How (and where) to watch by release date and chronologically

Although the franchise consists of seven films, the Paranormal Activity The order of the films is different chronologically and by release date. The mainstay of the found footage franchise follows the sinister demon “Tobi” as he terrorizes families and homes across the decades. The complex tradition of Paranormal Activity films begins with the original 2007 film that introduces Tobi and his main anchor for most of the series, Katie. As the films continue, the expanding story and intertwining network of characters gradually reveal a rich, detailed universe of supernatural horror.

The franchise includes backstories, time travel, recurring characters, and connections to Tobi and Katie. With such a complex chronology, the question of where to begin with the Paranormal Activity Movies can seem scary. Two installments of the franchise are prequels, and two interact directly with Katie's past. There is also an unofficial and non-canon Japanese sequel Paranormal Activity 2: Tokyo nightbut this is apart from the rest when considering the schedule. THE Paranormal Activity the franchise saw its most recent entry with a standalone sequel released in 2021, and it's the latest to watch from the Paranormal Activity movies in order.

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Paranormal Activity (2007)

The third film chronologically

The first installment of the franchise, Paranormal Activityis set in October 2006, following the lives of Katie (Katie Featherston) and her boyfriend Micah (Micah Sloat) as they move into a new house in San Diego, California, and begin to experience supernatural disturbances.

The film is comparatively light in terms of story and details, with most of the activity remaining unexplainedexcept that a demonic entity is in the house and has been interested in Katie since childhood. The demon is not named in the film, but later becomes known as "Tobi", the main threat of the Paranormal Activity films.

Observed on its own, there are small hints that this is part of a larger story, although the past hasn't been focused on outside of a few small mentions of Katie's past. This story will be explained in the next two films, which are prequels that explain why Katie did what she did in this film.

6

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

Explains the events leading up to the first film

The second of Paranormal Activity films is a prequel and a parallel sequel. It tells the tangential story of Katie's sister, Kristi (Sprague Grayden), and her suburban family living in Carlsbad, California, two months before the events of the first film.

Paranormal Activity 2 sees Kristi tormented by the same demon that threatens Katie and Micah in the original and gives disturbing context to Kristi's role in the events of the first film. Paranormal Activity 2 ends with Kristi's two children, Ali and Hunter, whose future is uncertain; this ambiguity will be explored to great effect in future films.

This movie shows the other side of things that happened in the first movie, as Kristi faced paranormal activity before Katie. When Tobi infects Kristi, she performs a ritual that transfers the demonic spirit to her sister, which causes her sister to kill at the end of the first film. She is then invited to meet a new powerful girl named Leila.

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Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)

The story of Katie and Kristi as children

The first entry into Paranormal Activity In the film's timeline, this prequel is set in 1988, focusing on Katie (Chloe Csengery) and Kristi (Jessica Tyler Brown) as children, being raised by their mother, Julie (Lauren Bittner) and her boyfriend, Dennis (Chris Smith).

The film shows the sisters facing demonic disturbances for the first time as their home is tormented by the occult machinations of a coven of witches called "The Midwives". Paranormal Activity 3 shows the girls' first interactions with “Tobi”, who in this film gets his name from Kristi's imaginary friend.

Midwives feature prominently in the next three Paranormal Activity films as a cult following of "Tobi". This film explains that they brainwash women into giving birth to boys, which the witches will later use in rituals. This fact influences the time travel used in the next two films, as young Kristi and Katie end up being visited by people from the future.

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Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)

The film that reveals what happened to Hunter and Katie

The first installment in the franchise set after the events of the first film Paranormal Activity 4follows Alex Nelson (Kathryn Newton), a young woman whose family begins to experience supernatural events focused on her adopted brother, Wyatt (Aiden Lovekamp). Wyatt is introduced to "Tobi" by Robbie (Brady Allen), the son of a neighbor (Katie) who recently moved into a house across the street from the Nelsons. They take him in while his mother remains hospitalized.

The film features more involvement of the midwives and the development of their rune-based practices. Paranormal Activity 4 reveals the fate of Kristi's son Hunter, last seen in Paranormal Activity 2. It turns out that Alex's adoptive brother, Wyatt, is Hunter. The film also shows that Katie remains possessed five years later Paranormal Activity and is fully integrated with midwives at this time.

