Cruel Intentions Collection backdrop
Cruel Intentions Collection poster
Official Collection
Series Freshness: Jan 26, 2026

Cruel Intentions Collection

Cruel Intentions is a 1999 American teen romantic drama film written and directed by Roger Kumble and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Selma Blair. The film is an adaptation of the novel Les Liaisons dangereuses, written by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos in 1782, but set among wealthy teenagers attending high school in New York City instead of 18th-century France. The film started as a smaller budget independent film, but was picked up by Columbia Pictures and released on March 5, 1999. Despite mixed critical reviews, the performances of Gellar, Philippe, and Witherspoon were praised. Cruel Intentions was a box office success, earning $76 million and spawning two further films, both direct-to-video.

3Movies
★ 6.8 Avg Rating

Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis

The Cruel Intentions Collection has evolved significantly over a span of 5 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 3 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.

The "Series" Benchmark: 5.6/10

The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 5.6. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Cruel Intentions Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with Cruel Intentions standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.

Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal

Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Cruel Intentions Collection. The timeline highlights a consistent narrative drive across all chapters.

Timeline & Watch Order

We recommend watching the Cruel Intentions Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.

1
Cruel Intentions

Cruel Intentions

1999★ 6.8HIT

Slaking a thirst for dangerous games, Kathryn challenges her stepbrother, Sebastian, to deflower their headmaster's daughter before the summer ends. If he succe...

2
Cruel Intentions 2

Cruel Intentions 2

2000★ 5.1AVERAGE

After his precocious behavior has gotten him bounced out of one more in a string of exclusive private schools, 16-year old Sebastian Valmont has arrived in New ...

3
Cruel Intentions 3

Cruel Intentions 3

2004★ 4.8AVERAGE

Meet Cassie, Jason and Patrick, three amoral college students who, through a series of sexual wagers, take malicious pleasure in ruining the lives of their fell...

Common Questions about Cruel Intentions Collection

How many movies are in the Cruel Intentions Collection?

There are currently 3 movies in the Cruel Intentions Collection, starting from Cruel Intentions to the latest release, Cruel Intentions 3.

What is the best order to watch the Cruel Intentions Collection?

The best way to watch the Cruel Intentions Collection is usually in release order: starting with Cruel Intentions and ending with Cruel Intentions 3. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.

Which is the highest-rated movie in the Cruel Intentions Collection?

According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Cruel Intentions in this franchise.