The Paranormal Activity movies are streaming on Paramount+, with seven feature films in the franchise currently available to watch on demand. On Paramount+, you’ll find Paranormal Activity, Paranormal Activity 2, Paranormal Activity 3, Paranormal Activity 4, The Marked Ones, Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, and Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin.
A found-footage, supernatural horror series, the Paranormal Activity movies began with Oren Peli’s low-budget 2007 film (called Paranormal Activity, natch). From there, the franchise grew into a multi-film mythology – one of the top horror movie franchises to watch on Paramount+, and featuring some of our favorite Halloween movies. We’ve got all the info you need to plan a Paranormal Activity marathon, including where to stream the movies plus a quick guide to every film currently available on Paramount+.
Key facts
- Where to watch: Paramount+
- Genre: Horror/supernatural/found footage
- Number of movies currently streaming: 7
- First movie: Paranormal Activity (2007)
- Most recent movie: Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021)
- Franchise creator: Oren Peli
Paranormal Activity
Watch NowWhere to stream the movies
Seven Paranormal Activity feature films are currently available to stream on Paramount+. Subscribers can watch the movies on demand. The availability of each film is subject to change.
Currently streaming on Paramount+:
- Paranormal Activity (2007)
- Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)
- Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
- Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)
- Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014)
- Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015)
- Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021)
What are the movies about?
The Paranormal Activity movies are a found-footage supernatural horror film series. The first film in the series has a simple haunted-house type story that expands into a larger mythology in later films. Warning: Slight spoilers ahead, but trust us: You’ll still be surprised by what’s lurking when you watch!
1. Paranormal Activity
Paranormal Activity introduces Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat), a young couple whose seemingly ordinary home becomes the site of increasingly disturbing nighttime activity. Micah sets up a camera to document what’s happening, establishing the franchise’s signature found-footage format. As the first film in the series, Paranormal Activity is the natural starting point for new viewers.
WATCH NOW: Paranormal Activity
2. Paranormal Activity 2
Paranormal Activity 2 introduces Kristi (Sprague Grayden) and Daniel Rey (Brian Boland) and their family, who begin experiencing strange activity after bringing their newborn son home. The second film in the series expands the use of security-camera footage as introduced in the original Paranormal Activity. Paranormal Activity 2 also deepens the story introduced in the original film.
WATCH NOW: Paranormal Activity 2
3. Paranormal Activity 3
Paranormal Activity 3 takes viewers back to Katie and Kristi’s childhood. The third film in the series centers on the young sisters (now played by Chloe Csengery and Jessica Tyler Brown, respectively) experiencing supernatural activity for the first time and the cameras used to document it. Paranormal Activity 3 is also a prequel, taking place before the first two films in the series.
WATCH NOW: Paranormal Activity 3
4. Paranormal Activity 4
In Paranormal Activity 4, the story jumps forward five years, after, as per the events of Paranormal Activity 2, Katie disappears with Hunter. The fourth film in the series introduces a new suburban family/neighborhood perspective and a new protagonist in teenager Alex (Kathryn Newton). Katie’s (Katie Featherston) return connects Paranormal Activity 4 directly to the earlier films in the series.
WATCH NOW: Paranormal Activity 4
5. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones introduces Jesse (Andrew Jacobs), a teenager who begins investigating strange sounds coming from a neighbor’s apartment. His investigation leads to increasingly frightening supernatural events. The fifth film in the series brings a new group of characters and setting into the franchise while remaining connected to its larger mythology.
WATCH NOW: Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
6. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension introduces a family that discovers a mysterious video camera capable of revealing something they otherwise couldn’t see. The sixth movie in the series pushes the franchise’s central supernatural mythology to the forefront. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension also resolves earlier storylines in the series.
WATCH NOW: Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
7. Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021)
A Paramount+ original movie, Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin introduces documentary filmmaker Margot (Emily Bader), who travels to a secluded Amish community while investigating her family history. Disturbing events suggest the community may be hiding something sinister. This seventh entry in the series shifts away from the first six films’ Katie/Kristi storyline, and functions as a fresh story within the franchise. Viewers don’t need detailed knowledge of the first six films before watching Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin.
WATCH NOW: Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin
What order should you watch them?
It’s recommended that first-time viewers watch the Paranormal Activity movies in release order, since the films’ mythology and connections were designed to unfold that way. Paranormal Activity 3 is a prequel, so viewers looking specifically for chronological order would begin with this film.
The Paranormal Activity films’ release order is:
- Paranormal Activity
- Paranormal Activity 2
- Paranormal Activity 3
- Paranormal Activity 4
- Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones
- Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
- Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin
Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin follows a separate storyline, so viewers can also watch it independently of the other films after getting a feel for the franchise.
What makes the franchise scary?
The Paranormal Activity franchise is scary for several reasons. Its found-footage approach turns home videos, security cameras, webcams, and other everyday recordings into sources of supernatural horror. The franchise also features plenty of slow-build suspense. Ordinary bedrooms, hallways and homes become threatening as viewers are encouraged to watch the background and anticipate what might move, appear, or happen next.
The movies gradually expand beyond the original film’s simple haunted-house setup into a larger mythology, with the first six installments largely connected through Katie, Kristi, and the supernatural force haunting their family.
Watch the Paranormal Activity movies on Paramount+
You can watch the Paranormal Activity movies now on Paramount+. Start with the original Paranormal Activity or plan your full franchise marathon today. Paranormal Activity is one of the great horror movie franchises viewers can binge on Paramount+.
WATCH NOW: Paranormal Activity
FAQ
How many Paranormal Activity movies are there?
There are seven feature films in the Paranormal Activity franchise. The original six films form a storyline different from that of Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin.
Do you need to watch the Paranormal Activity movies in order?
While viewers can understand individual Paranormal Activity films without memorizing every detail of the preceding films, it is recommended they watch the Paranormal Activity films in their release order, because connections and mythology build across the first six movies. Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, however, tells a separate story.
Is Paranormal Activity 3 a prequel?
Yes, Paranormal Activity 3 is a prequel. It goes back to Katie and Kristi’s childhood and therefore takes place earlier than the original two movies.
Is Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin connected to the other movies?
Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin carries the Paranormal Activity name and found-footage approach but follows different characters and a separate supernatural story.
