The Blade Runner series may not have the same extensive reach as sci-fi properties like Star Wars, but it offers a unique and engaging story with an iconic cast. For those new to the franchise, there are multiple ways to watch each installment. Blade Runner began as a science fiction novel titled “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep?” by Philip K. Dick in 1968. This was followed by a movie adaptation in 1982 and has since expanded to include a sequel, various short films, a television series, and a sidequel.
Although it is common for audiences to typically watch films in the order of their release date, the Blade Runner franchise offers a more nuanced approach. While it is acceptable to watch the films in the order of their release, the timeline of the franchise is also an important factor to consider. Given that Blade Runner is set in the future, its sequels and related works also exist in this future setting, albeit at different points in time. As a result, viewers have the option to experience the Blade Runner franchise not only in the order of release, but also in the chronological order of the events depicted in the movies. This alternative approach could potentially offer a different and more compelling viewing experience.
Blade Runner Movies And Shows In Release Order
Blade Runner and its related media are typically watched in the order of their release. The first film, released in 1982, features Harrison Ford as Deckard, a police officer in 2019 Los Angeles on a mission to apprehend a group of rebellious replicants. Despite its initial mixed reception and box office performance, Blade Runner has attained cult classic status and has inspired sequels and spinoffs. Since its release, the Blade Runner franchise has continued to expand and evolve.
Currently, there are seven properties in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner franchise, commencing with the 1982 release of Blade Runner and concluding with Blade Runner: Black Lotus in 2021. Additionally, discussions about a new Blade Runner series titled Blade Runner 2099, which is in production, have surfaced. This series is rumored to be a sequel to the Blade Runner sequel, Blade Runner 2049. The Blade Runner franchise has expanded over the years, highlighting the importance of clarifying the viewing process for these remarkable sci-fi films and series.
- Blade Runner (1982)
- Soldier (1998)
- 2036: Nexus Dawn (August 2017)
- 2048: Nowhere To Run (September 2017)
- Blade Runner Black Out 2022 (September 2017)
- Blade Runner 2049 (October 2017)
- Blade Runner: Black Lotus (2021)
Top 7 Blade Runner Movies & Shows In Chronological Order Of Events
Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner is the initial film released in the franchise and also holds the first position in the franchise’s chronological order. Harrison Ford’s Blade Runner is set in 2019, a year that was distant in 1982 but has since passed in the real world. The movie centers on Deckard, a “blade runner” assigned to hunt and eliminate replicants. When Deckard is tasked with pursuing four rebellious replicants, what should have been a straightforward mission becomes a test of his job and his own identity as he develops feelings for a replicant.
Box Office
$41.6 million
Runtime
1 hour 50 minutes
Cast
Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard), Rutger Hauer (Roy Batty), Sean Young (Rachael), Edward James Olmos (Gaff), M. Emmet Walsh (Bryant), Daryl Hannah (Pris), William Sanderson (J. F. Sebastian), Brion James (Leon Kowalski), Joe Turkel (Eldon Tyrell), Joanna Cassidy (Zhora Salome)
Blade Runner Black Out 2022 (2017)
The upcoming addition to the Blade Runner series is an animated short film called Blade Runner Black Out 2022. Set three years after the original film, it depicts a replicant uprising and focuses on Trixie, a replicant woman rescued by a former replicant soldier named Iggy. The story unfolds as they join forces with other replicants to plan an attack on Tyrell Corporation, aiming to put an end to the mistreatment and manipulation of replicants. Despite its brief duration, the film provides crucial backstory to the broader Blade Runner franchise.
