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Insidious (film series)

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Insidious
Official franchise logo
Based onCharacters created
by Leigh Whannell
Starring
Music byJoseph Bishara
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
2010–present
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$42.5 million
(5 films)
Box office$731.9 million
(5 films)

Insidious is an American horror franchise created by Leigh Whannell and James Wan that has been produced by Blumhouse in association with Sony’s Stage 6 Films since 2010.[1] The films in the franchise include Insidious (2010), Chapter 2 (2013), Chapter 3 (2015), The Last Key (2018), and The Red Door (2023). The films have grossed over $731 million worldwide on a combined budget of $42.5 million.

The first two films were directed by Wan, the third by Whannell (who also served as the screenwriter for all five films), Adam Robitel directed the fourth installment, and Patrick Wilson directed the fifth installment (the films marked the respective directorial debuts for Whannell and Wilson). Jeremy Slater is set to direct the first spin-off and sixth installment. FilmDistrict released the first and second films, while Focus Features, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Releasing handled the third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

The first two films center on a couple who, after their son mysteriously enters a comatose state and becomes a vessel for ghosts in an astral plane, are continuously haunted by demons from a forbidden realm known as the Further until they take from the family what they want most: life. The couple hire a team of paranormal investigators to help get their son back.

The third film, a prequel, focuses on the same psychic who helped the family; this time she comes to the aid of a young girl who calls out to the dead. The fourth film follows her when her own family becomes haunted. The fifth film follows a grown-up Dalton and his relationship with his father, with the two having to uncover their repressed past. While Josh is haunted by his father's spirit, Dalton gets terrorized by the titular demon of his past.

Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson are the only actors to have appeared in all five films.

Films

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Overview of Insidious films
Film U.S. release date Directed by Written by Produced by Status
Screenplay by Story by
Insidious April 1, 2011 (2011-04-01) James Wan Leigh Whannell Leigh Whannell Jason Blum, Steven Schneider and Oren Peli Released
Insidious: Chapter 2 September 13, 2013 (2013-09-13) James Wan & Leigh Whannell Jason Blum and Oren Peli
Insidious: Chapter 3 June 5, 2015 (2015-06-05) Leigh Whannell Leigh Whannell Jason Blum, Oren Peli and James Wan
Insidious: The Last Key January 5, 2018 (2018-01-05) Adam Robitel Jason Blum, Oren Peli, James Wan and Leigh Whannell
Insidious: The Red Door July 7, 2023 (2023-07-07) Patrick Wilson Scott Teems Leigh Whannell & Scott Teems
Thread: An Insidious Tale August 29, 2025 (2025-08-29) Jeremy Slater James Wan, Michael Clear and Jason Blum Pre-production


Insidious story chronology

Insidious (2010)

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Insidious was directed by James Wan, written by Leigh Whannell, and starred Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne and Barbara Hershey. The story centers on a couple whose son inexplicably enters a comatose state and becomes a vessel for ghosts in an astral plane. The film had its world premiere on September 14, 2010, at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was released in theaters on April 1, 2011,[2] and is FilmDistrict's first theatrical release. The film's success led to it being used as inspiration for a maze in Universal's Halloween Horror Nights in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)

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Insidious: Chapter 2 was also directed by Wan and written by Whannell. The film stars Wilson and Byrne reprising their roles as Josh and Renai Lambert, a husband and wife who seek to uncover the secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world. The film was released on September 13, 2013. It was a box-office success, grossing over $161 million worldwide, but received mixed reviews.

Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

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Insidious: Chapter 3 is the third film in the series, written and directed by Whannell. The film is a prequel to the haunting of the Lambert family in the first two films, and stars Stefanie Scott, Dermot Mulroney, Lin Shaye, and Whannell. The plot follows a girl—Quinn—who is haunted by a demon after trying to call out to her mother Lillith, who died. It was released on June 5, 2015.

Insidious: The Last Key (2018)

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Insidious: The Last Key is the fourth film in the series while chronologically taking place between the third and first installments. Lin Shaye reprises her role as Elise Rainier alongside Spencer Locke, Caitlin Gerard, Bruce Davison. The plot centers on the Rainier haunting, after a young Elise opened a forbidden red door and unwillingly allowed an extremely dangerous spirit known as the Key Demon to enter the human world. Directed by Adam Robitel and written by Whannell, the film was released on January 5, 2018.[3][4]

Insidious: The Red Door (2023)

