Introduction
For half a century, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has haunted pop culture with rattling metal, sun-baked highways, and the terrible whine of a chainsaw. What began as a 1974 low-budget shocker from Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel grew into a sprawling franchise with sequels, reboots, prequels, and “legacy sequels.” The result is thrilling… and wildly confusing. Fans often ask the same core question: exactly how many Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies are there—and in what order should you watch them? As of today (August 18, 2025), the franchise consists of nine feature films released theatrically or via major streaming platforms.
Those nine entries span the original saga (1974–1995), a Platinum Dunes remake continuity (2003–2006), and a patchwork of direct sequels and prequels tied to the 1974 classic, culminating in the 2022 film. Multiple reputable roundups and franchise overviews consistently count nine entries to date. Why, then, the confusion? Two reasons.
First, Texas Chainsaw isn’t a straight line. It branches into distinct continuities that sometimes ignore earlier sequels, sometimes rewrite history, and sometimes jump backward to show Leatherface’s beginnings. Second, rumors about upcoming installments are frequent. Studios and creatives regularly signal interest in reviving or rebooting the property, which keeps fans guessing. In 2025 alone, credible industry press has discussed rights movement and potential new directions—encouraging news, but nothing that changes the official count yet.
This guide clears the fog. Below, you’ll find concise, plain-English answers to the ten most common variations of that initial question—covering the exact number of films, the proper viewing order, how the timelines split, what the 2022 entry really is, whether more movies are coming, and which entries are most acclaimed. Everything is written from scratch and designed to be clear, accurate, and genuinely helpful for new viewers and long-time fans alike. By the end, you’ll know where to start, what to skip (if you must), and how Leatherface’s many on-screen incarnations fit together—no guesswork required.
1) How many Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies exist today?
As of August 18, 2025, there are nine released Texas Chainsaw Massacre films. Here’s the commonly accepted list: 1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) 2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) 3. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990) 4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1995) 5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) – remake 6. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006) – prequel to the 2003 remake 7. Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) – legacy sequel to the 1974 original 8. Leatherface (2017) – prequel set before 1974 9.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) – legacy sequel to 1974, ignoring most sequels If you’ve seen social posts about a tenth film titled Bloodlines or Legacy, treat them as rumors; no studio-level, finalized release has changed the official count. When the rights move or a reboot is shopped around, trade outlets pick it up, but until cameras roll and a distributor announces a date, the number remains nine. For now, that’s your definitive answer; anything else is speculation.
2) What is the correct order of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies?
If you want the release order, use the nine-film list above. If you want the continuity order, it depends on which branch you follow: Original continuity (1974 line): The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) → The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) → Leatherface: TCM III (1990) → Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1995). Remake continuity (Platinum Dunes): The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) → The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006), a prequel to 2003. Legacy-sequel threads tied to 1974: Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) continues directly from 1974 and ignores most earlier sequels; Leatherface (2017) is a prelude to 1974; Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) is a decades-later sequel to 1974 that also disregards intervening sequels.
For many viewers, the most coherent experience is to pick a lane: watch either the original continuity, the remake duology, or the 1974-anchored legacy path (2017 → 1974 → 2013 → 2022, or just 1974 → 2022). If you’re a completionist, go by release date—it preserves the historical evolution of the franchise’s tone and style, from gritty documentary-like horror (1974) to splattery black comedy (1986) to glossy 2000s brutality and modern legacy sequels.
3) How many different timelines does the Texas Chainsaw franchise have?
Practically speaking, fans recognize three major timelines: 1) The Original Saga (1974 → 1986 → 1990 → 1995): This path continues from the first film and mutates tonally—Tobe Hooper’s 1974 nightmare births a gonzo, satirical sequel (1986), then a studio-tamed Part III (1990), and finally the wild, meta-tinged Next Generation (1995). 2) The Remake Continuity (2003 → 2006): Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes produced a glossy 2003 remake, followed by The Beginning (2006), a prequel that stitches directly into the remake’s opening acts. 3) The 1974-Anchor “Legacy” Track (2013, 2017, 2022): Later films either jump back before 1974 (Leatherface, 2017) or ignore prior sequels to continue the original story in new directions (Texas Chainsaw 3D, 2013; Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 2022).
Within each track, continuity is self-contained; across tracks, contradictions abound. That’s why many guides recommend watching by branch rather than trying to reconcile everything into one grand timeline. If you only want “what matters now,” plenty of viewers watch 1974 and then jump right to 2022, since the latter positions itself as a decades-later follow-up to the very first story.
4) Is the 2022 Texas Chainsaw Massacre a sequel or a reboot?
The 2022 film is best described as a legacy sequel—a continuation set many years after the 1974 original that ignores most intermediate sequels. It follows a trend popularized by other horror revivals: return to the first film’s canon, bring back key elements (and sometimes characters), and imagine how the trauma of the original ripples into the present. In practice, that means you can watch the 1974 classic and jump straight to 2022 without needing Parts 2, 3, or Next Generation.
This approach lets creators re-frame Leatherface for a new era—updating themes (gentrification, true-crime tourism, social media) while preserving iconic ingredients (the mask, the saw, the family ruin). Whether you enjoy it will depend on your taste: some fans appreciate the propulsive brutality; others miss the oppressive atmosphere and suggestion that made 1974 so terrifying. Still, from a continuity standpoint, “legacy sequel” is the cleanest label. The 2022 film stands on the shoulders of the original rather than rebuilding the world from scratch.
5) Will there be another Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie after 2022?
