Watch Order
0 / 2 watchedOriginal, then the follow-up.
About Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko follows a troubled teen in 1988 who sleepwalks, meets a man in a rabbit suit named Frank, and learns the world may end in 28 days. The theatrical cut leaves much open. The 2004 director's cut adds pages from the in-universe Philosophy of Time Travel book but tells the same story.
S. Darko follows Samantha Darko seven years later on a road trip where meteorites fall and time loops again. It was made without Kelly and got a cold reception. Treat it as an optional follow-up after the original and either cut of that film.
Good to know
Watch the original first, either the 2001 theatrical cut or the 2004 director's cut, then S. Darko if you want it. Do not count both cuts as two entries. S. Darko states it takes place seven years after Donnie's death, so release order equals story order. Kelly has talked about a new sequel since 2021 but nothing has a title, date, or studio, so it stays out of the list.
