Every ‘Insidious’ Movie Ranked from Worst to Best

From haunted houses to astral projection and a demon-haunted realm called The Further, the ‘Insidious’ franchise has grown into one of modern horror’s most recognizable series. Below is a clean countdown—from the least to the most acclaimed—covering who made each entry, who stars in it, where it fits in the overall timeline, and a few production or box-office facts that help place each film in context.

‘Insidious: The Red Door’ (2023)

Directed by Patrick Wilson in his feature directing debut, this chapter follows Josh and Dalton Lambert as they confront resurfacing memories and new dangers tied to The Further. The film brings back Patrick Wilson, Ty Simpkins, and Rose Byrne, with a screenplay by Scott Teems from a story by Leigh Whannell and Teems. Produced by Screen Gems and Blumhouse in association with Stage 6 Films, it became the highest-grossing entry in the series worldwide. It is a direct sequel to ‘Insidious: Chapter 2’ and continues the Lambert family storyline.

‘Insidious: The Last Key’ (2018)

Directed by Adam Robitel and produced by Blumhouse, this entry centers on Elise Rainier returning to her childhood home to confront a demon known as Keyface. The film features Lin Shaye alongside Angus Sampson and Leigh Whannell as Specs and Tucker, expanding Elise’s backstory and linking directly into events that lead toward the earlier entries. Distributed by Universal’s label partners globally, it adds new mythology while looping back to familiar series elements like The Further and spirit attachments. Its plot positions it as a prequel that connects into the timeline of the first two installments.

‘Insidious: Chapter 3’ (2015)

Written and directed by Leigh Whannell, this prequel focuses on teenager Quinn Brenner and marks the first installment to shift away from the Lambert family. Lin Shaye returns as Elise Rainier, with Specs and Tucker playing key roles in the investigation that draws them into The Further once again. Produced by Blumhouse and Stage 6 Films, it opened strong domestically and finished with a nine-figure worldwide gross against a modest budget. Its story placement occurs before the first two films, establishing character dynamics that the series revisits later.

‘Insidious: Chapter 2’ (2013)

James Wan returned to direct, with Leigh Whannell writing and Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne reprising their roles as Josh and Renai Lambert. The film continues immediately after the events of the first entry, further exploring time loops and hauntings tied to The Further and an entity connected to Josh’s past. Produced by FilmDistrict, Stage 6 Films, and Blumhouse, it opened at number one at the domestic box office and went on to a substantial worldwide total on a lean budget. Its chronology places it directly after the original while deepening the franchise’s central family saga.

‘Insidious’ (2010)

Directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, the series opener introduces the Lambert family and the concept of astral projection that leaves their son vulnerable to malevolent entities. Starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, and Barbara Hershey, the film established hallmark elements like The Further and the Lipstick-Face Demon. Produced inexpensively through partners including Haunted Movies and Stage 6 Films, it grossed over nine figures worldwide and launched the long-running collaboration among Blumhouse, Wan, and Whannell. In the overall chronology of the story, it sits after the prequel events covered in subsequent entries.

What’s your own order for the series—drop your lineup in the comments and tell us why!