No. But watch them. They are far better than the show. particularly the first 2 movies.

Maybe. I don't think you'll be lost in terms of the plot. This takes place thirty years or whatever after the first two movies (the second of which is kind of a remake of the first). I think that, plot wise, you'll be able to follow along fine as long as you know the basic premise that Ash went out to this cabin with his girlfriend and had to fight demons who were released by his reading the Necronomicon. But I think that some of the jokes and references work a bit better if you've seen the first two movies. They're real good movies too so they're worth watching just in their own right.

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I'd definitely recommend seeing the films first since this series has all sorts of tie-ins and nods to the movies that you won't understand if you've never seen them.

You don't have to watch the first three films to see the series, but it will definitely help in your enjoyment of the series, mainly to see how Ash develops from the first movie to the series.
After 5 Years of Chuck, I have learned that at the end the nerd will ALWAYS get the girl. Chuck me.

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Nah, you just have to catch the vibe. I think, you'll know instantly, if it's your kinda show.

I recommend that you watch the films first. This is a sequel to them and it will help your understanding and enjoyment of Ash vs Evil Dead.

The show works on its own, but I would recommend watching the films first, particularly Army of Darkness

because it literally does

it literally explains what's going on during the opening credits.
Why did you use the word "literally" in that sentence?

There's numerous flashbacks and it literally explains what's going on during the opening credits.
Watching the movies first will give you a much better in-depth understanding, but you won't be confused or anything watching it if you don't.

Don't watch the remake
Although there are a few nods to the remake in the last three episodes. Especially with certain shots. One off the top of my head is SPOILERS when the last girl who dies before she gets sucked into the room, the way she turns and looks at the open door, the shot is directly from the remake.

I would. You can jump into it, but it won't make much sense.
I would first go with Evil Dead, then Evil Dead 2. ED2 is essentially the same as the original, but they added a more comedic element to it.
It gets sillier w/ Army of Darkness.
That is where it ends.
Don't watch the remake and base it off that. Ash is not even on that.

True the canon can be a little fuzzy between movie beginnings.
It is mentioned in the wiki that they "revised" the first film by simply removing any mention of the other characters for some reason (probably for expedience)
But I read that all the movies are canon despite the missing characters and endings/beginnings.
It is also mentioned that the remake may be connected to the movies somehow but that's probably more rumour and guessing than fact.
The original short film the movies are based on however is called "The Evil in the woods" and was some college thing.
Also the first movie are the only horror while the others are more horrorcomedies.

The third movie is a different canon as well by the same argument
and the series is a different canon as well with the same argument
all different Lindas
But this series makes it clear Ash went to the cabin with Friends
making the first 5 minutes of Evil Dead 2 noncanon

Well, the first "movie" was apparently only a short.
But the first actual movie have another canon than the second movie (More people that are simply removed in the second movie) plus the first actual movie has more horror unlike the following movies that have comedy as well.

Not unofficial.
the MOST official

You don't have to but I recomend you do including the unofficial first movie.

Most things are references to the series.
It wouldn't be great if you didn't see the movies!

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What's the appeal otherwise?
It's a very original Horror-Comedy TV series featuring an unique lead character.
http://evildeadarmyofdarkness.blogspot.com

• The BEST Evil Dead Timeline in history.

I don't know why somebody who's never seen the movies would even want to watch this.
What's the appeal otherwise?
Moderators are terrorists.

You don't have to, but why wouldn't you want to? If you're interested in this show, you would be interested in the movies as well. Just see the movies, they're awesome!