The Ultimate Guide to Unleashing Hannibal Lecter: Discover the Perfect Movie & Show Order, Chronologically & by Release Date!

Summary

Dr. Hannibal Lecter's story has been depicted in multiple movies and TV series since Anthony Hopkins' iconic portrayal in "The Silence of the Lambs."

For the optimal viewing experience of the Hannibal Lecter movies, it is recommended to follow this chronological order: "Hannibal Rising" (2007), "Hannibal" (2013-2015), "Red Dragon" (2002), "Clarice" (2021), "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991), and "Hannibal" (2001).

The TV series "Hannibal" (2013-2015) delves into the complex connection between Hannibal and FBI profiler Will Graham, occupying the time frame between "Hannibal Rising" and "Red Dragon". Fans anxiously await updates on a possible Season 4.

The Silence of the Lambs, starring Anthony Hopkins as the captivating villain Dr. Hannibal Lecter, propelled him to become one of the most charismatic antagonists in cinema. Since his memorable performance in 1991, the character has continued to appear in films and television series. Through conversations between characters, the audience becomes familiar with Dr. Lecter's gruesome acts, his chilling intelligence, and his criminal background. Author Thomas Harris is the mastermind behind Dr. Lecter, whose books, transformed into series and movies, now present a convoluted timeline. To add to the complexity, some actors have played different roles in multiple Hannibal Lecter films. The novels' popularity and Hopkins' exceptional portrayal led to further explorations of the cannibal's origins on screen. As more movies and series emerged, it became necessary to breakdown the order of release dates and chronologically follow Hannibal Lecter's life. For fans wanting to dive into the series initiated by The Silence of the Lambs, here is the recommended order in which to watch the Hannibal Lecter movies.

How To Watch Hannibal Lecter In Chronological Order

Hannibal Rising (2007)

Hannibal (2013-2015)

Red Dragon (2002)

Clarice (2021)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Hannibal (2001)

How To Watch Hannibal Lecter In Release Date Order

In 1986, the initial film adaptation of Harris's novel, Red Dragon, titled Manhunter, was released. It was helmed by renowned Hollywood director Michael Mann and featured Brian Cox from the show Succession as the character Hannibal Lecter (spelled Lecktor in the movie).

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Hannibal (2001)

Red Dragon (2002)

Hannibal Rising (2007)

Hannibal (2013 - 2015)

Clarice (2021)

The Best Order To Watch All Hannibal Lecter Movies & TV Shows

Hannibal (2013-2015) is a television series that takes place in modern times but is set between the events of Hannibal Rising and Red Dragon. The show delves deeply into Hannibal Lecter's psychology, as he works as a consultant to FBI profiler Will Graham while they hunt down serial killers in Minnesota. Unbeknownst to Will, he is unwittingly conversing with a serial killer every day. The series is visually stunning and features exceptional performances, making it an excellent representation of Harris's world. While there is debate over whether it became a love story between Hannibal and Will, it serves as a perfect precursor to Anthony Hopkins' iconic portrayal in The Silence of the Lambs.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The Silence of the Lambs, the most well-known film in the Hannibal Lecter series, grossed a total of $272.7 million worldwide and received Oscars in all five major categories it was nominated for. The movie revolves around Hannibal Lecter (played by Anthony Hopkins), a notorious serial killer who is imprisoned. Clarice Starling (played by Jodie Foster), a young FBI agent mentioned in Red Dragon, seeks his assistance in catching another serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill" (played by Ted Levine). Dr. Lecter's memorable quotes in The Silence of the Lambs stem from its iconic script, as he takes a keen interest in Clarice and the two develop a captivating partnership that becomes strained when Lecter makes a brutal escape.

Red Dragon (2002) is set in 1980 and follows the story of FBI profiler Will Graham (Edward Norton) who seeks the assistance of established forensic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in hunting down a serial killer known as "The Tooth Fairy" (Ralph Fiennes). Unbeknownst to Graham, Lecter has been in contact with the killer, leading to a tense rivalry between the two men. While the film offers a condensed version of the third season of Hannibal, it falls short in comparison to the iconic The Silence of the Lambs.

In Hannibal (2001), a decade after the events of Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal Lecter is still on the loose. Clarice Starling, haunted by her failure to apprehend him, receives a call from Mason Verger, the only survivor of one of Lecter's attacks. Unbeknownst to her, Verger plans to use Clarice as bait to capture Hannibal. In the process, Clarice gets injured, but Hannibal unexpectedly shows compassion and saves her from becoming a victim of Verger's scheme. He manages to evade the police once again, which diverges from the original book ending by Harris. In the book, Clarice and Hannibal embark on a strangely toxic relationship and flee to Europe.

Hannibal Rising (2007) introduces the viewers to the early life of Hannibal Lecter, portraying his origins and the development of his cannibalistic tendencies. The story is set in 1944 Lithuania, where an eight-year-old Hannibal tragically loses his family amidst the chaos of conflict between retreating Nazi forces and a Soviet tank. As an adult, Lecter, portrayed by Gaspard Ulliel, embarks on a quest to seek revenge on the soldiers responsible for holding him and his sister captive, ultimately resulting in her brutal demise. While this film may appeal to Hannibal enthusiasts, delving into the origins of his madness, it is worth noting that the Hannibal series provides a more comprehensive exploration of this narrative.

Clarice (2021)

Continuing the storyline of Clarice Starling (played by Rebecca Breeds) after the events depicted in Silence of the Lambs but before the plot of Hannibal, Clarice manages to cover a significant amount of ground within a single season. However, it primarily appeals to fans of Clarice's character as Hannibal Lecter is only mentioned. Consequently, even avid completists might choose to forgo watching it.