The Omen franchise, despite its long history and various installments, follows a relatively straightforward timeline that remains consistent until the release of the 2024 prequel, The First Omen. This latest addition to the series explores the events leading up to the original 1976 film. The franchise began with Richard Donner’s The Omen, which introduced audiences to an American diplomat who suspects that his adopted son may be the Antichrist. The film’s success led to the production of Damien: Omen II in 1978, which continued the chilling saga.
The series persisted through the late 1970s and 1980s, concluding with Omen IV: The Awakening in the early 1990s. After a long hiatus, The First Omen revived the franchise, offering a prequel that delves into the backstory before the events of the original film. The prequel connects directly to the beginning of The Omen, bridging the gap and adding depth to the narrative. The rest of the franchise chronicles Damien’s life and the dark legacy he leaves behind, ultimately focusing on his potential successor in the series’ final chapter.
The Omen Movies In Release Order
The Omen Series Began With The Omen In 1976
Following the success of The Omen, the sequel Damien: Omen II explored Damien’s tumultuous teenage years as he grapples with his identity as the Antichrist. This was followed by The Final Conflict in 1981, where an adult Damien attempts to survive assassination attempts while orchestrating events to trigger the apocalypse. The franchise took a different direction in 1991 with Omen IV: The Awakening, which introduced a new character, Delia, played by Asia Vieira. Unfortunately, the film received poor reviews and failed to generate the same interest as its predecessors, preventing it from launching a new trilogy.
Similarly, The First Omen, released in 2024, struggled at the box office, making the possibility of a sequel uncertain. Despite its attempt to expand the lore of the series by delving into the origins of the franchise’s mythology, its lackluster performance suggests that further installments are unlikely.
| Movie | Release Year |
|---|---|
| The Omen | 1976 |
| Damien – Omen II | 1978 |
| Omen III: The Final Conflict | 1981 |
| Omen IV: The Awakening | 1991 |
| The Omen | 2006 |
| The First Omen | 2024 |
The Omen Movies in Chronological Order: A Complete Guide
The Omen franchise follows a chronological storyline that has been expanded with the release of The First Omen in 2024. This prequel explores the origins of Damien’s birth, revealing his sinister lineage. In this timeline, The First Omen marks the beginning of the series, setting the stage for the events that unfold in the subsequent films.
The First Omen (2024)
The narrative begins with The First Omen, which uncovers the dark circumstances of Damien’s birth. It is revealed that Damien is the son of a nun who was conceived through a horrific union between a demonic jackal and a human. The film follows Margaret, a young novitiate played by Nell Tiger Free, who relocates to a convent in Rome. Initially, she believes the nuns are conspiring to use an unborn child as a vessel for the Antichrist. However, Margaret discovers too late that she is the one destined to carry this unholy child.
The film’s climax connects directly to the opening of the original The Omen (1976), ending with a haunting nod to the classic scene. This prequel provides a backstory to the original film, answering the long-standing question of Damien’s true parentage and the sinister cult’s role in his arrival. Despite favorable reviews, earning an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, its lukewarm box office performance suggests a sequel is unlikely.
The Omen (1976)
The story continues with the classic 1976 film, The Omen. It begins where The First Omen ends, with diplomat Robert Thorn replacing his deceased newborn with an orphaned baby—Damien—unaware of the child’s origins. As Damien grows, a series of disturbing events and grisly deaths lead Thorn to the horrifying realization that his adopted son is the Antichrist. The film climaxes with Thorn’s desperate attempt to kill Damien, but he is stopped by the police before he can prevent the impending apocalypse. This film remains largely unchanged by the prequel’s revelations, maintaining its place as a foundational piece of the series.
Damien: Omen II (1978)
Set seven years after the original, Damien: Omen II chronicles Damien’s adolescence as he begins to understand and embrace his dark destiny. Now living with his aunt and uncle, Damien gradually becomes aware of his supernatural abilities and the malevolent forces guiding his path. As those who suspect his true nature begin to die mysteriously, Damien’s transformation into the Antichrist progresses. The film ends with him fully accepting his role, eliminating anyone who opposes his rise to power, setting the stage for the next installment.
The Final Conflict (1981)
In The Final Conflict, Sam Neill portrays an adult Damien who has established himself as a powerful political figure. Now the CEO of a global corporation, he manipulates events to gain a position of influence, ultimately becoming the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom. His goal is to bring about the apocalypse, but his plans are thwarted as a group of monks attempts to stop him. The movie concludes with Damien’s death, as he is stabbed in the back, preventing him from achieving his ultimate goal. Despite its ambitious premise, the film received poor reviews, with critics lamenting the underwhelming climax of the series.
