The Riddick movies are a series of sci-fi/action films that follow the adventures of Richard B. Riddick, an antihero played by Vin Diesel. The franchise began in 2000 with the film Pitch Black, which introduced us to Riddick as a criminal aboard a spacecraft who crash lands on a dangerous desert planet filled with deadly creatures. This movie emphasized horror elements and showcased Vin Diesel’s star-making performance.
The second installment, The Chronicles of Riddick, takes place five years after Pitch Black and follows Riddick as he battles the Necromongers, a race threatening human life. This movie combines action and cheesiness, expanding the universe within the Riddick movies.
Finally, we have Riddick, released in 2013 as the third movie in the franchise. Set after The Chronicles of Riddick, this film sees Riddick stranded on a desert planet and seeking escape from his enemies. Despite being dismissed by critics, it grossed almost $100 million at the box office. It ensured the continuation of the Riddick movies.
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These films offer thrilling adventures filled with survival, action and Vin Diesel’s captivating portrayal of Richard B. Riddick. If you desire freedom in your entertainment choices, I highly recommend diving into this exciting franchise.

Quick Links
All Riddick Movies in Order
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Pitch Black
Director: David Twohy
Writers: Jim Wheat, Ken Wheat, David Twohy
Stars: Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser, Vin Diesel
Genres: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Pitch Black is a science fiction horror movie released in 2000. It follows the harrowing journey of a group of crash-landed spaceship survivors on a desolate planet. Among them are pilot Carolyn Fry, enigmatic convict Richard B. Riddick, and assorted passengers. The planet experiences near-constant sunlight due to its three suns, but the group soon discovers that total darkness arrives with a rare eclipse, during which deadly, light-sensitive alien predators emerge.
Tensions escalate as supplies dwindle and conflicts arise among the survivors. Riddick’s surgically-enhanced night vision proves crucial during the dark periods, leading to an uneasy alliance with Fry. She learns of his criminal past but also his survival skills. As the alien creatures pick off the survivors, Fry and Riddick must cooperate to craft makeshift light sources from the wreckage and defend against the imminent eclipse.
In the climactic darkness, the survivors battle the vicious creatures, facing sacrifices and betrayals. Ultimately, only a few, including Fry and Riddick, manage to escape the planet. The film delves into themes of survival, trust, and the duality of human nature. “Pitch Black” serves as an introduction to the anti-hero Riddick, laying the foundation for potential sequels.
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The Chronicles of Riddick
Director: David Twohy
Writers: Jim Wheat, Ken Wheat, David Twohy
Stars: Vin Diesel, Judi Dench, Colm Feore
Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
The Chronicles of Riddick (2004) is the sequel to Pitch Black and continues the story of Richard B. Riddick, played by Vin Diesel. The film is set in a futuristic universe where various planets and factions coexist.
Riddick is on the run from bounty hunters and finds himself on the planet Helion Prime. He learns that a deadly race of conquerors, known as the Necromongers, led by Lord Marshal, are sweeping through the galaxy, converting civilizations to their faith or destroying them. The Necromongers offer individuals the choice to convert or face annihilation, and their ultimate goal is to reach a mythical afterlife called the Underverse.
Riddick becomes entangled in the conflict when he’s revealed to be the last of a warrior race called the Furyans, with a destiny tied to the Necromongers’ plans. He forms alliances with various characters, including the ambassador Aereon and a warrior named Vaako, who has his own ambitions within the Necromonger hierarchy.
As Riddick navigates through various planets and encounters, he confronts mercenaries, monsters, and eventually faces Lord Marshal himself. Through his journey, he uncovers his own potential and confronts the dark truths of his past.
The film explores themes of destiny, power, and identity, as well as the clash between different civilizations and belief systems. Riddick’s journey takes him from being a lone survivor to a key figure in the resistance against the Necromonger threat. The Chronicles of Riddick expands on the character’s lore and universe, blending elements of science fiction and fantasy within an action-packed narrative.
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The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury
Director: Peter Chung
Writers: David Twohy, Brett Matthews, Ken Wheat
Stars: Vin Diesel, Rhiana Griffith, Keith David
Genres: Animation, Short, Action, Sci-Fi
It is a short animated film that bridges the narrative gap between Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick. The story follows the enigmatic anti-hero Richard B. Riddick shortly after the events of Pitch Black.
Riddick, accompanied by Imam and Jack from the previous film, is imprisoned on a mercenary ship by Antonia Chillingsworth. The ship’s crew realizes that Riddick’s bounty is worth more if he’s alive, creating tension within their ranks.
