Every ‘Wrong Turn’ Movie, Ranked

The ‘Wrong Turn’ series has been sending hikers and thrill seekers into the woods for messy consequences for over two decades. It shifts tones and ideas from entry to entry, yet it always comes back to one bad choice that spirals into worse ones. If you like backwoods slashers with gnarly traps and tense chases, this franchise delivers plenty of grim thrills.

For this countdown we stacked every film from the least favored to the most beloved. You will find snowbound prequels, a prison bus disaster, a bold reinvention, and the tight original that turned a simple detour into a cult hit. Ready to head into the trees.

‘Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines’ (2012)

A town festival sets the stage for a long night of mayhem as familiar killers stalk a small police station and the streets around it. The idea has energy and the holiday setting gives it some color, but the tight locations make the story feel stuck when it should build.

There are flashes of nasty fun and a memorable antagonist who chews through scenes with gusto. Too often the tension stalls between bursts, which makes this one feel more like a stopover than a destination for anyone but completists.

‘Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort’ (2014)

An unexpected inheritance draws friends to a secluded spa where family history hides a very dark pull. The setup leans into temptation and secret rituals, which gives this entry a different flavor from the usual chase through the trees.

The eerie caretakers and legacy twists add intrigue, but the pace wanders and the payoffs do not always land. It is an odd chapter that tries fresh ideas without quite finding a steady pulse.

‘Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead’ (2009)

A prison transport collides with the wrong patch of forest and suddenly guards and inmates have to outrun the same nightmare. The dynamic between uneasy allies keeps things jumpy, and once the escape is on, the story moves with some snap.

You can see the seams in places and some effects show the budget strain. Even so, the hook is strong enough to carry a rough and rowdy chase with a few sharp trap beats.

‘Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings’ (2011)

This prequel strands thrill seekers in a snowbound asylum where a storm turns every hallway into a fresh hazard. The wintry setting looks great and the cold adds bite to the set pieces, which helps the familiar formula feel fresh.

Character work gets flattened by the push for shock and speed, so the carnage often arrives before you can care. If you want icy corridors and mean snowmobile chaos, this one serves that up with gusto.

‘Wrong Turn 2: Dead End’ (2007)

A reality show drops a crew of contestants into the forest and the series finds a wild groove. The winking challenges turn lethal in clever ways, and a tough host rallies the group as the bodies stack up.

The mix of cheeky humor and grisly moments gives this sequel a lively charge. It knows exactly what it is and races from one gnarly setup to the next with a confident stride.

‘Wrong Turn’ (2021)

The reboot keeps hikers in peril but swaps the old monsters for an isolated mountain society with rigid rules. That shift turns a familiar premise into a harsher survival tale where moral choices close doors one by one.

It is moodier and more grounded than the earlier sequels, with a few late surprises that stick. Some fans split on the change in direction, yet the fresh approach gives the name new bite.

‘Wrong Turn’ (2003)

A simple detour strands a group deep in the woods and the franchise is born. The setup is clean, the location work is tense, and the hunters feel iconic without much explanation.

What makes it click is momentum and clarity. The film moves from one escape attempt to the next with sharp staging and practical gore that still plays, which keeps the pressure high until the final sprint.

Tell us how you would order the series and share your picks in the comments.