The Ring franchise, originally based on Koji Suzuki’s novel series, has evolved into a multi-million dollar cinematic and literary phenomenon. While the franchise includes eight Japanese films, the United States is more familiar with the 2002 American remake and its sequels. Here’s an overview of the American Ring movies in order:
- The Ring (2002): Directed by Gore Verbinski, this film follows journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) as she investigates a cursed videotape linked to a vengeful ghost named Samara Morgan. The film received positive reviews and became one of the highest-grossing horror remakes.
- Rings (2005): A short film that explores the viral spread of Samara Morgan’s cursed videotape. It introduces the concept of people forming online groups, or “rings,” to test the seven-day deadline of the tape. Jake Pierce (Ryan Merriman) is recruited to document his experiences.
- The Ring Two (2005): Directed by Hideo Nakata, this direct sequel to the 2002 film follows Rachel and her son, Aidan, as they face the ghost Samara in Astoria, Oregon. Despite mixed reviews, the film grossed over $163 million internationally.
- Rings (2017): Not to be confused with the 2005 short film, this movie, directed by F. Javier Gutiérrez, rounds out the trilogy. Julia (Matilda Lutz) discovers the “rings” subculture while trying to save her boyfriend Holt. The film was critically panned but grossed $83 million worldwide.
As for the future, there have been discussions about a potential crossover between The Ring and The Grudge film series. The idea of bringing together horror icons from both franchises was expressed by The Grudge director Nicolas Pesce in 2019. While no official plans have been announced, the possibility of a crossover film remains open.
The Ring franchise, with its blend of supernatural horror and psychological thrills, has left an indelible mark on the horror genre and continues to intrigue audiences.