The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise is one of horror’s most enduring series, centered on a cannibalistic family and an iconic, chainsaw-wielding killer known as Leatherface. Spanning multiple timelines, reboots, and tonal shifts from gritty realism to dark comedy, it remains a defining force in slasher history – and it’s still going on, with both a TV series and a new feature film in the works. While we wait for the new entries, we’re looking back at how we get here with this list of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies Ranked.
This ranking breaks down all Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies from worst to best, comparing each entry by story, tone, and impact on the franchise.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies Ranked (Worst to Best):
- 9. Leatherface (2017) – A misfire origin story
- 8. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) – Bizarre but watchable
- 7. Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) – Flawed but entertaining
- 6. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) – Fast, brutal, fun
- 5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) – Stylish remake
- 4. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006) – Stronger prequel
- 3. Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990) – Solid slasher entry
- 2. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) – Wild, divisive classic
- 1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) – Untouchable masterpiece
9. LEATHERFACE (2017)
Directors: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury
Timeline: Prequel to the original
Verdict: Misguided origin story that fails to connect to franchise canon
Best For: Completionists curious about alternate Leatherface backstories
Why It Ranks Here: Set primarily in 1965, this prequel to the original film wants viewers to guess which of the troubled youngsters that escape from the Gorman House Youth Reformatory and embark on a “violent road trip from Hell” (while being pursued by a vengeful lawman) is going to turn out to be Leatherface, but it’s very difficult to accept what directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury and writer Seth M. Sherwood show us here as canon. Nothing feels like a proper lead-in to the Tobe Hooper classic. The characters are off, the story is questionable, and the fact that the production had Bulgaria standing in for Texas is quite apparent.
Wrong-headed from the ground up, Leatherface has hardly any merit to it at all. It’s painful and embarrassing at its worst and generic at its best, coming off like a cringe-inducing blend of Natural Born Killers and The Devil’s Rejects, with some nods to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. It’s a shame this turned out to be so bad, because a Chainsaw movie from the directing duo that brought us Inside could have been something special. This idea was just never going to work, no matter who was at the helm.
Highlights:
- Attempts a mystery structure
- Nightmarish road trip
- Moments of brutal intensity
Weaknesses:
- Poor canon alignment
- Generic tone
- Misjudged characterization
8. TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION (1994)
Director: Kim Henkel
Timeline: Alternate sequel to the original
Verdict: A bizarre, messy sequel elevated by one unforgettable performance
Best For: Fans of weird, off-the-rails horror and cult oddities
Why It Ranks Here: The franchise went back to its roots for this one. An independent production shot in Texas on a budget of $600,000, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation stirred up high expectations with the fact that it was written and directed by Kim Henkel, who co-wrote the original film with Tobe Hooper. But no one could have predicted that Henkel would pack his movie with goofy characters, off-the-wall ideas, and baffling decisions… like the implication that Leatherface and his family are working for the all-powerful Illuminati organization while under 24-hour surveillance by the FBI.
The set-up is simple: a group of teens go down the wrong country road on prom night. The execution is mind-boggling. The film’s greatest asset, and the main reason to revisit it from time to time, is the performance delivered by Matthew McConaughey in the role of Vilmer, one of Leatherface’s relatives this time around. He has some funny moments, but when he turns up the intensity he becomes the one scary person in a really silly movie. I can’t tell anyone that Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation is a good movie, but I also can’t say that I don’t enjoy watching the movie when I put it on.
Highlights:
- Wild, unpredictable tone
- Early performance from Matthew McConaughey
- DIY indie energy
Weaknesses:
- Nonsensical plot elements
- Tonal inconsistency
- Over-the-top weirdness
7. TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D (2013)
Director: John Luessenhop
Timeline: Direct sequel to the 1974 original
Verdict: A flawed legacy sequel with entertaining ideas that never fully land
Best For: Viewers who enjoy modern slasher pacing and legacy connections
Why It Ranks Here: After temporarily drifting off into remake territory, the franchise circled back to the original timeline for this “40 years later” sequel to the first film… although it ignores the fact that 40 years have passed, pretending that only 20-something years have gone by when a young Leatherface relative discovers her twisted family history. Some of the issues are due to there being a lot of cooks in the kitchen (there are four credited writers, and one of them – Jason Goes to Hell director Adam Marcus – has said the continuity problems were written in after his time on the project), and director John Luessenhop’s style is a bit too glossy for my liking.
The film gets started moments after the ending of the ’74 film, with an impressive recreation of the original house, goes through the “dead young people” motions for a while, then gets more interesting around the point when Leatherface swings through a Halloween-themed carnival (even if the filmmakers didn’t push that idea as far as it should have). There are elements in here that, if executed a bit differently, could’ve made for a much better film. As it is, there are questionable decisions and some bad dialogue, but Texas Chainsaw 3D manages to be an entertaining slasher nonetheless.
