Where to start withPet Sematary

2 versions · originally a film, 1989

Themes: Grief, Death, Resurrection, Loss of Innocence, Dealing with Death.

Start with Pet Sematary (Mary Lambert, 1989) — the film. Pet Sematary exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a film in 1989; each is ranked below by what it does best.

Pet Sematary explores the devastating psychological cost of refusing to let go of those we have lost to death.

✦ Most fans start here

Pet Sematary (1989)

Pet Sematary

The original movie

✦ Start here

Pet Sematary

Mary Lambert · Film · 1989

Pet Sematary (1989) remains the definitive adaptation, capturing the raw, unsettling atmosphere of Stephen King’s prose through Mary Lambert’s haunting direction. It is essential viewing for fans of classic 80s horror.

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines

2023 film

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines

Lindsey Anderson Beer · Film · 2023

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023) functions as a prequel that expands the franchise’s lore by exploring Jud Crandall’s dark family history. It is best suited for those seeking context on Ludlow’s sinister origins.

Common questions

Is Pet Sematary: Bloodlines a direct sequel to the 1989 Pet Sematary movie?

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is not a direct sequel to the 1989 Pet Sematary movie. It functions as a standalone prequel that explores the origins of the burial ground and the history of the town depicted in the original source material.

What order should I watch the Pet Sematary movies in?

You can watch the 1989 Pet Sematary first to experience the original adaptation. Afterward, you can watch Pet Sematary: Bloodlines to see how the prequel expands on the lore and background of the location featured in the first film.

Does Pet Sematary: Bloodlines share the same cast as the 1989 Pet Sematary?

No, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines does not share the same cast as the 1989 Pet Sematary. Because the prequel focuses on a different timeframe and set of events within the same universe, it features a unique cast of characters separate from the 1989 production.

How long is the 1989 Pet Sematary movie?

The 1989 Pet Sematary movie has a runtime of approximately 103 minutes. This adaptation of the story remains a distinct entry in the franchise compared to the later 2023 prequel, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines.

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