All FNAF Games in Order: Which Five Nights at Freddy’s to Play First

The Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) franchise has grown into a full‑blown horror juggernaut since Scott Cawthon dropped the first game in 2014, spawning crazily tangled lore that hops across decades, settings, and play‑styles. With Blumhouse’s next FNAF movie due in December 2025, it’s the perfect moment to dive in or revisit the murderous animatronics and twisted storyline. But with 11 mainline releases, spin‑offs, VR/AR experiments, DLC chapters, and more on the way, you’re probably asking: how should I play these games? Well, we’ve prepared a full guide detailing all FNAF games in order!

All FNAF games in Chronological Order

If you are wondering how many FNAF games there are, the answer is 11, with the 12th entry scheduled this year. The order is as follows:

1. Five Nights at Freddy’s (2014)
2. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2014)
3. Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 (2015)
4. Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (2015)
5. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location (2016)
6. Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator (2017)
7. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (2019)
8. Five Nights at Freddy’s AR: Special Delivery (2019)
9. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (2021)
10. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 (2023)
11. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit (2024)
12. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic ( June 2025)

Spin‑offs & DLC

• FNAF World (2016)
• Ultimate Custom Night (2018)
• Curse of Dreadbear (2019 DLC)
• Freddy in Space 2 (2019)
• Ruin (2023 DLC)
• FNAF×Dead by Daylight (summer 2025)

FNAF is widely considered one of the best Indie Horror Games thanks to its creepy animatronics and keeping the player on edge at all times.

Why Play FNAF Games in Story Order Instead of Release Order?

The FNAF games in chronological release order show you the series as it hit fans year by year, but the FNAF timeline wildly jumps from 1983 nightmares to 2020s horror attractions to futuristic Mega Pizzaplexes. Playing in release order can accidentally spoil prequel twists (bite of ’83 vs. ’87) and dull narrative impact. Playing FNAF games in timeline order means you will:

• See origin events first (the childhood terror of FNAF 4) before the pizzeria horrors of FNAF 2 and FNAF 1.
• Follow Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza’s rise and fall in smooth sequence, understanding each reopening’s impact.
• Catch callbacks and Easter eggs (Sister Location nods to FNAF 2’s shutdown) exactly when they matter, instead of out of context.
• Build real suspense as later entries foreshadow early tragedies instead of retroactively explaining them.

Playing by release order is like watching prequels before the originals: you get the pieces, but miss the big reveals. Story order gives you one cohesive, spine‑tingling saga.

But note that no single, fully “official” chronology has ever been published by Scott Cawthon. Rather, the series’ timeline is inferred from in-game dates, voicemails, novel tie-ins, and teaser hints.

FNAF Games in Order Lore-Wise

1. Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (1983)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

Why first? A hidden TV shows a “Fredbear and Friends” ad dated 1983, so FNAF 4 is the earliest event. You’re a terrified kid in your bedroom fending off Nightmare Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. No doors; just a flashlight, audio cues (breathing, footsteps, closet creaks), and sheer panic.

• Review Insight: Critics lauded the game’s ability to evoke genuine terror through its simplicity. The shift from surveillance cameras to a more intimate setting was seen as a bold move that paid off, intensifying the horror experience.
• Platforms: PC, mobile, Switch, PS4, Xbox One

2. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (1987)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

After 1983’s trauma, Freddy’s reopens in 1987 with toy animatronics and old relics. Your Night 5 paycheck even says 1987. As a night guard you must: wind a music box to stall The Puppet, wear a Freddy head to fool bots, and watch classic + Toy animatronics. This deepens the “Bite of ’87” lore later name‑checked in FNAF 1.

• Review Insight: The game was praised for its increased complexity and deeper dive into the series’ backstory. However, some players found the heightened difficulty curve challenging, requiring quick reflexes and multitasking skills.
• Platforms: PC, mobile, consoles

3. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location (late ’80s – early ’90s)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

Circus Baby’s Entertainment & Rental appeared after the 1987 closure. As a technician, you roam service rooms repairing bots and dodging Circus Baby, Ballora, and co. The free‑roam design and story reveal foreshadow the Afton family tragedy at the series’ core.

• Review Insight: The game’s departure from its predecessors was met with mixed reactions. While many appreciated the richer storytelling and diverse gameplay, others missed the original’s straightforward horror approach.
• Platforms: PC, mobile, consoles

4. Five Nights at Freddy’s 1 (circa 1993)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

Now that you’ve seen the childhood horror and the second pizzeria, play the original. Your name is Mike Schmidt and you’re a night guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. With limited power, slam doors and check cameras to survive five nights against Chica, Bonnie, Foxy, and Freddy, while Phone Guy warns of the “Bite of ’87.”

