Okay let's cut straight to what you came here for - how many Friday the 13th films are there really? After digging through release dates, production notes, and fan debates, here's the honest breakdown: There are 12 core theatrical releases in the main Friday the 13th franchise. That includes the 2009 remake but excludes spinoffs. If we count absolutely everything connected to Jason Voorhees? Then we're looking at 14 films total when you add the crossover and TV movie.
I remember watching these as a teenager at sleepovers. We'd argue about which ones actually counted - turns out that debate never really ended. The confusion comes from those unofficial entries and reboots muddying the waters.
Here's what's wild though - Jason Voorhees wasn't even the killer in the first movie! That reveal blew my mind during my first viewing. His mom Pamela was the original murderer. Jason didn't pick up his hockey mask until Part 3. Crazy how these details get lost over time.
Below is the complete film-by-film guide with release years, directors, and key details. Save this as your ultimate reference:
The Essential Friday the 13th Filmography
| Film Title | Release Year | Director | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday the 13th | 1980 | Sean S. Cunningham | Jason's mom Pamela as killer |
| Friday the 13th Part 2 | 1981 | Steve Miner | First appearance of adult Jason |
| Friday the 13th Part 3 | 1982 | Steve Miner | Iconic hockey mask debut |
| Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter | 1984 | Joseph Zito | Introduction of Tommy Jarvis |
| Friday the 13th: A New Beginning | 1985 | Danny Steinmann | Not actually Jason |
| Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives | 1986 | Tom McLoughlin | Jason becomes supernatural zombie |
| Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood | 1988 | John Carl Buechler | Psychic girl vs Jason |
| Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan | 1989 | Rob Hedden | Only 20 mins actually in NYC |
| Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday | 1993 | Adam Marcus | Body-hopping premise |
| Jason X | 2001 | James Isaac | Jason in space |
| Freddy vs. Jason | 2003 | Ronny Yu | Horror crossover event |
| Friday the 13th (Remake) | 2009 | Marcus Nispel | Series reboot |
Breaking Down the Friday the 13th Movie Count Controversy
People get heated about how many Friday the 13th films are out there. Let me explain why:
The core series has 12 movies released between 1980-2009. But if you ask hardcore fans how many Friday the 13th films exist, they'll argue about three controversial entries:
- Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985) - Doesn't feature real Jason (imposter killer)
- Freddy vs. Jason (2003) - Crossover with Nightmare on Elm Street
- Jason Goes to Hell (1993) - Barely features Jason physically
I've been to horror cons where this debate gets louder than a chainsaw revving. My take? If it's got "Friday the 13th" in the title or Jason as main antagonist, it counts. But I get why purists disagree - Part V especially feels like studio deception.
The Jason Drought Period (1990s-2000s)
The franchise almost died multiple times. After 1989's poorly received Jason Takes Manhattan, New Line Cinema acquired rights but didn't release a proper sequel until Jason X in 2001. That 12-year gap explains why fans debate how many Friday the 13th films exist - some only count the Paramount era (1980-1989).
Complete Franchise Timeline Analysis
Let's walk through each entry so you understand why the count of Friday the 13th films causes confusion:
Original Paramount Era (1980-1989)
The first eight films established Jason Voorhees as the definitive slasher icon. Production was shockingly fast - they churned out sequels yearly like a hockey mask assembly line. Quality varied wildly though.
Friday the 13th (1980) - Ground zero. Shot for $550k, grossed $60 million. Tom Savini's effects were revolutionary. Still holds up surprisingly well.
Part 2 (1981) - Bag-head Jason! They couldn't afford the hockey mask yet. Steve Miner directed this in under six weeks. My favorite scene? The wheelchair kill.
Part 3 (1982) - The 3D gimmick feels dated now, but this gave us the hockey mask. Filmed in California despite New Jersey setting.
The Final Chapter (1984) - Corey Feldman's debut! They actually thought this would end the series. Highest-grossing original sequel.
A New Beginning (1985) - The black sheep. Fake Jason twist angered fans. Still hate that blue neon lighting.
Jason Lives (1986) - My personal favorite. Self-aware humor before Scream did it. Zombie Jason was genius.
The New Blood (1988) - "Jason vs Carrie" concept. Kane Hodder's first performance - he defined Jason's physicality.
Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) - Biggest budget ($5M) but weakest box office. That toxic waste ending... what were they thinking?
New Line Cinema Era (1993-Present)
After rights lapsed, New Line tried radical reinventions that divided fans:
Jason Goes to Hell (1993) - Jason as body-hopping demon? The Friday the 13th film count debate starts here. Barely features Jason physically.
Jason X (2001) - Uber-Jason in space! So bad it's good. Filmed in Canada for tax breaks. That liquid nitrogen face smash is iconic.