Highlights:
- Opening continuation of the original film
- Carnival set piece concept
- Attempts to expand family mythology
Weaknesses:
- Major continuity issues
- Weak dialogue
- Underdeveloped ideas
6. TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2022)
Director: David Blue Garcia
Timeline: Legacy sequel to the original
Verdict: A fast, brutal, no-frills slasher focused on delivering carnage
Best For: Fans of high body counts and relentless, modern horror action
Why It Ranks Here: After contributing to the Evil Dead franchise but before he went to space for Alien: Romulus, Fede Álvarez got his hands on Chainsaw, crafting the story for and producing this Netflix release, which was directed by David Blue Garcia. It’s a short movie (the end credits start rolling after just 73 minutes), and most of its running time is packed with suspenseful sequences designed to put viewers on the edge of their seats. The ranking may be low, but I actually think this movie catches a lot more grief than it deserves. It’s a fun roller coaster ride with plenty of thrills and bursts of violence.
The set-up: a bunch of hipsters descend on a Texas ghost town and disrupt Leatherface’s peace. The characters are a shrug and there are some dumb moments, but this movie isn’t trying to do anything more than give people a bloody good time. The kills start early and come frequently from then on, and this Texas Chainsaw Massacre is so eager to please that it even becomes the first entry in the franchise to give a legitimate on screen chainsaw massacre. Leatherface racks up a higher on screen body count than ever before, and it’s a delight to behold. And sure, legacy character Sally Hardesty is done dirty, but it’s not the same actress (Olwen Fouéré takes over for Marilyn Burns, who passed away in 2014), so what does it matter anyway?
Highlights:
- High body count
- Fast pacing (under 75 minutes)
- Memorable chainsaw set pieces
Weaknesses:
- Shallow characters
- Questionable legacy handling
- Minimal story depth
5. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2003)
Director: Marcus Nispel
Timeline: Remake
Verdict: A slick, stylized remake that improves when viewed on its own terms
Best For: Fans of early-2000s horror remakes and gritty aesthetics
Why It Ranks Here: I did not like this remake at all when it was first released, largely because I was appalled that Michael Bay, of all people, would have the audacity to produce a remake of one of the greatest horror movies of all time. I didn’t like how cliché the victim characters were, the over-stylized look of the film, or how it twisted around the story of Leatherface, turning him into a guy named Thomas Brown Hewitt who has a skin condition – which the filmmakers showed off by having him without his mask in one scene. But now that the franchise has gone back to the original film and the remake has been set aside in a pocket universe, I can accept it on its own merits as a dark, decent slasher flick.
Director Marcus Nispel brought some cool moments to the screen, Leatherface capably handles his victims, having the climactic chase go through a slaughterhouse was a genius idea, and R. Lee Ermey steals the show as Hoyt, a member of the homicidal Hewitt family who presents himself as a lawman and puts some hapless road-tripping youths through hell.
Highlights:
- Strong visual direction
- Intense chase sequences
- R. Lee Ermey’s standout performance
Weaknesses:
- Cliché characters
- Over-stylization
- Unnecessary backstory changes
4. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING (2006)
Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Timeline: Prequel to the remake
Verdict: A more focused and brutal companion piece that outperforms its predecessor
Best For: Viewers who want a dark, intense remake-era story
Why It Ranks Here: I may enjoy the remake more now than I did twenty years ago, but it’s still full of what I perceive to be missteps and choices I disagree with. I have less issues with its prequel, which I find to be much more interesting and entertaining than its predecessor. I like its pace, style, and characters better, and it’s more of a proper Texas Chainsaw Massacre film than the 2003 movie was. It even has cannibalism, an element the remake seemed to overlook. There’s a dinner scene where the final girl is captured and forced to sit at the table with the Hewitt, making this come off, at times, as a better remake than the remake was.
Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, the film is set four years before the events of its predecessor, and the prequel element does drag it down a bit, as the filmmakers felt the need to explain an absurd number of things. (How did that character lose his legs? How did that one lose his teeth?) Thankfully, they didn’t reveal too much about Leatherface, and I prefer the way the character is presented in this film than in the remake. Ermey’s Hoyt still steals the show, though, as he torments another group of road-tripping youths.
