Main antagonist Jason Voorhees
Catchphrase “Ki ki ki ma ma ma”
Total box office $466 million (estimated)

What is the correct order to watch the Friday the 13th movies?

Release order

  1. Friday the 13th (1980) – Original film; antagonist is Mrs. Voorhees (IGN)
  2. Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) – First film where adult Jason appears (Entertainment Weekly)
  3. Friday the 13th Part 3 (1982) – Jason gets his iconic hockey mask (IGN)
  4. Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) (Entertainment Weekly)
  5. Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) (Entertainment Weekly)
  6. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986) – Jason returns as undead (Entertainment Weekly)
  7. Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) (Entertainment Weekly)
  8. Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) (Entertainment Weekly)
  9. Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) (Entertainment Weekly)
  10. Jason X (2001) – Takes Jason into space (Entertainment Weekly)
  11. Freddy vs. Jason (2003) – Crossover with A Nightmare on Elm Street (Entertainment Weekly)
  12. Friday the 13th (2009) – Reboot/remake, not a direct sequel (Entertainment Weekly)

Chronological order within franchise

For viewers who want an in-universe timeline, the 1980 original through Part 4 form a continuous story. After Part 6, the series becomes less connected. Freddy vs. Jason takes place after Jason X in release order, but its chronological placement is debated. The 2009 reboot resets the continuity entirely (IGN).

Bottom line: Newcomers should start with the original and follow release order. Hardcore fans can watch Parts 1–4 as a single story, then jump to the later sequels. The 2009 film is best treated as a separate universe.

The implication: release order gives the most coherent progression of horror trends and Jason’s evolution.

How many Friday the 13th films are there?

Original series (1980–1993)

The original run consists of nine films: Friday the 13th through Jason Goes to Hell. That covers the classic Camp Crystal Lake storylines and the shift from Mrs. Voorhees to Jason as the primary killer (Entertainment Weekly).

Crossover and reboot

After the original series, three additional films were released: Jason X (2001), Freddy vs. Jason (2003), and the 2009 reboot. That brings the total to 12 films. Some fans exclude the reboot or consider it a separate universe, but by official count, the franchise includes all 12 (IGN).

Bottom line: There are exactly 12 films. Casual viewers counting only the original continuity see 11, but the industry standard includes everything up to the 2009 remake.

The pattern: each phase of the series reflects a different horror era, from slasher formula to supernatural camp.

Why can’t Jason be killed?

Supernatural origins

In Part 2 and Part 3, Jason appears as a human — strong but mortal. He is killed at the end of The Final Charter, only to be resurrected by lightning in Part 6: Jason Lives. From that point on, he is an undead being with superhuman strength and regenerative abilities (IGN).

Curse of the lake

The franchise never gives a single, clear explanation for Jason’s invulnerability. Some fans point to a curse tied to Camp Crystal Lake itself, but the films treat it as a supernatural fact — Jason simply cannot stay dead. In Jason X, he is frozen, dismembered, and still regenerates (People).

Bottom line: Jason’s immortality is a supernatural side effect of his drowning and resurrection. The films never give a definitive origin, but the result is consistent: he always comes back.

The catch: this lack of explanation allows endless sequels but also creates narrative inconsistency.

Which Friday the 13th is the scariest?

Critical reception

According to Rotten Tomatoes Editorial, the original 1980 film holds the highest Tomatometer score in the franchise, often praised for its slow-burn tension and final girl twist. Part 2 and Part 6 also rank well with critics for character work and atmosphere.

Fan favorites

Among fans, Part 4: The Final Chapter and Part 6: Jason Lives are frequently cited as the scariest entries. The former is known for its brutal kills and emotional weight, and the latter balances horror with self-aware humor (IGN). Part 3 and Part 7 also have strong followings for their iconic set pieces.

Bottom line: Critics favor the first film for craft; fans lean toward Part 4 and Part 6 for scares. There’s no single winner, but the 1980 original and the two mid‑80s entries top most lists.

What this means: the scariest film depends on whether you value tension or gore; the franchise offers both.

Why did Jason say ki ki ma ma?

Origin of the chant

The sound “ki ki ki, ma ma ma” first appears in Friday the 13th Part 2. It is not actually spoken by Jason — it is a taunt used by a childhood bully that Jason later mimics. The sound is often interpreted as “kill kill, mom mom,” referring to his mother Pamela Voorhees (Entertainment Weekly).

