The Jesse Stone films are some of the best recent offerings in the crime genre. Tom Selleck plays the titular character, a small-town detective solving cases in Paradise, Massachusetts.
These movies feature thrilling plots full of suspense and unexpected twists that will keep you on your toes. But more than just crime stories, they provide an insightful look into human relationships and darker aspects of humanity.
The nine films are all equally captivating, each offering something new to keep the Jesse Stone audience engaged throughout its runtime. Here is a list of all nine movies in order of release date:
All ‘Jesse Stone’ Movies in Order of Release Date
- Jesse Stone: Stone Cold – February 20, 2005
- Jesse Stone: Night Passage – January 15, 2006
- Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise – April 30, 2006
- Jesse Stone: Sea Change – May 22, 2007
- Jesse Stone: Thin Ice – March 1, 2009
- Jesse Stone: No Remorse – May 9, 2010
- Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost – May 22, 2011
- Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt – May 20, 2012
- Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise – October 18, 2015
Watch ‘Jesse Stone’ Movies in Chronological Order
Do you want to watch Jesse Stone movies in chronological order? If so, you should start with “Jesse Stone: Night Passage,” even though it is the second film in the franchise. Although this movie takes place before the events of “Stone Cold,” which kicks off the entire series, viewing them in order will help ensure that there are no timeline issues or plot holes for you to worry about as you move along.
1 ‘Jesse Stone: Night Passage’ (2006)
Director: Robert Harmon
Stars: Tom Selleck, Saul Rubinek, Viola Davis
IMDb: 7.2/10 5.6K | Popularity: 2,140
In the second movie of the Jesse Stone series, “Night Passage, ” Tom Selleck is back in action. This prequel to “Stone Cold” follows Stone after he is dismissed and discharged from his work as a homicide detective due to drinking issues while on duty in Santa Monica, California.
After visiting various locations, he eventually settles into a small hamlet town called “Paradise,” where he accepts a job as police chief. He begins his day by focusing on only one aspect of a domestic abuse case, leading him down an unexpected path involving money-laundering operations and a State Bank manager being implicated.
This film has some amazing acting performances delivered by an excellent cast, including Tom Selleck, Saul Rubinek, and Viola Davis, who bring these characters to life for us as we watch them unfold throughout the story.
2 ‘Jesse Stone: Stone Cold’ (2005)
Director: Robert Harmon
Stars: Tom Selleck, Jane Adams, Reg Rogers
IMDb: 7.1/10 7.5K | Popularity: 1,799
Director Robert Harmon‘s “Jesse Stone: Stone Cold” was a thrilling 2005 movie starring Tom Selleck in the lead role. The film is based on a book by Robert B. Parker, and it marked the first time that Selleck stepped into the shoes of Jesse Stone for what would be a series of films.
The story follows small-town police chief Jesse Stone as he investigates the murder of a young woman despite his superiors’ orders to stay out of it. He is determined to find justice, no matter what obstacles stand in his way.
This engaging mystery movie has an excellent cast, including Tom Selleck, Jane Adams, and Reg Rogers. It can be watched as either part of its series or as a standalone film. If you’re looking for something suspenseful with twists and turns throughout, then “Jesse Stone: Stone Cold” is definitely worth watching.
3 ‘Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise’ (2006)
Director: Robert Harmon
Stars: Tom Selleck, Viola Davis, Kohl Sudduth
IMDb: 7.1/10 5K | Popularity: 2,893
Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) is the police chief of a small town called Paradise. When a teenage girl is murdered, Jesse discovers that there are more sinister forces at play than initially thought, and it’s up to him to solve the case and bring justice to those responsible.
Death in Paradise, the final installment of Tom Selleck‘s Jesse Stone movie series “Night Passage,” provides an engaging character study on how one man deals with his own inner demons while trying to solve crimes. With plenty of suspenseful moments as well as emotional depth throughout its runtime, this classic from the Jesse Stone franchise offers an entertaining yet thought-provoking film experience for viewers everywhere.
4 ‘Jesse Stone: Sea Change’ (2007)
Director: Robert Harmon
Stars: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth
IMDb: 7.1/10 4.4K | Popularity: 2,276
The fourth movie in the Jesse Stone series is as thrilling as its predecessors. This movie, directed by Robert Harmon, stars Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, and Kohl Sudduth.
The story follows from where we last left off, with Jesse trying to grapple with his alcoholism while at the same time taking on some cold cases that have remained unsolved for some time. He kicks things off by investigating a bank robbery that resulted in the murder of Rebecca Lewis – a female bank teller who was shot and buried after being held captive during an armed robbery.
At the same time, he finds himself butting heads with the city council over their response to a recent rape case within their small town. The mystery unfolding throughout will keep you guessing until its dramatic ending.
5 ‘Jesse Stone: Thin Ice’ (2009)
Director: Robert Harmon
Stars: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth
IMDb: 7.1/10 4K | Popularity: 4,363
Jesse Stone is back in the fifth installment of his nine-film police procedural series, “Thin Ice.” In this episode, Jesse investigates an enigmatic letter sent to a mother whose child was declared dead. Despite orders from his boss not to pursue the case, Jesse refuses and starts digging deeper into it. What he discovers could lead to far more sinister secrets than he ever imagined.
