What Order to Watch Jesse Stone Movies: A Guide

Introduction

The Jesse Stone movie series is a set of nine feature-length films based on the novels written by Robert B. Parker. The movies follow the title character, played by Tom Selleck, as he serves as chief of police in a small town called Paradise. Each film features a different mystery that Jesse must solve, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. If you’re looking to watch the Jesse Stone movies in order, this guide will provide all the information you need.

Create a Timeline

The first step to watching the Jesse Stone series in order is to list each movie chronologically. The nine films are “Jesse Stone: Night Passage” (2006), “Jesse Stone: Sea Change” (2007), “Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise” (2008), “Jesse Stone: No Remorse” (2010), “Jesse Stone: Thin Ice” (2011), “Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt” (2012), “Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise” (2015), “Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost” (2011), and “Jesse Stone: Sun Set” (2017).

For a brief plot summary of each movie, here’s a quick overview: “Jesse Stone: Night Passage” follows Jesse as he moves to Paradise and solves a murder case; “Jesse Stone: Sea Change” has him investigating a suspicious death; “Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise” involves a serial killer; “Jesse Stone: No Remorse” sees Jesse trying to take down a drug cartel; “Jesse Stone: Thin Ice” deals with a cold case; “Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt” focuses on a missing girl; “Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise” features a small-town mystery; “Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost” centers around a child abduction; and “Jesse Stone: Sun Set” wraps up Jesse’s story.

Feature a Cast Member

Tom Selleck plays the main character in every Jesse Stone movie. He stars alongside a talented cast of actors and actresses, including Kathy Baker, William Devane, Saul Rubinek, Stephen McHattie, Gloria Reuben, and William Sadler. For those looking to watch the movies in the order they appeared in, here’s the lineup: “Jesse Stone: Night Passage” (2006), “Jesse Stone: Sea Change” (2007), “Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise” (2008), “Jesse Stone: Thin Ice” (2011), “Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost” (2011), “Jesse Stone: No Remorse” (2010), “Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt” (2012), “Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise” (2015), and “Jesse Stone: Sun Set” (2017).

Group by Genre

The Jesse Stone movies can be divided into two categories: crime dramas and mysteries. The first five films—”Night Passage,” “Sea Change,” “Death in Paradise,” “No Remorse,” and “Thin Ice”—are all crime dramas that focus on Jesse’s work as a police officer. The last four—”Benefit of the Doubt,” “Lost in Paradise,” “Innocents Lost,” and “Sun Set”—are mysteries that explore Jesse’s personal life. To watch the series in this order, start with “Night Passage,” followed by “Sea Change,” “Death in Paradise,” “No Remorse,” “Thin Ice,” “Benefit of the Doubt,” “Lost in Paradise,” “Innocents Lost,” and concluding with “Sun Set.”

Discuss the Characters

Looking at the Jesse Stone movies through the lens of the characters helps to create a more cohesive viewing experience. Some of the major characters include Chief Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck), Rose Gammon (Kathy Baker), Luther “Suitcase” Simpson (William Devane), State Homicide Commander Healy (Saul Rubinek), Cpt. Healy (Stephen McHattie), Dr. Dix (Gloria Reuben), and Capt. Martin (William Sadler). As the series progresses, the characters’ story arcs develop, making it easier to understand the nuances of the movies when watched in order.

Focus on Locations

The Jesse Stone series was filmed on location in Massachusetts, Canada, and North Carolina. The majority of the movies were shot in and around Halifax, Nova Scotia, including the waterfront area and the historic Citadel Hill. Other locations featured throughout the series include Boston, Cambridge, Gloucester, and Marblehead. By paying close attention to the settings of the films, viewers can gain a better understanding of Jesse’s world and how it changes over time.

Share Trivia

One of the most fun ways to watch the Jesse Stone movies is to learn some facts about them. Did you know that the series was originally intended to be a TV show? Or that the movie “Thin Ice” was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie? Or that the cast and crew members of the Jesse Stone films have been nominated for a combined total of 18 awards? Here’s the order of release for the movies: “Night Passage” (2006), “Sea Change” (2007), “Death in Paradise” (2008), “No Remorse” (2010), “Thin Ice” (2011), “Benefit of the Doubt” (2012), “Lost in Paradise” (2015), “Innocents Lost” (2011), and “Sun Set” (2017).

Conclusion

Whether you’re a fan of Tom Selleck or a fan of crime dramas, the Jesse Stone movies are sure to please. Follow this guide to watch the series in order, and you’ll be able to experience the full arc of Jesse’s story. From creating a timeline to grouping the films by genre and discussing the characters, this article has provided all the information needed to enjoy the Jesse Stone movie series.