Figuring out how to watch Naruto in order with the movies can feel like trying to solve a complicated jutsu scroll puzzle blindfolded. Trust me, I've been there. When I first started years ago, I accidentally jumped into Shippuden before finishing Part 1 and watched a movie that totally spoiled a major character reveal. Big oops. You don't want that headache. This guide cuts through the confusion, giving you the exact sequence to follow, including where every single movie fits in. No fluff, just the essential info you need to binge properly.
Why Getting Naruto's Order Right (With Movies!) Matters So Much
Skipping around Naruto episodes is a surefire way to get lost. Characters appear without introduction, power-ups happen out of nowhere, and emotional moments fall flat. The movies? Most aren't strictly "canon" (meaning part of the main story), but watching them in the correct naruto chronological order with movies enhances the experience. You'll avoid spoilers and appreciate character growth better. One guy emailed me last month heartbroken because he watched "The Last" movie before finishing Shippuden and had the biggest twist ruined. Don't let that be you.
Breaking Down the Core Naruto Series Structure
Naruto isn't one continuous show. It's split into two major parts with a hefty chunk of filler episodes mixed in (more on fillers later – that's a whole thing). Getting this foundational order right is step one for naruto in order including movies.
Naruto: Part 1 (The Original Series)
This introduces kid Naruto, his classmates Sasuke and Sakura, teacher Kakashi, and their early missions. It starts lighthearted but builds serious momentum. You meet major villains and learn about the Nine-Tails fox sealed inside Naruto. The movie placement here is tricky and often debated.
| Story Arc/Event | Episodes | Essential? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land of Waves Arc | 6-19 | Absolutely | First major mission, introduces Zabuza & Haku |
| Chunin Exams Arc (Part 1) | 20-67 | Core Story | Introduces many key characters & Orochimaru |
| Konoha Crush Arc | 68-80 | Absolutely | Major village attack, crucial battles |
| Search for Tsunade Arc | 81-100 | Core Story | Finding the Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya introduced |
| Movie 1: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow | N/A | Side Story | Watch AFTER episode 101. Fits the team vibe. |
| Sasuke Recovery Mission Arc | 107-135 | Absolutely | Major climax of Part 1. Must watch. |
⚠️ Beware the Filler Trap! Episodes 136-220 of "Naruto" are almost entirely filler episodes created after the manga but before Shippuden started. They don't advance the plot and feature non-canon stories. Many fans (myself included) skip these during a rewatch to save time. Seriously, there's over 80 episodes here! Skip them unless you *really* love Naruto slice-of-life.
Naruto Shippuden: The Time Skip
Picks up roughly 2.5 years later. Naruto, Sakura, and others return to Konoha older, stronger, and ready for bigger threats. Sasuke's whereabouts are a major mystery. The stakes skyrocket. This is where naruto in order with the movies gets more nuanced, as several films fit into Shippuden's timeline.
| Major Shippuden Arc | Episodes | Essential? | Movie Placement & Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kazekage Rescue Arc | 1-32 | Core Story | Intro to Shippuden, Akatsuki focus |
| Sasuke & Sai / Tenchi Bridge Recon | 33-53 | Core Story | Sasuke sighting, Team 7 tension |
| Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel | N/A | Side Story | Watch AFTER episode 53. Feels like a Part 1 movie throwback. |
| Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom | N/A | Side Story | Watch AFTER episode 53. Similar vibe to Movie 2. |
| Twelve Ninja Guardians / Hidan & Kakuzu Arc | 72-88 | Core Story | Asuma's pivotal arc, major battles |
| Itachi Pursuit / Jiraiya vs. Pain | 113-143 | Absolutely | Heartbreaking & game-changing events |
| Movie 4: Bonds | N/A | Side Story | Watch AFTER episode 143. Fits the post-Pain Attack mood. |
| Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant Flashback | 127-133 | Highly Recommended | Backstory for a beloved character. |
| Fated Battle Between Brothers | 144-151 | Absolutely | Sasuke vs. Itachi climax |
| Movie 5: Will of Fire | N/A | Side Story | Watch AFTER episode 151. Deals with themes relevant to the upcoming Kage Summit. |
| Pain's Assault / Invasion of Pain | 152-175 | Absolutely | One of the series' peak arcs. Must watch. |
| Five Kage Summit Arc | 197-221 | Core Story | Political maneuvering, Sasuke rampage |
| Fourth Great Ninja War (Starts) | 261-310 | Core Story (Start) | Massive conflict begins |
| Movie 6: The Lost Tower | N/A | Side Story | Watch AFTER episode 278. Involves time travel fitting post-training. |
| Fourth Great Ninja War (Major Battles) | 311-375, 378-393 | Core Story | Key battles against Edo Tensei & Tobi |
| Movie 7: Blood Prison | N/A | Side Story | Watch AFTER episode 375. Standalone but uses War setup. |
| Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki | 394-413 | Absolutely | Madara & Obito's power peak |
| Kaguya Otsutsuki Strikes / Final Battle | 458-479 | Absolutely | Series climax |
| The Last: Naruto the Movie | N/A | CANON | Watch AFTER episode 493. Direct sequel to Shippuden's finale set ~2 years later. Essential for NaruHina. |
| Shippuden Epilogue | 484-500 | Core Story | Wraps up stories, leads into Boruto era |
The Last: Naruto the Movie is the big exception! It's actual canon, written by Masashi Kishimoto, unlike the other Naruto films. It bridges the gap between the end of Naruto Shippuden and the Boruto series. Screwing up the naruto in order with the movies placement here is a cardinal sin. Watch it ONLY after Shippuden episode 493. Watching it earlier spoils massive relationship developments.
