Following the original, the franchise expanded rapidly through the 1980s and 1990s. The sequel, Friday the 13th Part 2, arrived in 1981 and shifted focus to Jason himself as the primary antagonist. Subsequent entries like Friday the 13th Part III, The Final Chapter, A New Beginning, Jason Takes Manhattan, and Jason Goes to Hell each introduced new settings and creative teams. The series eventually crossed into meta territory with 2003's Freddy vs. Jason, a crossover with the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise produced by New Line Cinema and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Check the Freddy vs. Jason box office data on Box Office Mojo.
Friday the 13th Chronological Story Order
In terms of narrative chronology, the franchise follows a clear timeline starting with the original 1980 film and continuing through Jason's origin story. The story begins with the drowning of young Jason Voorhees at Camp Crystal Lake in 1957, followed by the murders of camp counselors in 1958. The timeline then jumps forward to the 1980s, where the adult Jason begins his killing spree. The 2009 reboot, directed by Marcus Nispel, reimagined the origin story with a modern tone and updated special effects while retaining the core elements of the original plot. View the Friday the 13th 2009 reboot details on IMDb.
Key Story Events in Chronological Order
The franchise's internal timeline includes Jason's childhood trauma, the closure of Camp Crystal Lake, and his eventual return as an unstoppable force. Later entries explored supernatural elements, including Jason's resurrection and travel to Manhattan. The 2003 crossover Freddy vs. Jason merged the timelines of both franchises, while the reboot condensed the backstory into a single modern film. The chronological order of events remains a key topic among fans tracking the lore of the Crystal Lake murders.
Friday the 13th Franchise Timeline and Legacy
The Friday the 13th franchise includes 12 mainline films, multiple reboots, and a television series that aired from 2009 to 2017. The series has grossed over $468 million worldwide at the box office, according to industry tracking sources. The franchise's influence extends into video games, comic books, and merchandise, cementing Jason Voorhees as one of the most recognizable horror icons alongside Michael Myers and Ghostface. View the Friday the 13th 2009 box office data on The Numbers.