How to watch The Purge movies and series in order and where to stream

Those unfamiliar with the Purge franchise may want to do some catch-up before they watch what is supposed to be the final chapter in a story that spans several decades.

Blumhouse’s The Purge became an unexpected hit when it was released in 2013. The original film has led to four additional movies and a two-season TV series, but they weren’t released in chronological order. The story centers around an alternate America where crime and unemployment have nearly disappeared, but there is no such thing as a free lunch.

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A new American holiday

The means to achieve this no small feat came with the New Founding Fathers of America, a political party that introduced a new annual American holiday, the Purge, where for one night over 12 hours people could unleash the beast inside of them. All forms of crime, even the most heinous, are allowed, with some restrictions on weapons, with no accountability the next day.

So, if you want to follow the birth of the new national holiday from beginning to end, you’ll want to watch the movies in chronological order and not by the year when they were released. However, since the characters change from one movie to the next you can easily watch the movies in the order that they were released.

Chronological order of the Purge saga

The First Purge (2018) takes place in 2017, where an experiment is performed on the residents of Staten Island, instituted by the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA). The Purge (2013), the first release, the night of the fifth Purge is set to begin in 2022, the NFFA has now taken control of the government and the holiday has become an institution and everyone knows they need to be safe at home before it starts.

The Purge: Anarchy (2014) takes place a year after the original film, there is growing resistance to the Purge with an anti-purge movement forming. The Purge: Election Year was released two years later however the TV series made in 2018 and 2019 interjected into the middle of the story.

Each season of the TV series takes place in a different year, the first is in 2027, the ten-year anniversary of the First Purge. The events take place in a small town in the lead up to the gruesome holiday and how the characters plan to survive. The following season takes place in New Orleans some years after the first season, perhaps in 2031. The story focuses on how the four main characters navigate the aftermath of the holiday.

The fourth feature film in the franchise The Purge: Election Year (2016) jumps forward to 2040. There is now a political movement to put an end to the Purge. The leading voice to end the Purge is also a candidate for President, which leads the NFFA to take the gloves off, protections for high-level politicians are removed. The final chapter The Forever Purge (2021) take place a year later, and now that the Purge may end, some purgers have another idea.

Chronological viewing order

Where to stream the Purge movies

Despite receiving good reviews from fans, 78%, according to Rotten Tomatoes the film didn’t have much box office success. Since it didn’t break the opening weekend $50 million in ticket sales mark, Universal followed through with a deal it has with studios to release its films on premium video-on-demand. The Forever Purge will be available starting 22 July to stream on demand through Spectrum until 14 September for $19.99.

As for the other films in the franchise you’ll have to use different platforms to watch each of the movies as they can’t all be found at the same place for free. You always have the choice to rent or purchase through Amazon, as well as other major platforms like Hulu, YouTube, Google Play, or iTunes.

Streaming sites

The Purge (2013): You can stream for free on Peacock with ads, or pay for Peacock’s Premium to avoid ads.

The Purge: Anarchy (2014): Is available on Peacock tostream for free on Peacock with ads, or pay for Peacock’s Premium to avoid ads.

The Purge: Election Year (2016): Is available on Direct TV, FuboTV or FX NOW.

The First Purge (2018): Is available on Direct TV, FuboTV or FX NOW.

The Purge TV series (2018-2019): Both seasons are available on Hulu, and Peacock Premium