If you’re just starting Naruto or planning a nostalgic rewatch, you might be confused about the correct watch order. With so many episodes, movies, fillers, and the sequel series Boruto, it’s easy to get lost. Don’t worry—I’ve been through this myself, and I’ll guide you step by step on how to watch Naruto without missing the important story.
Naruto is one of the most legendary anime series ever made. It’s a story of Naruto Uzumaki, a mischievous boy who dreams of becoming the Hokage, the strongest ninja in his village. Along the way, he builds friendships, faces betrayals, and takes on enemies that test his willpower. But unlike shorter anime, Naruto is massive—it has 700 episodes combined with Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, plus movies and fillers.
So, how do you watch Naruto in the correct order without getting stuck in unnecessary filler arcs? Let’s break it down.
1. Naruto (2002–2007)
This is where everything begins. The original Naruto anime covers Naruto’s childhood and his first steps as a ninja.
- Episodes: 220
- Canon Episodes: 1–135
- Filler Episodes: 136–220 (optional)
If you’re new to the series, I recommend watching episodes 1–135 for the main story. These cover Naruto’s training, his bond with Sasuke, the Chunin Exams, and the legendary Sannin (Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru). After episode 135, most of the remaining episodes are fillers. You can skip them if you want to move quickly to Naruto Shippuden.
2. Naruto Movies (Optional)
The original Naruto series has three movies. These are fun side stories but aren’t part of the main timeline.
- Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004)
- Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (2005)
- Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (2006)
You can watch them after finishing certain arcs, but they don’t affect the main story.
3. Naruto Shippuden (2007–2017)
This is where the real story kicks in. Shippuden follows Naruto’s return after training with Jiraiya. It explores deeper themes like Akatsuki, Sasuke’s choices, and the Fourth Great Ninja War.
- Episodes: 500
- Canon Episodes: Around 300
- Filler Episodes: About 200
The main arcs you must watch include:
- Kazekage Rescue Arc (Episodes 1–32)
- Sasuke and Sai Arc (Episodes 33–53)
- Hidan and Kakuzu Arc (Episodes 72–88)
- Itachi Pursuit Arc (Episodes 113–118, 121–126)
- Pain’s Assault (Episodes 152–175)
- Five Kage Summit (Episodes 197–214)
- Fourth Shinobi World War (Episodes 261–321, 362–375, 378–393, 414–479)
- Final Battle (Episodes 476–479)
The fillers are enjoyable if you love Naruto’s world, but if you want the pure story, follow only the canon arcs.
4. Naruto Shippuden Movies
There are seven movies in total for Shippuden. They are also side stories, but fans often enjoy them for extra Naruto adventures.
- Naruto Shippuden the Movie (2007)
- Bonds (2008)
- The Will of Fire (2009)
- The Lost Tower (2010)
- Blood Prison (2011)
- Road to Ninja (2012)
- The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014)
👉 The Last: Naruto the Movie is special because it directly connects to the series’ ending and shows Naruto and Hinata’s relationship.
5. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (2017–Present)
After Naruto Shippuden, the story continues with Boruto, Naruto’s son. While Boruto has a mixed reception among fans, it’s the official sequel. If you want the full Naruto universe experience, you should watch it after finishing Shippuden and The Last.
There’s also a movie: Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015), which overlaps with the early episodes of the Boruto series.
6. Recommended Watch Order
Here’s the simple order for first-time watchers:
- Naruto (Episodes 1–135)
- Naruto Movies (optional)
- Naruto Shippuden (Main arcs & canon episodes)
- Naruto Shippuden Movies (watch The Last near the end)
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Final Thoughts
The Naruto watch order may seem long, but the journey is worth it. Naruto is more than just fights—it’s about dreams, pain, bonds, and never giving up, no matter how tough life gets. Whether you’re watching for the first time or revisiting it, follow this order to enjoy the complete story without unnecessary distractions.
And if you’re still hungry for more, you can dive into the filler arcs for extra adventures. At the end of the day, Naruto is a world that millions of fans—including me—hold close to our hearts.
“Looking for more anime guides? Don’t miss our detailed breakdown of Death Note Watch Order and Tokyo Revengers Watch Order to help you watch them in the right sequence.”
