| Saw | |
|---|---|
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| Created by | |
| Original work | Saw (2004) |
| Owner | Lionsgate |
| Years | 2004–present |
| Print publications | |
| Comics | Saw: Rebirth |
| Films and television | |
| Film(s) | |
| Short film(s) | Saw 0.5 (2003) Full Disclosure Report (2005) The Scott Tibbs Documentary (2006) |
| Games | |
| Video game(s) |
|
| Miscellaneous | |
| Theme park attraction(s) | Saw – The Ride |
Saw is an American horror media franchise created by Australian filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Whannell, which began with the eponymous 2004 film and quickly became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded from films into other media, including a television series, video games, comic books, music, theme park attractions, and merchandising including toys, masks, and clothing. Saw is the fifth highest-grossing horror film franchise.
The series revolves around the fictional serial killer John "Jigsaw" Kramer and his apprentices. Kramer was introduced briefly in Saw and developed in more detail in the subsequent films. Rather than killing his victims outright, he traps them in life-threatening situations that he refers to as "tests" or "games" to test their will to survive through physical or psychological torture, believing that if they survive, they will be "rehabilitated".
In 2003, Wan and Whannell made a short film to help pitch a potential feature film concept, after having the original script written for several years. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to receive funding in their home country of Australia, Wan and Whannell traveled to the United States, after several producers expressed interest in the project. It was ultimately successful, and, in 2004, the first installment debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically that October by Lionsgate. After its immensely successful opening weekend, the first of many sequels was immediately green-lit. Five directors[a] have worked on the series: James Wan, Darren Lynn Bousman, David Hackl, Kevin Greutert and The Spierig Brothers; while Whannell, Bousman, Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan, Josh Stolberg, and Peter Goldfinger have written the screenplays. Both creators remain with the franchise as executive producers.
The film series has been a box office success, grossing more than $1 billion from box office and retail sales. The first, second, third, sixth, and ninth films received mixed reviews, while the fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth films received negative reviews. The tenth film received generally positive reviews from critics, becoming the first film in the franchise to do so. An eleventh film is in development and is expected to be released in September 2025.
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