Definition of Terms
Canon refers to the collection of works or texts that are considered authoritative and officially part of the core storyline within a particular fictional universe. In the context of a media franchise, the canon includes all the narratives and elements that are officially accepted as part of the main continuity.
Canonical means belonging to the canon. It describes characters, events, settings, and other elements that are recognized as part of the official storyline.
Secondary Canon also known as "secondary continuity" or "extended canon," refers to works that are considered part of a fictional universe but may or may not hold a different status compared to the primary or main canon as Secondary canon often includes materials that expand upon on the primary storyline but may or may not be given the same level of authority depending on who authorized it.
Non-Canon and Non-Canonical is the opposite of these terms meaning characters, events, settings, and other elements are not apart of the official timeline and aren't official in the story.
Another term is called Headcanon its when fan's have personal interpretations, theories, or beliefs about a fictional universe that is not explicitly supported or confirmed by the official canon. These interpretations are created by fans to fill in gaps, explain character motivations, or expand on storylines in ways that resonate personally with them. Headcanon is highly subjective and can vary widely among fans.
Friday the 13th Movie Canon
Friday the 13th (1980) to Freddy Vs Jason are the official continuity of Canon from beginning to and til the 2009 Remake/Reboot where the Canon is separated as a seperate timeline so got a quick and easy...
Friday the 13th (1980): Canon
Friday the 13th Part 2: Canon
Friday the 13th Part 3: Canon
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter: Canon
Friday the 13th: A New Beginning: Canon
Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives: Canon
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood: Canon
Friday the 13th: Jason Takes Manhattan: Canon
Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday: Canon
Jason X: Canon
Freddy Vs. Jason: Canon
Fans will try to state and dictate that Jason Takes Manhattan and Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday aren't canon to the timeline which is further from the truth so let me explain...
Just because a film takes a complex and different route doesn't always mean it's a full on "Retcon" or "New Timeline" excuses it's likely due to other factors such as a directors or company decision but for the sake of this I'll explain in detail about Part 8-FvJ...
Part VIII Jason Clothing Change: This isn't a retcon but clearly a directors decision to change how Jason looks which is taking off the consistency legacy.
Part IX Jason Clothing Change: Without any actual confirmation from New Line Cinema, it's explained by Adam Marcus that the company told him to ignore Jason Takes Manhattan and start from The New Blood, there is no real way if this is legitimate as it's a "he said they said" situation only evidence is the Hockey Mask appearance but this can ALSO be explained as it is with Part 8 with someone having a similar mask and etc but that's Headcanon after all and we aren't doing Headcanon here so it's whatever between Adam Vs New Line Cinema.
Jason X and FvJ are also canon with Jason X being "Chronologically" being AFTER Freddy Vs Jason and Freddy Vs Jason difference from Jason Goes to Hell is literally a Directors decision.
All other things are legitimate inconsistencies and easter eggs like the Necronomicon and the Dagger being Easter Eggs/Props and not actual crossovers with Evil Dead, and NO! JASON IS NOT A DEADITE!!!
Friday the 13th Novelization Canon
Official Novelizations for Friday the 13th are based on actual script to Novels this is why they are known as "Secondary Canon" but for me it's primary because it's without a doubt based on literal original scripts and not the more up to date versions as with Martin the Gravekeeper being alive in the Novel but dead in the movie and even in the movie his death wasn't actually supposed to be canon so there's that.
Official Friday the 13th Novels are...
Simon Hawke Friday the 13th Part 1 Novel
Simon Hawke Friday the 13th Part 2 Novel
Simon Hawke Friday the 13th Part 3 Novel
Michael Avallone Friday the 13th Part 3 Novel
Simon Hawke Friday the 13th Part 6 Novel
Pat Cadigan Jason X Novel
Stephen Hand Freddy Vs Jason Novel
These are the OFFICIAL, they are from and by the Original screenplay, these aren't NEW stories!!! If you noticed "Differences" these are due to the company or someone they assigned sending them unrevised editions of the screenplay! Some are more additional in information because they are adding more hence "Secondary Sources" but it's a mix of both more than the other.
Friday the 13th Comics Canon?
The ONLY Comic that IS Canon and I'll repeat that is CANON, is the Topps Comics official adapation of Jason Goes to Hell, which is literally a Movie turned comic version.
Friday the 13th Video Game Canon?
The Games aren't Canon BUT I'll officially say that the Pamela Tapes and Tommy Tapes are authorized secondary canon as Sean Cunningham and Horror, Inc themselves authorized the creation of these tapes as Tom Mcloughlin, Jason Lives director and writer made the Pamela Tapes and Adam Green was authorized to make the Tommy Tapes which are official for the characters story arcs.
And no! Multiversus, Mortal Kombat, and other such versions aren't CANON!!
Non-Canon and Non-Canonical:
Friday the 13th Comics Non-Canon
Anything that isn't a official adapation of the movies aren't primary or secondary canon they are their own Timelines! So anything from DC Comics, Topps Comics (Excluding Jason Goes to Hell obviously mentioned before.), and Avatar Press are all their own timelines! These AREN'T official at all to the main continuity/storyline! So anyone who believes the "Freddy Vs Jason Vs Ash" comic is official you are wrong...Just because they had an "Idea" for a movie DOESN'T MAKE IT CANON! That isn't how it works.
Friday the 13th Video Game Non-Canon
Anything that is outside the Pamela Tapes and Tommy Tapes aren't canon, the characters from Gun Medias Friday the 13th the Game aren't legitimate characters, nor is any from the NES timelines.
Friday the 13th Novels Non-Canon
Finally to the biggest misconception is that the Black Flames Novels are "Canon" but that's further from the truth as Black Flames were licensed to make NEW stories based upon the franchise so...
Friday the 13th: Hell Lake Novel
Friday the 13th: Hate Kill Repeat Novel
Friday the 13th: The Jason Strain Novel
Friday the 13th: Carnival of Maniacs Novel
Jason X: The Experiment Novel
Jason X: Death Moon Novel
Jason X: To The Third Power Novel
Aren't canon! Don't be fooled! Just because these stories mentions or references the original timeline DOESN'T make them canon!!!
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