Believe it! If you’re looking to experience one of the most influential anime series of all time, you’ve come to the right place. Naruto’s journey from outcast orphan to Hokage has inspired millions of fans worldwide since 2002, and in 2026, the series remains as beloved as ever. With the franchise spanning two main series, multiple movies, and now continuing through Boruto, knowing where to start can feel as complicated as performing a multi-shadow clone jutsu.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the complete Naruto watch order, including which filler episodes you can skip (and there are a lot of them), where each movie fits into the timeline, and how Boruto continues the story. Whether you’re a first-time viewer or returning after years away, we’ll get you through the Hidden Leaf Village and beyond without wasting time on unnecessary detours.
The Naruto franchise has a notorious filler problem—nearly 40% of the original series is filler content. But don’t let that scare you off. With our guide, you’ll experience the essential story that made Naruto a household name while skipping the episodes that even diehard fans agree are missable.
Quick Answer: Naruto Watch Order
- Naruto (Episodes 1-135 canon, skip filler)
- Naruto Shippuden (Episodes 1-500, skip filler)
- The Last: Naruto the Movie (Canon)
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (Optional continuation)
Complete Naruto Watch Order Explained
Part 1: Naruto (2002-2007)
The original Naruto series follows our hyperactive, knucklehead ninja from his days as a lonely academy student to a powerful genin facing world-threatening enemies. This is where you fall in love with Team 7, witness the Chunin Exams, and experience some of anime’s most iconic battles.
- Total Episodes: 220
- Canon Episodes: ~135
- Watch on: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu
- Time Investment: ~56 hours (canon only)
Canon Episodes to Watch:
- Episodes 1-25 (Introduction & Land of Waves)
- Episodes 26-67 (Chunin Exams)
- Episodes 68-80 (Konoha Crush)
- Episodes 81-96 (Search for Tsunade)
- Episodes 107-135 (Sasuke Recovery Mission)
Filler Episodes to Skip:
- Episodes 97-106 (All filler)
- Episodes 136-220 (Entire end is filler)
Yes, you read that right—the final 85 episodes of the original Naruto are ALL filler. The infamous “Naruto filler hell” begins at episode 136 and doesn’t stop until Shippuden. Once Sasuke leaves the village and the Sasuke Recovery Mission ends, you can jump straight to Shippuden.
Part 2: Naruto Shippuden (2007-2017)
Shippuden picks up 2.5 years after the original series, with Naruto returning from training with Jiraiya. The stakes are higher, the enemies are deadlier, and the story delves deep into the history of the ninja world. This is where Naruto transforms from good to legendary.
- Total Episodes: 500
- Canon Episodes: ~295
- Watch on: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Time Investment: ~123 hours (canon only)
Major Canon Arcs:
- Episodes 1-32 (Kazekage Rescue)
- Episodes 33-53 (Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance)
- Episodes 72-88 (Akatsuki Suppression)
- Episodes 113-143 (Tale of Jiraiya / Pain’s Assault begins)
- Episodes 152-175 (Pain’s Assault)
- Episodes 197-222 (Five Kage Summit)
- Episodes 243-256 (Fourth Shinobi World War begins)
- Episodes 261-270, 272-289, 296-310, 321-346, 362-375, 378-388, 391-393, 414-421, 424-426, 458-468, 470-479, 484-500
Complete Naruto Shippuden Filler List
Skip These Episodes:
- 57-71 (Twelve Guardian Ninja – filler arc)
- 89-112 (Three-Tails filler arc)
- 144-151 (Six-Tails filler)
- 170-171 (Filler during Pain arc)
- 176-196 (Past Arc / Konoha History)
- 223-242 (Paradise on a Boat – notorious bad filler)
- 257-260, 271, 279-281 (War arc filler)
- 284-295 (More war filler)
- 311-320, 347-361 (Filler arcs)
- 376-377, 388-390, 394-413 (Extended filler)
- 422-423, 427-457 (Infinite Tsukuyomi filler)
- 469, 480-483 (Final filler)
Worth Considering:
- Episodes 349-361 (Kakashi’s ANBU Arc) — This filler is actually quite good and explores Kakashi’s backstory. Many fans recommend it.