• Review Insight: Heralded as a groundbreaking indie horror game, it received acclaim for its innovative mechanics and atmospheric tension. Its success paved the way for the franchise’s expansion and a dedicated fanbase.
• Platforms: PC, mobile, consoles

Speaking of mobile, why not check out our Best Mobile horror Games if you’re reading this from a phone?

5. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit (1985 & 2023)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

Based on the bestselling novel, this side‑scroller splits between 1985 flashbacks (after the first closure) and modern day, near FNAF 3’s era. Puzzle‑hiding meets hide‑and‑seek terror. Clues in Jeff’s Pizza connect directly to Fazbear’s Fright relics in FNAF 3.

• Review Insight: The game was noted for its nostalgic nods and expanded lore. However, it felt as though the shift in gameplay style might not appeal to all fans of the original series.
• Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox, Switch

6. Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 (2023)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

“Thirty years after Freddy’s closed,” Fazbear’s Fright attraction opens with decayed animatronic relics. As a night guard, juggle audio lures, vent closures, and system reboots to survive Springtrap and phantom bots. A paranoid, decrepit thrill ride.

• Review Insight: The game’s atmospheric setting and psychological horror elements were praised. The introduction of a singular, relentless antagonist added a fresh layer of dread.
• Platforms: PC, mobile, consoles

7. Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator (2023)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

AKA FNAF 6, this tycoon sim has you run a pizzeria by day, fight animatronics by night. Salvage broken bots (hello Springtrap), manage hazards, and face the darkest franchise secrets. This dual loop ties up FNAF 3 loose ends and preps for VR experiments.

• Review Insight: The unexpected blend of genres was well-received, offering a unique gameplay experience. The game’s ability to balance management simulation with horror elements showcased the franchise’s versatility.
• Platforms: PC, mobile, consoles

8. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (meta‑narrative)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

Fazbear Entertainment releases a VR game rewriting past horrors as “fiction.” You play 40+ minigames re‑creating FNAF 1-3, plus new nightmares. The finale hints at a cover‑up deeper than you knew.

• Review Insight: Critics highlighted the game’s successful transition into virtual reality, enhancing the horror elements. The meta-narrative approach added layers to the existing lore, engaging both new and longtime fans.
• Platforms: PC, consoles, VR, mobile

9. Five Nights at Freddy’s AR: Special Delivery (post‑Help Wanted)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

Fazbear Funtime Service brings animatronics into your real world via AR. You fend off bots with a flashlight, a mask, and a shock device. This mobile spinoff shows how far the company pushes tech to scare you.

• Review Insight: The innovative use of AR technology was commended, offering a fresh take on the franchise. However, some users reported technical issues and repetitive gameplay over time.
• Platforms: iOS, Android

10. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (~2024 – 2029)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

In a bold shift, you’re Gregory inside the Mega Pizzaplex, teamed with hacked Glamrock Freddy to avoid other animatronics once night falls. Free‑roam, stealth, and multiple endings show FNAF on a grand new scale.

• Review Insight: The game’s open-world design and enhanced graphics were praised. While the expanded scope offered new experiences, some players encountered bugs and performance issues upon release.
• Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox, Switch

11. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 (between SB & Ruin)

Image Credit: Steam

The next VR/flat horror anthology bridges Security Breach and the Ruin DLC. New minigames, fresh scares, plus a finale turning you into Maskbot, leading straight into Ruin’s start.

• Review Insight: The game maintained the immersive qualities of its predecessor, with added content keeping the experience fresh. Its ability to intertwine gameplay with deeper story elements was well-received.
• Platforms: PSVR2, Steam VR, Meta Quest, PC

12. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic (June 13, 2025)

Image Credits: Steel Wool Studios

Steel Wool’s time‑travel scare fest arrives June 13, 2025. You’ll chase The Mimic that was teased in Tales from the Pizzaplex. Optional VR, deeper lore, new horrors.

• Review Insight: While reviews are pending, early trailers and announcements have generated excitement among fans, eager to see how the game expands the universe.
• Platforms: PC, PS5 (others TBA)

With this lore‑wise FNAF order, you’ll live every scare in the story’s intended sequence-from 1983 nightmares through futuristic Pizzaplex terror.

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