How To Watch The Death Race Movies In Order

In the realm of automobile racing movies, it’s generally agreed that the “Fast and Furious” series is top dog. However, this franchise isn’t the only one vying for attention. Way before Dominic Toretto and his crew were cruising worldwide in customized sports cars, characters from another fictional universe were racing for more than just victory.

The “Death Race” series might elude those less interested in car-centric tales set in dystopian landscapes. However, it’s unfortunate if one overlooks this franchise, as hidden within its exaggerated and flamboyant nature lies some of the best racing films ever made. This collection of movies paints a world reminiscent of cyberpunk literature, where corporations wield ultimate power, and the populace is once again captivated by brutal games. In this universe, an annual race occurs, wherein criminals engage in a lethal vehicular combat to the death. Points are earned by detonating opponents or mowing down civilians; yet, the only true victory lies in reaching the finish line first.

1975 marked the inception of “Death Race,” a movie franchise that, like “Mad Max,” depicted dystopian futures dominated by cars. Over five decades, only six films have been released, each one contributing to two distinct fictional universes and a complex timeline so intricate, it might require a calculator for accurate mapping. For die-hard fans who wish to watch the series in its intended sequence:

1. Death Race 2000 (1975)
2. Death Race 2050 (2017)
3. Death Race (2008)
4. Death Race: Inferno (2013)
5. Death Race Beyond Anarchy (2018)
6. Death Race: Afterlife (2010)

“Death Race 2000” (1975)
“Death Race” (2008)
“Death Race 2” (2010)
“Death Race 3: Inferno” (2013)
“Death Race 2050” (2017)
“Death Race: Beyond Anarchy” (2018)

Death Race 2000 (1975)

1975 saw the debut of “Death Race 2000,” a film that continues a distinguished lineage of science-fiction apocalypses depicting a future where humans are fanatically car-crazy. Unlike the “Mad Max” series, in this movie, people aren’t scavenging for gas and new tires to survive. Instead, the plot unfolds in 2000, when entertainment comes from watching the Transcontinental Road Race. This sporting extravaganza combines elements of NASCAR racing with deadly bumper cars, as racers compete to reach the finish line while earning points by damaging other vehicles and running down pedestrians with their own vehicles.

Under the direction of Paul Bartel and production by Richard Corman, “Death Race 2000” serves as a unique entry point into the franchise, offering both captivating appeal and potential disappointment. While on one side, this movie is genuinely entertaining and skillfully produced, evidenced by its 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the few films in the series to gain critical acclaim. Furthermore, it features standout performances from actors such as Sylvester Stallone and David Carradine. However, it may also be a challenging starting point due to its distinct style and subject matter compared to subsequent films in the franchise.

Conversely, this specific film, “Death Race 2000,” establishes a lofty standard that many films in the franchise may struggle to match based on individual tastes. However, regardless of where you start in the series, it is definitely recommended to watch “Death Race 2000” as it is a must-see for any exploration of the series.

Death Race (2008)

Few people might be aware that Jason Statham is a leading figure in not one but two high-speed car racing franchises. This is due to the fact that the original “Death Race 2000” didn’t receive a sequel for over 25 years. By the time the series was revived, the year 2000 had already passed, leading to a remake called simply “Death Race.” The movie features Statham as Frankenstein, a ruthless racer, with plenty of action-packed explosions and brutal vehicular violence. Similar to the original film, “Death Race” is about a battle among competitors for the prestige of first place and the chance to survive.

The film titled “Death Race”, originally released years ago, was introduced to a new audience who hadn’t seen it when it first premiered. However, unlike its original version, this remake failed to impress many critics. With a score of 41% on Rotten Tomatoes, reviewers found fault with the movie’s weak narrative and excessive action scenes. Nevertheless, critical reviews aren’t the sole indicator of a film’s success, as “Death Race” from 2008 sparked several sequels that were directly released to video platforms, thus significantly growing the “Death Race” franchise.

Death Race 2 (2010)

Enthusiasts of the 2008 movie “Death Race” were excited when they heard it was getting a sequel so soon, but may have felt let down upon discovering that the original cast wouldn’t reprise their roles. Instead, “Death Race 2” functions as a prequel, exploring the backstory of Jason Statham’s character from the first film. However, Luke Goss steps into the role, portraying the notorious Frankenstein, also known as Carl Lucas. After committing the murder of a police officer, Carl is sentenced to life in prison. Rather than serving out his days in a cell, he’s compelled to participate in the Death Race against fellow prisoners for the amusement of society at large.