As the ship travels through space, it encounters a ruthless group of mercenaries led by Toombs, who demand Riddick’s surrender. Chaos erupts as Riddick fights back, seizing the opportunity to escape captivity. He forms a reluctant alliance with Juno, Chillingsworth’s second-in-command, who seeks survival amid the turmoil.
Riddick’s cunning and combat skills come to the forefront as he and Juno battle the pursuing mercenaries throughout the ship. The animation showcases Riddick’s resourcefulness and his ability to turn the environment to his advantage. The film also explores Riddick’s inner turmoil and motivations, shedding light on his complex personality.
Dark Fury provides a snapshot of Riddick’s journey, his refusal to be a prisoner, and his constant fight for survival. The film’s intense action sequences and character-driven moments offer insights into Riddick’s mindset as he navigates treacherous challenges. This short but impactful installment offers fans a deeper understanding of Riddick’s evolution and sets the stage for the events of The Chronicles of Riddick.
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Riddick
Director: David Twohy
Writers: David Twohy, Jim Wheat, Ken Wheat
Stars: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Katee Sackhoff
Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
It is the third installment in the Riddick film series, following Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick. The movie continues the story of Richard B. Riddick, a dangerous and skilled anti-hero.
The film begins with Riddick stranded on a desolate and sun-scorched planet after being betrayed by the Necromongers (introduced in the previous film). He survives by battling the local wildlife and adapting to the harsh environment. Seeking a way off the planet, he activates an emergency beacon, attracting two groups of bounty hunters.
As the bounty hunters arrive, Riddick faces off against them, using his skills to defeat and kill several of them. However, he decides to strike a deal with the remaining group led by Boss Johns. Riddick offers information about the Necromongers in exchange for their assistance in finding a way off the planet.
The group discovers an abandoned mercenary station nearby and seeks to reactivate its long-dormant communication system. In the process, they encounter deadly alien creatures that are activated by rain and other adverse weather conditions. The group’s surviving members are forced to work together to survive the relentless attacks from these creatures.
As Riddick and the group face increasing danger, tensions run high among them. They also learn about Riddick’s history and the price on his head. As the alien creatures become more threatening, Riddick realizes that the only way to escape the planet is by capturing one of the bounty hunter ships that brought the mercenaries there in the first place.
The film climaxes in a battle between Riddick, the remaining survivors, and the alien creatures as they fight for their lives and a chance to leave the planet. Riddick’s survival skills and resourcefulness are put to the test, and he must once again confront his own past and his reputation as a dangerous fugitive.
This movie combines action, survival, and science fiction elements, focusing on the character’s resilience and ability to adapt to challenging situations. It brings the franchise back to its roots by emphasizing Riddick’s solitary and survivalist nature while introducing new threats and characters to the series.
Conclusion
The Riddick franchise has captivated audiences with its thrilling and action-packed movies. From the introduction of Riddick in Pitch Black to his epic battles against the Necromongers in The Chronicles of Riddick and his struggle for survival on a desert planet in Riddick, each film has added depth to the character’s story. With rumors of a fourth movie titled Riddick 4: Furya in development, fans can look forward to exploring more of Riddick’s backstory and homeworld. This franchise has truly left an impact on sci-fi enthusiasts worldwide.
All Riddick Movies According To IMDb Ratings
- Pitch Black – 7.0 with 249K Votes
- The Chronicles of Riddick – 6.6 with 237K Votes
- The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury – 6.5 with 12K Votes
- Riddick – 6.4 with 174K Votes
All Riddick Movies Box Office Collection
- Pitch Black – $53.2 million
- The Chronicles of Riddick – $115.8 million
- The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury – NA
- Riddick – $98.3 million
FAQs
Vin Diesel is the leading actor in the Riddick movies. He portrays Richard B. Riddick, a notorious criminal with exceptional survival skills. His performance solidifies Riddick as one of the film’s best anti-heroes.
The Riddick franchise expanded beyond movies with video games, novels, and an animated show. It has a dedicated fanbase awaiting the next installment, “Riddick: Furya,” exploring the character’s backstory and homeworld.
The release date of the upcoming Riddick movie, ‘Furya,’ has yet to be announced. But as a fan, I’m eagerly waiting for Vin Diesel to return as Riddick and continue the character’s legacy.
The budget for the fourth Riddick movie, ‘Furya,’ has yet to be officially announced.
Yes, there are spin-off movies and games in the Riddick universe. “The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay” & “Assault on Dark Athena” are prequels to the movies.
The Riddick movies performed well at the box office, with Pitch Black grossing over $53 million, The Chronicles of Riddick earning $115 million, and Riddick making almost $100 million.