Saw

Saw is an horror film series created by James Wan and Leigh Whannell and distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment and Twisted Pictures. The films take place in a fictional universe that revolves around a serial killer, dubbed The Jigsaw Killer, who captures victims who he believes do not appreciate their life and puts them into traps to test their survival instinct. While starting as a film series, Saw has evolved to encompass numerous media forms including video games and comics as well as mazes and a roller coaster. According to The New York Times in October 2009, including international sales and revenue from DVDs, television and merchandise, the Saw series has taken in more than $1 billion, making it one of the highest-grossing horror franchises in history. This comprises over 28 million DVDs sold and $665 million worth of ticket sales for the first five films alone, along with various other merchandise. On July 23, 2010, the franchise was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the "Most Successful Horror Movie Series".
The series debuted on October 29, 2004 with Saw. The film was met with much financial success, which allowed the sequel, Saw II, to be created and released a year later. Subsequent sequels were released a year after the previous film, all on the Friday before Halloween. Seven films have been made in the franchise. The success of the films has inspired such products as Saw: The Video Game, which was published by Konami in 2009 and released before the sixth film. Other products include a comic book, Saw: Rebirth, which was released before the second film. The most recent products released were a second video game as well as a seventh film, both released in October 2010. As of yet, no box set has been announced that will include all seven films, either in DVD or Blu-ray format, although in October 2010, the UK released a 1 - 6 collection box with a space for the seventh film (as stated on the box artwork)

Films

Main films

Saw Original release dates: October 29, 2004 – Theatrical release February 15, 2005 – Home media
	Notes: The only full film in the series directed by creator James Wan

Saw II Original release dates: October 28, 2005 – Theatrical release February 14, 2006 – Home media
	Notes: Holds the highest domestic gross for any Saw film with $87 million The first film in the series directed by Darren Lynn Bousman

Saw III Original release dates: October 27, 2006 – Theatrical release January 23, 2007 – Home media
	Notes: Holds the highest worldwide gross for any Saw film with just under $165 million

Saw IV Original release dates: October 26, 2007 – Theatrical release January 22, 2008 – Home media
	Notes: The last film in the series directed by Darren Lynn Bousman

Saw V Original release dates: October 24, 2008 – Theatrical release January 20, 2009 – Home media
	Notes: Currently holds the lowest cumulative reviews of all the films The only film in the series directed by David Hackl

Saw VI Original release dates: October 23, 2009 – Theatrical release January 26, 2010 – Home media
	Notes: Holds the lowest theatrical grosses both domestically and internationally for any Saw film with approximately $64 million total gross The first film in the series to be directed by Kevin Greutert

Saw 3D Original release dates: October 29, 2010 – Theatrical release
	Notes: The only Saw film shot in 3-D The final film in the Saw series Kevin Greutert returned to direct Cary Elwes who played Dr. Gordon in the first Saw film finally returns after five sequels.