Jason Bourne Franchise: Films in Order, Best & Future

Few movie franchises have defined the action thriller genre quite like the Jason Bourne series. Since 2002, the amnesiac assassin has captivated audiences with gritty realism and intense fight scenes.

Number of Bourne films (as of 2025): 5 (The Bourne Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum, Legacy, Jason Bourne) · Total box office revenue: Over $1.6 billion worldwide · Highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes: The Bourne Ultimatum (92%) · Year of first film: 2002 · Year of most recent film: 2016

The franchise has grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide across five films, but after a spin-off and a 2016 return, the future of the series remains uncertain.

What are the 5 Bourne movies in order?

Chronological release order vs. in‑universe timeline

The Bourne films are best watched in release order because the story follows a straightforward chronology. The franchise currently includes five theatrically released films: The Bourne Identity (2002), The Bourne Supremacy (2004), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), The Bourne Legacy (2012), and Jason Bourne (2016) (Wikipedia – Bourne franchise film list). The Bourne Legacy is a spin‑off starring Jeremy Renner, set concurrently with the events of the third film (EBSCO Research Starters – Bourne film series).

• The Bourne Identity (2002) – directed by Doug Liman; introduces amnesiac Jason Bourne found drifting in the Mediterranean (EBSCO Research Starters).
• The Bourne Supremacy (2004) – directed by Paul Greengrass; Bourne is framed for a CIA operation.
• The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) – directed by Paul Greengrass; concludes the original trilogy.
• The Bourne Legacy (2012) – directed by Tony Gilroy; a spin‑off following Aaron Cross.
• Jason Bourne (2016) – directed by Paul Greengrass; Damon returns as Bourne.

List of films with release years and directors

This table shows the release order and directorial lineup for each Bourne film.

The pattern: after Liman’s grounded start, Greengrass took over and defined the handheld‑camera, hyper‑realistic style that became the franchise’s trademark. The 2016 film tried to recapture that energy, but received mixed reviews (Wikipedia – franchise reception).

The takeaway: the trilogy remains the core experience; the spin-off and reunion are optional add-ons.

Is there really a Jason Bourne 6 movie?

Current status of a sixth Bourne film

As of 2025, no official Jason Bourne 6 has been confirmed by Universal or Matt Damon. In November 2023, Universal Pictures announced that a sixth Bourne film was in development, with Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) attached to direct (EBSCO Research Starters – new Bourne film news). However, by late 2024, a working title (The Bourne Dilemma) had surfaced but no script existed (Syfy Wire – development update).

Matt Damon’s comments about returning

Matt Damon has publicly stated he is open to making another Bourne film (Deadline – Damon 2026 interview). He noted that “there is always an effort underway to write and craft a fresh Bourne narrative,” but the project needs a strong script and Paul Greengrass’s involvement for him to commit.

Universal Pictures’ plans for the franchise

In March 2025, it was reported that Universal’s rights to the Bourne franchise had expired (Wikipedia – Jason Bourne film rights). The estate then shopped the franchise to buyers including Paramount Pictures, Netflix, and Apple Studios. By August 2025, NBCUniversal reportedly reacquired the rights in a nine‑figure deal (Wikipedia – Bourne franchise rights). This roller‑coaster of rights changes makes the future highly unpredictable.

The implication: without a solid script and cast, a sequel remains speculative.

Why did Matt Damon stop playing Jason Bourne?

Damon’s departure after The Bourne Ultimatum

Matt Damon stepped away after The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) because director Paul Greengrass also left the franchise (EBSCO Research Starters – creative departure). Damon has said that without Greengrass, he didn’t feel the films would maintain the same quality.

Creative differences and director involvement

The Bourne Legacy (2012) was produced without Damon, as a spin‑off starring Jeremy Renner. Damon returned only when Greengrass agreed to direct Jason Bourne (2016) (Wikipedia – Damon/Greengrass partnership). Since then, no further Bourne projects with Damon have been announced.

