The Borderlands franchise, a celebrated looter-shooter, has evolved into a multimedia powerhouse since its debut. Its distinctive cel-shaded art style and iconic characters have cemented its place in gaming culture, expanding into comics, novels, and even a tabletop game. This month marks a significant milestone: the Borderlands movie, directed by Eli Roth, hits the big screen, bringing Pandora and its inhabitants to a new audience. Despite mixed reviews, the film represents a major step for the franchise.

With Borderlands 4 slated for release later this year, anticipation is high for both returning and new fans. To help everyone catch up, here's a chronological timeline of the games:

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Chronological Order | Release Order

[Poll: Are you going to see the Borderlands movie in theaters?]

How Many Borderlands Games Exist?

Seven main series games and spin-offs are canon, plus two smaller, non-canon titles (Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball and Borderlands Legends).

Where to Begin?

While Borderlands 1 is the logical starting point, any of the three main games serve as a good introduction, especially if story isn't the primary focus. All three are available on modern platforms. However, for a cohesive narrative experience, especially after seeing the film, starting with Borderlands 1 is recommended.

Chronological Order of Canon Borderlands Games:

(Mild spoilers ahead)

1. Borderlands (2009): The origin story follows Lilith, Brick, Roland, and Mordecai as they hunt for the legendary Vault on Pandora, battling the Crimson Lance, wildlife, and bandits. The game's success launched the looter-shooter genre and included four post-release expansions.

2. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014): A prequel bridging the gap between the first two games, this installment follows Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap on a Vault hunt on Elpis, the moon of Pandora. It significantly develops Handsome Jack's backstory, showcasing his descent into villainy and featuring characters from Borderlands 2. Post-release expansions added new content and characters.

3. Borderlands 2 (2012): The sequel returns to Pandora with a new team of Vault Hunters facing off against Handsome Jack. This entry expands on the original, offering more quests, character classes, and, of course, guns. Considered by many to be the best in the series, it also received extensive post-release support.

4. Tales From The Borderlands (2014-2015): A Telltale Games episodic adventure, this spin-off focuses on Rhys and Fiona, whose schemes lead them on a Vault-related adventure. Its narrative choices impact the story significantly, and its characters have appeared in later installments.

5. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022): A fantasy-themed entry based on the Borderlands 2 DLC, "Assault on Dragon Keep." While the setting changes, the core gameplay remains true to the series. It features a vast fantasy world, new classes, spells, and multiple expansions.

6. Borderlands 3 (2019): The third main installment introduces Amara, FL4K, Zane, and Moze, who must stop the siren twins Troy and Tyreen. The game expands the scope to multiple planets and features returning characters. It offers substantial DLC content.

7. New Tales From The Borderlands (2022): A sequel to Tales From The Borderlands, featuring new protagonists, Anu, Octavio, and Fran, who encounter a powerful artifact and the Tediore corporation. This game focuses on narrative choices and branching storylines.

Release Order of All Borderlands Games:

Borderlands (2009) Borderlands Legends (2012) Borderlands 2 (2012) Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014) Tales From The Borderlands (2014-2015) Borderlands 3 (2019) Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022) New Tales From The Borderlands (2022) Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball (2023) Borderlands 4 (2025)

The Future of Borderlands:

Borderlands 4 is the next major release, scheduled for September 23, 2025. Take-Two's acquisition of Gearbox suggests a bright future for the franchise with more projects on the horizon.