Knives Out Movies List and Release Order
The Knives Out franchise currently includes three released films, with a fourth in development. The series began with Knives Out in 2019, followed by Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in 2022, and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery in 2025. Each film is a standalone murder mystery featuring a new ensemble cast and setting while retaining the core investigative structure. The films are distributed by Netflix, which acquired global rights after theatrical windows. The franchise is produced by T-Series, Holland-Newton Entertainment, and Red Hour Films, with Lionsgate handling select international distribution. For box office and streaming performance data, refer to the latest Netflix earnings reports and third-party tracking sites such as Forbes.
The first film, Knives Out, earned over $311 million worldwide against a $40 million budget, making it the highest grossing entry in the series by traditional box office metrics. Glass Onion earned strong viewership on Netflix, with the platform reporting it as one of the most watched films during its launch window. Wake Up Dead Man was released in late 2025 and continues the series' trend of large ensemble casts and intricate mystery plots. The films are rated PG-13 and run between 130 and 140 minutes. The franchise is notable for its rotating directors, with Rian Johnson directing all three released entries and writing the screenplays.
Cast and Characters Across the Knives Out Movies List
Daniel Craig stars as Detective Benoit Blanc in all three released films, serving as the central investigator in each mystery. The supporting casts change entirely between films, with Knives Out featuring Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, and Toni Collette. Glass Onion stars Dave Bautista, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., and Kate Hudson in the lead ensemble. Wake Up Dead Man features a new lineup including Josh O'Connor, Mila Kunis, Glenn Close, and Cailee Spaeny, with Daniel Craig returning as Blanc. The casting approach emphasizes star power and ensemble dynamics, with each film designed as a self-contained mystery.
The franchise has featured multiple Academy Award winners and nominees across its three installments. Ana de Armas received critical attention for her role as Marta Cabrera in the first film, while Janelle Monáe and Edward Norton were highlighted in Glass Onion. The films are known for their large ensemble casts, with Wake Up Dead Man featuring over a dozen prominent actors in key roles. Each film uses a distinct visual style and setting, from a fictional Vermont mansion to a private island and a remote English countryside estate. The casting strategy supports the series' identity as a premium mystery franchise with rotating star power.
Knives Out Franchise Plans and Future Films
Netflix has confirmed plans for additional entries in the Knives Out franchise beyond the three released films. Rian Johnson has stated that he envisions the series as a long running anthology with new settings, characters, and mysteries for each installment. The fourth film is currently in development, with Daniel Craig expected to return as Benoit Blanc. Production details, including release dates and new cast members, have not been officially announced as of the latest available updates. The franchise is positioned as a key part of Netflix's strategy for premium original film content.
The Knives Out films are part of a broader trend of theatrical quality mysteries moving to streaming platforms. The franchise has influenced a wave of ensemble murder mystery projects across major studios and streamers. Netflix continues to invest in high budget original films, with the Knives Out series serving as a flagship example of this strategy. Future films in the series will likely maintain the core formula of a new mystery, a new setting, and a new ensemble cast led by Daniel Craig as Blanc