By Marquee Editorial3 entries
The Evil Dead movie franchise consists of three films starting with the 1981 release The Evil Dead, followed by Evil Dead II in 1987, and Army of Darkness in 1992. These entries connect through the discovery of ancient books, wilderness cabins, voice recordings, and encounters with evil powers, the undead, and time-warping events involving characters like Ash Williams, Linda, and a department store clerk. Watching these films in release order allows viewers to experience the events as they were originally released, moving from college students finding a Sumerian Book of the Dead in a wilderness cabin to a character facing legions of the undead in England's Dark Ages.

The Evil Dead
Movie, 1981
The Evil Dead is the first entry in release order. It introduces college students finding a Sumerian Book of the Dead in an old wilderness cabin.

Evil Dead II
Movie, 1987
Evil Dead II is the second entry. It follows Ash Williams and Linda finding a log cabin with a voice recording that unleashes an evil power.

Read what its ending meant, or search for another franchise.
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Army of Darkness
Movie, 1992
Army of Darkness is the third entry. It places a chainsaw-armed department store clerk into England's Dark Ages to face legions of the undead.
| # | Title | Type | Year | Rating | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Evil Dead | Movie | 1981 | ★ 7.3 | Not yet |
| 2 | Evil Dead II | Movie | 1987 | ★ 7.5 | Not yet |
| 3 | Army of Darkness | Movie | 1992 | ★ 7.3 | Not yet |
Average audience ratings, in watch order.
Start with the first movie released in the franchise, The Evil Dead (1981), which introduces college students finding a Sumerian Book of the Dead in a wilderness cabin.
Yes, following the release order from 1981 to 1992 allows viewers to experience the films in the exact sequence they were originally released to audiences.
None of the entries can be skipped if you want to experience all three movies in the franchise: The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, and Army of Darkness.
Watch in this order: 1. The Evil Dead, 2. Evil Dead II, 3. Army of Darkness.
This guide lists 3 entries, released between 1981 and 1992.
Evil Dead II has the highest average rating in this guide, at 7.5 out of 10.