Let’s be real for a second. Most horror franchises have a "vibe," but the Texas Chainsaw film series has a chaotic energy that feels like it’s actively trying to confuse you. If you try to map out the continuity on a chalkboard, you’ll end up looking like a conspiracy theorist. There are reboots, sequels that ignore other sequels, and prequels that don't quite fit the math of the original 1974 masterpiece. Yet, despite the narrative whiplash, Leatherface remains a pillar of the genre.
It started with a low-budget nightmare. Tobe Hooper didn't have much money, but he had a hot Texas summer and a saw. The result changed movies forever.
The 1974 Spark and the "True Story" Myth
Everyone remembers the marketing. The "based on a true story" hook was a stroke of genius, but it was mostly a lie. Sure, Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel drew inspiration from the grisly crimes of Ed Gein in Plainfield, Wisconsin. But Gein wasn't a giant in a skin mask chasing teenagers through the woods with power tools; he was a grave robber who made trophies out of skin. The Texas Chainsaw film series took that seed of real-world macabre and grew it into a sweaty, claustrophobic fever dream.
The original movie is surprisingly bloodless. Go back and watch it. You’ll be shocked at how much happens off-camera. The horror is in the sound—the mechanical roar, the screaming—and the relentless sun. It feels dirty. It feels illegal to watch. This is why the 1974 film holds a 100% rating on many critical platforms even decades later. It’s perfect.
Then came the sequels.
Why the Timelines Are a Total Disaster
If you're a newcomer, good luck. You can't just watch these in order. You have to pick a "path."
🔗 Read more: Blink-182 Mark Hoppus: What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Comeback
Path one is the "Original Continuity." You’ve got the 1974 classic and the 1986 sequel. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is a wild pivot. It’s a dark comedy. Dennis Hopper shows up with dual chainsaws, screaming about "the Lord of the Harvest." It’s campy, loud, and totally ignores the grim tone of the first one.
Then you have the "Soft Reboot" era. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990) tried to bring back the grit. It gave us a young Viggo Mortensen before he was Aragorn. But then Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) happened. It stars Matthew McConaughey and Renée Zellweger before they were famous. Honestly? It’s bizarre. There are conspiracy theories about secret societies controlling the killers. It’s the black sheep of the Texas Chainsaw film series, and most fans pretend it doesn't exist.
The 2003 remake changed the game again. Produced by Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes, it traded the grainy 16mm look for a polished, high-contrast aesthetic. It was a massive box office hit. It proved Leatherface could still sell tickets in the modern era.
- The 1974/2022 Timeline: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) leads directly into the 2022 Netflix film.
- The 3D Timeline: Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) claims to be a direct sequel to 1974, ignoring everything else.
- The Prequel Route: Leatherface (2017) tries to explain the origin story, but mostly just muddies the waters.
Leatherface: A Different Kind of Slasher
Unlike Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, Leatherface isn't supernatural. He isn't a "ghost" or an immortal force of evil. He’s a large, mentally disabled man who is essentially a tool for his family. That’s what makes the Texas Chainsaw film series more disturbing than its peers. The horror isn't just the guy with the saw; it’s the family dynamic.
The Sawyers (or the Hewitts, depending on which movie you're watching) represent a distorted version of the American Dream. They are a "business" that has fallen on hard times because of automation at the slaughterhouse. They’re doing what they know—but instead of cows, it’s people. This social commentary about the "forgotten" parts of the country is why the first film still feels relevant. It’s about the clash between the city-dwelling hippies and the rural, decaying world they don't understand.
💡 You might also like: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
The Technical Mastery of Tobe Hooper
We have to talk about the dinner scene. It’s arguably the most uncomfortable ten minutes in cinema history. The close-ups on Marilyn Burns' eyes, the frantic editing, and the actual physical exhaustion of the actors (they were filming in 100-degree heat with rotting meat on the table) created something that can't be faked.
Hooper’s use of sound is the secret weapon. The "industrial" score—mostly scraping metal and clanging—doesn't let you breathe. Modern entries in the Texas Chainsaw film series often lean too hard on gore, forgetting that the original terrified people through atmosphere and psychological assault.
Tracking the Box Office and Cultural Impact
Despite some critical duds, the franchise is a financial survivor. The 2003 remake pulled in over $107 million on a tiny budget. Even the 2022 Netflix release became one of the most-watched films on the platform during its debut week. People complain about the writing, but they always show up for the saw.
The influence is everywhere. Without Leatherface, do we get The Hills Have Eyes? Probably not. Do we get the "torture porn" wave of the 2000s? Unlikely. The Texas Chainsaw film series pioneered the "final girl" trope alongside Halloween, but with a much bleaker ending. Sally Hardesty escaping in the back of a truck, laughing hysterically while covered in blood, is the definitive image of horror survival.
Common Misconceptions About the Series
A lot of people think the movies are just "slasher" flicks. They aren't. Or at least, they shouldn't be.
📖 Related: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
- Misconception 1: It’s a gore-fest. As mentioned, the 1974 film is incredibly restrained. The 2003 remake and the 2022 film are much bloodier, but the DNA of the series is actually suspense.
- Misconception 2: Leatherface is the leader. He’s actually the victim of his family's abuse. He wears the masks because he doesn't have a stable identity of his own.
- Misconception 3: It’s all in Texas. While the title says so, parts of the franchise have been filmed in Bulgaria (the 2022 version) to save on costs. You can kinda tell if you look closely at the trees.
How to Watch the Series Today
If you want the best experience, don't try to watch all nine films in a row. You'll get a headache.
Start with the 1974 original. It’s mandatory. From there, your path depends on your taste. If you like 80s cheese and over-the-top practical effects, go to Part 2. If you want a modern, scary-looking movie that actually feels like a horror film, watch the 2003 remake.
Avoid the prequels until you're a die-hard fan. They tend to over-explain things that are better left mysterious. The less we know about why Leatherface is the way he is, the scarier he remains.
Actionable Steps for Horror Fans
To truly appreciate the Texas Chainsaw film series, you need to look past the mask.
- Watch the Documentary: Look up The Shocking Truth. It’s a documentary about the making of the first film. It details the miserable filming conditions that led to the raw performances.
- Check Out the Locations: Many of the original filming sites in Texas are still there. The "Chainsaw House" from the first movie was actually moved and turned into a restaurant called Grand Central Café in Kingsland, Texas. You can eat dinner in the same house where the dinner scene was filmed.
- Compare the Soundscapes: Listen to the 1974 score versus the 2003 score. Notice how the original uses "noise" as music, while the newer ones use traditional orchestral swells. It changes the psychology of the fear.
The Texas Chainsaw film series isn't just about a guy with a power tool. It’s a reflection of American anxieties—about the economy, about the "other," and about the breakdown of the family unit. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s often inconsistent. But as long as that engine can start, people will keep running from it.