If you’re looking to dive into the “Puppet Master” series, here’s the sequence in which the films were released.
- “Puppet Master” (1989)
- “Puppet Master II” (1990)
- “Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge” (1991)
- “Puppet Master 4” (1993)
- “Puppet Master 5” (1994)
- “Curse of the Puppet Master” (1998)
- “Retro Puppet Master” (1999)
- “Puppet Master: The Legacy” (2003)
- “Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys” (2004)
- “Puppet Master: Axis of Evil” (2010)
- “Puppet Master X: Axis Rising” (2012)
- “Puppet Master: Axis Termination” (2017)
- “Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich” (2018)
- “Blade: The Iron Cross” (2020)
- “Puppet Master: Doktor Death” (2022)
The narrative continuity of the first eight films in the “Puppet Master” collection is fairly consistent, though the timeline is presented out of order with “Toulon’s Revenge” and “Retro” serving as prequels.
The character André Toulon has been portrayed by multiple actors throughout the series, with William Hickey debuting the role, followed by Steve Welles in the second installment, and Guy Rolfe portraying the character from the third film onwards.
The dolls take on a more heroic role starting from “Puppet Master 4”, where they combat creatures even more evil than themselves. “Retro Puppet Master” showcases a young Toulon, performed by Greg Sestero of “The Room” fame, while “The Legacy” primarily compiles scenes from earlier movies with some additional content.
The “Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys” film stands as a standalone crossover and is not typically included in the main series continuity. The three “Axis” movies revive the series with a fresh storyline, revisiting plot elements from the initial trilogy.
The series witnessed a reboot with “Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich” in 2018, introducing a new legion of sinister puppets. In this iteration, the puppets are Nazi creations targeting those they were programmed to view as enemies. The films “Blade: The Iron Cross” and “Puppet Master: Doktor Death” present standalone adventures featuring the titular characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I watch the ‘Puppet Master’ films in release order or chronological order?
It is generally recommended to watch the ‘Puppet Master’ films in the release order for the best understanding of the series’ evolving narrative and character developments.
Can the ‘Puppet Master’ movies be watched as stand-alone films?
While there is an overarching narrative to the series, some of the ‘Puppet Master’ films, like “Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys,” can be enjoyed as stand-alone movies. However, watching in order will provide a more enriched experience.
Are all ‘Puppet Master’ films produced by the same company?
Most of the ‘Puppet Master’ franchise has been produced by Full Moon Features. However, “Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys” was produced by a different company and is often not included in the main Full Moon series continuity.
Did the ‘Puppet Master’ series get rebooted?
Yes, the series was rebooted in 2018 with “Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich,” which introduced a new storyline and redesigned killer puppets.
Is there a specific movie I should start with if I’m new to the ‘Puppet Master’ series?
For new viewers, it is best to start with the original “Puppet Master” (1989) to get a feel for the series’ themes and characters.