Known as one of the “Big Three” during the mid-2000s period, Naruto – along with One Piece and Bleach is one of the longest and most popular anime of their period. With 220 episodes in the first Naruto series, another 500 episodes in Naruto: Shippuden, 246 episodes (and counting) in Boruto, multiple movies, OVAs, and its theme park, there’s a lot to see and watch.
So in what order should you watch the Naruto series? What’s the correct order to watch the Naruto franchise, episodes, and movies? Well, we have created this basic guide to all of Naruto’s series, movies, and OVAs, as well as the best order to watch them. They’re all must-see for die-hard fans and newcomers to the series.
How to watch Naruto & Naruto Shippuden
A few things should be kept in mind about everything gathered here. We will be creating a watch order in terms of release, skippable filler episodes in the series, and chronological order. How you decide to watch the series will be up to you after that. So let’s get started!
The Complete Naruto Franchise in Release Order
1.
Naruto
- Episodes: 220
- Aired: 2002-2007
This is the first anime adaptation of the manga and you should watch it till episode 5 for the first OVA. We are thrown into the beautiful world of Masashi Kishimoto full of chakra, jutsu, the power of friendship, powerful character development, and a cast of likable characters.
2.
Naruto: Find the Crimson Four-leaf Clover! (OVA)
- Titled: Naruto: Akaki Yotsuba no Clover wo Sagase
- After Episode: 101
- Aired: 2002
Konohamaru and Naruto set off on a special mission—the retrieval of the legendary crimson four-leaf clover rumored to have the ability to grant any wish. Despite the unique clover being located in a forbidden area of the village, the two bravely embark on a perilous adventure to achieve their goal.
3.
Naruto: The Lost Story – Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village (OVA)
- Titled: Naruto: Takigakure no Shitou – Ore ga Eiyuu Dattebayo!
- After Episode: 101
- Aired: 2003
After safely escorting the cowardly Takigakure leader Shibuki to his village and their teacher Kakashi leaving for another urgent mission. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are suddenly faced with the invasion of the village by rogue ninjas. Now, team 7 is left to deal with the attacking forces on their own.
4.
Hidden Leaf Village Grand Sports Festival (OVA)
- Titled: Naruto: Dai Katsugeki!! Yuki Hime Shinobu Houjou Dattebayo! – Konoha no Sato no Dai Undoukai
- After Episode: 101
- Aired: 2004
The special shows every single character in the Naruto series attending the sports festival with the plot revolving around Naruto needing to use the restroom, but to his dismay, he can’t seem to find a toilet without interruptions.
5.
Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
- Titled: Naruto Movie 1: Dai Katsugeki!! Yuki Hime Shinobu Houjou Dattebayo!
- Watch After Episode: 101
- Aired: 2004
Naruto Uzumaki and his squadmates, Sasuke, Sakura, and team leader Kakashi are sent on a mission to escort a movie crew on its way to film in the Land of Snow.
6.
Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel
- Titled: Naruto Movie 2: Dai Gekitotsu! Maboroshi no Chiteiiseki Dattebayo!
- After Episode: 160
- Aired: 2005
In a land where despair and hope are in constant conflict, Naruto, along with Sakura and Shikamaru, is thrown into a power struggle between a hypocritical faction creating their path to peace and the world around them.
7.
Finally, a clash! Jōnin vs. Genin!! Indiscriminate Grand Melee Tournament Meeting!! (OVA)
- Titled: Naruto Narutimate Hero 3: Tsuini Gekitotsu! Jounin vs. Genin!! Musabetsu Dairansen Taikai Kaisai!!
- After Episode: 160
- Aired: 2005
Konohagakure hosts a special tournament for ninjas of all ranks, with the winner being granted the opportunity to create their own village decree!
8.
Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
- Titled: Naruto: Naruto Movie 3: Dai Koufun! Mikazuki Jima no Animaru Panikku Dattebayo!
- After Episode: 196
- Aired: 2006
The story begins with Naruto, Sakura, Lee, and Kakashi walking towards their next assigned mission, escorting extravagant Prince Michiru Tsuki and his spoiled son Hikaru all around the world. On their arrival back though there will be a surprise waiting for them created by the greedy Chief Minister Shabadaba.
9.
Naruto: Shippuden
- Episodes: 500
- Aired: 2007-2017
The second anime adaptation of the manga and it’s a continuation of the saga about the boy who wishes to become Hokage, Naruto, and his friends’ stories. Taking place two and a half years after Naruto Uzumaki left Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village, for intense training.
10.
