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American Psycho Movie Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch the American Psycho movies in order

Last updated: November 13 2026

Written by: ChronoAlice

American Psycho turned Bret Easton Ellis's controversial novel into a cult classic satire of 1980s greed. Few people realize it also has a sequel, so here is the complete watch order.

Christian Bale's chilling performance as Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street investment banker with a secret murderous side, made American Psycho one of the most quoted and memed films of the 2000s. Mary Harron's adaptation balances pitch-black comedy with genuine horror. Two years later, a direct-to-video follow-up starring Mila Kunis took the franchise in a very different direction, trading corporate satire for a college slasher story.

πŸ• Release Order

The franchise is small, so release order is simple and gives you the original vision first.

  1. American Psycho (2000)
  2. American Psycho 2 (2002)

American Psycho 2 picks up years after the events of the first film, following a young woman who survived an encounter with Bateman as a child and now studies criminology.

πŸ“– Story Chronology

Chronologically the films sit in the same order, since the sequel is set well after Bateman's 1980s killing spree.

  1. American Psycho (2000)
  2. American Psycho 2 (2002)

Which Order Should You Choose?

Watch the original American Psycho first, no matter what. It is the essential entry, a sharp satire of status, consumerism and identity that rewards rewatching. The sequel is very loosely connected and quite different in tone, so treat it as an optional curiosity for completists rather than a true continuation. If you enjoyed the first film's psychological edge, you may also want to explore other classic killer-centered stories before diving into the sequel's lighter campus thrills.

πŸ”— Related Guides

  • Hannibal Lecter Watch OrderGuide
  • Psycho Watch OrderGuide
  • The Shining Watch OrderGuide

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