Insidious (film series)
A horror franchise exploring the astral plane and the Further.
The Insidious film series is an American supernatural horror franchise created by Leigh Whannell and James Wan, produced by Blumhouse Productions in association with Sony's Stage 6 Films since 2010. The franchise comprises five main films released between 2010 and 2023, with a spin-off titled Thread: An Insidious Tale in development. The series is notable for its exploration of astral projection and a demonic realm called the Further, and has grossed approximately $743 million worldwide on a combined budget of about $31.5 million.
Quick Facts
- Director
- James Wan (1–2) / Leigh Whannell (3) / Adam Robitel (4) / Patrick Wilson (5) / Jacob Chase (6) / Jeremy Slater (7)
- Writer
- Leigh Whannell (1–4) / Scott Teems (5) / Jacob Chase (6) / Jeremy Slater (7)
- Producer
- Oren Peli (1–6) / Jason Blum / James Wan (3–7) / Leigh Whannell (4–6) / Steven Schneider (1) / Michael Clear (7)
- Based On
- Characters created · Leigh Whannell
- Starring
- Patrick Wilson / Rose Byrne / Ty Simpkins / Lin Shaye / Leigh Whannell / Angus Sampson / Various other actors / (See details below)
- Music
- Joseph Bishara
- Distributor
- FilmDistrict (1–2) / Focus Features (3) / Universal Pictures (4) / Sony Pictures Releasing (5–7)
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Budget
- $60.5 million / (6 films)
- Gross
- $854.6 million / (6 films)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The franchise began with Insidious (2010), directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, centering on a couple whose son enters a comatose state and becomes a vessel for ghosts. The sequel, Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013), continued the story of the Lambert family. Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015), a prequel written and directed by Whannell, focused on psychic Elise Rainier aiding a young girl. Insidious: The Last Key (2018), directed by Adam Robitel, followed Elise as her own family became haunted. Insidious: The Red Door (2023), Patrick Wilson's directorial debut, depicted a grown-up Dalton Lambert confronting his past. As of current canon, no sixth film has been announced.
Reader's Guide
The Insidious franchise is significant for its consistent box office success and its role in popularizing the 'Further' as a horror concept. It launched the directorial careers of Leigh Whannell and Patrick Wilson. The series features recurring actors Lin Shaye and Joseph Bishara in every installment, with Whannell and Angus Sampson appearing in the first five films. The franchise has inspired a maze at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights and has a planned crossover with Sinister. A spin-off, Thread: An Insidious Tale, is in development with Jeremy Slater writing and directing. The series' legacy includes its influence on modern supernatural horror and its expansion into live shows, such as the canceled Insidious: The Further You Fear tour.
Did You Know?
- Lin Shaye and Joseph Bishara are the only two actors to have appeared in every installment of the franchise.
- The first two films were directed by James Wan, while the third marked Leigh Whannell's directorial debut.
- A crossover film between Insidious and Sinister was previously in development, according to Jason Blum.
- No sixth film has been officially announced or dated; the latest installment is Insidious: The Red Door (2023).
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