Complete Friday the 13th Film Series Overview
The Friday the 13th franchise is a long-running American horror series centered on the fictional Camp Crystal Lake and the masked killer Jason Voorhees. The series began with the original 1980 film directed by Sean S. Cunningham and produced by Georgetown Productions, which grossed approximately $59.8 million worldwide on a budget of $550,000. Subsequent entries expanded the mythology and introduced new settings, including New York City and outer space, while maintaining core elements of slasher horror and summer camp terror. The franchise has been distributed by major studios including Paramount Pictures, New Line Cinema, and Warner Bros., with the original 1980 film currently available for streaming and purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video Amazon.
As of the latest public data, the franchise comprises 12 mainline films, including the 2009 reboot produced by Platinum Dunes and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The series has generated a combined global box office total exceeding $460 million across all theatrical releases, adjusted for inflation. The original 1980 film was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2021 for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. The franchise has also expanded into television, with a 1987–1990 TV series and a 2003 crossover video game, further cementing its status as a cornerstone of the slasher genre.
Friday the 13th Movies in Release Order
Original 1980 Film and Early Sequels
Friday the 13th (1980) was produced on a budget of $550,000 and earned approximately $39.8 million domestically, making it one of the most profitable films of its era. The film was distributed by Paramount Pictures and spawned seven sequels between 1981 and 1993, including Friday the 13th Part 2, Friday the 13th Part III, and Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. The series saw declining box office returns over time, with the 1993 installment earning roughly $15.7 million domestically on a budget of $2.2 million. All original films are available for digital purchase and rental through major platforms such as Apple TV Apple TV.
Reboot, Crossovers, and Later Entries
Friday the 13th (2009) was a reboot produced by Platinum Dunes and distributed by Paramount Pictures, earning approximately $92.7 million worldwide on a budget of $19 million. The franchise also includes the 1984 crossover film A Nightmare on Elm Street vs. Freddy Krueger, which was later rebranded as Freddy vs. Jason (2003) and distributed by New Line Cinema, earning $116.6 million worldwide. The 2009 reboot remains the highest-grossing entry in the series when adjusted for inflation. The complete filmography is documented by the American Film Institute and can be explored through the AFI Catalog AFI Catalog.
Production Companies, Directors, and Key Figures
Key Directors and Producers
The original 1980 film was directed by Sean S. Cunningham, who also produced the project through his company Georgetown Productions. Steve Miner directed several sequels, including Part 2 and Part III, while Joseph Zito directed The Final Chapter. The 2009 reboot was directed by Marcus Nispel and produced by Michael Bay and Andrew Form through Platinum D