The Puppet Master horror movie franchise has spawned over a dozen installments since the original cult classic was released in 1989 – so it can be tricky to watch the Puppet Master movies in order. Full Moon Features, the Empire Pictures successor behind most of the film series, had a surprise hit with Puppet Master and numerous films, toys, and other tie-ins have followed since. In fact, there are currently as many as 15 titles in the series. Here’s a guide for viewers so they can see how to watch all of the Puppet Master movies in order.
Of course, fans may question which route to watch the Puppet Master movies in order would be best. There’s release order, which can be jarring given the amount of prequels and midquels spread throughout the series, or chronological order which can be equally as surprising. Now, as written below, here’s the best way to watch either order so that fans and newcomers can enjoy the Puppet Master horror film series in the best possible ways they see fit.
Puppet Master Movies in Order (Release)
- Puppet Master (1989)
- Puppet Master II (1990)
- Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge (1991)
- Puppet Master 4 (1993)
- Puppet Master 5 (1994)
- Curse of the Puppet Master (1998)
- Retro Puppet Master (1999)
- Puppet Master: The Legacy (2003)
- Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys (2004)
- Puppet Master: Axis of Evil (2010)
- Puppet Master X: Axis Rising (2012)
- Puppet Master: Axis Termination (2017)
- Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich (2018)
- Blade: The Iron Cross (2020)
- Puppet Master: Doktor Death (2022)
Now that we know the how to watch the Puppet Master movies in order according to release date, we can dig into the chronological order. Interestingly, several of the films listed above exist in continuities outside of the original timeline. Specifically, Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys which is more of an alternate sequel to the original three movies, and Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich which is a complete reboot of the franchise. Neither film was particularly well-received by fans, however, with The Littlest Reich having declined in popularity in the years following its release. Now that we can exclude those two titles let’s dig into the chronological watch order for the Puppet Master saga.
Puppet Master Movies in Order (Chronological)
- Retro Puppet Master (1999)
- Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge (1991)
- Puppet Master: Axis of Evil (2010)
- Puppet Master X: Axis Rising (2012)
- Puppet Master: Axis Termination (2017)
- Blade: The Iron Cross (2020)
- Puppet Master (1989)
- Curse of the Puppet Master (1998)
- Puppet Master II (1990)
- Puppet Master: Doktor Death (2022)
- Puppet Master 4 (1993)
- Puppet Master 5 (1994)
- Puppet Master: The Legacy (2003)
It’s also worth mentioning that some of these movies overlap so it can be complicated to watch the Puppet Master movies in order chronologically. For example, Retro Puppet Master features wraparound segments that take place immediately after the events of Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge. Likewise, Puppet Master: Axis of Evil takes place immediately after the opening of the original Puppet Master. This film, along with Axis Rising, Axis Termination, and Blade: The Iron Cross all take place between that opening and the events of the original film that take place further in time. The settings for Curse of the Puppet Master and Puppet Master: Doktor Death are more ambiguous, but it’s been pieced together that Curse takes place between the original and Puppet Master II. As for Doktor Death, that film’s director, Dave Parker, shared an extended ending on social media that confirms its place after the events of Puppet Master II.
At the time of this writing, there are also plans for a 16th Puppet Master movie, one titled Puppet Master: Furnace Leech Woman. The title suggests it will take place after the events of Puppet Master II during which she was thrown into a furnace. One can also imagine this will potentially connect with the events of Doktor Death. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much news on that front, so we’ll have to see what happens. In the meantime, this gives fans plenty of time to catch up with the series until then. Hopefully now fans can watch the Puppet Master movies in order and get a glimpse of what this crazy, unpredictable franchise is all about. If you want to follow another horror timeline – try our Leprechaun list.
