The Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNaF) franchise has grown into one of the most successful horror game series in the world. Since its debut in 2014, players have explored haunted pizzerias, uncovered dark secrets, and pieced together a complex story spanning multiple games. If you’re new to the series or want to experience the lore in chronological order, this guide covers all the Five Nights at Freddy’s games in order and explains how they fit into the complete timeline.
Release Order of Five Nights at Freddy’s Games

Playing the games in release order is the easiest way to appreciate how the gameplay and story evolved over time. Here is the complete list:
- Five Nights at Freddy’s (2014)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2014)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 (2015)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (2015)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location (2016)
- Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator (2017)
- Ultimate Custom Night (2018)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (2019)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (2021)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 (2023)
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic (2025)
Each title introduces new mechanics, animatronics, and pieces of the ever-expanding FNaF universe.
Five Nights at Freddy’s Timeline in Story Order
The story timeline differs from the release order, making the series especially intriguing for fans who enjoy solving mysteries. While some details remain open to interpretation, the generally accepted chronological order is:
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 4
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
- Five Nights at Freddy’s
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location
- Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator
- Ultimate Custom Night
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic
This order follows the tragic history of the Afton family, the rise of haunted animatronics, and the evolution of Fazbear Entertainment into a modern corporation still haunted by its dark past.
Why Is the FNaF Timeline So Complicated?
One of the reasons Five Nights at Freddy’s remains popular is its mysterious storytelling. Instead of presenting the plot directly, the games reveal information through newspaper clippings, hidden minigames, secret endings, and cryptic dialogue.
Players must connect clues from different titles to understand the origins of William Afton, the Missing Children Incident, and the supernatural events surrounding Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. This unique approach has inspired countless fan theories and keeps the community discussing the lore years after each game’s release.
Which Order Should You Play?
For beginners, the release order offers the best introduction because the gameplay mechanics become more advanced with each installment. However, players interested in understanding the complete story may enjoy replaying the series in chronological timeline order after finishing the games once.
Both approaches provide a rewarding experience, allowing fans to appreciate the suspense, evolving gameplay, and hidden connections that make the franchise so memorable.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re discovering Freddy Fazbear for the first time or revisiting the series to uncover every secret, following the Five Nights at Freddy’s games in order is the best way to experience the franchise. From its terrifying jump scares to its intricate lore, FNaF continues to captivate millions of players worldwide. No matter which order you choose, every game adds another piece to one of gaming’s most fascinating horror timelines.
