4 Paranormal Activity movies to watch (and 1 to skip)

Supernatural horror is a genre that is wildly popular as it showcases events that aren't likely to occur in the real world. This, coupled with the stimulation viewers get mentally, physically, and emotionally while watching, makes for great entertainment. This is the case with the Paranormal Activity series of films. Which ones should you watch and skip? Check out our list below.

The Paranormal Activity franchise of films was created by Israeli director Oren Peli. Each story focuses on families who are haunted by evil demons known as Tobi. Presented as found footage, the movies utilize security cameras to film the supernatural occurrences of the demons who terrify and eventually murder people involved throughout the storylines.

The film franchise consists of seven movies, the first which premiered in 2007 and ranks as the overall favorite. The final installment, Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin was released on Paramount+ in 2021, and ranks higher than many of the earlier releases.

Paranormal Activity

The first movie, Paranormal Activity, is the only movie written and directed by creator Oren Peli, who served as a producer for all of the films. This one is set in 2006 and follows Katie and Micah, a couple who are terrorized by a demon who has haunted Katie since childhood.

The movie was developed as an indie film but would later be acquired by Paramount Pictures, who would modify the ending for a rerelease in 2009.

Paranormal Activity 3

The third film is generally thought of as the second-best film in the series. Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, this movie is set in 1988, as a younger Katie (from the first movie) and her sister Kristi first encounter the Tobi. These experiences are captured by cameras set up by the girl's mother's boyfriend, Dennis, and his friend Randy, who also encounters the demon.

Released in 2011, this film made history, setting the record for a midnight opening and the best opening day for a horror film.

Paranormal Activity 2

The second film, directed by Tod Williams, is set just months before the first movie and serves as a sequel and prequel to that film. This time, the story is centered on Katie and her sister Kristi and their experiences after her son Hunter was born.

While critics have remarked that this film doesn't explore a lot of new ground, it is still a scary addition to the franchise. There is a cut scene, "Hunter," available on the Paranormal Activity 2: Unrated Director's Cut DVD.

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

The Marked Ones is the fifth movie that, like the second, has received mixed reviews but ranks in the top 4 of the franchise. Written and directed by Christopher Landon, this story takes place in 2012 in a Latino community where a group of teens experience demon activity.

The teens discover one of them has been "marked" by a demon from a mysterious cult. This prompts them to record their experiences and use clues from the occurrences from the earlier films to discover the root of the events.

Paranormal Activity movie to skip

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension

The Ghost Dimensions is the sixth movie in the franchise and you can skip this one. The film is the directorial debut of Gregory Plotkin, which was touted as the final movie in the franchise but it would be followed by Next of Kin in 2021. This story takes place after No. 4 and is heavily tied to No. 3.

Set in 2013, this film tells of the Fleeges family, who discover videos from 1992 filmed during a ritual that features Katie and Kristi. Soon after, the family is haunted by the demon, who targets Leila, the daughter of the family, who shares a birthday with Hunter from the second film. Overall, critics and audiences agree this is the weakest installment in the Paranormal Activity series of films.

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