GameTimeline

Release & story order

Five Nights at Freddy's timeline

Five Nights at Freddy's from the 2014 original through Secret of the Mimic—release dates, the widely used story chronology (1980s–2030s), and what to skip if you only want the main arc.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When each game shipped. Scott Cawthon released FNAF 1–4 in rapid succession (2014–2015)—story order is almost the reverse. Start with FNAF 1 for classic scares, or FNAF 4 if you want lore from the beginning.

  • Classic run → FNAF 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → Sister Location → Pizzeria Simulator
  • Full catalog → add Ultimate Custom Night, Help Wanted, Security Breach (+ Ruin DLC), Help Wanted 2, Into the Pit, Secret of the Mimic
  • Lore-first run → switch to Story order (not the same as release order)
  • Just saw the 2023 film → FNAF 1 covers the same pizzeria setup; games go much deeper
Story order tips

When events happen in fiction, from the early 1980s industrial era through the 2030s mall. There is no single official year-by-year chart from the developer—this list follows the community consensus used on most play-order guides, with uncertain rows labeled.

  • Consensus arc: Mimic (1979) → 4 (1983) → 2 (1987) → 1 (1993) → Sister Location (mid–late 1990s) → 3 (2023) → Pizzeria Simulator → Security Breach (Mar 2035)
  • Ultimate Custom Night, Help Wanted, and Help Wanted 2 are optional side material—explained in the questions below
  • Into the Pit is a separate time-travel spin-off—Optional on Story order
  • Some Story order entries are hidden—click to reveal them, or turn on Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Five Nights at Freddy's

    Five Nights at Freddy's

    PCMobileConsoleHorrorMainline

    The original night-shift survival horror that launched the franchise.

    Overview
    Scott Cawthon distilled jump-scare tension into a minimalist security-camera loop—no free movement, limited power, and animatronics that learn your habits.
    In-game setting
    Story placement is widely pegged at 1993 at a reopened Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. You play as Mike Schmidt (or Fritz in custom nights)—not the same week as FNAF 2.
    Should you play it?
    Best first purchase for newcomers. Short and cheap—expect 1–2 hours for a first clear.
    Release date
    US Steam launch August 8, 2014. Later ported to iOS, Android, and multiple consoles.
  2. Five Nights at Freddy's 2

    Five Nights at Freddy's 2

    PCMobileConsoleHorrorMainline

    Prequel location with toy animatronics and the Bite of '87.

    Overview
    Mask mechanic, winding music box, and faster enemy patterns—much harder than FNAF 1.
    In-game setting
    Story year 1987 at a new Freddy Fazbear's Pizza before the original game's location. Introduces the withered animatronics and the Bite of '87.
    Should you play it?
    Play after FNAF 1 in release order. In story order it comes much earlier (1987).
    Release date
    US Steam launch November 11, 2014—three months after FNAF 1.
  3. Five Nights at Freddy's 3

    Five Nights at Freddy's 3

    PCMobileConsoleHorrorMainline

    Fazbear's Fright horror attraction—Springtrap stalks a single animatronic haunt.

    Overview
    One primary antagonist (Springtrap), ventilation and camera reboot systems, and minigames that dump decades of backstory.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2023 at a one-night-only Fazbear's Fright attraction built from old pizzeria props.
    Should you play it?
    Release order slot #3. Story order places it late—after Sister Location and FNAF 1.
    Release date
    US Steam launch March 2, 2015.
  4. Five Nights at Freddy's 4

    Five Nights at Freddy's 4

    PCMobileConsoleHorrorMainline

    Nightmare animatronics in a child's bedroom—the Bite of '83.

    Overview
    No cameras—check doors, closet, and bed. Nightmare variants replace the classic cast.
    In-game setting
    Story year 1983: Fredbear's Family Diner era and the Bite of '83. Often treated as the emotional start of the Afton family arc.
    Should you play it?
    Hardest classic entry. Lore fans often start here in story order, not release order.
    Release date
    US Steam launch July 23, 2015.
  5. Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location

    Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location

    PCMobileConsoleHorrorMainline

    Underground facility with voiced animatronics and scripted nights.

    Overview
    First fully voiced cast, room-to-room tasks, and a more cinematic structure than the camera-only games.
    In-game setting
    Story placement sits after the 1987 pizzeria era and before Fazbear's Fright (2023)—exact year not pinned in-game.
    Should you play it?
    Play after FNAF 1–4 in release order. Custom Night DLC adds replay challenge.
    Release date
    US Steam launch October 7, 2016.
  6. Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator

    Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator

    PCMobileConsoleHorrorMainlineFNAF 6

    Pizzeria tycoon by day, salvage horror by night—the numbered series capstone.

