Naruto Watch Order
Naruto is one of the Big Three shōnen anime alongside One Piece and Bleach. With 720 episodes across two series, 11 films, and a notoriously high filler count (41% of all episodes), knowing what to skip makes a huge difference. This guide gives you three clear paths through the Hidden Leaf Village.
Watch Naruto first (220 episodes, skip most filler), then Naruto Shippuden (500 episodes). Films are mostly non-canon except two: watch The Last: Naruto the Movie after Shippuden episode 493, then Boruto: Naruto the Movie at the very end. For the best experience, skip filler arcs — they're well-documented and don't affect the main story.
- Filler overload — 41% of Naruto and 44% of Shippuden are filler episodes. That's 295 episodes you can skip without missing the story.
- Films vs canon — Out of 11 films, only 2 are canon: The Last and Boruto. The rest are fun standalone adventures.
- Boruto continuation — After Shippuden, the story continues in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (separate series, not covered in this guide).
- The Last placement — This film is critical. It takes place between Shippuden episodes 493-494 and shows Naruto and Hinata's relationship development.
Choose Your Watch Path
The core story without detours. Skip all 295 filler episodes. Best for viewers who want the essential narrative without padding.
The canon path plus a few well-regarded filler arcs and the best non-canon films. The experience most fans recommend.
Every episode, every film, every OVA. For dedicated fans who want to experience everything the Naruto universe offers.
Naruto vs Naruto Shippuden: What's the Difference?
These are two separate series, not versions of the same show. Here's the breakdown:
Both series are required viewing — Shippuden is the direct continuation of Naruto. However, you can drastically reduce watch time by skipping filler. Naruto Part 1 filler can mostly be skipped, while Shippuden has a few filler arcs worth keeping (like Kakashi's Anbu arc and Itachi's story).
Complete Naruto Timeline
| # | Title | Type | Episodes / Length | When to Watch | Path | Verdict | Watch Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naruto (Part 1)Team 7 formation and early adventures | Canon + Filler | 220 episodes | Start here | All paths | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
| 2 | Ninja Clash in the Land of SnowFilm 1 (2004) | Non-Canon | 1h 22min | After Naruto ep. 101 | Path 2 & 3 | ✧ Watchable | CR |
| 3 | Legend of the Stone of GelelFilm 2 (2005) | Non-Canon | 1h 37min | After Naruto ep. 160 | Path 3 only | ◌ Skip | CR |
| 4 | Guardians of the Crescent Moon KingdomFilm 3 (2006) | Non-Canon | 1h 35min | After Naruto ep. 196 | Path 3 only | ◌ Skip | CR |
| 5 | Naruto ShippudenThe main story and Fourth Shinobi War | Canon + Filler | 500 episodes | After Naruto Part 1 | All paths | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
| 6 | Shippuden: The MovieFilm 4 (2007) | Non-Canon | 1h 34min | After Shippuden ep. 32 | Path 3 only | ◌ Skip | CR |
| 7 | Shippuden: BondsFilm 5 (2008) | Non-Canon | 1h 30min | After Shippuden ep. 71 | Path 2 & 3 | ✧ Watchable | CR |
| 8 | Shippuden: The Will of FireFilm 6 (2009) | Non-Canon | 1h 35min | After Shippuden ep. 121 | Path 3 only | ◌ Skip | CR |
| 9 | Shippuden: The Lost TowerFilm 7 (2010) | Non-Canon | 1h 25min | After Shippuden ep. 143 | Path 3 only | ◌ Skip | CR |
| 10 | Shippuden: Blood PrisonFilm 8 (2011) | Non-Canon | 1h 48min | After Shippuden ep. 196 | Path 3 only | ◌ Skip | CR |
| 11 | Road to NinjaFilm 9 (2012) | Non-Canon | 1h 50min | After Shippuden ep. 251 | Path 2 & 3 | ✧ Watchable | CR |
| 12 | The Last: Naruto the Movie RECOMMENDEDCRITICAL — Naruto & Hinata's relationship | Film · Canon | 1h 52min | After Shippuden ep. 493 | All paths | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
| 13 | Boruto: Naruto the MovieThe next generation begins | Film · Canon | 1h 35min | After Shippuden end | All paths | ✦ Must Watch | CR |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I skip Naruto filler?
Yes, for the most part. 295 out of 720 episodes are filler. The main story is perfectly coherent without them. However, a few filler arcs are well-regarded: Kakashi's Anbu arc (Shippuden 349-361) and Itachi's story (Shippuden 451-458). Everything else can be safely skipped.
Can I start with Naruto Shippuden?
Not recommended. Shippuden assumes you know all the characters, their relationships, and the world-building from Part 1. You'd be lost on character motivations and major plot points. Start with Naruto Part 1 — you can skip filler to speed through it.
Which Naruto films are worth watching?
Only two films are canon: The Last (after Shippuden ep. 493) and Boruto (after Shippuden ends). Both are essential. Among non-canon films, Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, Bonds, and Road to Ninja are the most entertaining. The rest are skippable.
Where can I watch Naruto?
Crunchyroll has the complete Naruto and Shippuden series, plus most films. Netflix carries both series in select regions. Hulu also has the full series. For films, check Crunchyroll first, then digital rental platforms.
How long does it take to watch all of Naruto?
Canon only (skip all filler): roughly 220 hours. Standard experience (skip most filler, keep good arcs + canon films): around 240 hours. Completionist path (everything): 340+ hours. Most fans complete the canon-only path in 3-4 months watching 2-3 episodes daily.
Do I need to watch Boruto after Naruto?
Not required. Naruto's story concludes satisfyingly at the end of Shippuden. Boruto is a sequel series focused on the next generation. Watch Boruto: Naruto the Movie first — if you enjoy it, the Boruto series might be for you. If not, you're not missing Naruto's conclusion.
Where to Watch Naruto
- Naruto
- Naruto Shippuden
- Most films
- Boruto (if continuing)
The Naruto manga is complete at 700 chapters, ending at the same point as the anime. However, the sequel series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations continues the story with Naruto's son. The Boruto manga is ongoing and often ahead of the anime, making it a great way to continue if you loved Naruto's world.
→ Naruto Vol. 1 on Amazon