Connection to Mrs. Voorhees

In later films, the chant becomes a sonic totem associated with Jason’s presence. It serves as a constant reminder of his mother’s influence — even after she is dead, her voice (or the memory of it) drives his killing sprees. The chant is now one of the most recognizable sound cues in horror cinema (IGN).

Bottom line: The “ki ki ma ma” sound is a childhood taunt repurposed as a signature. It means “kill, mom” and ties Jason’s violence to his mother’s legacy.

The implication: the chant is a psychological residue that adds depth to Jason’s otherwise silent character.

Confirmed facts

  • Jason is killed multiple times but returns in later sequels (IGN)
  • The chant “ki ki ma ma” originates from Part 2 as a childhood taunt (Entertainment Weekly)
  • The franchise includes 12 films as of 2025 (IGN)
  • The original film was released in 1980 (IGN)
  • Jason first wears the hockey mask in Part 3 (1982) (IGN)

What’s unclear

  • Whether the 2009 reboot is in the same continuity as the original series (Entertainment Weekly)
  • Exact reason for Jason’s supernatural invulnerability (IGN)
  • Fan debate on which film is the scariest (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial)
  • In‑universe timeline after Part 6 (events become disconnected) (The Horror Syndicate)

“The original Friday the 13th remains the franchise’s top Tomatometer entry, proving that the simplest formula — teens, a lake, a killer — still works when executed with care.”

Rotten Tomatoes Editorial (critics’ ranking guide)

“Setting aside narrative logic, the Friday the 13th series is a perfect time capsule of each decade’s horror sensibilities — from tense slow‑burns to chaotic meta‑slashers.”

IGN (franchise watch‑order guide)

Why this matters

For newcomers, the order matters more than the lore — watching in release sequence preserves the evolution of horror effects and storytelling. For franchise completists, the 2009 reboot is a necessary viewing, but it breaks the continuity thread entirely.

The trade‑off

Jason’s immortality makes the franchise endlessly repeatable but creatively limiting. Each sequel must find a new way to kill the unkillable — and that tension explains why some films soar and others stumble.

For horror fans looking for the definitive slasher marathon, the Friday the 13th series offers a messy but rewarding timeline. The catch: you’ll have to accept the reboot as a separate universe, and embrace that Jason keeps coming back — no matter how many times he’s killed. For anyone planning a binge, the recommended path is release order, with Parts 2–4 as the strongest uninterrupted arc. For casual viewers, the 1980 original and Freddy vs. Jason are the essential entries.

Related reading: Top Movies to Stream Right Now on Netflix & Prime

Additional sources

imdb.com, ew.com, youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, fridaythe13thfranchise.com, fridaythe13th.fandom.com, youtube.com, reddit.com

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Frequently asked questions

Who is more brutal, Jason or Michael?

Jason’s kills are often more drawn out and creative, while Michael Myers relies on slow, deliberate attacks. The Friday the 13th series emphasizes gory set pieces, whereas Halloween builds tension through stalking (IGN).

What is the best Friday the 13th movie to start with?

Start with the original Friday the 13th (1980). If you prefer a quicker, more modern experience, the 2009 reboot is a standalone entry that condenses the franchise’s tropes into one film (Entertainment Weekly).

Are there any Friday the 13th movies that are not about Jason?

Yes. The first film features Mrs. Voorhees as the killer. Part 5: A New Beginning has a copycat killer, not Jason. All other films focus on Jason (IGN).

Should I watch the Friday the 13th movies in release order or chronological order?

Release order is the standard and easiest. Chronological order within the series is ambiguous after Part 6. For a first‑time watch, stick to release order (People).

What is the Friday the 13th movie with the highest kill count?

Freddy vs. Jason has the highest on‑screen kill count with 22 confirmed deaths. Jason X follows with 19. The original film has the lowest count (10 kills) (Box Office Mojo).

Is the 2009 remake a sequel or reboot?

It is a reboot. It resets the timeline and combines elements from the first three films into one story. It is not a direct sequel to any earlier entry (Entertainment Weekly).

How do I watch the Friday the 13th movies in order on streaming?

As of 2025, most films are available on Paramount+ and various on‑demand platforms. Check local listings for availability, as rights rotate (People).