Naruto Watch Order & Filler List: Ultimate Chronological Guide
The complete Naruto franchise is one of the most successful and beloved anime properties in history. However, with multiple sequel series, 11 feature films, and hundreds of anime-original filler episodes created by Studio Pierrot, figuring out exactly how to watch the series chronologically can be incredibly confusing for newcomers.
If you want to experience Masashi Kishimoto’s original ninja epic without getting bogged down by non-canon side quests, you have come to the right place. This ultimate episode guide provides the complete chronological watch order, every movie release date, and a detailed breakdown of which episodes you must watch and which you can safely skip.
Before diving into the timeline, check out our about us page to learn more about our editorial team, or explore more anime watch orders and filler guides across our site.
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The Complete Naruto Chronological Watch Order (Series & Movies)
To watch the franchise in the correct chronological order, you must interleave the movies with the television episodes. While most movies (except The Last and Boruto) are not considered strict manga canon, they feature incredible animation and are highly recommended for the ultimate viewing experience.
Part 1: The Original Series Era (2002–2007)
- Naruto (TV Series) – Watch Episodes 1–101 (Aired: Oct 2002 – Oct 2004)
- Movie 1: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (Released: August 21, 2004)
- Naruto (TV Series) – Watch Episodes 102–160
- Movie 2: Legend of the Stone of Gelel (Released: August 6, 2005)
- Naruto (TV Series) – Watch Episodes 161–196
- Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (Released: August 5, 2006)
- Naruto (TV Series) – Watch Episodes 197–220
Part 2: The Shippuden Era (2007–2017)
- Naruto: Shippuden (TV Series) – Watch Episodes 1–32 (Aired: Feb 2007 – Oct 2007)
- Movie 4: Naruto Shippuden the Movie (Released: August 4, 2007)
- Naruto: Shippuden – Watch Episodes 33–71
- Movie 5: Bonds (Released: August 2, 2008)
- Naruto: Shippuden – Watch Episodes 72–121
- Movie 6: The Will of Fire (Released: August 1, 2009)
- Naruto: Shippuden – Watch Episodes 122–154
- Movie 7: The Lost Tower (Released: September 2, 2010)
- Naruto: Shippuden – Watch Episodes 155–196
- Movie 8: Blood Prison (Released: July 30, 2011)
- Naruto: Shippuden – Watch Episodes 197–251
- Movie 9: Road to Ninja (Released: July 28, 2012)
- Naruto: Shippuden – Watch Episodes 252–493
- Movie 10: The Last: Naruto the Movie (Released: December 6, 2014) – 100% CANON
- Naruto: Shippuden – Watch Episodes 494–500
Part 3: The Next Generation (2015–Present)
- Movie 11: Boruto: Naruto the Movie (Released: August 7, 2015) – 100% CANON
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (TV Series) – Episode 1 to Present (Aired: April 5, 2017)
Franchise Canon vs. Filler Breakdown
If you are short on time and only want to watch the core storyline, you will need our filler breakdown. Across the two main television series, over 40% of the episodes are non-canon filler. Here is the statistical breakdown:
| Series Name | Total Episodes | Manga Canon | Filler Episodes | Filler Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Series (Part 1) | 220 | 130 | 81 | ~37% |
| Naruto Shippuden (Part 2) | 500 | 295 | 205 | ~41% |
| Total Franchise | 720 | 425 | 286 | ~40% |
Detailed Canon and Filler Episode Guide
Use the expandable accordions below to see exactly which episodes make up each arc, complete with a brief, spoiler-free summary and our official verdict on whether you should watch or skip them.
Original Series Arcs (Episodes 1–220)
1. Introduction & Land of Waves Arc (Episodes 1–19)
- Status: 100% Manga Canon
- Episodes: 1–19
- Summary: Team 7—consisting of Naruto, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno under the guidance of Kakashi Hatake—embarks on a dangerous C-rank mission to protect the bridge builder Tazuna in the Land of Waves against Zabuza Momochi and Haku.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH
2. Chūnin Exams Arc (Episodes 20–67)
- Status: Mostly Canon (1 Filler Episode)
- Canon Episodes: 20–25, 27–67
- Filler Episodes: Episode 26 (“Special Report: Live from the Forest of Death!”)
- Summary: Genin from all the hidden villages gather in Konoha to compete in a grueling exam. Danger strikes when the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, infiltrates the Forest of Death.
- Verdict: WATCH ALL (Skip Episode 26 recap).