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Insidious: The Red Door is the fifth film in the series and serves as a direct sequel to Insidious: Chapter 2. The film is Patrick Wilson's directorial debut, while Scott Teems serves as screenwriter, based on an original story by Whannell and Teems. The plot centers around a now-grown Dalton Lambert and his relationship with his father, with the two having to uncover their repressed past. Wilson, Ty Simpkins, Andrew Astor, Rose Byrne, Whannell, Angus Sampson, and Lin Shaye all reprise their roles from the first two films with Sinclair Daniel joining the cast. It was released on July 7, 2023.[5][6][7]

Future

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Possible crossover

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In January 2018, during a press interview for The Last Key, Jason Blum stated that a crossover film between Insidious and Sinister had previously been in development. He also said that he personally believed it had potential for re-entering development in the future, stating that "we're going to cross our worlds at some point... We're going to try".[8][9]

Spin-off

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In January 2022, a new film in the franchise titled Thread, was revealed to be in development. While the plot was not revealed, Jeremy Slater was hired to serve as writer and director in his directorial debut, with James Wan serving as producer.[10] By May 2023, the film was revealed to be a spin-off of the mainline series and will be titled Thread: An Insidious Tale. Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani will co-star.[11] The film was given a scheduled release date of August 29, 2025.[12]

Sequel

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In May 2024, a sixth untitled Insidious film was announced to be in development, from Sony Pictures.

Recurring cast and characters

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List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

  • An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  A indicates an appearance through archival footage or audio.
  •  C indicates a cameo role.
  •  P indicates an appearance in onscreen photographs.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
  •  Y indicates a younger version of the character.
Character Films
Insidious Insidious: Chapter 2 Insidious: Chapter 3 Insidious: The Last Key Insidious: The Red Door
2010 2013 2015 2018 2023
Humans
Elise Rainier Lin Shaye Lin Shaye
Lindsay SeimY
Lin Shaye Lin Shaye
Hana HayesT
Ava KolkerY
Lin Shaye[13]
Steven "Specs" Leigh Whannell
Tucker Angus Sampson
Josh Lambert Patrick Wilson
Josh FeldmanYP
Patrick Wilson
Garrett RyanYP
Garrett RyanYP Patrick WilsonA Patrick Wilson[14]
Kasjan WilsonYP
Renai Lambert Rose Byrne Rose ByrneA Rose Byrne[15]
Dalton Lambert Ty Simpkins Ty SimpkinsA Ty Simpkins[14]
Kasjan WilsonYP
Lorraine Lambert Barbara Hershey Barbara Hershey
Jocelin DonahueY
Barbara HersheyV Barbara HersheyAP
Foster Lambert Andrew Astor Andrew Astor[16]
Kali Lambert Brynn & Madison Bowie Juliana Davies[16]
Carl Steve Coulter
Hank HarrisY
Steve Coulter Steve Coulter
Quinn Brenner Stefanie Scott Stefanie ScottCA
Sean Brenner Dermot Mulroney
Alex Brenner Tate Berney
Maggie Hayley Kiyoko
Melissa Rainier Spencer Locke
Imogen Rainier Caitlin Gerard
Christian Rainier Bruce Davison
Thomas RobieT
Pierce PopeY
Gerald Rainier Josh Stewart
Audrey Rainier Tessa Ferrer
Ted Garza Kirk Acevedo
Chris Winslow Sinclair Daniel
Nick the Dick Peter Dager
Professor Armagan Hiam Abbass
Entities
Parker "Marilyn" Crane
The Bride in Black
Philip Friedman Tom Fitzpatrick
Tyler GriffinY
Tom Fitzpatrick Tom FitzpatrickA
Lipstick-Face Demon Joseph Bishara Joseph Bishara
Long Haired Fiend J. LaRose
Michelle Crane
The Woman in White
Danielle Bisutti
The Man Who Can't Breathe Michael Reid MacKay
KeyFace Javier Botet
Benjamin "Ben" Burton
Smash Face
David Call

Additional crew and production details

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Film Crew/Detail
Composer Cinematographer(s) Editor(s) Production companies Distributing company Running time
Insidious Joseph Bishara John R. Leonetti
David M. Brewer
James Wan
Kirk Morri
Stage 6 Films
Alliance Films
IM Global
Haunted Movies
FilmDistrict 102 min
Insidious: Chapter 2 John R. Leonetti Kirk Morri Stage 6 Films
Entertainment One
Blumhouse Productions
106 min
Insidious: Chapter 3 Brian Pearson Tim Alverson Focus Features 97 min
Insidious: The Last Key Toby Oliver Stage 6 Films
Blumhouse Productions
Universal Pictures 103 min
Insidious: The Red Door Autumn Eakin Derek Ambrosi
Michel Aller
Screen Gems
Stage 6 Films
Blumhouse Productions
Sony Pictures Releasing 107 min
Thread: An Insidious Tale TBA TBA TBA Screen Gems
Stage 6 Films
Atomic Monster
Blumhouse Productions
TBA

