The Riddick movie series is a thrilling sci-fi action franchise starring Vin Diesel as Richard B. Riddick, a fierce anti-hero with enhanced night vision and a Strong will to survive. Riddick, an extremely-advanced warrior, blessed with enhanced night vision and brutal combat skills, is the Riddick franchise. In the films, he goes from a fugitive prisoner to battling alien creatures, bounty hunters and galactic armies.
But the Riddick timeline can be a bit confusing. With prequels, spin-offs, and animated shorts, many fans wonder:
“What is the correct order to watch Riddick movies?”
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- Riddick movies in chronological order
- Riddick movies in release order
- Where to watch them
- What’s next for the franchise
Riddick Movies in Chronological Order
If you want to follow the story in the right timeline, here’s the correct order:
- The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (2004) – Video Game
- The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (2004) – Animated Short
- Pitch Black (2000)
- The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
- Riddick (2013)
- Riddick: Furya (Upcoming – TBA)
Detailed Breakdown of Each Riddick Movie
1. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (2004) – Video Game
Although not a movie, Escape from Butcher Bay is an important part of the Riddick storyline. This highly praised video game serves as a prequel to the first film and explains how Riddick got his reputation as a deadly fugitive. The game follows Riddick’s escape from the high-security Butcher Bay prison, one of the toughest prisons in the galaxy.
Players experience intense combat, stealth missions, and Riddick’s first encounter with bounty hunter William J. Johns, a character who later appears in Pitch Black. Though not required for understanding the movies, it adds a deeper backstory to Riddick’s past.
2. The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (2004) – Animated Short
Dark Fury is a 30-minute animated short film that acts as a bridge between Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick. The story picks up right after Pitch Black, as Riddick, Jack (Kyra), and Imam are captured by mercenaries.
The film introduces Antonia Chillingsworth, a cruel collector who wants to add Riddick to her collection of “preserved” criminals. Featuring stunning animation and action-packed sequences, Dark Fury expands the Riddick universe while staying true to the franchise’s gritty tone.
3. Pitch Black (2000)
This is the first Riddick movie ever released and the one that made Vin Diesel’s character a fan favorite.
Plot Summary:
The story follows Riddick, a dangerous prisoner, who is being transported by bounty hunter William J. Johns on a spaceship. However, the ship crash-lands on a desert planet with three suns and no nighttime—until an eclipse happens.
When the planet is plunged into darkness, bloodthirsty alien creatures emerge, hunting anything in sight. With night vision as his only advantage, Riddick must work with the survivors to escape. But can they trust him?
This film introduced Riddick’s ruthless yet strategic personality, making him one of the most memorable sci-fi anti-heroes.
4. The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
Taking place five years after Pitch Black, this sequel shifts from survival horror to epic space opera.
Plot Summary:
Riddick is now on the run, evading bounty hunters across different planets. He soon learns about the Necromongers, a ruthless intergalactic empire that forces civilizations to convert or die. Their leader, Lord Marshal, is nearly invincible due to his supernatural powers.
When Riddick’s home planet, Furya, is revealed to be central to the Necromongers’ conquest, he becomes the last hope to stop them. This movie also introduces Kyra (formerly Jack from Pitch Black), who has grown into a fierce warrior but is held prisoner by the Necromongers.
With larger battles, intense action, and deep lore, The Chronicles of Riddick expanded the franchise’s universe in an exciting way.
5 Riddick (2013)
Riddick returns to its survival-horror roots, much like Pitch Black, but with even bigger stakes.
Plot Summary:
Riddick is betrayed and left stranded on a harsh, sun-scorched planet. He must survive extreme weather, deadly alien predators, and bounty hunters who arrive to claim his head.
One of these mercenaries has a personal connection to William J. Johns (from Pitch Black), making this a revenge-driven story. However, when a massive storm unleashes monstrous creatures, the hunters become the hunted, forcing everyone to work together.
This movie brings Riddick back to his gritty, primal survival instincts, making it a fan-favorite installment in the franchise.
6. Riddick: Furya (Upcoming – TBA)
The next confirmed sequel, Riddick: Furya, is currently in development.
It will explore Riddick’s home planet, Furya, and his origins.
The film is expected to introduce more Furyans, a warrior race with unique abilities.
Vin Diesel has confirmed that the script is complete and filming is expected to begin soon.
This installment will likely answer many questions about Riddick’s past, making it an exciting addition to the series.
Riddick Movies in Release Order
If you want to watch the films in the order they were released, follow this list:
1. Pitch Black (2000)
2. The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
3. The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury (2004) – Animated Short
4. Riddick (2013)
5. Riddick: Furya (Upcoming – TBA)
This order is how audiences first experienced the franchise, and it’s still a great way to watch.
ALSO READ : – Why So Many People Love Cartoons
Where to Watch the Riddick Movies
Want to watch the Riddick movies? Here’s where you can find them:
- Pitch Black – Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Vudu
- The Chronicles of Riddick – Peacock, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
- Dark Fury – DVD/Blu-ray bundles
- Riddick – Peacock, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
Since streaming services change frequently, it’s always a good idea to check Netflix, HBO Max, or Hulu for availability.
Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Order to Watch?
👉 For the best story experience, watch in chronological order.
👉 For the original fan experience, watch in release order.
Either way, Riddick is a must-watch sci-fi action series with a unique blend of survival, combat, and space adventure.
