Read every series in the right order
Five Nights At Freddy’s Books in Chronological Order – Complete Reading Guide
Table of Contents
Quick Answer (TL;DR)
If you want a clean pathway through the Five Nights at Freddy’s library, read the original “Silver Eyes” novel trilogy first, then the Fazbear Frights 12-book anthology line in numerical order (because the epilogues form a single meta-story), and finish with Tales from the Pizzaplex in order. Dip into official guides and graphic novel adaptations anywhere for extra lore. The trilogy begins with The Silver Eyes (2015/2016 print), followed by The Twisted Ones (2017) and The Fourth Closet (2018). Fazbear Frights #1–#12 runs from Into the Pit to Felix the Shark; those short-story volumes are best read in release order to follow the interlinked Stitchwraith epilogues.
Introduction
You asked for Five Nights At Freddy’s Books in Chronological Order, and we brought the pizza—minus the murderous animatronics. This guide cuts through the tangled timelines and multiple continuities so you can decide the best way to read the FNaF books—whether you’re a lore diver, a new reader coming from the games or the 2023 hit film, or a parent gauging age-appropriateness. Where the canon splits (novels vs. games vs. anthologies), we’ll flag it. Where publication order matters (hello, Stitchwraith epilogues), we’ll say so. And where you just need a simple start-here nudge, we’ll give you that too.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary lines | Original Novel Trilogy (The Silver Eyes, The Twisted Ones, The Fourth Closet), Fazbear Frights (#1–#12), Tales from the Pizzaplex (ongoing multi-volume short-story line) |
| Typical page count | ~224 pages per Fazbear Frights volume; the trilogy volumes are longer (often ~350–400+ pages depending on edition). |
| Estimated read time | Fazbear Frights: ~3.5–4 hours per volume (avg adult pace). Trilogy: ~7–9 hours per book. (Approximate, not prescriptive.) |
| Reading difficulty | Middle grade/YA accessible; Scholastic lists Ages 12+; Grades 7–9 (or 7–12 for guides). |
| Genres | YA horror, thriller, mystery; bite-sized anthology horror for Frights/Pizzaplex; longer mystery-horror arcs in the trilogy. |
| Content warnings | Occult/possession themes, fear and suspense, off-page/on-page violence, death, body horror (animatronics), kidnapping. |
| Media adaptations | Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) film (global gross ~$297M; Blumhouse’s top worldwide earner), sequel dated Dec 5, 2025. |
| Ideal age range | 12+ (mature tweens/teens and up), depending on sensitivity to horror. |
About the Five Nights At Freddy’s Book Series
Five Nights at Freddy’s exploded from indie jump-scare phenomenon (2014) into a sprawling multimedia franchise spanning video games, novels, comics, and film—anchored by creator Scott Cawthon with multiple co-authors across the books. The prose side branches into:
- The Silver Eyes Trilogy (alternate continuity to the games): co-written with Kira Breed-Wrisley, it follows Charlotte “Charlie” Emily and friends confronting the sins of Freddy’s past. Start here if you like a continuous character-driven story.
- Fazbear Frights (12 volumes; 3 novellas per book): standalone horror tales with interlinked epilogues (the Stitchwraith saga) that reward reading in order. Felix the Shark (#12) collects three “bonus” tales and (unlike #1–#11) has no epilogue.
- Tales from the Pizzaplex (newer anthology line tied to the Security Breach era): begins with Lally’s Game, then continues with volumes like HAPPS and Somniphobia—again, three novellas per book.
Layered on top are official guides (The Freddy Files, Ultimate Guide, The Security Breach Files) and graphic novel adaptations for the trilogy and for anthology selections. These are great for map-level lore, collectible art, and quick entry points.
