OrderToWatch

Paranormal Activity watch order

Paranormal Activity movies in order, release and chronological. Updated October 20, 2026.

Watch Paranormal Activity in release order from Paranormal Activity (2007). Story order differs: Paranormal Activity 3 is set in 1988, in Katie and Kristi's childhood, and most of Paranormal Activity 2 takes place in the weeks before the first film. Next of Kin (2021) stands apart from the Katie and Kristi story.

How to watch the Paranormal Activity movies in order: the full guide

All 7 films and series in the Paranormal Activity franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is Paranormal Activity (2007); the first in chronological order is Paranormal Activity 3 (set in 1988).

Release order

  1. Paranormal Activity (Movie, 2007): Katie and Micah's camera; the place to start.
  2. Paranormal Activity 2 (Movie, 2010): Kristi's family, mostly in the weeks before the first film.
  3. Paranormal Activity 3 (Movie, 2011): Katie and Kristi as children in 1988; the earliest story.
  4. Paranormal Activity 4 (Movie, 2012): Five years later, Katie and Hunter reappear.
  5. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (Movie, 2014): A spin-off that widens the coven story.
  6. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (Movie, 2015): Closes the Katie and Kristi story.
  7. Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (Movie, 2021): A standalone new story; optional.

Chronological order

  1. Paranormal Activity 3 (set in 1988): Katie and Kristi as children in 1988; the earliest story.
  2. Paranormal Activity 2 (set in 2006): Kristi's family, mostly in the weeks before the first film.
  3. Paranormal Activity (set in 2006): Katie and Micah's camera; the place to start.
  4. Paranormal Activity 4 (set in 2011): Five years later, Katie and Hunter reappear.
  5. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (set in 2012): A spin-off that widens the coven story.
  6. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (set in 2013): Closes the Katie and Kristi story.
  7. Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (set in Amish country): A standalone new story; optional.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Paranormal Activity movies in?

Watch Paranormal Activity in release order from Paranormal Activity (2007). Story order differs: Paranormal Activity 3 is set in 1988, in Katie and Kristi's childhood, and most of Paranormal Activity 2 takes place in the weeks before the first film. Next of Kin (2021) stands apart from the Katie and Kristi story.

How many Paranormal Activity movies and shows are there?

There are 7 titles in the Paranormal Activity franchise: 7 films and 0 series, released from 2007 to 2021.

How long does it take to watch all the Paranormal Activity movies?

About 10 hours for all 7 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (6 titles) take about 9 hours.

What is the first Paranormal Activity title in chronological order?

Paranormal Activity 3, set in 1988. In release order the first is Paranormal Activity (2007).

Which Paranormal Activity titles can I skip?

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.