In a bid to broaden the scope of the Death Race series and offer a unique take on the central competition, “Death Race 2” was released. This sequel boasted guest appearances from popular actors like Danny Trejo, Ving Rhames, and Sean Bean. Despite a new narrative, fresh cast of characters, and action that remained as thrilling as ever, it failed to outshine its predecessor in the eyes of critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film scored a dismal 17%. Unfortunately, this underwhelming start marked the beginning of the franchise’s direct-to-video phase. Additionally, “Death Race 2” laid the groundwork for the direction of subsequent sequels; every subsequent movie, with one significant exception, continued to develop the storyline from the prequel and none were set after the events depicted in the 2008 film.

Death Race 3: Inferno (2013)

Back in 2013, I found myself immersed once more in the adrenaline-pumping world of “Death Race” with the release of “Death Race 3: Inferno.” This flick was a continuation of the epic tale that started in “Death Race 2,” and it didn’t disappoint. Luke Goss reprised his role as Carl “Frankenstein” Lucas, and we also saw Danny Trejo back as Goldberg from the previous installment. It was like reuniting with old friends for a wild ride!

As a gamer, I’m mere steps away from gaining my freedom in this Death Race, but things are getting shaken up big time. The event’s proprietor has been forced to sell off the race rights, transforming it into a worldwide franchise. A fresh Death Race emerges in South Africa, and the new owner has roped in Frankenstein, aiming to knock down the former champion a notch or two. Frankenstein and the rest of us racers are now facing unpredictable challenges in the desert, and none of us can fully fathom what lies ahead on the road.

In essence, “Death Race 3” serves as a bridge connecting the 2008 remake with its follow-up. This movie wraps up the backstory of Frankenstein and offers viewers a fresh take on the Death Race, which is more enjoyable than “Death Race 2”. Despite receiving a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it was the most positively received film in the series since “Death Race 2000”, at that time.

Death Race 2050 (2017)

After a reboot and two films that misleadingly pass as sequels, what follows is “Death Race 2050.” This movie is actually a true sequel to the 1975 original. The original “Death Race” producer, Roger Corman, returned to create a film that truly continues the story from “Death Race 2000,” envisioning a future even darker and more brutal than the one portrayed in the original movie.

By the year 2050, the Death Race has taken on a more significant role than mere amusement; it’s now used for population control due to an overpopulation crisis and lack of work opportunities. The United Corporations of America have integrated advanced AI technology into the racecars, intensifying the casualties among non-racers. This movie maintains the high-octane action typical of the rebooted Death Race series, yet it also underscores the satirical elements that made the original 1975 film so appealing to fans. “2050” may be as cheesy as Death Race films get, but despite its absurdity, it effectively communicates insights about American society.

In a significant leap for the franchise, “Death Race 2050” stands as a peak achievement. For loyal followers of the initial film, this new installment signifies a rekindling of the original essence, while fans who appreciated the more contemporary “Death Race” productions can still discover much to appreciate within it. On Rotten Tomatoes, “Death Race 2050” boasts an impressive 86% freshness rating, which, according to film critics, makes it the top-notch movie in the entire series.

Death Race: Beyond Anarchy (2018)

Following the release of “Death Race 2050”, the franchise introduced another sequel titled “Death Race: Beyond Anarchy” which rewinds time and centers around the universe set up by the 2008 film. For fans of the franchise, this is the final installment. In this movie, a different actor, Velislav Pavlov, takes on the role of Death Race champion Frankenstein, originally portrayed under the mask in previous movies. Nolan North lends his voice to the character. Unlike earlier films, “Death Race: Beyond Anarchy” features fewer driving scenes as much of the story unfolds within a private prison known as the Sprawl. The new warden there aims to ban the Death Race and dismantle Frankenstein’s legacy.

Viewing “Beyond Anarchy” might leave a sense of anticlimax, particularly given it followed “Death Race 2050” by merely a year. Despite recurring characters, the film fails to delve deeper into their tales and offers fewer Death Races than expected due to its concentration mainly in the final act. Sadly, “Beyond Anarchy” seems to conclude the series on a subpar note. However, as “Death Race” once went silent for more than two decades before making an impressive resurgence, there’s always room for optimism that another installment could rekindle the franchise in the future.

