The Definitive Guide: Every Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movie In Order (And How The Timelines Collide)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise is one of the most confusing, disjointed, and constantly rebooted sagas in horror history. With nine films spanning five decades, the series has multiple timelines, direct sequels that ignore all other sequels, prequels to sequels, and outright remakes. Understanding the true chronological order is a challenge, but this guide, updated with the latest information as of late 2025, will finally clear the air on Leatherface’s bloody legacy. The core intention of this deep-dive is to provide clarity on the various narrative threads that connect (or intentionally disconnect) the movies. We will break down the entire filmography by release date first, and then categorize them into the three distinct and often-contradictory timelines, including the recent 2022 Netflix sequel and the very latest news on a potential A24 revival.

The Full Texas Chainsaw Massacre Filmography: Release Order

For the casual viewer or first-time fan, the simplest way to watch the series is in the order they were released. This offers a glimpse into the evolution of the horror genre and the changing tone of the franchise, from Tobe Hooper’s grimy 1974 masterpiece to the more polished, modern entries.

• 1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): The terrifying, low-budget original that started it all.
• 2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986): Tobe Hooper returns for a more satirical, over-the-top sequel with a much higher budget.
• 3. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990): A more traditional slasher film that attempts to re-establish the serious tone of the original.
• 4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994): A cult oddity starring future stars Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey.
• 5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003): A successful, gritty remake that launched its own brief continuity.
• 6. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006): A prequel to the 2003 remake, detailing Leatherface’s origins.
• 7. Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013): A direct sequel to the 1974 original, ignoring all films released between 1974 and 2013.
• 8. Leatherface (2017): A prequel to the 1974 original, exploring Leatherface’s youth and institutionalization.
• 9. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022): A direct sequel to the 1974 original, ignoring *all* previous sequels, including *Texas Chainsaw 3D*.

The Three Conflicting Texas Chainsaw Massacre Timelines Explained

The reason the franchise is so confusing is that most of the sequels ignore the films that came before them, choosing instead to serve as a "direct sequel" to the 1974 original. To truly understand the lore, you must separate the films into three distinct, non-overlapping timelines. This is the correct chronological order for each universe.

Timeline 1: The Original Sawyer Family Saga (1974–1994)

This is the classic continuity established by Tobe Hooper. While the later films took significant liberties, they all technically follow the events of the first film.

1. Leatherface (2017):

Despite being released decades later, this film serves as the *earliest* chronological entry in the entire franchise. It is a grim origin story detailing the teenage years of Leatherface, whose real name is Jedidiah Sawyer, and how he ended up in a mental institution before his eventual return to the family home in the events leading up to the 1974 film.

2. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974):

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The definitive starting point. Five friends stumble upon the cannibalistic Sawyer family, including Leatherface, while visiting an old family homestead. This film establishes the core mythology of the franchise.

3. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986):

Set 12 years after the original, the sequel follows a radio DJ who teams up with a former Texas Ranger to hunt down Leatherface and his family, who are now living in an abandoned amusement park. The tone shifts dramatically to dark comedy and gore.

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4. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990):

This film is loosely connected, featuring a new family of cannibals and a Leatherface with a new, advanced chainsaw. It largely ignores the tone of *Part 2* and is considered a soft-reboot of the original continuity.

5. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994):

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A bizarre, almost self-parodying entry that is technically the final chapter of the original continuity. It introduces a secret society plot element and is often cited as the strangest film in the series.

Timeline 2: The Remake Continuity (2003–2006)

In the early 2000s, the horror genre saw a wave of remakes, and *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre* was one of the most successful. This continuity completely scraps the Sawyer family and introduces the Hewitt family, with Leatherface's real name changed to Thomas Brown Hewitt.

1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006):

This film is the chronological start of the Remake Timeline. It is set in 1969 and details the origin of the Hewitt family's cannibalistic tendencies and Leatherface's first mask and chainsaw.

2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003):

Set four years after *The Beginning*, this is the main film of the timeline. It follows a group of young adults who encounter the Hewitts while driving through Texas, leading to a brutal and visually distinct re-imagining of the original's premise.

Timeline 3: The Standalone/Legacy Sequels (2013–2022)

This third timeline is the most confusing, as it consists of two separate films, *Texas Chainsaw 3D* and *Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)*, that both claim to be the *only* direct sequel to the 1974 original, effectively ignoring each other and the rest of the franchise.

The *Texas Chainsaw 3D* Branch (Ignored by 2022):

Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013): This film picks up immediately after the 1974 original, showing the townspeople burning down the Sawyer farmhouse. The plot then jumps to the present day, where a young woman inherits the property and discovers she is Leatherface's cousin. It establishes a new, isolated continuity.

The *Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)* Branch (The Latest):

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022): Released on Netflix, this is the current "official" continuation of the original film. It is set 50 years after the 1974 massacre and features an elderly Leatherface, now living in an abandoned orphanage. It brings back the original film's final girl, Sally Hardesty, for a legacy showdown, completely disregarding the events of *Texas Chainsaw 3D* and all other sequels.

The Future of Leatherface: What’s Next for the Franchise?

The *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* franchise remains a valuable IP, and the story of Leatherface is far from over. The 2022 film was the last major installment, but recent news suggests a significant new direction.

A24 Acquisition and Potential Television Series

One of the freshest and most exciting pieces of news for fans is the potential acquisition of the franchise rights by the acclaimed production company A24. Known for elevated horror films like *Hereditary* and *The Witch*, A24’s involvement suggests a major creative overhaul. Rumors and reports indicate a new *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* TV show or a full-scale cinematic reboot is being considered. This move would likely establish a fourth, brand-new timeline, focusing on a more psychological and character-driven horror approach, similar to A24's previous work.

The End of the Video Game

While the film franchise looks toward a new future, the popular video game adaptation, *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre*, recently announced that it would not be receiving any further future content or support, marking the end of that particular chapter of the saga.

How to Watch: The True Chronological Order

If you want to watch the *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* films in a way that makes the most narrative sense, you should choose one of the three timelines and stick to it. The most rewarding and complete viewing experience comes from following the Original Timeline.

The Recommended Viewing Order (Original Timeline):

1. Leatherface (2017) (Prequel)
2. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) (Original)
3. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) (Sequel)
4. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990) (Sequel)
5. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) (Legacy Sequel - *Optional alternative to 1986/1990/1994*)

Ultimately, the *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* franchise is a testament to the enduring power of its original, terrifying concept. Whether you prefer the gritty realism of the 1974 film, the polished gore of the 2003 remake, or the legacy sequel approach of the 2022 entry, Leatherface’s chainsaw continues to cut a path through horror history, promising more confusing, yet compelling, timelines in the years to come.