How to Watch the Child’s Play and Chucky Movies in Chronological Order
Child’s Play is one of the most enduring horror film franchises of all time. The original film introduced us to Chucky in 1988, since then the iconic slasher has appeared in eight feature films and most recently in a television series in 2021, returning for Season 2 this October.
The franchise has evolved over the past 34 years, incorporating more camp and comedy into its psychological thriller roots, though its chronology has remained largely straightforward through its many iterations. With a view to series newcomers The brief plot synopses below are largely spoiler-free beyond broad plot points and character introductions.
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How many child’s play and chucky movies are there?
There is eight feature films in the Child’s Play franchise, as well as two short films and a television series. There are no officially announced Child’s Play movies, but the SyFy/USA Network series returned for its second season this October.
The children’s feature films in chronological order
1. Child’s Play (1988)
Where to see: AMC+ (Stream), Amazon (Rent/Buy)
In late 1988, serial killer Charles Ray Lee (Brad Dourif) escapes death by transferring his soul into a red-haired jumpsuit-clad doll, giving birth to Chucky, and beginning the Child’s Play saga. Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) buys the doll for her son Andy (Alex Vincent), who is having trouble convincing people of the doll’s true nature.
Read ours Child’s play review.
2. Child’s Play 2 (1990)
Where to see: Peacock (Stream), Amazon (Rent/Buy)
Child’s Play 2 takes us to October 1990, two years after the events of the first film. Play Pals, the company behind the Good Guy dolls owned by Charles Lee Ray, unknowingly resurrects Chucky, who continues his murder spree. Returning from the first film, Andy is once again tasked with convincing adults that there is a toy doll out there out for blood.
3. Child’s Play 3 (1991)
Where to see: Peacock (Stream), Amazon (Rent/Buy)
Child’s Play 3 introduces the first time warp of the series and takes us to the late 90’s. Chucky returns while Play Pals once again brings back their line of Good Guy dolls, which in turn brings back Charles Lee Ray. Chucky once again stalks his original owner, Andy, who is now a teenager trying to fix his life in military school. Teenage Andy is played by Justin Whalin, although original actor Alex Vincent later reprises the role in later films.
4. The Bride of Chucky (1998)
Where to see: Peacock (Stream), Amazon (Rent/Buy)
The fourth film in the series ditches the title “Child’s Play” to refocus on the main attraction, Chucky. Shortly after Child’s Play 3, Bride of Chucky introduces Jennifer to Tilly’s Tiffany, who revives Chucky before joining him in doll form. Desperate to become human again, the duo enlists the help of unsuspecting teenagers Jade (Katherine Heigl) and Jesse (Nick Stabile).
5. Seeds of Chucky (2004)
Where to see: Peacock (Stream), Amazon (Rent/Buy)
Most of Seed of Chucky takes place in 2004, several years after Chucky’s bride, before ending in 2009 with an epilogue. “Seed” is a reference to a new doll named Glen (Billy Boyd), Chucky and Tiffany’s child. Glen brings his parents back to life in hopes of learning more about them, but instead sets in motion a new series of murders. Glen and Chucky share mutual dismay – Glen at his father’s wickedness, Chucky at his son’s lack of wickedness.
Read ours Seed of Chucky review.
5a. Chucky’s Vacation Slides (2005)
Where to see: YouTube (Streaming)
Part of the home release of Seed of Chucky, Vacation Slides is a fun, no-nonsense short where Chucky, Tiffany, and Glen share and reflect on photos from their family vacation while Chucky secretly indulges his bloodlust. With a running time of three and a half minutes, the short film is worth a quick look.
6. The Curse of Chucky (2013)
Where to see: Peacock (Stream), Amazon (Rent/Buy)
Curse of Chucky was released nine years after Seed, although the narrative picks up just four years after Seed’s epilogue (and 25 years after the first film). Chucky finds himself in a new home, tormenting Nica Pierce and her family. Notably, Nica is played by Fiona Dourif, daughter of Chucky actor Brad Dourif. Curse is the franchise’s first direct-to-video film.
Be sure to stay in the post-credits scene!
Read ours The Curse of the Chucky review.
6a. Chucky Invades (2013)
Where to see: YouTube (Streaming)
After Curse, Chucky starred in a funny short film series called Chucky Invades. The shorts saw the killer doll invade key scenes in four other horror films: Drag Me to Hell, Mama, Psycho and The Purge. They have no effect on ongoing Child’s Play narration.
7. Cult of Chucky (2017)
Where to see: Peacock (Stream), Amazon (Rent/Buy)
Cult of Chucky, another direct-to-video episode, takes us to 2017, four years after Curse. It’s a homecoming of sorts for the franchise, as Cult brings together several of the key players from the series’ history, including Alex Vincent’s Andy, Nica, Tiffany and several Chuckys.
Read ours Cult of Chucky review.
8. Chucky TV Series (2021)
Where to see: Peacock (Stream), Amazon (Rent/Buy)
Chucky creator Don Mancini told IGN the series is scheduled “two to three weeks” after Cult, which would place it in late 2017. While I’m hesitant to challenge the show’s creator, I’m pretty sure the Chucky series actually takes place in 2021. The most compelling piece of evidence can be seen on a tombstone in Episode 3. The tombstone is for a character who dies in the first episode, and this tombstone lists the date of death as October 19, 2021 (don’t mind the spoiler.)
Brad Dourif, along with many other actors from the franchise, reprized their roles for the series, which unleashes Chucky’s mayhem in a small, idyllic town. The show also intersperses flashbacks to explore Charles Ray Lee’s childhood.
Read ours Chucky: Season 1 recap.
9. Child’s Play Reboot (2019)*
Where to see: Amazon (rent/buy)
*Child’s Play (2019) is a reinterpretation of the original film. It exists within its own timeline, separate from the other stories on this list.
The reboot reimagines Chucky as a “smart doll” and lets Andy live up to 13 years (he was 6 in the original). Aubrey Plaza will play Andy’s mother, while Mark Hamill will voice Chucky. If you’re just interested in catching up on the stories relevant to Chucky: Season 2, you can skip this movie. However, if you have time, it’s worth watching the last act alone.
Read ours Checking child’s play restart.
How to watch The Child’s Play movies by release date
- Child’s Play (1988)
- Child’s Play 2 (1990)
- Child’s Play 3 (1991)
- The Bride of Chucky (1998)
- Seeds of Chucky (2004)
- Chucky’s Vacation Slides (2005 – Short Film)
- Chucky Invades (2013 – Short Film Series)
- Curse of Chucky (2013)
- Cult of Chucky (2017)
- Child’s Play Reboot (2019)
- Chucky TV Show (2021)
Want to go on a different chronological binge trip?