FNAF Timeline Explained: The Complete Story in Order

The Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF) franchise is famous for its terrifying animatronics, jump scares, and—perhaps most of all—its mysterious, complex lore. Over the years, fans have pieced together the FNAF timeline from games, books, minigames, and even YouTube theory videos. In this guide, we'll break down the FNAF timeline in order, explain key events, and answer the most common questions about the story. Whether you're a new fan or a seasoned theorist, this is your ultimate resource for understanding the FNAF character timeline explained.

Introduction to FNAF Lore

FNAF lore is a web of secrets, hidden messages, and tragic events. Created by Scott Cawthon, the series began as a simple horror game but quickly grew into a multimedia universe with games, books, and even a movie. The story centers around haunted pizzerias, missing children, and the evil deeds of William Afton, also known as the Purple Guy.

What makes FNAF lore so compelling is its mystery. Clues are hidden in minigames, phone calls, newspaper clippings, and even the background of levels. Fans have spent years debating the true order of events, the identities of key characters, and the meaning behind cryptic endings.

Chronological Order of FNAF Games and Events

Let's dive into the FNAF character timeline explained , listing the main games and events in the order they (most likely) happen in the story. Note: Some details are still debated, but this order is widely accepted by the community as of 2025.

1. Fredbear's Family Diner (The Beginning)

• The first location, run by Henry Emily and William Afton.
• Features Fredbear and Spring Bonnie, the original springlock animatronics.
• The “Bite of '83” occurs, where a child (often believed to be the Crying Child) is bitten by Fredbear during a birthday party.

2. Freddy Fazbear's Pizza (First Generation)

• After Fredbear's closes, Freddy Fazbear's Pizza opens with new animatronics: Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy.
• William Afton begins luring children into the back room, leading to the infamous “Missing Children Incident.”
• The spirits of the murdered children possess the animatronics, seeking revenge.

3. FNAF 2: The Prequel

• Set in a new, larger pizzeria with Toy Animatronics and the Puppet (Marionette).
• The “Bite of '87” occurs, another major incident involving an animatronic biting a night guard or child.
• After a series of tragedies, the location is closed.

4. FNAF 1: The Classic Game

• Set years after FNAF 2, in a rundown Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.
• The player is a night guard (Mike Schmidt) who must survive five nights against haunted animatronics.
• The location closes for good after more mysterious events.

5. FNAF 3: Fazbear's Fright

• Set 30 years after the original events, in a horror attraction based on the old pizzerias.
• Springtrap (William Afton's decayed body inside a springlock suit) is the main threat.
• The attraction burns down, but Springtrap survives.

6. Sister Location and Underground Facilities

• Follows Michael Afton (William's son) as he investigates Circus Baby's Entertainment and Rentals.
• Introduces new animatronics: Circus Baby, Ballora, Funtime Freddy, and Funtime Foxy.
• Michael is scooped and possessed by Ennard, but survives.

7. Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator (FNAF 6)

• Michael Afton opens a new pizzeria as a trap for the remaining haunted animatronics and his father.
• All are lured into the pizzeria and burned, seemingly ending the cycle of horror.

8. Ultimate Custom Night

• Believed by many to be William Afton's personal hell, where he is tormented by the animatronics forever.

9. FNAF: Help Wanted (VR) and Security Breach

• Help Wanted introduces the idea of the FNAF games as in-universe training simulations, blurring the line between reality and fiction.
• Security Breach is set in the Mega Pizzaplex, with new animatronics (Glamrock Freddy, Roxanne Wolf, Montgomery Gator, etc.) and a new protagonist, Gregory.
• Vanny, a follower of William Afton, continues his legacy of terror.

Key Events and Theories

The FNAF timeline is filled with key events and ongoing debates. Here are some of the most important moments and MatPat FNAF timeline updates that have shaped fan theories:

The Missing Children Incident

• William Afton lures and murders several children, whose spirits haunt the animatronics.
• This event is the foundation of the FNAF story and is referenced in almost every game.

The Bite of '83 and '87

• The “Bite of '83” is believed to involve the Crying Child and Fredbear at Fredbear's Family Diner.
• The “Bite of '87” occurs at the FNAF 2 location, but the victim and animatronic responsible are still debated.

William Afton's Fate

• After years of evil deeds, Afton is trapped in a springlock suit (Springtrap) and haunted by the spirits of his victims.
• Ultimate Custom Night is theorized to be his eternal punishment.

MatPat's FNAF Timeline Updates

• MatPat, host of The Game Theorists on YouTube, is famous for his deep dives into FNAF lore.
• His timeline theories have evolved with each new game, often influencing the wider community's understanding of the story.
• Recent updates focus on the connections between the games, books, and the new Security Breach storyline.

Security Breach and the Future

• Security Breach introduces new mysteries, such as Gregory's identity and Vanny's connection to Afton.
• Fans continue to debate the true ending and what it means for the FNAF universe.

FNAF Timeline FAQs

What is the true ending of FNAF?

The “true ending” is still debated. Many believe FNAF 6's ending, where the animatronics and Afton are burned, is the canonical conclusion to the original saga. However, Security Breach and Help Wanted suggest the story continues in new forms.

Is the FNAF timeline confirmed?

Scott Cawthon has never released an official, definitive timeline. The order above is based on clues from the games, books, and community theories, especially those from MatPat and other FNAF theorists.

Are the FNAF books canon?

The books (such as the “Fazbear Frights” series) are considered a parallel universe or “alternate canon,” but they provide important clues and context for the games.

Who is the Crying Child?

The Crying Child is believed to be the victim of the Bite of '83 and possibly the younger son of William Afton. His true identity is still a major topic of debate.

What is the Bite of '87?

The Bite of '87 is a major incident referenced in the games, where an animatronic bites a person's frontal lobe. The exact victim and animatronic responsible remain a mystery.

Conclusion: The Mystery of FNAF's Story

The FNAF timeline is a puzzle that continues to captivate fans around the world. With each new game, book, and theory video, the story grows deeper and more mysterious. Whether you're a casual player or a dedicated theorist, exploring the FNAF timeline is a journey full of surprises, scares, and endless speculation.

As the franchise moves forward, one thing is certain: the mystery of FNAF's story will keep fans theorizing, debating, and playing for years to come. Stay tuned for more updates, timeline breakdowns, and lore deep-dives as the world of Freddy Fazbear continues to expand!