Reception

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Box office performance

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Film Release date Box office revenue Budget Ref.
North America Other territories Worldwide
Insidious April 1, 2011 $54,009,150 $46,097,304 $100,106,454 $1.5 million [17]
Insidious: Chapter 2 September 13, 2013 $83,586,447 $78,332,871 $161,919,318 $5 million [18]
Insidious: Chapter 3 June 5, 2015 $52,218,558 $60,765,331 $112,983,889 $10 million [19]
Insidious: The Last Key January 5, 2018 $67,745,330 $100,140,258 $167,885,588 $10 million [20]
Insidious: The Red Door July 7, 2023 $82,156,962 $106,929,915 $189,086,877 $16 million [21]
Total $339,716,447 $392,265,679 $731,982,126 $42.5 million

Critical and public response

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Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore[22]
Insidious 66% (177 reviews)[23] 52 (30 reviews)[24] B
Insidious: Chapter 2 39% (132 reviews)[25] 40 (30 reviews)[26] B+
Insidious: Chapter 3 56% (128 reviews)[27] 52 (26 reviews)[28] B+
Insidious: The Last Key 33% (112 reviews)[29] 49 (23 reviews)[30] B-
Insidious: The Red Door 38% (116 reviews)[31] 45 (23 reviews)[32] C+

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Insidious: The Last Key Crosses $100 Million Internationally | Sony Pictures Entertainment". www.sonypictures.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Benardello, Karen (December 30, 2010). "Haunted House Film Insidious To Be Released on April Fool's Day". Shockya.com. Crave Online. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  3. ^ "Insidious 4 is Coming to Theaters October 2017". ComingSoon.net. May 16, 2016.
  4. ^ Barkan, Jonathan (May 15, 2016). "Insidious 4 Announces Writer, Director, and Release Date". Bloody Disgusting.
  5. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (October 29, 2020). "Patrick Wilson to Direct 'Insidious 5'". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  6. ^ Laman, Douglas (October 29, 2020). "Insidious 5 Announced by Blumhouse, Patrick Wilson to Direct". Comic Book Resource. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  7. ^ "'Insidious 5' Cast Announced; Rose Byrne Will Return in Patrick Wilson-Directed Sequel". August 5, 2022.
  8. ^ CinePOP (January 9, 2018). "EXCLUSIVO: Jason Blum revela que Sobrenatural e A Entidade devem ganhar crossover". CinePOP. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  9. ^ Outlaw, Kofi (January 10, 2018). "'Insidious' and 'Sinister' Crossover May Happen According to Jason Blum". Comicbook.com. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  10. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 13, 2022). "Sony Developing 'Thread' From Atomic Monster & 'Moon Knight's Jeremy Slater". Deadline. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  11. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 30, 2023). "Mandy Moore & Kumail Nanjiani To Star In 'Thread: An Insidious Tale' For Screen Gems; 'Moon Knight's Jeremy Slater Directing". Deadline. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  12. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 16, 2024). "Sony Dates New 'Insidious' Movie For Summer 2025". Deadline. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Squires, John (April 19, 2023). "Insidious: The Red Door Trailer – Patrick Wilson Directs Final Chapter in Lambert Family Saga". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca (October 29, 2020). "Patrick Wilson to Direct Insidious 5". Variety. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  15. ^ Kroll, Justin (August 5, 2022). "'Insidious 5': Peter Dager, Sinclair Daniel and Hiam Abbass Newest Additions To Cast For Next Installment". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Hamman, Cody (August 22, 2022). "Insidious 5: Patrick Wilson-directed sequel has wrapped filming". JoBlo. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "Insidious (2010)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  18. ^ "Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  19. ^ "Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  20. ^ "Insidious: The Last Key (2018)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  21. ^ "Insidious: The Red Door (2023) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  22. ^ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  23. ^ "Insidious". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  24. ^ "Insidious". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  25. ^ "Insidious: Chapter 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  26. ^ "Insidious: Chapter 2 (2015) Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  27. ^ "Insidious: Chapter 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  28. ^ "Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  29. ^ "Insidious: The Last Key (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "Insidious: The Last Key reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  31. ^ "Insidious: The Red Door (2023)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  32. ^ "Insidious: The Red Door Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 4, 2023.

Notes

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  1. ^ Credited as Haunted Movies for the first film.
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