Full Moon Horror: Puppet Master Updates, Spin-Offs and What’s Next?

Full Moon Features isn’t currently producing a new mainline entry in its iconic full moon horror doll franchise. Instead, the studio has shifted its attention to re-releasing some of their classics in a “silent film” format. Well, there’s sound, otherwise how else can one hear those screams? With the Noir format, four films are being revisited, and it works very well for the Axis storyline, just to give it some grit.

While other fans are waiting for a continuation of the solo spin-offs featuring fan-favorite puppets, thankfully this IP isn’t fully resting.  Furnace: Leech Woman (announced in March 2023) may  be stalled; although disappointing, hopefully all six of Toulan’s puppets will get their due. Currently, Blade: The Iron Cross and Doktor Death makes up the puppet brigade.

Until new films arrive, it’s the perfect time to explore the Puppet Master series in full. One of the franchise’s most interesting storylines is the Sutekh arc. First mentioned in Puppet Master 4: The Demon, Sutekh’s essence wreaks havoc in The Final Chapter via a mystical totem. These films also introduce the elixir of life, a mysterious substance stolen long ago by the Mad Arab from a temple dedicated to this chaos god, later sought by André Toulon.

The comics from Action Lab expand this lore even further. Anapa, Sutekh’s son, attempts to resurrect his father, adding continuity to the universe. Created by fans for fans, these comics received the official approval of Full Moon founder Charles Band and are a must-read for long-time enthusiasts. Readers can find the full interview here.

The mythology behind the puppets is rich. The elixir may have origins in ancient royal burial practices, where ushabtis—small funerary figurines made from wood, stone, or clay—served the deceased in the afterlife. Toulon’s puppets, similarly crafted, echo this theme of mystical servitude.

Originally, Toulon created his puppets to bring back deceased friends as companions (Puppet Master), but later films sometimes feature puppets who are the souls of others conscripted to protect him. The Axis arc explores this era, showing the puppets in their prime, young and ready for action. You can read my review of the finale of this trilogy. Even without a fully mapped universe, the puppets have become horror icons. Many fans consider Annabelle the queen of cursed dolls—but Blade is the true king of terror. Together, they would make a nightmare-inducing duo.

This guide offers a complete Puppet Master watching order, including all mainline films, spin-offs, and crossovers. To name my top three, the list is simple. The original is number one, with fourth and third being my most favourite.

Full Moon Horror:
Puppet Master Main Cinematic Continuity

#	Film Title	Year	Synopsis	Key Puppets	Notes / Watching Order
1	Puppet Master	1989	Psychics at a hotel encounter André Toulon’s living puppets who defend them against a malevolent force.	Blade, Pinhead, Leech Woman, Jester	Start of the series; original
2	Puppet Master II	1990	Toulon’s puppets continue battling an evil spirit unleashed in the hotel.	Blade, Jester, Leech Woman	Direct sequel to the first
3	Puppet Master III: Toulon’s Revenge	1991	Prequel depicting Toulon’s origins and his fight against Nazis in WWII.	Blade, Pinhead, Jester, Tunneler	Watch first for chronological order
4	Puppet Master 4	1993	A young man discovers Toulon’s puppets and they battle a rogue AI scientist.	Blade, Pinhead, Six-Shooter, Tunneler	Transition to modern era
5	Puppet Master 5: The Final Chapter	1994	Toulon’s puppets face a corporate villain exploiting their powers.	Blade, Pinhead, Leech Woman, Tunneler	Concludes initial storyline
6	Curse of the Puppet Master	1998	A new protagonist inherits the puppets and must stop evil forces seeking them.	Blade, Pinhead, Jester, Decapitron	Introduces new generation
7	Puppet Master: The Legacy	2003	Compilation chronicling the franchise history with archival footage and new sequences.	Various classic puppets	Good summary, not essential for story
9	Puppet Master: Axis of Evil	2010	WWII-era Toulon battles Nazis with his puppets.	Blade, Pinhead, Six-Shooter, Tunneler	Axis trilogy begins
10	Puppet Master X: Axis Rising	2012	Continuation of Axis storyline with new puppets and escalating conflicts.	Blade, Pinhead, Six-Shooter, Jester	Middle of Axis trilogy
11	Puppet Master: Axis Termination	2017	Concludes Axis trilogy with an all-out puppet confrontation.	Blade, Pinhead, Jester, Tunneler	Axis trilogy conclusion
12	Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich	2018	Modern reboot with dark comedy, new puppets, and extreme horror.	Blade, Pinhead (new versions)	Reimagined continuity

Side-Stories & Spin-Offs

Title	Release Year	Main Puppet Focus	Synopsis	Notes / Connections
Blade: The Iron Cross	2020	Blade	Blade is brought back in a solo adventure, continuing his story outside the mainline Puppet Master films.	First official solo spin-off; establishes the new spin-off universe.
Doktor Death	2022	Doktor Death	Focuses on the sinister Doktor Death puppet, exploring his origins and independent adventures.	Connects loosely to mainline continuity; expands the spin-off universe.
Furnace: Leech Woman	Announced 2023	Leech Woman	Intended as the third solo spin-off; currently stalled with uncertain release.	Potentially expands the solo puppet stories; status unclear.
Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys	Cross-over	Multiple Puppets	A cross-over with the Demonic Toys franchise, blending two Full Moon universes.	Standalone story; not directly tied to mainline continuity.