The film was released two years after the last Stone movie and found success – receiving awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography at both the American Society of Cinematographers Awards and the Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards.
“Jesse Stone: Thin Ice” is sure to delight fans of mystery thrillers as they follow along with Jesse on another suspenseful adventure full of unexpected twists and turns. If you’re looking for a gripping story that’ll keep you on your toes, this is definitely one worth checking out.
6 ‘Jesse Stone: No Remorse’ (2010)
Director: Robert Harmon
Stars: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth
IMDb: 7.2/10 3.7K | Popularity: 4,403
Jesse is suspended from the Paradise town council in this thrilling chapter and takes on cases without official permission. As he follows his leads, Jesse reconnects with an old friend in Boston who is investigating a similar robbery and murder suspect.
The film offers plenty of suspenseful moments and unexpected turns that will keep you guessing until the end. If you’re a fan of crime thrillers or have enjoyed watching previous films in the series, this film is one not to miss. With its gripping plotline, engaging characters, and exciting finale – it’s sure to leave viewers wanting more.
7 ‘Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost’ (2011)
Director: Dick Lowry
Stars: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth
IMDb: 7.0/10 3.3K | Popularity: 3,533
Jesse Stone is back on the case. In this series installment, we follow Jesse as he battles his own personal demons while trying to solve two separate murders. With a son-in-law taking over as police chief for Paradise, Massachusetts, and Jesse still working freelance investigations, this movie has no shortage of suspense or mystery.
The script written by Selleck and Michael Brandman captures all the subtle nuances that make these movies so great. Every element has been crafted with care, from the complex characters to the intricate plot lines. The Jesse Stone story is engaging and keeps you guessing until its conclusion.
Whether you’re an avid fan of Jesse Stone or just looking for a good mystery flick, this movie won’t disappoint. This film delivers all the thrills and emotion that viewers have come to expect from this beloved franchise – making it another must-watch movie.
8 ‘Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt’ (2012)
Director: Robert Harmon
Stars: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth
IMDb: 7.0/10 3.4K | Popularity: 4,585
The eighth in a series of nine television films based on Parker’s Jesse Stone novels starts where the last movie left off.
Jesse Stone is still a freelance investigator. Chief Butler and officer DeAngelo are killed in a suspicious police car explosion.
After being fired, Jesse attempts to rebuild his team, starting with his deputy Luther “Suitcase” Simpson and then longtime assistant Rose Gammon. Still, both have moved on to other interests after deciding not to work with Jesse’s replacement. Jesse is now left on his own to investigate the murders.
The cast and direction are great, the story is exciting and thrilling, and the ending is unexpected.
“Benefit of Doubt” is another excellent addition to the series, and it’s just as suspenseful and entertaining as the previous films.
9 ‘Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise’ (2015)
Director: Robert Harmon
Stars: Tom Selleck, Kohl Sudduth, Gloria Reuben
IMDb: 7.2/10 3.2K | Popularity: 3,835
If you’re looking for a good mystery movie to watch, I highly recommend the ninth and final installment of the Jesse Stone franchise. In this film, Tom Selleck plays Jesse – an unpaid investigator who is asked to join Massachusetts State Police Homicide Unit under Lt. Sydney Greenstreet in order to distract himself from his grief over losing his beloved pet dog.
Jesse takes on a thrilling case involving a notorious murderer who has killed four people in brutal ways. The incarcerated killer claims responsibility for three murders but denies any involvement with the fourth murder, which bears all the hallmarks of his work. As Jesse gets deeper into the investigation, he uncovers more clues that will take him further down this seedy path filled with unexpected twists and turns.
The Jesse Stone films are surefire crowd-pleasers; each one is well written, acted out beautifully by its talented cast, and keeps viewers entertained until the credits roll at the end of every flick. So if you’re hankering for some thrilling entertainment, then be sure to check out all eight parts (and counting) of this intriguing series.
FAQ about Jesse Stone Movies
What is the correct order to watch the Jesse Stone movies?
If you want to follow the movies as per the release date, here is the list of all the Jesse Stone movies in order of the release date.
If you want to watch the movies chronologically, swap out the order of the first two movies.
- Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005)
- Jesse Stone: Night Passage (2006)
- Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2006)
- Jesse Stone: Sea Change (2007)
- Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)
- Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)
- Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011)
- Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012)
- Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015)
Is there a 10th Jesse Stone movie?
Tom Selleck‘s portrayal of Jesse Stone in the movie adaptations of Robert B. Parker‘s novels may have ended, but his character will live forever in fans‘ hearts. As for any possible continuation of the series, nothing is in development yet. However, if and when it does return someday, Tom Selleck won‘t be playing Jesse Stone anymore, as he was much younger than him in the books. Nevertheless, millions of viewers were delighted to watch him interact with his dogs and enjoy his iconic mustache now and then throughout those ten years.
Where are the Jesse Stone Movies Set?
The films feature Nova Scotia, with Halifax standing in for Boston. The town of Paradise is seen in Lunenburg, and Jesse Stone’s red house across a bridge is in Stonehurst Cove.
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