Freddy vs. Jason (2003) - 14 years in development hell. Fan service done right. Highest grossing ($115M) of all Friday the 13th films.
Remake (2009) - Surprisingly decent reboot. Combined elements from first three films. Platinum Dunes spent millions on that underground tunnel set.
Franchise Statistics and Rankings
Wondering how many Friday the 13th films performed best? Here's the data-driven breakdown:
Box Office Performance Comparison
| Film | Budget | Box Office | Adjusted Gross (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday the 13th (1980) | $550,000 | $59.8M | $210M |
| Freddy vs. Jason | $30M | $114.9M | $185M |
| Friday the 13th (2009) | $19M | $92.7M | $125M |
| Jason X | $14M | $16.9M | $27M |
| Jason Takes Manhattan | $5M | $14.3M | $35M |
The original remains the most profitable when adjusted. Freddy vs. Jason showed the power of horror crossovers. Jason X flopped hard despite its cult status now.
Critical Reception Rankings
Based on Rotten Tomatoes scores and IMDb ratings:
- Friday the 13th (1980) - 66% RT / 6.4 IMDb
- Jason Lives (1986) - 42% RT / 6.2 IMDb
- Freddy vs. Jason (2003) - 41% RT / 5.8 IMDb
- The Final Chapter (1984) - 22% RT / 6.1 IMDb
- Jason X (2001) - 19% RT / 4.9 IMDb
Notice none score "fresh" on RT? Critics always hated these. But Jason X developed a cult following for its absurdity. That sleeping bag kill? Brutal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jason in every Friday the 13th film?
Nope! The killer in the original 1980 film is Jason's mother Pamela. Jason himself appears only briefly as a child. He doesn't become the main killer until Part 2. Also missing: Part V features an imposter.
How many Friday the 13th films show Jason without his mask?
We see his face in six films: Part 2 (bag removed), Part 3 (mask removal), Final Chapter (maskless kills), Jason Lives (zombie face), New Blood (decomposed), and Jason Goes to Hell (demon face).
Why isn't Friday the 13th Part 5 considered a real sequel?
Because Tommy Jarvis kills a copycat killer, not Jason. Fans felt cheated by this bait-and-switch. The director later admitted studio interference forced the fake-out ending. It's the only "Friday" film without supernatural elements.
How many Friday the 13th films have been released since 2000?
Three: Jason X (2001), Freddy vs. Jason (2003), and the remake (2009). Development hell has stalled further entries despite announced projects like Crystal Lake.
What about the TV series?
Not counted in film totals. The syndicated show "Friday's Curse" (1987-1990) had zero Jason connections. A prequel series was announced in 2022 but remains in limbo.
Behind the Scenes Production Facts
Understanding how many Friday the 13th films exist requires knowing their chaotic production:
- Average shooting schedule: 28-35 days
- Part 3's 3D effects caused permanent eye damage to some crew
- Kane Hodder (Jason in 4 films) performed all stunts himself
- Jason X's cryogenic chamber was a real decommissioned NASA device
- The 2009 remake filmed at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco - same location as original
I once interviewed Tom Savini (effects artist). He revealed the original mold for Mrs. Voorhees' decapitated head is in his basement. Talk about nightmare fuel.
The Future of the Franchise
So how many Friday the 13th films will we eventually have? Well, the legal battle between original writer Victor Miller and director Sean Cunningham stalled everything since 2018. But developments are happening:
Upcoming Projects
- Crystal Lake (Peacock Series) - A24 production announced in 2022
- Friday the 13th: The Game - Rights issues killed this popular asymmetrical horror game
- Untitled Film Reboot - Leaked scripts suggest found-footage approach
Here's my prediction: We'll get a new film announcement once rights settle. Streaming revivals are inevitable. But honestly? The 2009 remake showed Jason still works in modern horror. Just give us practical effects and summer camp setting.
Where to Watch All Friday the 13th Movies
Streaming availability changes constantly, but currently:
- Paramount+ has Parts 1-8
- Max has Jason Goes to Hell and Jason X
- Freddy vs. Jason rotates between Netflix/Hulu
- The remake is usually on Peacock
Physical media collectors: The deluxe box set includes all 12 films plus 40 hours of special features. Found mine used for $35 - bargain for how many Friday the 13th films it contains.
Why the Count Matters to Horror Fans
When people ask "how many Friday the 13th films are there?" they're really asking about horror history. This franchise shaped slasher tropes more than any other:
- Popularized the "final girl" concept
- Created the unstoppable killer archetype
- Perfected the summer camp setting
- Proved sequels could outgross originals
Jason Voorhees has more screen time than Dracula and Frankenstein combined. That hockey mask is more recognizable than most Oscar-winning performances. Love them or hate them, these films matter.
So next time someone debates how many Friday the 13th films exist, you've got the definitive answer: 12 core films, 14 including crossovers. And counting.
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