Naruto: Shippuden the Movie
- Titled: Naruto: Naruto: Shippuuden Movie 1
- After Episode: 32
- Aired: 2007
Rogue ninjas are planning to revive a powerful demon, and once its spirit is reunited with its body, the world will be destroyed. The only way to prevent this from happening is for Shion, a shrine maiden, to seal it away for good. Team 7 made up of Naruto, Sakura, Rock Lee & Neji is tasked to protect her and save the world.
11.
Naruto: Shippuden the Movie 2 -Bonds-
- Titled: Naruto: Shippuuden Movie 2 – Kizuna
- After Episode: 70
- Aired: 2008
Unleashing a devastating surprise attack, flying ninjas from the Land of Sky are seeking revenge against their old enemy Konohagakure. Despite his eagerness to join the fight, Naruto Uzumaki is held up by Shinnou, a mysterious doctor. As his escort group accidentally uncovers the sinister truth behind the attacks, tumultuous plans are set in motion. But even when confronted with an unforeseen reunion, Naruto does not waiver in his endeavor to end the warfare and its disastrous effects.
12.
Naruto Shippuden: Konoha Gakuen – Special (OVA)
- Titled: Naruto: Naruto: Shippuuden – Shippuu! “Konoha Gakuen” Den
- After Episode: 70
- Aired: 2008
Naruto school special. Set in a high school in modern time, a brief rundown of everything from Naruto and Sasuke meeting to where Sasuke goes off with Orochimaru, Akatsuki, and Sai enters the picture but instead of being ninjas, they are high school students.
13.
Naruto: The Cross Roads (OVA)
- After Episode: 120
- Aired: 2009
The operation to find a missing person goes awry when Kakashi Hatake falls victim to a suspicious trap and gets separated from his students Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. To make matters worse, the trio is ambushed by mysterious ninjas who capture Sakura, prompting Naruto and Sasuke to give chase.
14.
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire
- Titled: Naruto: Shippuuden Movie 3 – Hi no Ishi wo Tsugu Mono
- After Episode: 120
- Aired: 2009
The main enemy of this movie is Hiruko, a former Konohagakure ninja obsessed with power that wants to become the perfect ninja by absorbing ninjas with bloodline limits. With one more ninja with a bloodline limit needed. Kakashi decides to sacrifice himself for the Leaf to defeat Hiruko. But guess who doesn’t want Kakashi to die? Naruto, Friends over a mission.
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15.
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower
- After Episode: 154
- Aired: 2010
The concept of time travel is center stage here with Naruto and Yamato going back in time to meet Minato and a few others? Who wouldn’t want to see that?
16.
Naruto, the Genie, and the Three Wishes, Believe It! (OVA)
- Titled: Naruto Soyokazeden Movie: Naruto to Mashin to Mitsu no Onegai Dattebayo!!
- After Episode: 154
- Aired: 2010
While enjoying a barbecue alongside team members and peers, Naruto stumbles upon a genie! The mythical being is willing to grant three wishes, after wasting the first two. Sasuke, Sakura, and other ninjas fight for the last remaining wish.
17.
Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison
- After Episode: 196
- Aired: 2011
Naruto is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and is sent to a cruel, evil prison out in the middle of nowhere. What could this prison possibly want from Naruto?
18.
Naruto X UT (OVA)
- After Episode: 196
- Aired: 2011
Added as a promotional ova for UNIQLO clothing stores, the OVA shows a six-minute animation featuring a fight between Naruto and Sasuke, that just seems so unbelievably canon that it seems like it’s showing what’s to come in the future of the Naruto series.
19.
Naruto Shippuden: Chunin Exam on Fire! and Naruto vs. Konohamaru! (OVA)
- Titled: Naruto: Honoo no Chuunin Shiken! Naruto vs. Konohamaru!!
- After Episode: 196
- Aired: 2011
As the Fourth Great Ninja War quickly approaches, Sunagakure hosts a special Chunin exam to strengthen the troops of the Allied Shinobi Forces. Among the participants are Konohamaru Sarutobi, an ambitious rookie, and Naruto Uzumaki, who has become a renowned ninja.
20.
Naruto Shippūden Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations OVA Madara vs. Hashirama (OVA)
- After Episode: 251
- Aired: 2012
In this OVA, Tobi narrated the origin of Konoha.
21.
Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie
- After Episode: 251
- Aired: 2012
Returning home from defeating a group of supposed Akatsuki members. Naruto is jealous of his comrades’ families, wishing for his parents. Sakura is angry at her embarrassing parents and wishes for no parents at all. The two argue over their opposing ideas, but face a more pressing matter when the masked Madara Uchiha suddenly appears and transports them to an alternate world.
22.
The Last: Naruto the Movie
- After Episode: 493
- Aired: 2014
Two years have passed since the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War. Konohagakure has remained in a state of peace and harmony—until Sixth Hokage Kakashi notices the moon is dangerously approaching the Earth, posing the threat of planetary ruin.