Five Nights At Freddy’s Books at a Glance
A) Core Novels (The “Silver Eyes” Trilogy)
| # | Title | Amazon Buy Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Silver Eyes (Scott Cawthon & Kira Breed-Wrisley) | Buy On Amazon |
| 2 | The Twisted Ones | Buy On Amazon |
| 3 | The Fourth Closet | Buy On Amazon |
B) Fazbear Frights (12-Book Anthology Line)
| # | Title | Amazon Buy Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Into the Pit | Buy On Amazon |
| 2 | Fetch | Buy On Amazon |
| 3 | 1:35AM | Buy On Amazon |
| 4 | Step Closer | Buy On Amazon |
| 5 | Bunny Call | Buy On Amazon |
| 6 | Blackbird | Buy On Amazon |
| 7 | The Cliffs | Buy On Amazon |
| 8 | Gumdrop Angel | Buy On Amazon |
| 9 | The Puppet Carver | Buy On Amazon |
| 10 | Friendly Face | Buy On Amazon |
| 11 | Prankster | Buy On Amazon |
| 12 | Felix the Shark | Buy On Amazon |
Tip: Collectors sometimes prefer the Fazbear Frights box set that includes Felix the Shark (physical availability varies by edition/market).
Five Nights At Freddy’s Books in Chronological Order
Below is a practical reading order that respects character arcs, the anthology epilogues, and the current media zeitgeist. Where “chronology” is ambiguous (the series spans multiple continuities), we’ve prioritized story continuity and meta-plot sequencing.
1) Start with the Original Novel Trilogy (alternate continuity)
A. The Silver Eyes — Your gateway to the novel continuity. Ten years after the Freddy Fazbear’s murders, Charlie and her friends return to the shuttered restaurant tied to her father’s legacy. The novels build out human characters more deeply than the games and set up a trilogy-length confrontation with the sins of Freddy’s.
B. The Twisted Ones — A darker, faster sequel that escalates the threat—think new animatronic nightmares and a widening conspiracy. It’s the necessary bridge between Charlie’s past and the trilogy’s revelations.
C. The Fourth Closet — The culminating showdown, closing the loop on secrets the first two books only hinted at. Expect identity reveals, deeper Afton-mythos threads, and a finale that is its own continuity.
Why first? If you want a continuous narrative with a single protagonist (Charlie), the trilogy gives you one satisfying arc before you branch into the anthology universes. (It’s also the line most frequently adapted as graphic novels, if you like visual versions.)
2) Then Read Fazbear Frights #1–#12 in Release Order
This matters because the end-caps of Vols. #1 through #11 form the Stitchwraith meta-story—eleven “stingers” that stitch together a detective, a child between worlds, and a malignant force behind many standalone horrors. Felix the Shark (#12) collects “bonus” tales and has no stinger, so save it for last.
- #1 Into the Pit — Launches the anthology with time-warped tragedy, body horror, and the tone for the series. (Age guide: 12+; 224pp.)
- #2 Fetch — “Be careful what you download”: tech-tinged horror and moral compromise.
- #3 1:35AM — Loneliness, obsession, and bad bargains meet animatronic consequences.
- #4 Step Closer — Rivalry, guilt, and a curse that insists you “keep your eyes open.”
- #5 Bunny Call — Parenting, rage, and Room 1280—one of the most important Frights tales (lore-heads, take note).
- #6 Blackbird — Past sins take flight; includes The Real Jake, a pillar for the epilogues.
- #7 The Cliffs — Hard lessons and experiments gone wrong; a turning point for the Stitchwraith thread.
- #8 Gumdrop Angel — Luck, labor, and lavish birthdays gone rancid; blue-collar horror vibes.
- #9 The Puppet Carver — Desperation and design; “perspective” gets literal in macabre ways.
- #10 Friendly Face — Grief and replacement: the title story is infamous among fans.
- #11 Prankster — Stand up for yourself—carefully. A shorter but gut-punch entry. (Still includes a stinger.)
- #12 Felix the Shark — Three “bonus” novellas originally cut during development; no stinger here, so it’s the dessert course.
