The Cremaster Cycle
The Cremaster Cycle is an art project consisting of five feature length films, together with related sculptures, photographs, drawings, and artist's books; it is the best-known work of American visual artist and filmmaker Matthew Barney. The Cremaster Cycle was made over a period of eight years (1994–2002) and culminated in a major museum exhibition organized by Nancy Spector of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, which traveled to the Museum Ludwig in Cologne and the Musée d'art Moderne in Paris from 2002-03. Barney's longtime collaborator Jonathan Bepler composed and arranged the soundtracks for the films.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The The Cremaster Cycle has evolved significantly over a span of 1 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 5 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 6.0/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 6.0. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," The Cremaster Cycle has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with Cremaster 3 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 The Cremaster Cycle. The timeline highlights a clear three-act structure across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the The Cremaster Cycle franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.
Cremaster 4
CREMASTER 4 (1994) adheres most closely to the project's biological model. This penultimate episode describes the system's onward rush toward descension despite...
Cremaster 1
CREMASTER 1 (1995) is a musical revue performed on the blue Astroturf playing field of Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho - Barney's hometown. Two Goodyear Blimps f...
Cremaster 5
Cremaster 5 is a five-act opera (sung in Hungarian) set in late-ninteenth century Budapest. The last film in the series, Cremaster 5 represents the moment when ...
Cremaster 2
CREMASTER 2 is rendered as a gothic Western that introduces conflict into the system. On the biological level it corresponds to the phase of fetal development d...
Cremaster 3
CREMASTER 3 (2002) is set in New York City and narrates the construction of the Chrysler Building, which is in itself a character - host to inner, antagonistic ...
Common Questions about The Cremaster Cycle
How many movies are in the The Cremaster Cycle?
There are currently 5 movies in the The Cremaster Cycle, starting from Cremaster 1 to the latest release, Cremaster 5.
What is the best order to watch the The Cremaster Cycle?
The best way to watch the The Cremaster Cycle is usually in release order: starting with Cremaster 1 and ending with Cremaster 5. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the The Cremaster Cycle?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Cremaster 3 in this franchise.