The Correct Order In Which To Watch The Naruto Franchise

"Naruto" is one of the most popular anime franchises of all time. Seriously — it even has its own theme park. The beloved anime is based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga, which is one of the most popular of all time. With 220 episodes in the first "Naruto" series, another 500 episodes in "Naruto: Shippuden," nearly 200 episodes (and counting) in "Boruto," and multiple movies, there's a lot to watch. Some fans stress the division between which episodes are canon (meaning they're based on the manga) and which are "filler," but even the filler episodes are fun to watch, and often add something to the saga's backstory.

Where's a prospective "Naruto" fan supposed to begin? With this list, of course! We're here to explain the correct order in which to watch the sprawling, multi-series-spanning "Naruto" franchise. Before we begin, take note: None of the movies are canon except "The Last" and "Boruto" (though the latter is somewhat debatable). Still, their lovely animation and stirring storylines make them indelible additions. We're also not going to cover the chibi-style "Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals," nor will we look at storylines from the video games.

Since Team Seven is still together in the first "Naruto" movie, "Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow," it must take place before Sasuke leaves in Episode 108. It must also occur before the mission that begins in Episode 102, which results in Sasuke's injury. Furthermore, Naruto has the Rasengan, so it has to take place after Episode 96. As Sakura is in Episode 99 and all three are together in Hidden Leaf Village in Episode 101, this would be the perfect place for them to go on their snow mission. 

With all that in mind, this movie is a whole lot of fun. It introduces some cool Hidden Leaf Village ponchos, features killer snow-strewn battles, unveils some of Kakashi's best jutsu, and culminates in Naruto's multi-colored Rasengan.

This is a movie with many unique attributes. For one thing, it brings together Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Kankuro as a group. For another, it includes battleships sporting big guns and heavily-armored soldiers, neither of which appear in the series proper. 

While there are no signposts in the filler episodes that might help identify where the "Naruto" movies fit after Sasuke's departure, there are some  fan theories as to their order. One holds that "Stone of Gelel" takes place after Episode 147: The movie originally premiered at the same time as the "Mizuki Strikes Back" arc, which ends at 147. Supporting this is the fact that Naruto and Shikamaru work together during the "Mizuki Strikes Back" arc — it makes sense, then, that they continue that cooperation in this film.

However, some fan resources list "Stone of Gelel" as occurring after Episode 160. Ultimately, it's up to you.

The final movie of the original "Naruto" series, "Crescent Moon Kingdom" is most notable for replacing Sasuke with Rock Lee and for showing off the team's new warm-weather outfits. "Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom" is placed after Episode 196 because it was released around the same time as that episode. Plus, scenes from the movie made it into the opening of Episodes 197 through 199. But again, both "Naruto" movies, "Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom" and "Legend of the Stone of Gelel," could theoretically be thrown anywhere, as long as they end up among the many filler episodes that finish the series. Another option would be to watch the episodes, then watch the movies.

"Naruto: Shippuden" opens from the point of view of an unseen person, running down mysterious corridors. We've jumped almost three years into the future, from the end of the first series. It's a bit confusing, but from the moment "Hero's Come Back!!" by Japanese hip-hop group Nobodyknows starts to play over the series' first opening sequence, it's impossible not to get excited. The series opens with a bang, as the Akatsuki attack Hidden Sand Village, capturing Gaara, decimating the Sand forces, and almost killing Kankuro. Naruto is more mature, Sakura is exponentially stronger, and all their young friends have aged up into formidable shinobi. Plus, Naruto has upgraded his blue and orange outfit to a sleek black and orange look.

In these episodes, Team Seven is reformed with Sai, an untrustworthy but powerful ninja from the mysterious Foundation, who becomes Sasuke's permanent replacement. "Captain Yamato," a former Anbu black ops ninja, is brought in to head the team in place of an injured Kakashi. In this run, we see more of the Akatsuki's plans, more about Danzo's techniques, and even a reunion between Naruto and the now frighteningly powerful Sasuke — the scene depicted in the opening to this new series.

A lot happens in this stretch of episodes. Here, we witness the death of a major sensei, the rise of the new Ino-Shika-Cho team, and Naruto inventing a new super-powerful jutsu based on the Rasengan. Though the second half of this run, from Episode 91 to Episode 112, is considered quasi-canon, it does contain a tailed beast which makes some impact on the storyline. Therefore, you might as well watch this stretch of storytelling.

There is a huge death in this run, one that hits Naruto especially hard. The Akatsuki also seriously up their activity, and Jiraiya is haunted by a student from his past. In an especially important flashback, Jiraiya even offers the viewers a major revelation as to Naruto's parentage. Sasuke finally gets the revenge that has motivated him for most of his life ... and realizes he knew nothing. In the aftermath, he joins the seriously-dwindled Akatsuki. This stretch of episodes contains an arc some fans call filler, which actually ends up having a big role in later episodes. Bottom line: These episodes are impactful and important.

A powerful Akastuki member rains devastation on Hidden Leaf Village while Naruto is off training. When Naruto returns, we see the troublemaker whom everybody once despised finally realize his dream of gaining the admiration, respect, and love of Hidden Leaf Village. We also learn about the power of a new ocular jutsu known as the Rinnegan, a Kekke Genkai ability a few steps up from the Byakugan and Sharingan. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki lose the man we'd long believed to be their leader. As it turns out, the once-foolish Tobi is actually much more astute than we'd ever imagined.

In Episodes 197 through 251, we see the Five Kage unite to fight a known threat and endure the death of a (shady) major Hidden Leaf player. We're also treated to a whole lot of filler episodes featuring the villagers rebuilding Hidden Leaf Village, while flashing back to various fun but ultimately unimportant backstories. If one were to get really technical with watching order, they should jump ahead to Episode 311 before moving on to the next movie, and then move on to episode 252. This is because Episode 311 is a special episode made to coincide with "Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie." They both take place before the Fourth Shinobi War, and involve an experiment with the jutsu upon which Tobi bases the pivotal Infinite Tsukuyomi.

This massive run of 240 episodes is impossible to properly describe in a term paper, much less a slide. Here we encounter the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Naruto and Sasuke's final battle, and Naruto's ascendancy to a status unimaginable to anybody who knew the boy growing up.  Suffice it to say, a lot of incredible things happen to every man, woman, and beast in the "Naruto" world. These episodes feature amazing battle after amazing battle, creating an absolutely jaw-dropping storyline that goes toe-to-toe with the greatest anime sagas around. Though again, Episode 311 should be watched after 251, not in its series order.

This run of episodes closes out "Shippuden." Our heroes are now living a couple years after the events of the Great Shinobi War, and there are a whole lot of good feelings going around. It's been a long journey — 720 episodes and 10 movies long, to be precise — and the troubled, no-good boy ninja with a demon inside him has become the greatest shinobi in the land. These episodes enjoy that fact for all it's worth, so sit back, relax, and let "Naruto" treat you to its very happy ending.

In this movie, Boruto has graduated from the academy and joined Team Konohamaru with Sarada and Mitsuki. The story told here is also explored in the series, so if you prefer, you can watch Episodes 50 through 65 and check out the movie after, or skip the movie entirely. The movie was actually released before the series, and is an adaptation of the "Boruto" manga, making it canon. Take note: There are some details of the story that differ between movie to series.