What the stingers do: The Stitchwraith thread (vols. #1–#11) unites background lore—“agony,” infected objects, detectives, and a familiar evil—across disparate stories. If you shuffle these books, you’ll still enjoy the tales, but the mini-serial loses punch.
3) After Frights, Move to Tales from the Pizzaplex (in order)
If you loved Security Breach’s mega-mall chaos, these are your lane. Start with #1 Lally’s Game, then follow with later entries like HAPPS and Somniphobia, each three novellas deep, each threading with Pizzaplex-era motifs. (Several entries now have graphic novel collections too.)
Series Timeline & Character Development
Charlie & the Novel Continuity. In the trilogy, Charlotte “Charlie” Emily is a fully realized protagonist with friends, history, and ties to Freddy’s creator legacy. The books broaden her emotions—grief, survivor’s guilt, agency—inside a mystery-horror chassis. This novel continuity is distinct from the games’ timeline; treat it as an alternate track that lets the authors deepen human stakes without game-canon constraints.
Anthology Characters & Themes. The short-story lines explore ordinary kids, teens, and adults making morally gray choices that spiral into animatronic nightmares. Because the Fazbear Frights epilogues build the Stitchwraith strand across volumes, recurring figures (a detective, a child, and an unseen puppeteer) gain momentum and meaning—tying disparate horrors into a single, slow-burn confrontation by book eleven.
Pizzaplex Era. Tales from the Pizzaplex reframes FNaF fears for the neon amusement-complex age: disappearing staircases, liminal attractions, broken families trying to stitch themselves back together—and corporate scale turning safety features into trapdoors. Start with Lally’s Game to see the tone and thematic kit the series leans on.
Novels Sorted in Order of In-Universe Events
Within each continuity, this is the simplest path:
A. Silver Eyes Continuity
- The Silver Eyes →
- The Twisted Ones →
- The Fourth Closet.
B. Fazbear Frights Meta-Story (Stitchwraith)
- Read #1–#11 in order to follow the epilogues; #12 has no epilogue and belongs at the end.
C. Tales from the Pizzaplex
- Read in numerical release order starting at #1 Lally’s Game for best continuity of recurring motifs and callbacks.
Novels Sorted in Order of Publication
The Silver Eyes Trilogy
- The Silver Eyes (digital 2015; print 2016) → 2) The Twisted Ones (2017) → 3) The Fourth Closet (2018).
Fazbear Frights (Scholastic)
#1 Into the Pit → #2 Fetch → #3 1:35AM → #4 Step Closer → #5 Bunny Call → #6 Blackbird → #7 The Cliffs → #8 Gumdrop Angel → #9 The Puppet Carver → #10 Friendly Face → #11 Prankster → #12 Felix the Shark. (Exact months vary; the sequence above reflects release numbering.)
Tales from the Pizzaplex
Begins with #1 Lally’s Game and continues sequentially (e.g., HAPPS, Somniphobia, etc.).
Companion Works
- Official Guides & Lore Companions
- The Freddy Files (Updated Edition) and Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Ultimate Guide consolidate game/book lore with maps, theories, and more. Great for orienting yourself between storylines.
- The Security Breach Files (and Updated Edition) focus on the free-roam Security Breach era, including Ruin, alternate endings, and easter eggs.
- Graphic Novels
- Trilogy graphic novels (e.g., The Silver Eyes GN) adapt the Charlie storyline visually.
- Fazbear Frights Graphic Novel Collections gather select stories in comic form; Tales from the Pizzaplex Graphic Novel Collection Vol. 1 expands the Pizzaplex line visually.
Editions & Formats (hardcover, collector, audio)
- Formats: Kindle/eBook, paperback (most common for Scholastic AFK line), select hardcovers (box sets, library editions), and audiobooks (narrators vary; Scholastic Audio). Many anthologies clock ~5–6 hours in audio.
