How to watch
X Trilogy Movie Watch Order in the correct order
How to watch the X Trilogy movies in order
Last updated: November 5 2026
Written by: ChronoChris
Ti West's X trilogy, starring Mia Goth, tells a twisted story across three decades of horror. The films were released out of order, so it's worth knowing how X, Pearl and MaXXXine fit together.
What began as a gritty 1970s-style slasher became one of A24's most talked-about horror series. X follows a film crew shooting an adult movie on a remote Texas farm owned by an elderly couple. Its surprise companion, Pearl, was shot back-to-back and released the same year, revealing the origin of the farm's sinister matriarch. MaXXXine completes the story, following X's survivor Maxine Minx as she chases stardom in 1980s Hollywood.
π Release Order
Release order is how A24 revealed the story, with the prequel arriving just months after the original.
- X (2022)
- Pearl (2022)
- MaXXXine (2024)
Each film adopts the visual style of its era: Pearl looks like a Technicolor melodrama, X recalls The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and MaXXXine dives into 1980s neon. Watching chronologically turns the trilogy into a sweeping tale of fame and obsession.
π Story Chronology
In story order, Pearl's 1918 farm comes first, followed by the 1979 shoot in X and Maxine's 1985 Hollywood nightmare.
- Pearl (2022) β set in 1918
- X (2022) β set in 1979
- MaXXXine (2024) β set in 1985
Which Order Should You Choose?
Release order is the way to go for a first viewing. X introduces Pearl as a mystery, and her origin story hits harder once you've seen what she becomes. On a rewatch, the chronological order reveals Ti West's thematic thread about women chasing the spotlight at any cost.
π Related Guides
Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!