Hannibal Lecter saga
- Films
- 4
- Years
- 1991–2007
- The first
- The Silence of the Lambs 1991
- The latest
- Hannibal Rising 2007
- Best rated
- The Silence of the Lambs 9.0
- Back to back
- 8 h 14 min
The films in order
The films in release order
Numbered by their first release anywhere; the date, where there is one, is their UK release.
Hannibal Lecter films in chronological order
In the order they happen in the story, which is not always the order they came out.
About the Hannibal Lecter saga
Hannibal Lecter, the cannibal psychiatrist created by novelist Thomas Harris, is one of the great villains in film history. He first appeared in Michael Mann's 'Manhunter' (1986), played by Brian Cox, but Anthony Hopkins made him a legend in Jonathan Demme's 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), opposite FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster).
That film won the five main Oscars, picture, director, actor, actress and screenplay, something only 'It Happened One Night' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' had done before, and Hopkins won his award with barely sixteen minutes on screen. Ten years later he returned in Ridley Scott's 'Hannibal' (2001), with Julianne Moore as Clarice.
'Red Dragon' (2002), with Edward Norton, and 'Hannibal Rising' (2007), about his youth, completed the series. In story order, start with 'Hannibal Rising' and watch 'Red Dragon' before 'The Silence of the Lambs'.
Questions about the Hannibal Lecter saga
How many Hannibal Lecter films are there?
The Hannibal Lecter saga has 4 released films: the first is The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and the latest Hannibal Rising (2007).
In what order should you watch the Hannibal Lecter films?
In release order: The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Hannibal (2001), Red Dragon (2002) and Hannibal Rising (2007).
What is the chronological order of the Hannibal Lecter films?
In story order: Hannibal Rising, Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal.
What is the best Hannibal Lecter film?
For our readers, The Silence of the Lambs (1991), averaging 9.0 from 96 votes.
How long does it take to watch the whole Hannibal Lecter saga?
The 4 films add up to 8 h 14 min: how long they last back to back.