3. Search for Tsunade & Sasuke Recovery Arc (Episodes 68–135)
- Status: Mostly Canon
- Canon Episodes: 68–96, 98–100, 107–135
- Filler Episodes: Episode 97, Episodes 101–106 (Land of Tea Escort)
- Summary: Following a devastating invasion, Jiraiya searches for Tsunade to become the next Hokage. Later, Sasuke attempts to defect to Orochimaru in search of power, leading to the legendary showdown at the Valley of the End.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH (Skip Episode 97 and 102–106).
4. Original Series Long Filler Era (Episodes 136–219)
- Status: 100% Pure Anime Filler
- Episodes: 136–219
- Summary: A massive stretch of standalone missions where Konoha genin go on minor side quests. These were created to give the manga time to write new chapters.
- Verdict: SKIP ALL (These do not impact the main story in any way).
5. Departure Arc (Episode 220)
- Status: Mixed Canon / Filler
- Episodes: Episode 220
- Summary: The protagonist officially leaves the Hidden Leaf Village alongside Jiraiya for two and a half years of intense training, setting the stage for Shippuden.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH (The second half of the episode is manga canon).
Shippuden Arcs (Episodes 1–500)
6. Kazekage Rescue & Tenchi Bridge Arcs (Shippuden 1–53)
- Status: Canon (With Minor Filler Extensions)
- Canon Episodes: 1–27, 31–53
- Filler Episodes: Episode 28, Episodes 57–71 (Twelve Guardian Ninja)
- Summary: Returning older, wiser, and stronger, Team Kakashi races against time to save Gaara from the Akatsuki organization.
- Verdict: WATCH CANON (Skip 57–71).
7. Akatsuki Suppression & Itachi Pursuit Arcs (Shippuden 72–143)
- Status: Mostly Canon
- Canon Episodes: 72–88, 113–143
- Filler Episodes: Episodes 89–112 (Three-Tails’ Appearance Arc)
- Summary: Shikamaru fights Akatsuki members Hidan and Kakuzu to avenge a fallen mentor, while Sasuke forms Team Taka to finally hunt down Itachi Uchiha.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH (Skip 89–112).
8. Pain's Assault & Five Kage Summit Arcs (Shippuden 152–214)
- Status: Canon
- Canon Episodes: 152–169, 172–175, 179–214
- Filler Episodes: 170–171, 176–178, 180–196
- Summary: Pain invades Konoha in a devastating assault searching for the Nine-Tails. The world leaders later gather for an emergency summit as a global threat emerges.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH (Skip 176–196).
9. Fourth Shinobi World War Arcs (Shippuden 215–375)
- Status: Mixed Canon & Heavy Filler
- Canon Episodes: 215–222, 243–256, 261–278, 282–283, 296–302, 321–346, 362–375
- Filler Episodes: 223–242, 279–281, 284–295, 303–320, 347–361
- Summary: The Allied Shinobi Forces assemble to fight Kabuto’s reanimated army and Obito Uchiha.
- Verdict: WATCH CANON ONLY (Note: Kakashi’s Anbu Arc episodes 347–361 are highly recommended background filler).
10. Kaguya Otsutsuki & Climax (Shippuden 376–500)
- Status: Mixed Canon / Light Novel Adaptations
- Canon Episodes: 378–387, 391–393, 414–415, 418, 420–421, 424–426, 458–479, 484–500
- Filler Episodes: 388–390, 394–413, 416–417, 419, 422–423, 427–457
- Summary: Madara and Kaguya unleash the Infinite Tsukuyomi. The series concludes with the final duel and canon epilogue light novels showing the characters as young adults.
- Verdict: MUST WATCH CANON EPISODES
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip all non-canon filler episodes?
Yes! Skipping non-canon episodes lets you experience the core story exactly as it was written in the original manga by Masashi Kishimoto. It greatly improves the pacing and removes continuity errors.
Which Naruto movies are actually canon?
Only two movies in the entire franchise are considered official canon to the manga’s timeline: The Last: Naruto the Movie (which takes place between Shippuden episodes 493 and 494 and is required viewing for the romance plot) and Boruto: Naruto the Movie (which sets up the sequel series).
Is Kakashi’s Anbu Arc in Shippuden canon?
While technically an anime-original filler arc (Episodes 347–361), it was produced using official setting materials regarding Kakashi Hatake’s past and is heavily recommended by the anime community for its high quality.