Highlights:
- Stronger tone and pacing than the remake
- Memorable dinner scene
- Effective use of brutality
Weaknesses:
- Over-explains details
- Prequel limitations
- Less mystery
3. LEATHERFACE: TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III (1990)
Director: Jeff Burr
Timeline: Early sequel (loose continuity)
Verdict: A straightforward but effective slasher with strong franchise identity
Best For: Fans of classic, no-nonsense slasher formulas
Why It Ranks Here: Leatherface was a messy production that struggled to get an R rating from the MPAA and had such intense creative issues behind the scenes, director Jeff Burr wanted his name taken off of the finished film. It’s a troubled film that could have been much better… but it also could have been a lot worse, and as far as slashers go, it is pretty awesome. With the Elm Street franchise dying down, this was New Line Cinema’s attempt to turn Chainsaw into their next big horror franchise – and while it didn’t work out at the box office, it was a valiant attempt. They even upgraded Leatherface’s signature weapon, giving him the “Excalibur saw,” a shiny monstrosity covered with gold and chrome, with an inscription down the bar: “The Saw Is Family.”
This one isn’t nearly on the same level as the classic original, it doesn’t have the brilliant insanity of part 2, but it is entertaining in its own right. It is very much a typical, straightforward slasher take on the concept, but that’s fine for the third entry in a franchise. It’s fun, has a great presentation of Leatherface himself, and built a great supporting cast around him, including the likes of Viggo Mortensen and Ken Foree.
Highlights:
- Classic slasher structure
- Iconic “Excalibur” chainsaw
- Strong supporting cast
Weaknesses:
- Studio interference
- MPAA cuts
- Not as distinctive as earlier entries
2. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 (1986)
Director: Tobe Hooper
Timeline: Original timeline sequel
Verdict: A wild, divisive sequel that leans fully into chaos and dark humor
Best For: Fans of horror-comedy and over-the-top sequels
Why It Ranks Here: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 can be a divisive entry in the franchise, as some fans of the original don’t appreciate the heightened sense of humor director Tobe Hooper brought to this sequel, but I’m firmly in the camp that believes this is one of the greatest sequels ever made. Sure, it’s completely insane, but I get a lot of joy from this film’s insanity. I love everything about it – including the fact that it’s one of the only entries in the franchise that doesn’t center on a group of people who go on a road trip. A couple of road trippers are murdered at the beginning, which opens the door for a story about a radio DJ who overhears the murders and joins forces with a vengeful lawman to bring Leatherface and his family to justice.
The script for this one was full of clever ideas and endlessly quotable dialogue which is frequently hilarious. The soundtrack is awesome. The gore effects are great, which comes as no surprise since they were done by Tom Savini. There’s a fun “Leatherface falls in love” element, Jim Siedow reprises the role of the Cook from the original film, and Bill Moseley delivers an iconic performance as Chop Top.
Highlights:
- Bold tonal shift
- Memorable characters like Chop Top
- Strong practical effects by Tom Savini
Weaknesses:
- Tonally divisive
- Less grounded horror
- Not for purists
1. THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974)
Director: Tobe Hooper
Timeline: Original film
Verdict: A raw, groundbreaking masterpiece that still defines horror
Best For: Anyone seeking the most intense and influential slasher ever made
Why It Ranks Here: Some of the movies may have landed in surprising spots on this list, but there’s no surprise here. Nothing that has followed has been able to achieve the sweat-drenched, soul-shaking brilliance of the original. A grueling, low-budget, independent production, carried out in the intense heat of a Texas summer, resulted in one of the greatest horror films ever made. The set-up is simple: for five young people, a summer afternoon drive becomes a descent into a backwoods nightmare. Drawing inspiration from some real-life crime cases (most notably the story of Ed Gein), Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel created a family of original, off-kilter, homicidal characters for those youths to cross paths with, and those maniacs were perfectly brought to life by Gunnar Hansen, Jim Siedow, Edwin Neal, and John Dugan.
The execution of the story is equally terrifying and fascinating. This is a masterfully crafted film, beautifully shot (even when the images are hideous) and wonderfully cut together, with flawless performances and a look and tone that feels very real. And, every now and then, there’s a bit of dark humor to lighten the mood. Movies don’t get much better than The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Highlights:
- Unmatched atmosphere and realism
- Iconic characters and performances
- Masterful direction and editing
Weaknesses:
- Minimal. Its roughness is part of its power
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Timeline Breakdown
Because the franchise has multiple retcons, several timelines branch off from the 1974 original.
Original Timeline:
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
- Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990) – loose continuity
Remake Timeline:
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Reboot Timeline:
- Leatherface (2017)
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013)
Kim Henkel Branch:
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994)
Netflix Legacy Sequel Branch:
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Final Verdict
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise is wildly inconsistent, but at its best, it delivers some of the most intense horror ever put on screen. While many sequels experiment (and sometimes fail), the 1974 original remains the gold standard that no entry has truly surpassed.
How would you rank the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
The post The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies Ranked appeared first on JoBlo.
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