Box Office
None | Runtime: 15 minutes
Cast
- Jovan Jackson (Iggy Cygnus)
- Luci Christian (Trixie)
- Bryson Baugus (Ren)
- Edward James Olmos (Gaff)
Blade Runner: Black Lotus (2021)
The Blade Runner timeline then shifts ahead by ten years to 2032 with the release of Blade Runner: Black Lotus. This recent addition to the Blade Runner franchise is an animated television series that debuted in 2021 on Adult Swim and Crunchyroll. Black Lotus explores the widespread consequences of the revolution depicted in Blade Runner Black Out 2022. The series notably centers around a female replicant protagonist and features familiar characters from the Blade Runner franchise such as the Wallaces. In total, the series consists of 13 episodes, shedding light on the events that transpired between Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049.
Cast
- Jessica Henwick (Elle)
- Will Yun Lee (Joseph)
- Samira Wiley (Alani Davis)
- Wes Bentley (Niander Wallace Jr.)
- Brian Box (Niander Wallace Sr.)
- Josh Duhamel (Marlowe)
- Peyton List (Josephine Grant)
- Stephen Root (Earl Grant)
- Barkhad Abdi (Doc Badger)
- Gregg Henry (Senator Bannister)
- Henry Czerny (Doctor M)
- Jason Spisak (Hooper)
- Alessia Cara (Selene)
Soldier (1998)
The 1998 film Soldier is a “sidequel” to Blade Runner, following the story of Todd, who was trained from a young age to be a killing machine, only to be replaced by bioengineered soldiers. Stranded on a different planet in 2036, Todd must prepare to confront his replacements in a full-scale war. Despite not performing well at the box office, Soldier shares similarities with Blade Runner as it was written by Blade Runner co-writer David Peoples and is believed to exist in the same universe.
Box Office
None
Runtime: 6 minutes
Cast
- Jared Leto (Niander Wallace)
- Benedict Wong (Lawmaker)
- Ned Dennehy (Lawmaker No. 2)
- Ade Sapara (Lawmaker No. 3)
- Ania Marson (Lawmaker No. 4)
2048: Nowhere to Run (2017)
The final short film in the Blade Runner series, titled 2048: Nowhere to Run, is set in 2048. It serves as a bridge between Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049. Despite its brief duration of 6 minutes, this film leaves a lasting impression. Unlike the previous Blade Runner short films, it offers a glimpse into a related yet distinct story rather than expanding on the existing plot. 2048: Nowhere to Run centers around a man named Sapper, who initially comes across as gentle and non-confrontational, but reveals his true nature when pushed to his limits.
Box Office
None | Runtime: 6 minutes
Cast
- Dave Bautista (Sapper Morton)
- Gerard Miller (Salt)
- Gaia Ottman (Ella)
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
The final movie in the Blade Runner franchise timeline is Blade Runner 2049. Although not the most recent installment, it is the latest in terms of chronology, set in 2049. Blade Runner 2049 follows K, a replicant and blade runner who uncovers significant secrets and embarks on a mission to locate a missing blade runner. The Blade Runner short films provide context for the events of Blade Runner 2049, showing Wallace’s rise to power and the development of replicants over time. Watching in chronological order may be the best approach.
Box Office
$267.7 million |
Runtime
2 hours 43 minutes
Cast
- Ryan Gosling (K/Joe)
- Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard)
- Ana De Armas (Joi)
- Sylvia Hoeks (Luv)
- Robin Wright (Lt. Joshi)
- Mackenzie Davis (Mariette)
- Carla Juri (Dr. Ana Stelline)
- Dave Bautista (Sapper Morton)
- Jared Leto (Niander Wallace)
- Edward James Olmos (Gaff)
Summary
The Blade Runner franchise includes multiple installments and spinoffs, and there are different ways to watch them, either by release date or by chronological order of the events in the movies. The first film, Blade Runner, was released in 1982 and is set in 2019. It follows Deckard, a blade runner who hunts down and eliminates rogue replicants, and falls in love with a replicant in the process. Blade Runner 2049 is the most recent installment in terms of chronology, taking place in 2049. It follows K, a replicant blade runner, who uncovers secrets and goes on a mission to find a missing blade runner. Watching the franchise chronologically may provide a better understanding of the events.
