How to Watch The Purge Movies in Order — Release vs. Chronological Timeline

Why You Should Watch The Purge in Order

Set in a nightmarish America where all crime becomes legal for 12 hours each year, The Purge series explores survival, morality, and class inequality.
Watching the films in order helps you understand how this brutal social experiment grows from a government test to nationwide chaos.

There are two recommended ways to watch:

• By release date — to see the franchise evolve as audiences did.
• By timeline — to follow the story chronologically from its origins.

Watch The Purge Movies by Release Date

Release Order

If you prefer to watch the films in the order they were made, follow this list:

1. The Purge (2013)
2. The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
3. The Purge: Election Year (2016)
4. The First Purge (2018)
5. The Forever Purge (2021)

Each sequel expands the world — from the claustrophobic home setting of the first movie to the large-scale chaos of The Forever Purge.

Watch The Purge Movies in Chronological Order

Story Timeline

For a true start-to-end narrative, here’s how the story unfolds:

1. The First Purge (2018) — shows how the experiment began.
2. The Purge (2013) — the system takes hold in suburban America.
3. The Purge: Anarchy (2014) — expands the story to city streets.
4. The Purge: Election Year (2016) — explores rebellion and political fallout.
5. The Forever Purge (2021) — depicts the system’s terrifying collapse.

Chronological viewing gives a seamless arc — from the first experiment to the downfall of civilization.

What Makes The Purge So Compelling

Themes and Tone

The franchise digs deep into:

• Power and corruption — how governments manipulate fear.
• Economic divide — the poor vs. the privileged.
• Survival instinct — moral lines blur when laws disappear.

Each installment becomes more political and action-driven, blending horror with social commentary.

Best Way to Experience the Franchise

• New viewers: start with release order to see how the concept evolved.
• Story-driven fans: begin with The First Purge for full chronological context.
• Rewatch tip: pay attention to background news broadcasts — they connect key events between films.

Final Thoughts

Whether you follow the release order or the story timeline, The Purge delivers a unique mix of horror and social reflection.
This guide helps you dive in without confusion — from the origin of the “purge experiment” to the chilling end of the series.

Lock your doors, dim the lights — and enjoy The Purge marathon responsibly

From: prettyteesus