All true horror fans know that the Evil Dead franchise is one of the best there is. Deadites mixed with a little bit of gore and humor equals a cult classic.

Unbeknownst to many, the story of the Evil Dead franchise started with Raimi’s 1978 short film, ‘Within The Woods ‘. This 30-minute film, starring Raimi’s friend Bruce Campbell, laid the foundation for the horror saga we know today. The budget for this first project was only $1,600.

The Sam Raimi masterpiece gave birth to five movies and a three-season TV series. Whether you’re a newcomer or an OG fan, watching the whole franchise is a thrill ride. 

Make sure to block some time off from your calendar because this will take time. Enjoy watching on BlueStacks from your PC or laptop for a seamless binge. If you want to know the best way to watch every Evil Dead movie and show in order, read below. 

Watch Evil Dead By Release Date

The simplest way to watch is by release date. If you’re not keen on following the continuity of our main protagonist’s story, you’ll be fine going by the year the movie was released.

  • The Evil Dead (1981)
  • Evil Dead II (1987)
  • Army of Darkness (1992)
  • Evil Dead (2013)
  • Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018)
  • Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Watch Evil Dead in Chronological Order

Follow this order if you want to focus on Ash Williams’ story arc. Watching the franchise in chronological order gives you a better understanding of his journey.

The Evil Dead (1981)

It all started with a demonic book in a cabin. In the first installment, Ash Williams is with his girlfriend and college friends. The group heads to a cabin in the woods for a vacation-turned-nightmare that kicks off the saga. 

There, they discover The Book of the Dead and unknowingly summon demons and raise hell. Because what else do college kids do in cabins? 

Evil Dead II (1987)

Thanks to the success of the first movie, the sequel had a bigger budget. It also had a little bit more gore and a lot more comedic acting, which fans loved.

This time, Ash accidentally unleashes the demon Kandarian, who wastes no time possessing Linda. To protect himself, Ash kills Linda and buries her decapitated body. But his misfortune doesn’t end there, unfortunately. Linda’s corpse attacks Ash, infecting his hand, which he eventually cuts off.

Later, Annie Knowby reads the incantations to kill the demons but accidentally opens a portal. Ash is sucked into the portal and thrown into a completely different era…

Army of Darkness (1992)

Zombies and the Middle Ages don’t typically mix but in the world of Evil Dead, they somehow work. No questions asked. 

Now, Ash finds himself in the past, low on gas and with a chainsaw hand. Before returning to the present time, he must fight off a horde of Deadites and save the kingdom. After successfully defeating the “army of darkness,” he drinks a potion to help bring him back to his time.

He wakes up in the present time (after six centuries) and returns to work at S-Mart. A lone Deadite enters the store, and Ash shows off his zombie-killing prowess, becoming a hero once again.

He wraps up the original trilogy with the iconic line, “Hail to the King, baby!”

Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018)

Originally, this was meant to be a sequel to the trilogy. But, because of production problems, it was delayed for a long time. The series picks up at a grocery mart where Ash works. He assembles a team to help him fight the Deadites and save the world.

The series ended with a cliffhanger, hinting at a continuing storyline. Unfortunately, it was cancelled after three seasons (prematurely, says fans), and we were not able to see it grow into a fully realized show.

Evil Dead Remake (2013)

Director Fede Alvarez took the reins of the remake 32 years after the original movie was released. While it isn’t a page-by-page copy of the 1981 sleeper hit, it clearly pays homage to its roots. 

The story follows Mia (played by Jane Levy) and her friends who go to the Knowby cabin. Just like in the original film, someone discovers the Necronomicon book and reads the incantations (even if there were clear warnings not to!) and unleashes the demons. Each character suffers a horrific death, much gorier than the original film.

As an homage to Ash, the remake ends the movie with Mia cutting off her hand with a chainsaw after a battle with a demon. She survives the ordeal, but the camera cuts away to The Book of the Dead, still intact and waiting for its new victims.

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

In a new twist, the fifth installment takes the Necronomicon out of the cabin and into the basement of an LA apartment. The director later confirms that this is one of the three Necronomicons; they are not exactly alike but have the same purpose.

With a modern setting, the movie features two sisters—Ellie and Beth—whose reunion quickly turns dark after the book unleashes its dark power. Beth steps up to protect her nieces and nephew from the possessed tenants and their mom, who turns into one of the creepiest, most violent Deadites of the franchise.