Return for Jason Bourne (2016) and subsequent hiatus

Damon has cited the need for a strong script and Greengrass’s involvement as prerequisites for any future film (Deadline – Damon conditions). The 2016 film earned $415 million globally (Wikipedia – box office), a solid but not spectacular number, and received mixed critical reviews (55% on Rotten Tomatoes).

The pattern: Damon’s conditional commitment has left the franchise in limbo since 2016.

Which Bourne film is the best?

Critical consensus: Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic scores

• The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) – 92% RT, 84 Metacritic (Wikipedia – franchise scores)
• The Bourne Identity (2002) – 84% RT
• The Bourne Supremacy (2004) – 82% RT
• The Bourne Legacy (2012) – 56% RT
• Jason Bourne (2016) – 55% RT

Critics and audiences consistently rank The Bourne Ultimatum as the franchise’s peak, praising its tight pacing and visceral action. The original trilogy—Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum—holds a combined average of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Box office performance vs. critical reception

This table contrasts box office returns with critical scores to reveal which films succeeded on both fronts.

What this means: Ultimatum won both at the box office and with critics. The two lowest‑rated films, Legacy and Jason Bourne, also underperformed relative to the trilogy’s average, reinforcing that the franchise’s strength lies in the Bourne‑Damon‑Greengrass trio.

Is there a new Jason Bourne movie coming out in 2026?

Official announcements and studio statements

No official release date or announcement exists for a 2026 Bourne film. The November 2023 development announcement did not include a target year, and Syfy Wire reported in 2024 that “there is no release date or even release year” for the sixth film (Syfy Wire – no release timeline).

Speculation from entertainment media

Reports in 2024 and early 2025 suggested Universal was developing a new installment, but the rights expiration in March 2025 threw those plans into uncertainty. After NBCUniversal reacquired the rights, the project could resume, but no timeline has been set (Wikipedia – rights reacquisition).

Potential storyline or cast rumors

There are no confirmed cast members beyond speculation. The working title The Bourne Dilemma was reported by Production Weekly in late 2024 (Wikipedia – working title), but story details remain unknown. Any 2026 release is currently speculative and unconfirmed.

The catch: without concrete progress, a 2026 premiere is unlikely.

Franchise timeline

This timeline highlights key milestones in the Bourne series.

The pattern: the franchise has seen long gaps between entries, often driven by director and star availability. The current hiatus (since 2016) is the longest yet, and rights changes have added new complexity.

The breakdown: most facts are solid, but the franchise’s future remains uncertain.

Quotes from key people

“There is always an effort underway to write and craft a fresh Bourne narrative.”

— Matt Damon, speaking to Deadline (2026 interview)

“I’m open to making another Bourne film, but it has to be the right script and Paul has to be involved.”

— Matt Damon, as reported by Deadline

“There is no release date or even release year for the sixth Bourne film.”

— Syfy Wire’s 2024 update on the film’s development status (Syfy Wire)

The quotes show a cautious yet open stance from Damon and clear uncertainty from journalists.

What this means for the franchise

The Bourne series remains one of the most successful action franchises of the 21st century, with a clear critical peak and a loyal fan base. But its future is locked in a dilemma: reboot with a new actor, or wait for the ideal script and director combination to bring Matt Damon back. For Universal, the choice is between capitalizing on the brand while interest lasts or risking another long gap. With rights now back in house and a director tentatively attached, the next few years will determine whether Jason Bourne gets a proper send‑off or fades into streaming spin‑offs. For fans, the implication is clear: watch the original trilogy, enjoy the 2016 reunion, but don’t hold your breath for a 2026 release. Other action franchises like Jessica Jones have also found success, but Bourne’s path remains uniquely tied to Damon and Greengrass.

Related reading: **Jessica Jones: Powers, Origin & Netflix Series Guide** · **Lex Luthor: Genius, Wealth, and Hatred of Superman**

For readers who want a thorough rundown of every installment, our complete guide to the Bourne films offers an equally detailed overview of the series.

Frequently asked questions

The FAQs cover common questions about the books, spin-off, and viewing order.