Where to start
Psycho
3 versions · originally a book, 1959
The chilling descent into Norman Bates’s fractured psyche remains the dark, gravitational center of this enduring horror franchise.
✦ Most fans start here
Psycho (1960)
The original novel
Psycho
Robert Bloch · Book · 1959
The 1959 novel Psycho establishes the original blueprint, offering readers a claustrophobic, prose-driven look at Norman Bates’s obsessions and the grim, rain-soaked atmosphere of his isolated roadside motel.
1960 film
✦ Start herePsycho
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1960
The 1960 movie Psycho is a masterclass in suspense, translating the novel’s tension into iconic visual terror and defining the cinematic language of the modern slasher genre forever.
2013 series
Bates Motel
Carlton Cuse · Series · 2013
The 2013 television series Bates Motel serves as a contemporary prequel, meticulously unfolding the complex, tragic origin story of Norman and Norma Bates before the events of the original film.
Common questions
Should I read the Psycho book before watching the 1960 movie?
You can choose either order as both the 1959 book Psycho and the 1960 film are distinct experiences. The movie is a direct adaptation of the novel, so reading the source material first provides context for the narrative structure used in the film.
Is the Bates Motel TV series a direct sequel to the 1960 movie Psycho?
The 2013 television series Bates Motel is not a direct sequel to the 1960 movie Psycho. Instead, it serves as a contemporary prequel that explores the earlier life of Norman Bates and his mother, detailing the events that led to the narrative established in the original film.
What is the original source material for Psycho?
The original source material for the franchise is the 1959 book Psycho written by Robert Bloch. This novel serves as the foundational text for the 1960 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and the later television series Bates Motel.
How long is the 1960 movie Psycho?
The 1960 movie Psycho has a runtime of approximately 109 minutes. This film adaptation remains one of the most recognized versions of the story originally published in the 1959 book Psycho by Robert Bloch.