The Definitive Guide: All 12 Friday The 13th Movies In Order And The Shocking Future Of Jason Voorhees

For decades, the *Friday the 13th* franchise has been synonymous with the slasher genre, but understanding the complete, terrifying timeline of Jason Voorhees’s rampage across Crystal Lake and beyond can be a confusing mess of reboots, dream sequences, and trips to space. As of late 2025, the entire franchise consists of twelve films, each one adding a new layer to the legend of the hockey-masked killer, from the original shocker that introduced his mother, Pamela Voorhees, to the long-awaited crossover with Freddy Krueger. This definitive guide cuts through the confusion, presenting the complete chronological order of every film, detailing the key events, and most importantly, providing the freshest updates on the franchise's future after a crippling legal battle finally concluded. The horror world is buzzing right now because after years of frustrating silence, the long-dormant franchise is finally roaring back to life. The legal rights dispute that prevented any new films or projects for over a decade is officially over, paving the way for a confirmed new movie and a highly anticipated prequel series. Whether you are a lifelong fan looking to revisit the entire saga or a newcomer ready to dive into the Crystal Lake lore, here is the essential, up-to-the-minute viewing order and everything you need to know about the future of Jason Voorhees.

The Complete Jason Voorhees Chronology: All 12 Films In Order

The *Friday the 13th* film series is unique in that its chronological order is almost identical to its release order, with the exception of the 2009 reboot. Below is the full list of all twelve films, presented in the order of the narrative continuity.

1. Friday the 13th (1980)

Release Year: 1980

The film that started it all, but with a twist: Jason Voorhees is not the killer. The original massacre at Camp Crystal Lake is carried out by his mother, Pamela Voorhees, seeking revenge for her son's drowning death, which she blames on the negligent camp counselors. This film establishes the tragic backstory and the cursed nature of the camp.

2. Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

Release Year: 1981

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This is the true introduction of Jason as the primary killer. Set five years after the original, Jason, who is now an adult and surprisingly alive, emerges to avenge his mother's death. He initially wears a sack over his head before finding his iconic mask.

3. Friday the 13th Part III (1982)

Release Year: 1982

Set immediately after Part 2, this film is famous for two reasons: it was originally released in 3D, and it is the movie where Jason Voorhees finally acquires his signature hockey mask after stealing it from one of his victims. The mask quickly becomes his permanent, terrifying trademark.

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4. Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)

Release Year: 1984

Despite the title, this was far from the final chapter. It is notable for introducing Tommy Jarvis, a young boy who manages to kill Jason. This film is often considered one of the best in the franchise and features a young Corey Feldman as Tommy.

5. Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)

Release Year: 1985

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This entry is the most controversial in the series because the killer is not Jason. Instead, a copycat murderer, Roy Burns, takes up the mantle. The plot follows a now-institutionalized Tommy Jarvis, haunted by Jason, as he tries to uncover the new killer's identity.

6. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)

Release Year: 1986

The film where Jason is resurrected as a supernatural, zombie-like killer thanks to a lightning bolt hitting his grave (a mistake made by a now-adult Tommy Jarvis). This is the point where Jason transitions from a damaged human killer to an unstoppable, undead force of nature.

7. Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)

Release Year: 1988

This installment pits Jason against Tina Shepard, a teenager with telekinetic powers (a nod to the film *Carrie*). It marks the first time Jason fights a supernatural adversary, and the ensuing battle is one of the most destructive in the series.

8. Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)

Release Year: 1989

Despite the title's promise, Jason spends most of the film on a cruise ship before a brief, anticlimactic rampage in New York City. It is a fan-favorite for its over-the-top premise and is the last film in the original Paramount Pictures run.

9. Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993)

Release Year: 1993

Another "Final" chapter that was not final. This film introduces the concept of Jason's soul being able to possess other bodies, turning him into a body-hopping entity. It also features a major crossover tease in the final shot, setting up the next film.

10. Jason X (2001)

Release Year: 2001

Jason is cryogenically frozen and awakens in the year 2455 aboard a spaceship, where he is upgraded into the unstoppable "Uber Jason." This film is the most bizarre and futuristic entry, completely abandoning the Crystal Lake setting.

11. Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

Release Year: 2003

The long-awaited crossover that pits Jason Voorhees against Freddy Krueger of the *Nightmare on Elm Street* franchise. Freddy manipulates Jason into killing teenagers on Elm Street to instill fear, allowing Freddy to regain his power. The film culminates in an epic final battle.

12. Friday the 13th (2009)

Release Year: 2009

This film is a reboot of the entire franchise, intended to be a fresh start. It combines elements from the first four original movies, offering a new origin story for Jason and a slightly different timeline of the Crystal Lake massacre. It is the last theatrical film released to date.

The Legal Nightmare That Froze Crystal Lake

For years following the 2009 reboot, fans were left wondering why one of the most profitable horror franchises in history had suddenly gone silent. The answer was a complex and protracted legal battle over the intellectual property rights. The core of the issue was a dispute between the original film's screenwriter, Victor Miller, and the film's director/producer, Sean S. Cunningham. Miller sought to reclaim the rights to the original 1980 film under a provision of U.S. copyright law that allows creators to terminate a copyright grant after a certain period. The legal back-and-forth lasted for multiple years, effectively putting a moratorium on all new *Friday the 13th* projects, including movies, games, and TV shows. This is why the popular *Friday the 13th: The Game* eventually had to shut down its servers in 2024—it had lost the necessary license. The good news for fans is that the lawsuit officially concluded, with Victor Miller successfully regaining the rights to the original film's characters and concepts (specifically, the elements from the first film, including the adult Jason and the setting). This resolution, which was cemented in late 2021, finally cleared the path for new content to be developed, leading directly to the exciting announcements we are seeing today.

The Future of Fear: New Projects Confirmed for 2025 and Beyond

Thanks to the resolution of the legal rights issues, the *Friday the 13th* franchise is experiencing a massive, long-awaited resurgence. The next few years promise to be the most active the franchise has seen in decades, with multiple new projects confirmed.

The New Friday the 13th Movie (The 13th Film)

Movement on a new, thirteenth *Friday the 13th* movie has been confirmed, with producers stating they are "actively working" on the project. While specific plot details remain scarce, the new film is expected to be a fresh take on the lore, possibly focusing on the early, pre-hockey-mask days of Jason or a direct continuation that ignores some of the later, more outlandish sequels like *Jason X*. Many sources are pointing toward a potential release window around 2025, a date that has fans eagerly anticipating the return of Jason to the big screen.

Crystal Lake: The Prequel Series

Perhaps the most exciting news is the confirmation of a major television project: *Crystal Lake*. This is a prequel series being developed by A24 and Peacock, with *Hannibal* creator Bryan Fuller attached as the showrunner. The series is currently in full production and filming, promising a deep dive into the history of Camp Crystal Lake and the origins of Jason Voorhees's tragic story and eventual transformation into a killer. This show is intended to provide the in-depth, high-quality storytelling that fans have craved, expanding the lore beyond the confines of a two-hour slasher film.

The Jason Universe

In early 2024, a new cross-platform brand called "Jason Universe" was launched. This initiative is designed to oversee and coordinate all new *Friday the 13th* content, including new movies, video games, and "immersive experiences." The launch of this brand signals a commitment from the rights holders to treat the franchise as a major, ongoing cinematic universe, ensuring a steady stream of high-quality content for years to come. This unified approach is a direct result of the legal resolution and suggests that the days of long, frustrating gaps between *Friday the 13th* installments are finally over.