The Omen Franchise Timeline Explained!

The latest installment in the thrilling ‘Omen’ franchise, ‘The First Omen,’ was released on April 5 and is spooking audiences everywhere! Here’s how the newest movie, as well as the other films and TV adaptations, fit into the timeline! 

*Spoilers Ahead!*

The First Omen (2024)

As the name suggests, The First Omen is the introductory movie in this franchise, in terms of chronological order. The film serves as a prequel to The Omen (1976), and is set in the early-1970s. Margaret, played by Nell Tiger Free, is a religious novice sent to work at an orphanage in Rome with other nuns. Over time, a conspiracy to birth the Antichrist is made clear, and Margaret has to do her best to avoid such troubles.

Years later, Father Brennan (Ralph Ineson) tracks down Margaret, who gave birth to the Antichrist, Damien, informing her of the true identity of the child and what lies ahead. Damien was given to American diplomat Robert Thorn at the time of birth, which leads us right into the original 1976 film.

The Omen (1976)

As Robert Thorn is first mentioned near the end of The First Omen, he’s seen right away in this film, which begins in 1966 and runs into 1976, hurrying to a hospital where his wife is going into labor. Thorn is informed that the child was a stillbirth, and Father Spiletto tells him he can either break the news to his wife or adopt another baby with no parents. Thorn picks the latter, who turns out to be Damien, the Antichrist. This film is truly terrifying for the time, as gothic, religious imagery paints a gloomy picture throughout.

The death scenes can be a bit hard to watch, too, especially when characters we start getting attached to begin to drop like flies. The ending is ultra-chilling, as Thorn, faced with the reality that he has to kill Damien, succumbs to his own grisly death. A quick smirk at the camera from Damien brings us to our next entry.

Damien: Omen II (1978)

Damien: Omen II takes place in 1976 and 1983, when a soon-to-be 13-year-old Damien is living with his aunt, uncle, and cousin in a well-off Chicago neighborhood. Damien and his cousin, Mark, are enrolled in a military academy and get along well, but mysterious deaths and freak accidents begin to occur again. Damien finally understands his true destiny, to carry on with Satan’s will, while his uncle, Richard Thorn, tries and fails to fulfill his brother Robert’s intention to kill Damien from the previous movie.

Damien (2016)

Damien, the A&E TV series from 2016, fits into this timeline as a direct follow-up to the 1976 Omen, taking place 25 years after the fact ignoring all the sequels in between. The show revolves around adult Damien, now a 30-year-old war photographer, who has grown up unaware of his devilish past. More emotionally available than his younger self, Damien eventually struggles with choosing between his Satanic origin or human nature. It’s a fresh take on the Omen franchise, showing Damien in a more considerate light and even using religious symbolism when the main character sacrifices himself in a Christ-like manner to save the ones he loves.

The Final Conflict (1981)

Like 2016’s Damien, The Final Conflict follows Damien (Sam Neill) in his adult life, now willing to use his true power and aware of the weight he holds. Damien, a CEO and the ambassador for Great Britain (like his father), desires full control of this earthly world. However, Damien realizes the Second Coming of Christ is soon to arrive, and he must do whatever it takes to prevent his own death. Kate Reynolds, a love interest of Damien, kills the former Antichrist child prodigy with a dagger when Christ triumphantly returns, seemingly putting an end to this saga.

Omen IV: The Awakening (1991)

Omen IV: The Awakening wasn’t released theatrically in the U.S., but it still brought forth several plot components that tie in with the other movies. For one thing, Karen and Gene York adopt a mysterious child named Delia, who is later revealed to be the daughter of Damien, aka Satan’s granddaughter. Karen becomes increasingly paranoid throughout the film, especially as Delia’s attitude becomes concerning and strange happenings occur. There is a twist involved, as Karen gives birth to her son, Alexander, who we learn is the new Antichrist. Delia was intended to protect Alexander all along, and upon this realization, Karen takes her own life, bringing the original Omen timeline to an end.

Alternate Timelines – The Omen (1995) and The Omen (2006)

Starting with The Omen (1995), this Fox-produced effort was a one-off TV episode that attempted to make a series out of the franchise. The storyline is vastly different from any other Omen film, since Damien’s character is nowhere to be found and the demonic entity hops around from person to person, not confined to a single being.

Lastly, The Omen (2006), released in theatres on June 6, (6/6/06), is simply a remake of the original 1976 movie. There are several minor changes made, like a Vatican astronomer confirming that the Antichrist is coming, more satanic imagery, and dream sequences that are sure to creep you out. The cast is also very strong, with Liev Schreiber starring as Robert Thorn, Julia Stiles as Katherine Thorn, and appearances from Mia Farrow, Pete Postlehwaite, and even the first Damien actor, Harvey Spencer Stephens, in a cameo role as a tabloid journalist.