How To Watch Jesse Stone Movies In Order (October 2024)

If you’re a fan of crime dramas, Jesse Stone movies are a treasure for you. Consisting of nine films, every movie in the franchise will drive you into a mysterious and suspenseful storytelling world. 

The franchise typically revolves around a former Los Angeles homicide detective, Jesse Stone, investigating various crimes and mysteries while dealing with personal demons, including struggles with alcoholism and failed relationships. 

Now, you might be wondering what’s the best way to watch Jesse Stone movies in order. Don’t worry. In this article, we’ll show you how to do it to get an outstanding viewing experience of this detective series. 

How Many Jesse Stone Movies are There?

Watch Jesse Stone Movies in Order of Release Date

1. Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005)

Released on 20 February 2005, Stone Cold is an American made-for-television crime drama movie. Robert Harmon directs the crime drama. 

Based on the 2003 novel Stone Cold by Robert B. Parker, the movie revolves around a police chief, Jesse Stone, portrayed by Tom Selleck, who investigates a series of murders. At the same time, Stone is dealing with his personal issues, such as alcoholism and failed relationships. 

2. Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006)

Night Passage is the second movie in the franchise. In the film, Jesse Stone finds himself immersed in a series of mysteries. A corrupt mayor then hires him to clean up the police department. 

While settling into his new job, Stone became familiar with the complexities of small-town politics and personal struggles. 

3. Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006)

After the massive success of Night Passage, Death in Paradise was released just a few months later. Stone is dealing with an investigation of a murdered teenage girl in this movie. Her body was found floating in a lake. 

Stone came up as a far more capable action hero. He is able to uncover a web of secrets and lies within the peaceful community. With the stakes higher than in previous movies, Stone delves into the darker aspects of society. 

4. Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007)

In this fourth installment of Jesse Stone movies, the police chief threw himself into another case in order to stay away from his alcoholism and failed relationships. He investigates a murder of a bank teller shot during a robbery and an alleged rape. 

While investigating the case, Stone learns about the corruption and deceit in the town. Stone delves deeper into the case, which shows that his motives are more personal than others. 

Tom Selleck won an Emmy Award for his performance in Sea change, attracting more fans than previous films. 

5. Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)

It took some time to release the fifth installment of the Jesse Stone franchise. Arriving in 2009, two years after Sea Change, the movie delves into another case of a kidnapped child who has been declared dead. 

The mother who received a cryptic letter of her child’s kidnapping urges Stone to reopen the case and find out what really happened to her son. The movie managed to land well with fans and received favorable reviews from critics. 

6. Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)

On 9 May 2010, the franchise released the sixth movie with sad news: Jesse Stone got suspended by the Paradise town council. His old crew was left behind tackling a case. Meanwhile, Stone investigates a series of murders in Boston for a state police colleague. 

While investigating, he uncovers evidence that leads him to a notorious mob boss. With its character-driven storytelling, the movie was nominated for an American Society of Cinematographers Award for Best Cinematography. 

7. Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011)

Dick Lowry took over the directing work from Robert Harmon in Innocents Lost. The movie features the retired police chief investigating the suspicious death of a young friend. 

Meanwhile, Paradise deals with an arrogant new police officer who is the son-in-law of a town councilman. The seventh installment is undoubtedly different from previous Jesse Stone movies in terms of the freshness of the characters. 

8. Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012)

Hurray! Stone returns from his forced retirement in Benefit of the Doubt. He came back to deal with double homicide. However, the new police chief makes it a personal matter for Stone. 

Robert Harmon also returned with his directing work in the installment. While the movie may be difficult for viewers to scope out, it still manages to retain the same charm as the previous Jesse Stone movies. 

9. Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015)

After three years the release of Benefit of Doubt, Lost in Paradise hit the screens. Makers might be lost in Paradise, that’s why they took so much time. In the movie, Stone investigates the murder of a fourth victim of a brutal serial killer. 

While investigating the case, Stone tries to keep a young girl away from falling in with the wrong crowd. 

Jesse Stone Movies in Chronological Order

Another way to watch these outstanding crime drama movies is in chronological order, which avoids jumping around in time too much. 

For example, the 2005 Stone Cold starts with Stone’s story as a New England-based police chief, but it isn’t necessary to watch it first. You can actually watch it after 2006’s Night Passage movie. The reason is that Night Passage is the first novel both in terms of chronology and release date. 

Below, we have provided the complete list of Jesse Stone movies in order of chronology. 

• Jesse Stone: Night Passage 
• Stone Cold 
• Death in Paradise 
• Sea Change 
• Thin Ice 
• No Remorse 
• Innocents Lost 
• Benefit of the Doubt 
• Lost in Paradise 

Will There Be a Tenth Jesse Stone Movie?

During an interview, Tom Selleck, claimed that he is working on the tenth and final Jesse Stone movie. The ninth installment left many unresolved mysteries. 

These mysteries are expected to be resolved in the upcoming movie, which has yet to receive a release date from the makers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Many Jesse Stone Movies Are There?

There are nine movies in the Jesse Stone franchise; Stone Cold, Night Passage, Death in Paradise, Sea Change, Thin Ice, No Remorse, Innocents Lost, Benefit of the Doubt, Lost in Paradise. 

2. Who Directed Jesse Stone Movies?

Except for the seventh movie in the franchise, all the movies are directed by Robert Harmon. Dick Lowry directs Innocents Lost. 

3. Who are the Main Characters in the Jesse Stone Franchise?

Tom Selleck, Viola Davis, Kohl Sudduth, Polly Shannon, and Kathy Baker are some of the main characters in this crime drama franchise. 

4. Where to Watch Jesse Stone Movies in Order?

You can stream this crime drama masterpiece on Amazon Prime video. 

5. Why You Should Watch Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006) Before Stone Cold (2005) Movie?

The main reason behind watch Night Passage before Stone Cold is that it comes first in novel series both in terms of release date and chronology.

6. Is the Jesse Stone Franchise Based on a True Story?

No, the franchise is not based on a true story. 

7. Are Jesse Stone Movies Adapted From Any Novel?

Yes, these movies are based on novels by an American writer Robert B. Parker. 

8. What is the Benefit of Watching Jesse Stone Movies in Order?

Watching these crime dramas in order will give you the best viewing experience and help you better understand Stone’s journey as a police chief.