There’s serious interest, but no officially released tenth feature as of August 18, 2025. In 2025, multiple credible reports discussed movement around the rights and creative pitches—suggesting the franchise is very much alive behind the scenes. Reports have mentioned potential reboots and notable talent circling or being discussed, which is precisely how modern horror revivals take shape.
However, until a studio announces a greenlight, cast, and date, it’s not “the next movie”—it’s development. If you see posts about Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Bloodlines or Legacy with specific release dates, treat them as unconfirmed or fan-circulated unless backed by a studio announcement. The franchise has a long history of rumors preceding facts, and Chainsaw fandom is passionate, so speculation spreads fast. For now, the official tally holds at nine, and the safest expectation is that another project will emerge—reboot, legacy sequel, or streaming-first—when the rights, creative vision, and distributor align.
6) Which Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is considered the best?
Critical consensus overwhelmingly favors the 1974 original. Its quasi-documentary grit, relentless sound design, and sun-stroked terror shaped the language of modern horror. Many rankings place it at #1, with Tobe Hooper’s Part 2 (1986) often high for its brazen, black-comic maximalism.
The 2003 remake earned praise for visceral intensity, though some critics fault it for slickness over dread. Later entries divide audiences: Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) swings for fan service; Leatherface (2017) reframes origin; the 2022 legacy sequel modernizes the mayhem. That said, “best” depends on what you want. If you crave raw, nerve-shredding atmosphere, 1974 is unmatched. If you enjoy chaotic, satirical gore, Part 2 might be your pick. If you prefer a high-gloss, post-2000s shock machine, the 2003 remake delivers. New viewers can sample each era and see which flavor hits hardest; the franchise’s variety is part of its longevity.
7) What’s the right watch order for first-timers to Texas Chainsaw Massacre?
Two beginner-friendly paths: Path A — The “Essentials Fast-Track”: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) → Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022). This gives you the seminal original and its modern legacy follow-up, minimizing continuity confusion while maximizing contrast between eras. Path B — The “History of Chainsaw” Tour (Release Order): Watch all nine in release order.
You’ll see the franchise evolve—from scrappy 1970s verité horror to 1980s satire, 1990s oddities, 2000s remakes, and 2010s–2020s legacy entries. If you want a middle ground, try: 1974 → 1986 (Part 2) → 2003 remake → 2006 prequel → 2022. This five-film sampler hits each major era without requiring absolute completionism. Both approaches are valid, and neither “spoils” the other because these timelines diverge rather than interlock.
8) How many Texas Chainsaw Massacre films are connected to the 2003 remake?
Exactly two films form the remake continuity: the 2003 remake and 2006 prequel (The Beginning). Unlike other branches that sprawl or retcon, this lane is clean: watch 2006 first (as a narrative prelude), then 2003 (the main event). The prequel sets up key characters and the meat-packing, law-twisted world that the remake exploits for relentless dread.
If you’re sampling the franchise’s flavors, this duology is the “industrial grime” era—high production values, intense sound design, and early-2000s nihilism. While later films jump around the 1974 canon, nothing else attaches to the remake’s story. That clarity makes it a handy mini-marathon for viewers who want a complete arc without hopping timelines. Comprehensive watch guides consistently present the remake path as a standalone two-film pocket within the broader saga.
9) What’s the chronological story of Leatherface across the films?
Leatherface isn’t one continuous biography; he’s reinterpreted per timeline. Still, you can sketch a chronological experience by mixing prequels and originals in a way that approximates an arc: Leatherface (2017) offers a formative prelude—how a traumatized youth might harden into the masked butcher. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) then presents the primal nightmare: a family compound, human trophies, the meat hook, the dinner scene. From here, choose your thread. Original continuity: 1986 escalates the madness; 1990 reshuffles; 1995 goes meta-weird. Legacy-sequel thread: Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) reframes family loyalty; Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) confronts aging and vengeance decades later. Remake line: Jump to 2006 (prequel) then 2003 (remake) for an alternate “origin” and main run.
Because each branch resets tone and facts, there isn’t one canon life story the way some franchises maintain. Think of Leatherface as a mythic figure—like a campfire tale retold for each generation, with different emphases (family, victimhood, pure sadism, or tragic inevitability). That elasticity is why the character survives so many reimaginings without losing his dreadful weight.
10) Are the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies based on a true story?
No—these are fictional horror films. However, the original 1974 movie deliberately used a “based on true events” marketing vibe and borrowed loose inspiration from real-world crimes (most famously, Wisconsin murderer Ed Gein, whose grave-robbing and use of human remains influenced multiple horror icons). Hooper’s film channels 1970s anxieties—economic rot, institutional breakdown, the meat industry’s dehumanization—into a claustrophobic nightmare that feels uncomfortably real, but it is not a docudrama.
Later entries keep the “true story” aura primarily as texture. Each timeline exaggerates the myth of Leatherface and his cannibal clan to tap into primal fears: getting lost in hostile rural space, stumbling into a family with its own brutal code, and facing an opponent who turns everyday tools into instruments of terror. So while you’ll see true-crime aesthetics—police files, news footage, survivor narratives—the franchise remains cinematic invention. The misconception persists because the 1974 film’s handheld style and oppressive soundscape blur the line between documentary and nightmare, a trick that cemented its legend and spawned decades of “did this really happen?” questions.
Note on originality: This is newly written, non-plagiarized text crafted specifically for you. If you want, I can also provide a plain sources list (still without links) or run a basic plagiarism check on your final draft.