How to watch the “Terrifier” movies in order (including the lesser-known anthology)

By now, every horror fan knows Art the Clown.

With the facial articulation of a silent film star crossed with the savagery of a post-Saw killer, Art went from underground curiosity to horror icon within a decade. It started with his debut in the 2008 short The 9th Circle, which eventually became part of director Damien Leone’s anthology film, All Hallows’ Eve.

From there, he took center stage in a feature franchise, beginning with Terrifier, advancing with Terrifier 2, and concluding (for now…) with last year’s Christmas-set Terrifier 3. Leone’s creation has gained a substantial cult following thanks to its throwback grindhouse aesthetics, nauseating practical effects, and unapologetic brutality.

Whether you’re a fan looking to rewatch the franchise or just arriving at Art’s door for the first time, here’s how to watch the Terrifier movies in order. Get your ponchos ready, because anywhere Art goes, a shower of gore and viscera is sure to follow.

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All Hallows’ Eve (2013)

RLJE Films

Art makes his first feature-length appearance in the anthology, ‘All Hallows’ Eve’

Leone’s horror anthology features a wraparound story about a babysitter, Sarah (Katie Maguire), and her two adolescent charges, Timmy and Tia, who find an unmarked VHS in their trick-or-treat bag. Despite her better judgment, Sarah pops the tape into the VCR, and we’re introduced to a triptych of stories featuring Art the Clown.

Art (Mike Giannelli) becomes the centerpiece in the third story, “Terrifier.” A young woman (Marie Maser) stops for gas late at night, only to witness Art cheerfully sawing body parts off the gas station attendant. She frantically drives away but can’t escape the bloodthirsty clown, who inexplicably pops up along her route. He takes her to his underground lair and basically repeats his gas-station antics… only this time, while keeping his victim alive.

But Leone’s real trick comes after that segment concludes…

Where to watch All Hallows’ Eve: AMC+

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Terrifier (2016)

Dread Central Catherine Corcoran tries to put a smile on Art's face in 'Terrifier' — Dread Central
Catherine Corcoran tries to put a smile on Art’s face in ‘Terrifier’

Art (now played by David Howard Thornton) made his feature-length debut in this expansion of Leone’s earlier shorts. After a marathon night of Halloween parties, Tara (Jenna Kanell) and Dawn (Catherine Corcoran) stop for a slice of pizza. Art, meanwhile, occupies a lonely table in the pizzeria and tries to put on his best clowning act for the two women.

Art being Art, it’s not long before he’s abducted Dawn and Tara and starts getting to work. His workspace is an abandoned apartment building, and it’s not long before we get a sense of what he has in mind for these two. Luckily — okay fine, unluckily — Tara’s sister, Vicky (Samantha Scaffidi) is on her way to… well, “help” would be the wrong verb, though not for lack of effort.

Where to watch Terrifier: Peacock

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Terrifier 2 (2022)

Courtesy of CINEDIGM David Howard Thornton in 'Terrifier 2' — *Courtesy of CINEDIGM David Howard Thornton in ‘Terrifier 2’*

With Terrifier 2, the series moved from small-scale slasher to epic-sized (138 minutes!) fantasy-inflected supernatural saga.

Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) is preparing for her first Halloween since her father’s death. Her younger brother, Jonathan (Elliot Fullam), is obsessed with Art the Clown after discovering a drawing of the slasher in their dad’s notebook. Art, naturally, is still alive (he’s immortal, you see), confirmation of which comes in an elaborately drawn-out opening in which our silent antihero bludgeons his way out of the morgue.

There’s some Art-specific “lore” regarding Sienna and Jonathan’s father, which involves a magic sword and a sometimes-spectral, sometimes-corporeal corpse of a 10-year-old girl. But Terrifier 2 mostly uses those details as pillars to prop up one surreal, splattery set piece after another.

Where to watch Terrifier 2: Peacock

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Terrifier 3 (2024)

Cineverse He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake: Art gets into the holiday spirit in 'Terrifier 3' — Cineverse
He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness’ sake: Art gets into the holiday spirit in ‘Terrifier 3’

The Christmas-set Terrifier 3, the highest-grossing unrated film ever released, features as much brutality and dark wit as we’ve come to expect from Art the Clown. Hands-down one of the most disgusting movies ever made (a compliment), the film finds the indefatigable slasher, who was decapitated at the end of Terrifier 2, reattaching his head and commencing his ritual slaughters.

By his side is the original film’s sole survivor, Vicky. She’s now possessed by the aforementioned “Little Pale Girl,” who has far greater relevance than initial appearances would suggest.

This time around, Art gets into the holiday spirit by dressing up as Santa. In between detonating bombs hidden in Christmas presents and disfiguring the entire police force, Art sets his sights on the Shaw family. He makes his way to Jonathan’s college campus — casually dispatching a couple of the poor guy’s friends — and then turns his attention to Sienna. Would you believe a literal portal to Hell is eventually involved? Just go with it.

Where to watch Terrifier 3: Peacock