    Overview
    Business sim layered on classic nights; multiple endings tied to lore choices.
    In-game setting
    Story follow-up to Sister Location and FNAF 3—William Afton's final pizzeria scheme.
    Should you play it?
    Essential for lore closure before Security Breach. Not as scary as FNAF 1–4 for newcomers.
    Release date
    US Steam launch December 4, 2017 (marketed as Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator; fan name FNAF 6).
  7. Five Nights at Freddy's: Ultimate Custom Night
    Optional

    Five Nights at Freddy's: Ultimate Custom Night

    PCMobileConsoleHorrorOptional

    Custom-night gauntlet—lore epilogue, not a main chapter.

    Overview
    Mix-and-match 50+ characters with extreme difficulty presets.
    In-game setting
    Story framing is a hellscape / dream after Pizzeria Simulator—debated how literal it is.
    Should you play it?
    Optional. Play after Pizzeria Simulator if you want every lore sting; skip for a shorter run.
    Release date
    US Steam launch June 27, 2018. Free on PC.
  8. Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted
    Optional

    Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted

    PCVRConsoleHorrorAnthologyOptional

    VR anthology remaking classic nights plus original segments.

    Overview
    First VR entry—mini-games recap FNAF 1–6 with new twists.
    In-game setting
    Framed as a training sim from Fazbear Entertainment. Story role is meta recap, not a new calendar year.
    Should you play it?
    Great remake bundle. Not required for story continuity—play after classics if you want.
    Release date
    US Steam launch May 28, 2019. VR optional on PC; full VR on PSVR and Quest.
  9. Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach

    Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach

    PCConsoleHorrorMainline3D

    Open mega-mall pizzeria—Gregory and Glamrock Freddy in full 3D.

    Overview
    Steel Wool's free-roam stealth horror—biggest budget presentation in the series.
    In-game setting
    Story set decades after the classic pizzeria saga—Gregory trapped in a Glamrock-era Mega Pizzaplex.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Pizzeria Simulator for lore payoffs. Performance patches improved console builds post-launch.
    Release date
    US launch December 16, 2021 (PC and consoles).
  10. Security Breach — Ruin DLC

    Security Breach — Ruin DLC

    PCConsoleHorrorExpansion

    Cassie descends into the destroyed Pizzaplex—sequel chapter to Security Breach.

    Overview
    New playable character Cassie, darker tone, and exploration of the ruined mall basement.
    In-game setting
    Story continuation immediately after Security Breach's main campaign.
    Should you play it?
    Play right after Security Breach main story. Required for the latest in-universe ending.
    Release date
    US release July 12, 2022—free DLC on console/PC.
  11. Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2
    Optional

    Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2

    PCVRConsoleHorrorAnthologyOptional

    VR sequel set in the Pizzaplex—side stories around Security Breach.

    Overview
    More mini-games tied to Glamrock characters and Pizzaplex locations.
    In-game setting
    Side content in the Security Breach era—not a direct sequel to Ruin.
    Should you play it?
    Optional after Security Breach (+ Ruin). VR recommended but flat mode available.
    Release date
    US Steam launch December 14, 2023.
  12. Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit
    Optional

    Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit

    PCConsoleHorrorSpin-offOptional

    2D time-travel spin-off based on Fazbear Frights — not a numbered mainline entry.

    Overview
    Pixel-art exploration from Mega Cat Studios—travel to a 1980s ball pit location.
    In-game setting
    Story jumps to a 1980s pit location via time travel. Canon status is softer than numbered games.
    Should you play it?
    Optional lore extra. Play after FNAF 2 context if you want the Fazbear Frights tie-in.
    Release date
    US Steam launch September 23, 2024.
  13. Five Nights at Freddy's: Secret of the Mimic

    Five Nights at Freddy's: Secret of the Mimic

    PCConsoleHorrorMainline

    Industrial facility prequel—Mimic animatronic before the classic pizzerias.

    Overview
    First-person exploration horror at Murray's Costume Manor—ties into early Fazbear Entertainment experiments.
    In-game setting
    Story prequel set years before FNAF 2's 1987 pizzeria—industrial era around the early 1980s.
    Should you play it?
    Newest mainline entry as of June 2026. Story order places it before FNAF 4 for most guides.
    Release date
    US Steam launch June 13, 2025.

FAQ

Release vs story order, disputed dates, VR spin-offs, and the 2023 film.

Release order

Release order is how Scott Cawthon shipped the games (2014–2025). Story order jumps from the 1980s to the 2030s—FNAF 4 is early in lore but fourth in release. Use Release order to buy and play; use Story order to follow the Afton saga.

For gameplay: FNAF 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → Sister Location → Pizzeria Simulator. For lore from the beginning: switch to Story order (Mimic Sep 1979 → 4 → 2 → 1 → Sister Location → 3 → 6 → Security Breach Mar 2035). Add Ruin DLC after Security Breach; Help Wanted 2 story sits just before Ruin—explained in the questions below.

Story & lore dates

Scott Cawthon never published one definitive year list. This page uses widely cited dates (1983, 1987, 1993, 2023) plus approximate windows for Sister Location and Security Breach. Rows marked Disputed may move if future games retcon them.

Optional & spin-offs

Film & books

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.