Why you shouldn’t watch Death Race in release order

Typically, when diving into a new TV show or movie series, it’s recommended to start from the beginning as that’s usually where the story begins. This is especially true for film franchises with numerous sequels and spin-offs, as watching them in their original order provides the most coherent narrative experience. However, this rule doesn’t apply to the “Death Race” franchise due to a major distinction: the series features two distinct film universes altogether.

On one side, we find the pairing of “Death Race 2000” and its successor “Death Race 2050.” While these movies were made half a century apart, they both inhabit the same fictional world fueled by gasoline and are intended to be viewed together. On the opposing side lies the rest of the “Death Race” collection. The 2008 film, “Death Race,” shares some resemblance with the original, but it unfolds in a distinct universe. Its subsequent sequels and prequels essentially tell a different story altogether. If you watch the series in order of release, the narrative flow might be disjointed, so it’s advisable to consider “Death Race” as two separate series and decide where to start based on your preference.

The in-universe chronology of Death Race

Understanding the two distinct realms woven into the “Death Race” series is just one step; the movies set in the 2008 “Death Race” universe pose an additional challenge for newcomers. These films narrate the story of Frankenstein, yet they do so in a jumbled sequence that may confuse viewers initially.

As a die-hard fan of the Death Race franchise, I’ve found myself navigating a complex timeline that would give even the Fast and Furious crew a run for their money! The original movie, released in 2008, sets the stage for Frankenstein’s story, but to truly understand his journey, you need to watch the prequels first.

“Death Race 2,” technically the first chronological tale, follows next. After that comes “Death Race 3: Inferno,” with “Death Race: Beyond Anarchy” happening some time after “Inferno.” If you’re curious about Frankenstein’s ultimate fate, watching the 2008 movie first might be the way to go. But for those wanting to see how he became a legendary racer, I’d suggest starting with the prequels and then moving on to the original film. Enjoy the ride!

How to check out the Death Race source material

Did you know that “Death Race 2000” draws inspiration from literature? The movie shares its themes with a short story titled “The Racer,” penned by Ib Melchior. Similar to the film, this story delves into a future America where lawlessness and corporate excess reign supreme. It’s worth noting that Melchior was not just a science fiction writer; he was also a prolific figure in Hollywood. During the 1950s and 1960s, Melchior wrote scripts for various projects, many of which contained elements of sci-fi or horror.

The “Death Race” series is quite obscure, and the same can be said for Melchior’s tales. Those who enjoy the films have banded together online to seek out copies of “The Racer,” a task that can prove challenging. With diligent searching on Google, a devoted fan might be able to locate it digitally, but it is more frequently found in compilations of Melchior’s works or assorted science fiction short story collections.

In comparison to other films within the Death Race series, both “Death Race 2000” and “Death Race 2050” share a similar tone with Melchior’s short story. Any fan of the Death Race franchise would likely find enjoyment in reading the original story that served as its inspiration.

What’s the best way to watch the Death Race franchise?

There isn’t one single perfect method for enjoying a movie series, but we’re still happy to offer some suggestions. If you’re in the mood for top-notch car movies, consider giving “Death Race 2000” and its sequel “Death Race 2050” a try. However, it’s important to note that while this is our recommendation, Roger Corman – the producer who brought forth the original “Death Race 2000” and its sole true successor – might be a more reliable source of expertise in this area.

Corman holds a deep appreciation for all the “Death Race” films, even those he wasn’t involved in. However, he feels they lean too heavily on action and could benefit from more focus on underlying themes. Corman shared this viewpoint with LA Weekly, stating, “Big-budget movies like the $200 million ones lack a profound message due to the studio’s need to play it safe.” He further emphasized, “It is precisely the independent or lower-budget films that can venture into revolutionary territories because they have the freedom to take risks.

If you’re a fan who prefers to finish a series in its entirety and appreciate Corman’s “Death Race” films, here’s an easy way to watch them in the order they were meant to be experienced, ensuring that the finest installments are saved for the grand finale:

1. Start with “Death Race 2000” (1975)
2. Proceed to “Death Race 3000” (1975, though it’s a continuation of the first movie)
3. Then watch “Death Race: Inferno” (2008)
4. Follow up with “Death Race: Beyond Anarchy” (2010)
5. Lastly, enjoy “Death Race 3: Inferno” (2013)

This order allows you to savor the best that the “Death Race” series has to offer at the end of your viewing experience!

“Death Race 2” (2010)
“Death Race 3: Inferno” (2013)
“Death Race: Beyond Anarchy” (2018)
“Death Race” (2008)
“Death Race 2000” (1975)
“Death Race 2050” (2017)

2025-05-19 21:31