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Paranormal Activity: The Marked (2014)

The film that presents time travel

The fifth Paranormal Activity The film focuses on teenager Jesse Aresta (Andrew Jacobs), who finds himself "marked" for possession by "Tobi" after he and his friend break into a deceased midwife's apartment, finding hidden diaries and tapes in the process.

Paranormal Activity: The Marked is the first of Paranormal Activity films that will feature time travelwhile Jesse finds the midwives' instructions on creating portals in space and time. This film shows that Jesse, like Hunter, was born to a woman marked by the midwives, meaning he is the next ritual sacrifice.

Jesse travels back in time to interact with young Katie and Kristi from Paranormal Activity 3. Later, his friend Hector travels back in time to the events of the first film, where he observes Katie killing Daniela and Kristi. Paranormal Activity: The Marked it also features the reappearance of Kristi's second son, Ali, who introduces new information about midwives.

2

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015)

The film that finally ends Katie and Kristi's childhood story

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension centers on the Fleege family, who discover a camera that can see supernatural matter. They soon find themselves haunted by "Tobi" and the midwives after their daughter, Leila (Ivy George), becomes the target of possession. Parents Ryan and Emily communicate with young Katie and Kristi via VHS tape and then travel I went back in time to 1992 to face “Tobi”.

The film resolves many of the lingering questions posed by the previous film. Paranormal Activity films, including the reveal that Leila is the character who was teased at the end of Paranormal Activity 2as time travel allows her to meet other girls despite growing up two decades apart, while she escapes through a portal to the past after Tobi kills her family.. The film concludes the story that began with Katie in the original Paranormal Activity.

1

Paranormal Activity: Next of kin (2021)

An independent paranormal activity film

Worst ranked among Paranormal Activity films, this last installment sees adopted teenager Margot (Emily Bader) seeking to learn more about her Amish roots and true ancestry. Her quest exposes her to a dark community that harbors a powerful demon: “Asmodeus from the Book of Tobit.”

Paranormal Activity: Next of kin is an independent sequel with little connection to the main continuity of the series. Although the film does not feature returning characters, it touches on similar subjects of family curses and demonic possession. Asmodeus and Tobi appear to be the same demon, with the connection made between “Tobi” and “The Book of Tobit”.

However, Asmodeus, who is based on real mythology, appears to possess powers different from those of Tobi. Furthermore, the timelines do not coincide; when Margot finds Asmodeus, he has been imprisoned for decades. The existence of time travel in Paranormal Activity films allow for the possibility of Asmodeus traveling back in time to 1992 after the end of the film to begin the events of the series as Tobi, but this has never been confirmed.

Paranormal activity movies in chronological order

The best thing is to watch Paranormal Activity films in the order of release as intended by the creators. Much of the original film's inexplicable terror loses its potency if the first-time viewer already has the context. of the two prequels. Furthermore, a first watch that respects the chronological timeline risks overwhelming the uninitiated viewer with assumed knowledge and tradition.

However, rewatching the franchise in this way can be a fun study of the various hints and Easter eggs that point to the series' ultimate direction. While seeing the mysteries unfold over the first five films in the series is a lot of fun, watching the story in the order it happened allows for a different experience and a way to see how the plots come together and where they might fall apart. after reflection.

Where to Stream Paranormal Activity Movies

Considering how much Paranormal Activity movies connect (at least in the first few entries), it makes sense that most people would want to see them together. This was difficult in late 2024, with films only really available to rent or purchase across multiple platforms. This changes from January 1, 2025, when most Paranormal Activity films have hit Paramount Plus. This allows them to come together Paranormal Activity: Next of kinwhich was exclusive to Paramount Plus.

On the first day of the new year, the first four entries arrived on the streaming service along with Paranormal Activity: The Marked. The first three installments connect significantly and form an intriguing trilogy to watch together. The fourth film has some connections and although The Marked it's a bit on the sidelines, it still works as something to watch along with the rest.

The only film that will not be on Paramount Plus is Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension. This movie can be streamed on Prime Video and MGM+, as well as purchased or rented from various places like Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and the Microsoft Store.