Navigating the Filler Minefield
No one wants to spend weeks watching stories that don't matter. Naruto's filler is infamous. Some are fun diversions (I kinda like the one where they try to see Kakashi's face), many are painfully dull ("Mechanical Naruto" anyone?). Knowing what to skip is crucial for the best naruto watch order with movies. Here's the brutal truth:
- Naruto (Part 1): Episodes 136-220 are almost entirely filler. Skip them unless you're a completionist. They add nothing to the main plot.
- Naruto Shippuden: Filler is mixed in everywhere. Use this quick reference:
| Range | Arc Type | Can Skip? | Potential Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57-70 | Filler (Minor Missions) | Yes | Disrupts pacing after major Sasuke arc |
| 91-112 | Filler (Six Tails & Past) | Yes | Non-canon Jinchuriki story |
| 144-151 | Core Canon! | NO! | Sasuke vs. Itachi |
| 176-196 | Filler (Largely Kakashi Past) | Mostly | Ep 194-196 have semi-relevant Kakashi backstory |
| 223-242 | Filler (Young Ninja) | Yes | Focuses on Konohamaru's team |
| 257-260 | Filler (Largely) | Yes | Celebrates 500th manga chapter |
| 271 | Filler | Yes | Road to Sakura side-story |
| 279-281 | Filler | Yes | Chikara Arc (animation showcase) |
| 284-289 | Filler (Kakashi Anbu) | Recommended | Actually good Kakashi backstory! |
| 290-295 | Filler (Power) | Skip | Disrupts War Arc tension |
| 347-361 | Filler (Paradise Life) | Skip | Totally unrelated beach episode vibes |
| 376-377 | Filler | Skip | Road to Ninja promo |
| 394-413 | Core Canon! | NO! | Ten-Tails Jinchuriki Madara/Obito |
| 416 | Filler | Skip | Jinchuriki alternate story |
| 422-423 | Mostly Filler | Skip | Minato one-shot adaptation padded |
| 427-450 | Filler (Chunin Exams Flashback) | Skip | Massive flashback arc during war |
| 451-458 | Core Canon (Itachi Backstory) | Highly Recommended | Essential Itachi & Uchiha lore |
| 464-468 | Filler | Skip | More Jinchuriki filler |
| 480-483 | Filler | Optional | Lighthearted post-war episodes |
See why people get overwhelmed? Trying to watch all of Naruto chronologically with movies without skipping filler takes *forever*. That Kakashi Anbu arc (episodes 284-289)? Okay, it's genuinely decent filler. But that Paradise Life stuff in the middle of the war? Pure padding. Honestly, skipping filler shaves off *hundreds* of episodes. You can always go back later if you fall in love with the world.
Your Definitive Naruto Watch Order With Movies (Chronological & Practical)
Alright, cutting through the noise. Here's the streamlined order I wish I had when I started. It focuses on the canon arcs and slots the movies where they fit best chronologically *and* tonally. This is the naruto in order with the movies plan that actually works:
- Naruto Episodes 1-101: Land of Waves through Search for Tsunade. Core story setup.
- Movie 1: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (After Episode 101)
- Naruto Episodes 107-135: Sasuke Recovery Mission. Crucial arc.
- SKIP Naruto Episodes 136-220: The big Part 1 filler block. Seriously, skip it.
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 1-53: Kazekage Rescue through Sai/Tenchi Bridge.
- Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (After Shippuden 53)
- Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (After Shippuden 53)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 72-88: Twelve Ninja Guardians / Hidan & Kakuzu.
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 113-126: Itachi Pursuit / Jiraiya's Investigation.
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 127-133: Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant (Flashback). Worth it.
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 134-143: Jiraiya vs. Pain Conclusion.
- Movie 4: Bonds (After Shippuden 143)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 144-151: Fated Battle Between Brothers (Sasuke vs. Itachi).
- Movie 5: Will of Fire (After Shippuden 151)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 152-175: Pain's Assault on Konoha. Peak Naruto.
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 197-221: Five Kage Summit.
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 261-270: Start of Fourth Great Ninja War (Paralyzed & Kage Assists).
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 272-278: Power & Eight Tails vs. Six Tails.
- Movie 6: The Lost Tower (After Shippuden 278)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 279-281: (Chikara Filler - Skip Optional)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 282-289: Kakashi Anbu Arc (Highly Recommended Filler).
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 290-295: (Power Filler - Skip)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 296-310: Naruto vs. Pain (Flashbacks), Jinchuriki Meeting, Tobi Reveal.
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 311-315: Edo Tensei vs. Allied Forces.
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 316-348: Shinobi Alliance Battles, Ino-Shika-Cho, Zabuza/Haku etc.
- SKIP Shippuden Episodes 349-361: (Paradise Life Filler - Skip)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 362-375: Kakashi/Obito Reveal, Madara's Power.
- Movie 7: Blood Prison (After Shippuden 375)
- SKIP Shippuden Episodes 376-377: (Road to Ninja Promo Filler - Skip)
- Naruto Shippuden Episodes 378-388: