You’ve probably seen the headlines about people puking in theaters or fainting in the aisles. It's basically become a rite of passage for horror fans. But if you’re trying to actually sit down and watch the terrifier movies in order, it's not as simple as just clicking "play" on the first thing you see on a streaming app.
Honestly, the timeline is a bit of a mess. Most people think it starts with the 2016 movie. It doesn't. Before David Howard Thornton became the icon we know today, Art the Clown was a much grubbier, low-fi nightmare played by a guy named Mike Giannelli. If you want the full, bloody picture, you have to go back to 2008.
The "True" Terrifier movies in order (Including the stuff you missed)
Look, if you just want to see a clown do horrific things with a hacksaw, sure, start with the 2016 film. But you’ll be missing the "proto-Art" phase. Director Damien Leone didn't just wake up one day with a multimillion-dollar franchise; he built this from short films that felt like cursed VHS tapes.
1. The 9th Circle (2008 Short)
This is where the nightmare starts. It’s a short film, very grainy, very indie. Art isn't even the "main" villain here; he's more like a demonic delivery man. He kidnaps a woman at a train station and hands her over to a cult. He doesn't have the fancy costume yet, but that creepy, silent mime vibe is already there.
2. Terrifier (2011 Short)
Not to be confused with the feature film. This short basically acted as a proof of concept. It features the infamous "needle in the eye" bit and established that Art doesn't just kill—he lingers. He’s a sadist who treats murder like a comedy routine.
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3. All Hallows' Eve (2013)
This is an anthology movie. It basically takes those two shorts mentioned above and stitches them together with a third story about a babysitter. Many fans consider this "optional" because it’s not strictly canon to the main trilogy, but if you want to see Art's evolution, it’s mandatory. This is the last time Mike Giannelli played the role before retiring from acting.
4. Terrifier (2016)
The big one. This is where David Howard Thornton takes over and gives Art that "Charlie Chaplin from Hell" energy. It’s a simple slasher: two girls, one diner, and a very long night of suffering. There’s almost no plot, but that’s sorta the point. It was made on a shoestring budget of about $35,000.
5. Terrifier 2 (2022)
This movie changed everything. It’s over two hours long, which is insane for a slasher. It introduced Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera), who is arguably the best "final girl" of the modern era. This is also where things get weird and supernatural. We get the Little Pale Girl, magical swords, and a lot of lore that Leone is still explaining.
6. Terrifier 3 (2024)
Art takes on Christmas. It’s meaner, gorier, and way more expensive looking. It grossed over $90 million worldwide, which is hilarious considering it’s unrated and cost next to nothing to make. It picks up five years after the second movie and dives deep into the possession of Victoria Heyes.
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Why the "All Hallows' Eve" canon is so confusing
Is All Hallows' Eve canon? Kinda. Maybe. Damien Leone has been a bit cagey about it.
In the 2013 anthology, Art is more of a demonic entity that can travel through television screens. In the main Terrifier trilogy, he starts as a human serial killer who becomes supernatural after he dies at the end of the first movie.
Some fans have a theory that the Art in All Hallows' Eve is a separate demon, and the "real" Art in the movies is just a guy who was inspired by those tapes. Or maybe it’s all the same guy and we shouldn't overthink it. Honestly, when a clown is eating someone’s face, the "multiverse logic" usually takes a backseat.
What’s the deal with Terrifier 4?
If you just finished the third movie, you know it ends on a massive cliffhanger. Leone has already confirmed that Terrifier 4 is happening. He’s mentioned in interviews with Collider and Variety that he wants to "go out strong" and doesn't want the series to turn into one of those franchises that has 10 sequels where Art goes to space.
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The fourth movie is being written as a potential finale for the Sienna/Art saga. We’re likely looking at a 2026 release date, given how fast these guys work.
How to watch for the best experience
If you want the "optimal" experience, don't just watch them chronologically. Follow this path:
- Watch Terrifier (2016) first to see if you can even stomach the gore.
- Watch Terrifier 2 and 3 back-to-back because they are basically one giant story.
- Circle back to All Hallows' Eve if you’ve become a superfan and want to see where the character design originated.
Actionable tips for your binge:
- Check the "Unrated" status: Make sure you aren't watching a censored version on a random cable channel. The whole point of these movies is the practical effects; if they're cut, the movie loses its soul.
- Look for the "Little Pale Girl": Keep an eye on the background of the 2016 film. While she wasn't officially introduced until the sequel, Leone has retroactively tied a lot of the imagery together.
- Support Indie Horror: These movies were largely crowdfunded on Indiegogo. If you like what you see, follow Damien Leone on social media—he often shares behind-the-scenes looks at the makeup effects that make these films so infamous.
The franchise has officially moved from a "cult secret" to a box office juggernaut. Whether you love the "elevated" lore of the sequels or the raw, nasty simplicity of the original shorts, there's no denying that Art is the new face of horror. Just maybe don't eat pizza while watching the bedroom scene in part two. You've been warned.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye out for the Terrifier 4 teaser trailers which are expected to drop in late 2025. You can also find the original shorts on various horror streaming platforms like Screambox or Shudder, which often host the "pre-feature" era of Leone's work.