All 3 the Blair Witch Movies in Order
Stunning the audience with its unorthodox filming method, The Blair Witch Project is a supernatural fictional documentary horror film that deals with strong elements of folk horror. Although originally considered a low-budget movie, The Blair Witch Project earned up to $1.5 million, all due to it being released theatrically in a step pattern, supported by an aggressive internet marketing plan, which consisted of missing person leaflets and the crucial component of it – their website, while the concept of the internet was still widely mysterious.
As it occurs, the audience simply loved the unmediated, ‘raw’ footage, which depicted ‘reality’. But, what made the movie so extraordinary, that it’s still talked about two decades later? If you’ve been wondering about The Blair Witch movies, stick around – in this article we’re going to explore all the gory details, let you in on some of the trivia, and many things more.
How Many Blair Witch Project Movies Are There?
There are three Blair Witch movies in total. The prequel, The Blair Witch Project (1999) was followed by a sequel, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000), just a year later. Since it was received poorly by most critics, the third installment that was announced that same year did not materialize. The last movie so far, Blair Witch (2016), is a direct sequel to the first movie, and it does not acknowledge the events of the second installment.
The Blair Witch Movies in Order
Here are The Blair Witch movies in order of release:
- The Blair Witch Project (1999)
- Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)
- Blair Witch (2016)
Although the list remained pretty short, that soon ought to change. Keep on reading to find out whether there will be more Blair Witch movies!
What Is the Best Way to Watch The Blair Witch Movies?
The best way to watch The Blair Witch movies is in order of release. Here’s why:
The first movie ever, which made the trilogy possible, was The Blair Witch Project. Although the movie itself may not have turned out as good as everyone hoped it would, it is still considered a staple movie in the found-footage and folk horror sub-genres. Its remarkable marketing campaign elevated the whole movie experience, while the low-quality cameras and first-person perspectives aided in the movie’s hyperrealism. This, folks, is exactly why you should watch the movies by the order of release; the original Blair Witch horror movie is a staple in the horror genre. Although the latter sequels weren’t as positively received, there are still many insights to gain by adding the movies to your watchlist.
The Blair Witch Movies in Order by Release Date
1. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
IMDb rating: 6.5/10
The movie depicts three film students that vanish after traveling into a Maryland forest to film a documentary on the local legend of the Blair Witch, leaving only their footage behind.
2. Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)
IMDb rating: 4.0/10
A group of tourists arrives in Burkittsville, Maryland after watching the found footage of the first movie. The character’s main goals are to explore the mythology and the supernatural phenomenons that occurred, only to come face to face with their own neuroses and possibly – the witch herself.
3. Blair Witch (2016)
IMDb rating: 5.0/10
The movie is also known as “The Woods“. James and a group of his friends head to the forest that is believed to be inhabited by the Blair Witch, in order to find his vanished sister Heather.
Interesting Blair Witch Trivia
Even though the plot itself and the filmmaking style are eye-catching enough, some of the most interesting aspects of the Blair Witch movies are actually the trivia behind them.
The Blair Witch Project movie was one of the first theatrical features to make use of a large-scale viral marketing campaign, which claimed that the main characters had really gone on a trip to shoot a documentary – and, they were never seen again. The website containing the information about the documentary debuted on the Internet a year before the release of the movie, to set up the premise. It contained the complete detailed reports of the search, reactions from their families, and expert opinions. The three actors were also instructed to refrain from making public appearances. Crazy, right?
Moreover, there was some aspect of the filmmaking that could be seen as a tad rigid. For example, to promote discord between actors, the directors deliberately gave them less food each day of the shooting. Some parts of the film were unscripted, too, in order to truly scare the actors. But, all of this ‘torture’ didn’t last long; it took only eight days to shoot the film (and, eight months to edit it).
As it has already been stated, the film gained its popularity on account of the remarkable marketing campaign. And, as a matter of fact, the film event went on to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for “Top Budget: Box Office Ratio” (for a mainstream feature film)! While the film cost $60,000 to make, it made back $240 million – a ratio of $1 spent for every $10,931 made. Can you imagine that?
Are The Blair Witch Movies Connected?
Yes, The Blair Witch movies are connected. The first sequel entitled Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 was poorly received, and, therefore, ‘disowned‘, but there has been made a third installment which serves as a direct sequel to the original movie – Blair Witch (2016).
Will There Be More The Blair Witch Movies?
In October 2017, it has been revealed that there is a Blair Witch television series currently in development. The series was later announced to be released on the Lionsgate studio’s new subsidiary, Studio L. And, as far as it is known, a new, fourth installment of The Blair Witch Project is currently in development at Lionsgate, as of April 2022, too.
Where to Watch The Blair Witch Movies?
The Blair Witch movies are easily found online, and can also be streamed by purchasing or streaming on Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+. You can also find the movies on Netflix and HBO Max. Even though there has been a poor reception to the second installment, The Blair Witch Project movie is definitely worth watching, as there will never be another movie like it! So, what are you waiting for?