- Collector Options: The Fazbear Frights box sets (coverage and inclusion of Felix the Shark depend on edition), Graphic Novel Collections, and “Ultimate/Updated” guide editions.
Why Read Five Nights At Freddy’s Books in Chronological Order?
- Coherent arcs first. The Silver Eyes trilogy gives you a three-act character journey (Charlie) before you sample the multiverse of shorts.
- Epilogue continuity. Fazbear Frights must be read in numeric order to experience the Stitchwraith build. Skipping around undermines the long game.
- Era evolution. Tales from the Pizzaplex riffs on the Security Breach era’s settings and ideas. It’s a natural third course once you’ve learned the franchise’s language.
- Flexible depth. Official guides let you dive deeper any time without spoiling main plots—use them like a lore atlas.
Author Spotlight
Scott Cawthon — American game developer and author; creator of Five Nights at Freddy’s, co-writer/producer of the 2023 film, and lead voice behind the books’ tone. His career pivot from family-friendly titles to indie horror in 2014 birthed a cultural juggernaut; he’s credited on the novels, anthologies, and official guides.
Kira Breed-Wrisley — Co-author of the novel trilogy; a Cornell grad and longtime writer with Kevin Anderson & Associates. If you love the trilogy’s character focus, thank Kira’s pen.
Elley Cooper & Andrea Waggener — Prolific anthology contributors (Frights & Pizzaplex), each with a broader YA/genre background—part of the rotating team that keeps short-form FNaF fresh and varied.
Media Adaptations (films, TV, radio)
- Film: Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)—directed by Emma Tammi, co-written by Cawthon/Tammi/Seth Cuddeback, starring Josh Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard; grossed ~$297.1M worldwide, becoming Blumhouse’s highest-grossing film to date.
- Sequel: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 — Official release set for December 5, 2025 (Universal/Blumhouse). Teases more animatronics (Mangle, Marionette) and returning cast.
- Graphic novels: Ongoing adaptations for trilogy and anthology selections from Scholastic’s AFK line.
FAQs
Are the books canon to the games?
Short answer: They’re parallel continuities. The novel trilogy is its own continuity (not the game timeline). Fazbear Frights and Tales from the Pizzaplex are anthology continuities that sometimes echo game themes and mechanics. Read them as alternate tracks in the same universe cluster.
Where should brand-new readers start?
If you like a continuous story: start with The Silver Eyes. If you love short, punchy horror: start with Fazbear Frights #1 and read numerically.
Why does “chronological order” matter for Frights?
Because the Stitchwraith epilogues string across #1–#11—they’re a stealth mini-series. You can read out of order, but you’ll miss the slow-roll payoff.
Is Felix the Shark required?
It’s a capstone of “bonus” tales—no epilogue—so it’s optional but fun, especially for completionists and collectors (availability has varied by format).
Are there official guides that won’t spoil everything?
Yes: The Ultimate Guide surveys lore and games; The Security Breach Files zeroes in on the latest mainline game. They’re great between books.
Age suitability?
Scholastic pegs these at Ages 12+ (Grades 7–9 or 7–12). Horror intensity is real, but graphic detail is YA-calibrated. Gauge by your reader’s sensitivity.
Is there a “best” order for Pizzaplex?
Yes: release order starting with Lally’s Game, because certain motifs and callbacks build.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever thought, “I want Five Nights At Freddy’s Books in Chronological Order without the headache,” this is the roadmap: Trilogy → Frights #1–#12 → Pizzaplex. It honors character arcs, preserves the anthology’s hidden serial, and lands you squarely in the present-day Pizzaplex era. Then, toggle in the guides and graphic novels wherever you want more clarity or art.
Above all, remember that FNaF’s secret sauce is tone: the ache of regret, the danger of wish-fulfillment, and the razor-thin margin between nostalgia and nightmare. Read in this order, and those themes crescendo exactly the way the creators intended.