Omen IV: The Awakening (1991)
The final installment in the franchise, Omen IV: The Awakening, attempts to reboot the series with a new antagonist. The story follows a Virginia congressman and his wife who adopt a young girl, Delia, from an orphanage. As Delia exhibits increasingly violent behavior, it becomes apparent that she is destined to continue Damien’s legacy as the Antichrist. The film introduces a major twist when it is revealed that Delia is Damien’s biological daughter, conceived through dark rituals. Unfortunately, the film’s negative reception, with a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, led to the series being abandoned, leaving Delia’s fate unresolved.
This comprehensive guide to The Omen franchise in chronological order provides a detailed look at the series’ complex timeline, from Damien’s demonic origins to the unfulfilled promise of a new trilogy. Each film contributes to the overarching narrative of evil and prophecy, making it a landmark in horror cinema.
Which Order To Watch The Omen Movies In
Why Chronological Order Works Best
Watching The Omen series in chronological order allows viewers to fully appreciate the development of the story and its characters. The First Omen adds significant context to the original film, making the series more compelling for newcomers. The gradual buildup from Damien’s birth to his final conflict against humanity provides a complete narrative arc, enhancing the overall experience. While Omen IV may not be a necessary watch, it serves as an optional epilogue for those who wish to see where the franchise attempted to go beyond the original trilogy.
How The Omen Book Series Differs From The Movies
How The Omen Book Series Differs from the Movies
The first three novels in The Omen book series serve as direct novelizations of the corresponding films. Since the movies were original stories, the books adhered closely to their screen counterparts, but with notable changes and added depth that are unique to the written medium.
1. Expanded Character Backgrounds and Slower Build-Up
David Seltzer, who wrote the screenplay for the original The Omen, also penned the first novel. This allowed him to expand on the film’s narrative with more detailed character backgrounds and a slower, more atmospheric buildup. One significant change in the novel is Damien’s mother: instead of being a jackal as depicted in the movie, she is described as a human woman. This change provides a different perspective on Damien’s origins, making the horror feel more grounded.
The novel’s pace allows for a more gradual descent into terror, which enhances the sense of dread and makes the climax even more impactful than in the film.
2. Additional Details in Damien: Omen II
The second novel, Damien: Omen II, also follows the film’s plot but delves deeper into the Thorn family’s life, highlighting their privileged existence and the unraveling of their business empire. These additional details enrich the story, giving readers a fuller understanding of the characters’ motivations and the stakes involved as Damien’s power grows.
3. Faithful Adaptation of The Final Conflict
The third novel, The Final Conflict, sticks closely to the movie’s storyline. It portrays Damien as an adult pursuing political power to fulfill his destiny. While the novel doesn’t stray far from the film, it benefits from the novel format by exploring Damien’s internal conflicts and thoughts, which are not as easily conveyed on screen.
4. Original Stories in the Fourth and Fifth Novels
The most significant departures from the movies occur in the fourth and fifth books: Omen IV: Armageddon 2000 (1982) and Omen V: The Abomination (1985). These novels were not based on any film scripts and provide an alternate continuation of the series after the events of The Final Conflict.
- Omen IV: Armageddon 2000 tells the story of a new child, conceived to carry on Damien’s legacy after his death. This version of the story introduces a boy, born to a woman named Kathleen who dies shortly after childbirth. The boy, referred to as “The Abomination,” is raised by the Thorn family and groomed to become the Antichrist. Unlike Omen IV: The Awakening, which centers on a girl named Delia, this book focuses on a male successor and explores his path to triggering Armageddon.
- Omen V: The Abomination continues the story from the fourth novel, depicting the fallout of the boy’s rise to power. The novel delves into his struggle to fulfill his father’s mission and the resistance he faces from both human and supernatural forces. This storyline, which was never adapted into a film, provides a climactic conclusion to the saga, with the final battle for humanity’s fate playing out in epic proportions.
Key Differences Between the Books and Movies
- Character Changes: The books offer more detailed backstories for characters and make some significant alterations, such as the nature of Damien’s mother in the first novel.
- Pacing and Detail: The novels benefit from the ability to explore the psychological aspects of the story in greater depth, creating a more immersive experience.
- Unadapted Storylines: The fourth and fifth books introduce new characters and plotlines that diverge from the movie series, offering an alternative narrative for fans seeking more beyond the films.
Conclusion
While the first three novels are closely tied to the original film trilogy, the latter two books expand the franchise’s lore in unique and unexpected ways. These books offer a richer and more nuanced exploration of The Omen universe, providing fans with an alternative ending that was never brought to the big screen