If you’re getting into Naruto for the first time — or thinking about rewatching everything properly — I know how confusing it can be. Between hundreds of episodes, multiple movies, time skips, and spin-offs, figuring out how to watch Naruto in order isn’t as simple as pressing play.
The good news is that the franchise actually follows a fairly logical structure once you break it down. The story starts with Naruto’s childhood, grows darker and more complex in Shippuden, and then passes the torch to the next generation in Boruto. Watching everything in the right sequence helps you understand character growth, major events, and emotional payoffs without feeling lost.
Naruto is currently available on Crunchyroll and Netflix, depending on your region. And if you’re wondering about availability outside the US, I’ll also touch on How to watch Naruto in the UK as we go through this guide. This timeline is designed to be a clear and practical naruto watch order, mixing episodes and movies exactly where they belong.
How to Watch Naruto in Order (Classic)
The original Naruto anime premiered in 2002, adapting the manga created by Masashi Kishimoto. This first series introduces us to Naruto Uzumaki, a loud, lonely kid with a dream of becoming Hokage, despite being feared by his village. These early episodes focus heavily on ninja fundamentals, teamwork, rivalries, and emotional backstories.
What I really like about this phase is how grounded it feels. We meet key characters like Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Kakashi Hatake, and watch Team 7 form and fracture over time. The tone is lighter than later arcs, but many of the franchise’s most important themes — loneliness, perseverance, and identity — are established here.
Like many long-running anime, Naruto mixes TV episodes with theatrical films. While the movies aren’t mandatory for understanding the main plot, they fit nicely into the timeline if you want the full experience. Below is a complete list showing how to watch Naruto in order.
Recommended Viewing Order – Naruto (Classic)
- Naruto (Episodes 1–101)
- Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
- Naruto (Episodes 102–160)
- Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel
- Naruto (Episodes 161–196)
- Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom
- Naruto (Episodes 197–220)
If you want to avoid unnecessary episodes or understand which arcs are canon, I highly recommend checking the Naruto filler list for a detailed breakdown before moving on.
How to Watch Naruto Shippuden in Order
Naruto Shippuden premiered in 2007 and marks a major turning point for the series. Set about two and a half years after the original, the story follows an older, more mature Naruto returning to the Hidden Leaf Village after intense training. The tone becomes darker, the stakes rise dramatically, and long-running mysteries finally start to pay off.
This era focuses heavily on the threat of the Akatsuki, the truth behind the tailed beasts, and the escalating conflicts that lead to the Fourth Great Ninja War. Characters like Itachi Uchiha, Pain, and Madara Uchiha become central to the narrative, and the emotional weight of the series increases significantly.
Shippuden also includes more movies than the original series, and one of them — The Last: Naruto the Movie — is especially important, as it directly connects to the ending of the anime. Below is a complete list showing how to watch Naruto Shippuden in order.
Recommended Viewing Order – Naruto Shippuden
- Naruto Shippuden (Episodes 1–53)
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie
- Naruto Shippuden (Episodes 54–71)
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds
- Naruto Shippuden (Episodes 72–88)
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire
- Naruto Shippuden (Episodes 89–112)
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower
- Naruto Shippuden (Episodes 113–143)
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Blood Prison
- Naruto Shippuden (Episodes 144–196)
- Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie
- Naruto Shippuden (Episodes 197–493)
- The Last: Naruto the Movie
- Naruto Shippuden (Episodes 494–500)
To streamline your experience, especially during longer arcs, you can consult the full Naruto Shippuden filler list to decide what to skip without missing key story moments.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations – A New Era
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations debuted in 2017 and shifts the focus to Naruto’s son, Boruto Uzumaki. Set in a more technologically advanced ninja world, the series explores what it means to grow up in times of peace — and the challenges that come with living in the shadow of legendary parents.
Unlike the previous series, Boruto includes a large amount of anime-canon material, meaning many original arcs are considered part of the official story. The first part of the anime concluded with Episode 293 in March 2023, closing a major chapter of Boruto’s journey.
The continuation of the story, adapting Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, is currently in production, making this a good time to catch up.
Recommended Viewing Order – Boruto
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (Episodes 1–293)
Because Boruto blends manga content with anime-original arcs, checking a dedicated Boruto filler list can help you decide which episodes best fit your viewing preferences.
Final Thoughts on the Naruto Watch Order
Watching the franchise in the correct sequence makes a huge difference, especially for newcomers. Understanding how to watch Naruto in order helps preserve character development, emotional arcs, and long-term storytelling that spans over two decades. Whether you’re following Naruto’s early struggles, the intense conflicts of Shippuden, or Boruto’s journey into a new era, having a clear naruto watch order keeps the experience smooth and rewarding.
Most of the series is available on Crunchyroll, with selected seasons and movies also streaming on Netflix, depending on your region. No matter how you choose to watch, taking the time to follow all the Naruto seasons in order is one of the most satisfying anime experiences out there.
If you’re unsure about fillers or want to customize your marathon, the individual filler guides for Naruto, Shippuden, and Boruto are the perfect next step.