23.
Naruto: Shippuuden – Sunny Side Battle (OVA)
- After Episode: 493
- Aired: 2013
Itachi uses his ninja skills to craft the best set of sunny-side eggs out on this side of Konoha for Sasuke.
24.
Ninja Escapades (OVA)
- After Episode: 493
- Aired: 2014
The OVA comprises three short, playable stories featured in Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution, with original anime footage produced by Studio Pierrot.
25.
Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- After Episode: 500
- Aired: 2015
After introducing us to Boruto in Naruto: Gaiden and The Last: Naruto the Movie, We got one more movie about the new generation of the Hidden Leaf Village.
26.
Boruto: Naruto the Movie – The Day Naruto Became Hokage (OVA)
- Titled: Boruto: Naruto the Movie – Naruto ga Hokage ni Natta Hi
- After Episode: 500
- Aired: 2016
The animation shows the day when Naruto became the Hokage. After 700 chapters, 15 years, and about 700 episodes the long-awaited moment is here.
27.
Boruto: Jump Festa 2016 Special (OVA)
- Titled: Naruto: Takigakure no Shitou – Ore ga Eiyuu Dattebayo!
- After Episode: 500
- Aired: 2017
The story takes place further ahead of time than the present events in Boruto.
28.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- Episodes: 247+
- Aired: 2017–Present
The adventure continues with Boruto and a new generation of shinobi. You also get to see a grown-up Naruto and other old lovable casts of the long-running series.
Skippable Filler Episodes In the Naruto Franchise
Skippable Fillers In Naruto
Skippable Episodes: 26, 97, 101-106, 137-140 and 143-219
Skippable Fillers In Naruto: Shippuden
Skippable Episodes: 57-70, 91-112, 144-151, 170-171, 176-196, 223-242, 257-260, 271, 279-281, 284-295, 303-320, 327, 349-361, 376-377, 388-390 and 394-395
Skippable Fillers In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Skippable Episodes: 1-15, 24-38, 42-47, 51-52, 60, 70-92, 98-104, 112, 115, 120-137, 141-147, 152-154, 157-180, 190-191 and 209-211
The Complete Naruto Franchise in Chronological Order
Ultimately, you can watch the Naruto series how you want, both the OVAs and movies can be watched as a stand-alone after or during any point of the series. But as with all great fictional worlds, to have more of an appreciation of the characters and plot deepens, you can follow them in this chronology order we created for you as fellow fans of the series. Arranged in descending order;
| ANIME TITLE | Watch After Episode |
|---|---|
| Naruto Shippūden Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations OVA Madara vs. Hashirama (OVA) | |
| Ninja Escapades (OVA) | |
| Naruto (1-220) | |
| Naruto: Find the Crimson Four-leaf Clover! (OVA) | Episode 5 |
| Naruto: The Cross Roads (OVA) | Episode 19 |
| Hidden Leaf Village Grand Sports Festival (OVA) | Episode 98 |
| Naruto: The Lost Story – Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village (OVA) | Episode 101 |
| Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004) | Episode 101 |
| Naruto the Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (2005) | Episode 160 |
| Finally, a clash! Jōnin vs. Genin!! Indiscriminate Grand Melee Tournament Meeting!! (OVA) | Episode 161 |
| Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (2006) | Episode 196 |
| Naruto, the Genie, and the Three Wishes, Believe It! (OVA) | Episode 196 |
| Naruto: Shippuden (1-500) | |
| Naruto: Shippuden the Movie (2007) | Episode 32 |
| Naruto Shippuden: Konoha Gakuen – Special (OVA) | Episode 32 |
| Naruto: Shippuden the Movie 2 -Bonds- (2008) | Episode 53 |
| Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire (2009) | Episode 120 |
| Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower (2010) | Episode 175 |
| Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison (2011) | Episode 221 |
| Naruto Shippuden: Chunin Exam on Fire! and Naruto vs. Konohamaru! (OVA) | Episode 219 |
| Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie (2012) | Episode 251 |
| Naruto X UT (OVA) | Episode 251 |
| Naruto: Shippuuden – Sunny Side Battle (OVA) | Episode 251 |
| The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014) | Episode 493 |
| Boruto: Naruto the Movie – The Day Naruto Became Hokage (OVA) | Episode 500 |
| Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015) | |
| Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (2017–Present) | |
| Boruto: Jump Festa 2016 Special (OVA) | Episode 51 |
Final Thoughts
So that’s it! Hope you approve of this order if you are a diehard Naruto fan and if you’re new to this series welcome aboard for a fun, emotional, and thrilling ride. Let me know what you think of the series or my watch order down in the comment section below.
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Till next time… Have a wonderful weekend!
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