When Was the First "Purge" Movie Released? A Timeline of the Horror Franchise
Hello, horror enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the chilling world of the Purge franchise to answer a question that's been haunting our dreams: when was the first Purge movie released? So, grab your popcorn and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and when was the first purge.
The Birth of the Purge: The First Movie (2013)
The first Purge movie, simply titled The Purge, was unleashed upon the world on June 7, 2013. This inaugural installment, directed by James DeMonaco, introduced us to a dystopian America where, for one night a year, all crime, including murder, is legal. The catch? You had to be a U.S. citizen and not a victim of the purge.
The film follows a wealthy family, the Sandins, who decide to stay in their gated community during the purge, hoping to ride it out in safety. But, as you can imagine, things don't go as planned. The movie stars Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, and Max Burkholder, and it was a surprise hit, grossing over $89 million worldwide on a budget of just $3 million.
The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
A year later, on July 18, 2014, The Purge: Anarchy hit theaters, becoming the second movie in the Purge series. This time, we follow a group of strangers who cross paths during the purge, teaming up to survive the night. The film was directed by James DeMonaco once again and starred Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, and Zach Gilford.
The Purge: Anarchy expanded upon the lore of the purge, delving deeper into the politics and societal implications of the annual event. It also introduced the concept of "Purge squads," groups of people who hunt and kill others for sport during the purge. The movie was another success, grossing over $102 million worldwide.
The Purge: Election Year (2016)
Three years after the first film, on July 1, 2016, The Purge: Election Year was released, serving as the third movie in the Purge series. This time around, we follow a presidential candidate, Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), who plans to eliminate the purge. Her bodyguard, Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo, reprising his role from the previous film), must protect her as they fight to survive the purge together.
The Purge: Election Year explores the political and social commentary that the franchise is known for, tackling themes of class divide and the power of the elite. The movie grossed over $118 million worldwide, solidifying the Purge franchise as a horror staple.
The First Purge (2018) - A Prequel
On July 4, 2018, The First Purge, the fourth movie in the Purge series and the first prequel, was released. Directed by Gerard McMurray, this film tells the origin story of the purge, showing how the annual event was first introduced to Staten Island, New York, as a social experiment.
The movie stars Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, and Joivan Wade, and it explores the racial and socio-economic themes that have become a hallmark of the franchise. The First Purge grossed over $137 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in the series to date.
The Purge TV Series (2018-Present)
In 2018, the Purge franchise expanded to the small screen with the first Purge TV series, simply titled The Purge. The series, which aired on USA Network and Syfy, is set in a world where, for 12 hours every year, all crime, including murder, is legal. The show follows several seemingly unrelated characters as they struggle to survive the night.
The first season of The Purge aired in 2018, with a second season, The Purge: Season 2, following in 2019. A third season, The Purge: Season 3, is set to premiere on USA Network and Syfy in 2021.
The Future of the Purge
With the success of the films and TV series, it's no surprise that more Purge movies are in the works. In 2019, it was announced that a fifth Purge movie is in development, with James DeMonaco returning to write the script. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production has been delayed, and the release date is yet to be announced.
So there you have it, folks! A comprehensive timeline of the Purge franchise, from the first Purge movie to the upcoming fifth film. If you're a fan of the series, be sure to check out our other articles on all things horror. Until next time, stay safe, and remember: keep your doors locked on purge night!