Movies - TV
How to Watch the Naruto Franchise in Order
By BJ COLANGELO
Based on Masashi Kishimoto’s manga series of the same name, “Naruto” follows the titular character and his ninja allies as they defend the Hidden Leaf Village. The franchise has become an easily recognizable pop culture staple, featuring hundreds of episodes and nearly a dozen films over three different series: “Naruto,” “Naruto Shippuden,” and “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.”
Adapting a manga to an anime poses unique challenges, but one of the biggest is the required length of a TV series compared to a serial manga, resulting in “filler episodes.” These episodes include new scenes and stories that aren’t part of the original manga — as many choose to avoid watching fillers, this list isolates them from the serial episodes and films.
"Naruto" watching order:
1. Episodes 1-101
2. "Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow"
3. Episodes 102-160
4. “Legend of the Stone of Gelel”
5. Episodes 161-196
6. “Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom”
7. Episodes 197-220
Mixed canon/filler episodes: 7, 9, 14-16, 18-21, 23-24, 27-30, 37-41, 43-47, 49, 52-60, 63, 66, 69-72, 74, 83, 98, 100, 112-114, 126-127, 130-131, 141-142, 220
Undeniable filler episodes: 26, 97, 101-106, 136-140, 143-219
"Naruto Shippuden" watching order:
1. Episodes 1-23
2. "Naruto Shippuden the Movie"
3. Episodes 23-70
4. “Bonds”
5. Episodes 70 – 121