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The Definitive Count: How Many Friday The 13th Films Are There (And The Confirmed 13th)

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For decades, the simple question of "how many *Friday the 13th* films are there?" has been complicated by sequels, reboots, and crossovers. As of the current date in December 2025, the official count of films in the iconic American slasher franchise stands at 12, with a confirmed 13th installment actively in development. This impressive number cements the series' legacy as one of the longest-running and most influential horror sagas in cinema history, centered on the terrifying mythos of Camp Crystal Lake and its relentless killer, Jason Voorhees.

The confusion often stems from whether to include the 2009 remake or the monumental crossover *Freddy vs. Jason*. The definitive answer, which we will break down, includes both, bringing the total to a dozen entries in the canon. Furthermore, the long-awaited return of Jason Voorhees to the big screen is now closer than ever, following a decade-long legal battle that put the entire franchise on ice, making the confirmed 13th film the most anticipated horror event of the near future.

The Definitive Count: 12 Films (And The Confirmed 13th)

The *Friday the 13th* franchise is a powerhouse of horror, having grossed over $465 million worldwide at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing horror franchises of all time. The core of the series is the unstoppable killer, Jason Voorhees, who was introduced as the main antagonist in the second film after his mother, Pamela Voorhees, led the first film’s killing spree.

The official count of 12 films includes the Paramount Pictures era (1980-1989), the New Line Cinema era (1993-2009), and the subsequent remake. This number is universally accepted when discussing the complete filmography.

  • Core Series Films: 10 (from *Friday the 13th* (1980) to *Jason X* (2001))
  • Crossover Film: 1 (*Freddy vs. Jason* (2003))
  • Reboot/Remake: 1 (*Friday the 13th* (2009))
  • Total Official Films: 12

The exciting news for fans is the confirmation from Horror Inc.'s Robbie Barsamian that a new movie—which he explicitly referred to as the 13th film in the franchise—is actively being developed. This signals the end of the longest hiatus in the franchise's history and the beginning of a new chapter.

The Complete Filmography of Terror

To establish topical authority, here is the complete chronological list of the 12 *Friday the 13th* films, including their release year and a brief note on their significance within the series lore. This list is essential for understanding the evolution of Jason Voorhees, from a background element to the iconic hockey-masked killer.

  1. Friday the 13th (1980): The original film where the killer is revealed to be Pamela Voorhees, Jason’s mother.
  2. Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981): Introduces Jason Voorhees as the main, adult killer, wearing a sack over his head, not the iconic hockey mask.
  3. Friday the 13th Part III (1982): The film where Jason finally acquires his famous hockey mask, which he steals from a victim named Shelly.
  4. Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984): Intended to be the last film, it introduces the fan-favorite character Tommy Jarvis as a child.
  5. Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985): Features a copycat killer, not Jason, and focuses on an older, institutionalized Tommy Jarvis.
  6. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986): Jason is resurrected by Tommy Jarvis and becomes a supernatural, unstoppable force.
  7. Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988): Pits Jason against a telekinetic teenager, Tina Shepard, in a battle of supernatural titans.
  8. Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989): Infamously features Jason spending most of the film on a boat before a brief, anticlimactic stint in New York City.
  9. Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993): The first film under New Line Cinema, it features Jason's spirit possessing various bodies.
  10. Jason X (2001): Takes the slasher franchise to outer space, featuring a futuristic "Uber-Jason" and a significant time jump.
  11. Freddy vs. Jason (2003): The long-awaited crossover with the *A Nightmare on Elm Street* franchise, pitting Jason Voorhees against Freddy Krueger. This film is the highest-grossing entry in the series.
  12. Friday the 13th (2009): A dark, modern reboot/remake that blends elements from the first four films, re-establishing the origin story for a new generation.

The Legal Nightmare: Why Jason Voorhees Was Trapped

The reason for the long gap between the 2009 film and the confirmed 13th installment lies in a complex and protracted legal dispute that froze the entire franchise. This legal quagmire is essential background for any true fan or topical searcher.

The dispute was between the original film's screenwriter, Victor Miller, and the original director/producer, Sean S. Cunningham (and his company, Horror Inc.).

  • The Core Issue: Victor Miller initiated a copyright termination claim to reclaim the rights to the original 1980 screenplay under U.S. copyright law.
  • The Ruling: A court ruled in favor of Miller, granting him the rights to the characters and story elements from the first film, including the original version of Jason Voorhees and his mother, Pamela Voorhees, but only for the U.S.
  • The Loophole: Sean S. Cunningham's side retained the rights to the elements introduced in the sequels, including the iconic adult Jason Voorhees, his hockey mask, and the "unstoppable zombie" persona.

This split ownership meant that neither party could produce a new film featuring the complete, iconic version of Jason Voorhees without the other's permission, effectively halting all new movies, video games, and content updates (like the *Friday the 13th: The Game*). The recent announcement of the 13th film suggests that a resolution, or at least a working agreement, has been reached, allowing the franchise to move forward under the banner of the new "Jason Universe."

The Future is 'Jason Universe': What's Next?

The long-awaited return is being spearheaded by the new brand label, "Jason Universe," which was announced following the legal settlement. This signals a massive, multi-platform push for the franchise, going far beyond just the confirmed 13th movie.

The Confirmed 13th Film

While details are scarce, the next film is confirmed to be the 13th entry in the series and is currently "actively" in the works. Given the legal history, the creative team will be tasked with navigating the rights issues to deliver a version of Jason Voorhees that satisfies his massive fanbase. The new movie is expected to be a fresh take, potentially serving as a soft-reboot or a direct continuation that acknowledges the series' deep lore.

Television Series and Video Game

The "Jason Universe" is also set to include a new television series, *Crystal Lake*, which is a prequel to the original 1980 film and is being developed for the Peacock streaming service. This series will explore the events leading up to the initial murders at Camp Crystal Lake. Additionally, a new video game is also confirmed to be in development alongside the 13th film, signaling a comprehensive, multi-media effort to revitalize the brand.

Key entities that will be central to the future of the franchise include the setting of Crystal Lake, the character of Tommy Jarvis (who appeared in *The Final Chapter*, *A New Beginning*, and *Jason Lives*), and the core mythology surrounding Jason’s drowning and subsequent resurrection.

The 12 existing films are a testament to the slasher genre's enduring appeal. With the legal hurdles finally cleared, the road is now open for the confirmed 13th film to bring Jason Voorhees’ reign of terror into a new, exciting era.

The Definitive Count: How Many Friday the 13th Films Are There (And The Confirmed 13th)
how many friday 13th films are there
how many friday 13th films are there

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