Naruto watch order: Naruto, Shippuden, the films and Boruto

What order should you watch Naruto in? Start with Naruto, move straight on to Naruto: Shippuden, then watch Boruto: Naruto Next Generations last, with the films dropped in where they fit. That sounds simple until you notice there are two series, 11 theatrical films and a sequel show, and nobody tells you which bits matter. If you are about to start and the pile looks like a wall, we have been there. This is the order we would give a mate, with the movies placed episode by episode. It is spoiler-free: titles and numbers only. Everything is accurate as of 22 October 2026.

The main order: three series

Watch the three TV series in release order: Naruto, then Naruto: Shippuden, then Boruto.

The original Naruto ran for 220 episodes from 3 October 2002 to 8 February 2007. Naruto: Shippuden picks up straight after and runs for 500 episodes from 15 February 2007 to 23 March 2017, and it covers Part II of the manga. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is the sequel, with 293 episodes that aired from 5 April 2017 to 26 March 2023.

Why release order and not some clever chronological shuffle? Because each series is built on the one before it, and Shippuden's early episodes assume you already know the cast. Do not start at Shippuden, even though it is tempting. The jump in age and tone lands harder when you have watched the kids grow up.

Where the films fit

The first three films go with the original Naruto, and the other eight go with Shippuden.

According to Wikipedia's list, the films are:

Two of these matter more than the rest. The Last is set after the manga's story, and it is where the Otsutsuki clan is first explored and where the Naruto and Hinata romance moves forward. Boruto: Naruto the Movie centres on Naruto and his son, and it sets up the sequel.

The full order, film by film

If you want the films in the middle of the episodes, one watch-order guide we checked slots them in like this.

1. Naruto episodes 1 to 101, then Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow.
2. Naruto episodes 102 to 160, then Legend of the Stone of Gelel.
3. Naruto episodes 161 to 196, then Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom.
4. Naruto episodes 197 to 220.
5. Shippuden episodes 1 to 23, then Naruto Shippuden the Movie.
6. Shippuden episodes 23 to 70, then Bonds.
7. Shippuden episodes 70 to 121, then The Will of Fire.
8. Shippuden episodes 121 to 169, then The Lost Tower.
9. Shippuden episodes 169 to 221, then Blood Prison.
10. Shippuden episodes 221 to 271, then Road to Ninja.
11. Shippuden episodes 271 to 493, then The Last: Naruto the Movie.
12. Shippuden episodes 493 to 500.
13. Boruto episodes 1 to 51, then Boruto: Naruto the Movie, then the rest of the series.

Why do the placements matter? Because the films that sit mid-series are best watched near the episodes around them, while a few of them are fine as a weekend bonus. Note that guides disagree on exactly where some films go, and the guide we used lists episode 23 in two blocks, so treat the numbers as a sensible guide rather than a rule.

Which films can you skip?

Be honest about it: you can finish the story without the first nine films. We are not saying they are bad, only that they are side stories while The Last and Boruto are the ones the main story leans on.

Here is how we would sort them:

• Do not skip: The Last: Naruto the Movie (Shippuden, after episode 493) and Boruto: Naruto the Movie.
• Watch if you are keen: the early films alongside the original series, if you want more time with the original cast.
• Skip if short on time: the middle Shippuden films, especially if you are also skipping filler.

If you want to trim the TV series too, check our Naruto filler list before you start.

What about Boruto?

Watch Boruto last, and watch Boruto: Naruto the Movie before you carry on with the series.

According to the filler list we checked on 22 October 2026, Boruto has 293 episodes in total: 253 canon, 28 filler and 12 mixed canon and filler. That is far less filler than Naruto, so you can watch it almost straight through. The filler ranges are 16-17, 40-41, 48-50, 67-69, 96-97, 112-119, 138-140, 152-154, 156 and 256.

Why does it matter? Because Boruto only really pays off if you know the original story, and the movie is the bridge between the two.

What is coming next

A new limited Naruto anime has been announced, and it is not part of the order yet. Viz Media announced it in September 2026, and on 10 October 2026 the New York Comic Con panel revealed a crossover with Ninku. No release date or episode count has been announced in the sources we checked. We keep the details in our new Naruto anime guide.

Common questions

Do I need to watch the Naruto movies?

No. Only The Last and Boruto: Naruto the Movie tie into the main story, and the rest are side stories.

Can I start with Naruto Shippuden?

You can, but we would not. Shippuden assumes you know the characters from the first series.

How many Naruto episodes are there?

720 across the two main series: 220 in Naruto and 500 in Shippuden. Boruto adds 293 more.

Do I have to watch Boruto?

No, but it continues the story after the manga ends. If you loved the ending of Shippuden, it is the natural next step.

Where can I watch Naruto in Australia?

Streaming availability changes and varies by service, so check your streaming service for what is on today.

What to do next

If you remember one thing, remember this: Naruto, Shippuden, then Boruto, with The Last and Boruto: Naruto the Movie as the two films you do not skip. Your very first step is episode 1 of Naruto tonight, and the Naruto filler list is the one to keep open in a second tab. When you want something to wear while you watch, see the Naruto collection. The film list comes from Wikipedia's list of Naruto films and the Boruto numbers come from the Boruto filler list, both checked in October 2026.