So you want to watch the Children of the Corn movies in order? Smart move. As a horror fan who's sat through all eleven films (yes, really), I can tell you this franchise is wilder than a Nebraska cornfield in a tornado. Some entries are legit terrifying while others... well, let's just say I've seen better acting in elementary school plays. But that's the fun of it!
When I first tried watching them chronologically, I got totally lost because the timeline jumps around like a possessed scarecrow. That frustration is why I created this guide. We'll cover every movie including those straight-to-DVD sequels nobody talks about (for good reason sometimes). Whether you're a newbie or just forgot where you left off, this is your roadmap.
Complete Children of the Corn Film Series in Order
Let's kick things off with the full lineup. Here's how to watch all Children of the Corn movies in order of release date - the only way that makes sense since continuity's not exactly this franchise's strong suit:
| Release Year | Movie Title | Director | Key Cast | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Children of the Corn | Fritz Kiersch | Linda Hamilton, Peter Horton | 92 min |
| 1992 | Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice | David Price | Terence Knox, Paul Scherrer | 94 min |
| 1995 | Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest | James D.R. Hickox | Daniel Cerny, Ron Melendez | 93 min |
| 1996 | Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering | Greg Spence | Naomi Watts, Jamie Renée Smith | 86 min |
| 1998 | Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror | Ethan Wiley | Stacy Galina, Alexis Arquette | 84 min |
| 2001 | Children of the Corn: Revelation | Guy Magar | Claudette Mink, Michael Ironside | 82 min |
| 2009 | Children of the Corn (Remake) | Donald P. Borchers | David Anders, Kandyse McClure | 93 min |
| 2011 | Children of the Corn: Genesis | Joel Soisson | Kelen Coleman, Tim Rock | 81 min |
| 2018 | Children of the Corn: Runaway | John Gulager | Marci Miller, Lynn Andrews III | 79 min |
| 2020 | Children of the Corn | Kurt Wimmer | Elena Kampouris, Kate Moyer | 92 min |
| 2023 | Children of the Corn (2023) | Kurt Wimmer | Elena Kampouris, Kate Moyer | 93 min |
Yeah that last one confused me too - they released the same film twice? Only in Hollywood. Anyway, bookmark this table for easy reference when planning your marathon.
Detailed Breakdown: Every Children of the Corn Movie
Children of the Corn (1984)
Granddaddy of them all. This is where we meet Isaac Chroner and Malachai Boardman, the creepiest kid cult leaders since... well, ever. Based on Stephen King's short story, it follows a couple who stumble into Gatlin, Nebraska where children murdered all adults. That opening diner scene? Still gives me chills.
Personal take: Linda Hamilton's performance is gold but the pacing feels dated now. Still essential viewing though - you can't skip the original when watching Children of the Corn movies in order.
• Practical effects still shock
• Genuinely unsettling atmosphere
• Predictable jump scares
• Weak third act
Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)
Direct sequel ignoring later films' timelines. Follows journalist John Garrett investigating the Gatlin massacre. Features possessed corn (yes really), toxic pesticides, and the most ridiculous death-by-corncob scene in horror history. This one's so bad it circles back to entertaining.
Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995)
Cult kids move to Chicago! Features killer corn plants invading high-rises and a mutant corn monster that looks like walking guacamole. More sci-fi than horror honestly. The foster brother dynamic between Eli and Joshua adds unexpected heart though.
| Aspect | Rating (1-5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gore Factor | 4 | Creative kills! |
| Acting | 2 | Child actors try their best |
| Re-watch Value | 3 | Great for drinking games |
Where Things Get Weird: The Mid-Franchise Slump
Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996)
Complete reboot with zero connections to previous films. Watts plays a med student in a cursed Nebraska town where kids get possessed during corn harvest. Surprisingly decent atmosphere but ruined by terrible CGI. Worth watching just for young Naomi Watts though.
Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998)
Road-tripping teens get stranded near cornfields run by a cult led by "The One Who Walks Behind the Rows." Features bizarre evangelical undertones and the franchise's first (but not last) incest subplot. Yeah.
My take? The only terror here is the script. Seriously, I'd rather shovel actual corn than sit through this again. Skip unless you're a masochist completing the entire Children of the Corn movies in order list.
The Remakes and Revivals
Children of the Corn (2009 TV Remake)
Surprisingly faithful remake that flopped hard. Tries to explain the cult's origins with mixed results. Anders makes a compelling Isaac but lacks the original's raw menace. The cornfield scenes actually look cheaper than the 1984 version somehow.
Children of the Corn (2023)
The most recent attempt breathes new life into the franchise. Set during corporate farmland buyouts, it cleverly connects cult mentality to environmental extremism. Kate Moyer's villainous Eden is terrifying - finally a worthy successor to Isaac! Some plot holes big enough to drive a combine through though.
• Strong female lead/villain
• Actually scary again!
• Third act goes off rails
• Too many underdeveloped characters
Essential Viewing Order vs Chronological Order
Here's where fans disagree. Since the continuity's messier than a corn maze after hurricane, I recommend two approaches:
For Newcomers:
1. Children of the Corn (1984)
2. Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest
3. Children of the Corn (2023)
For Masochistic Completionists:
Follow the full release order from earlier table. Bring caffeine.
The so-called chronological order doesn't work because timelines contradict each other constantly. Just stick to release order when watching Children of the Corn movies in proper sequence.
Franchise FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
A: Eleven official films as of 2023, though some are reboots ignoring previous continuity.
Q: Do I need to watch them in order?A: Only the original trilogy loosely connects. Most sequels stand alone. Watch 1984 original first though.
Q: Why are there so many sequels?A: Low production costs + built-in audience = profit even with straight-to-DVD releases. Simple economics!
Q: What's the best Children of the Corn movie?A: Most fans say the 1984 original. Personally I think 2023 remake comes close if you forgive its preachiness.
Q: What's the WORST one?A: Genesis (2011) - feels like a student film with worse acting. Fields of Terror (1998) is strong contender too.
Q: Are any based on Stephen King books?A: Only the 1984 original directly adapts his short story. Later films just borrow the concept.
Q: Where can I stream them?A: It changes constantly but currently: Shudder has original, Tubi/Peacock have several sequels, newer ones require rental.
Final Thoughts: Is This Franchise Worth Your Time?
Look, I've watched all eleven Children of the Corn movies in order so you don't have to. Honestly? Only three are genuinely good (1984, Urban Harvest, 2023). The rest range from "so bad it's fun" to "please make it stop."
That said, there's something fascinating about how this series mutates like... well, like genetically modified corn. From supernatural horror to sci-fi to social commentary - it refuses to die. Maybe that's the real horror: no matter how many times we think it's over, another sequel sprouts up.
My advice? Watch the original first. If you love its particular brand of creepy, try Urban Harvest and the 2023 version. The others? Save for when you're sick and want something so ridiculous it'll distract you from flu symptoms.
At the end of the day, finding the proper viewing order for Children of the Corn movies is easier than explaining why killer corn is scary... yet here we all are. Happy harvesting!
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