- Episode 469 (special Guy episode) — A fun watch if you love Might Guy.
The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014)
This is the only truly canon movie in the Naruto franchise, taking place between chapters 699 and 700 of the manga. It covers Naruto and Hinata’s love story and the battle against Toneri Otsutsuki. Watch this after Shippuden episode 493 (before episodes 494-500, which are wedding arc episodes).
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, purchase on Amazon
- Essential? Yes, this is canon and bridges Shippuden to Boruto
Part 3: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (2017-2023) & Boruto: Two Blue Vortex
Boruto follows Naruto’s son as he carves his own path in an era of peace. The anime features a mix of anime-original content and manga adaptations. While not as universally beloved as its predecessors, Boruto has its moments—particularly when adapting manga content.
The Boruto Situation:
- The anime (293 episodes) contains significant anime-original content
- The manga is the “true” canon story
- As of 2023, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex continues the manga story
If you want to watch Boruto efficiently:
- Episodes 1-66 (Academy to Chunin Exams)
- Episodes 148-151 (Mujina Bandits)
- Episodes 157-220 (Vessel through Kawaki arcs)
- Episodes 232-293 (Code arc to finale)
Or simply read the manga: Boruto Vol. 1 on Amazon
Naruto Movies: Where Do They Fit?
Most Naruto movies are non-canon side stories, but they’re fun watches between arcs:
Original Naruto Movies:
| Movie | Watch After |
|---|---|
| Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow | Episode 101 |
| Legend of the Stone of Gelel | Episode 160 |
| Guardians of the Crescent Moon | Episode 196 |
Shippuden Movies:
| Movie | Watch After |
|---|---|
| Shippuden the Movie | Episode 53 |
| Bonds | Episode 71 |
| The Will of Fire | Episode 121 |
| The Lost Tower | Episode 175 |
| Blood Prison | Episode 221 |
| Road to Ninja | Episode 311 |
| The Last | Episode 493 (CANON) |
| Boruto: Naruto the Movie | Episode 500 |
The Last and Boruto: Naruto the Movie are the only canon films. Boruto the Movie was later adapted into the anime (episodes 51-66), so you can skip the movie if watching the full Boruto anime.
Should You Skip Fillers?
Absolutely—for the most part. Naruto has one of the highest filler percentages in anime (over 40% when combining both series), and much of it is low quality. The canonical story is incredible; the filler often feels like a distraction.
However, some filler is worth watching:
- Kakashi’s ANBU Arc (Shippuden 349-361)
- Power Arc (Shippuden 290-295) — visually impressive
- Chikara episodes if you want more Team 7 content
Filler to definitely skip:
- Episodes 136-220 of original Naruto (just jump to Shippuden)
- Paradise on a Boat arc (Shippuden 223-242)
- The Infinite Tsukuyomi dream episodes (Shippuden 427-450)
Where to Watch Naruto
- Crunchyroll — Complete Naruto, Shippuden, and Boruto library (subbed & dubbed)
- Netflix — Both series available in many regions
- Hulu — Full library with dub and sub options
- Amazon Prime Video — Available for purchase
For the original manga experience: Naruto Vol. 1 on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to watch all of Naruto? A: Watching only canon episodes: ~180 hours (Naruto + Shippuden). That’s about 7.5 days straight or 3-4 months at 2 hours/day. With all filler: ~330 hours.
Q: Should I watch Naruto dubbed or subbed? A: The English dub is solid, with iconic performances for characters like Naruto (Maile Flanagan) and Sasuke (Yuri Lowenthal). The sub has the original Japanese performances, including Junko Takeuchi’s legendary portrayal of Naruto. Both are valid choices.
Q: Can I skip the original Naruto and start with Shippuden? A: We don’t recommend it. The original series establishes character relationships, the world’s rules, and key backstories. Shippuden assumes you’ve seen it all. At minimum, watch canon episodes of the original.
Q: Is Boruto worth watching? A: If you want more Naruto content and don’t mind a slower burn, yes. The manga-canon episodes (Chunin Exams, Kawaki arcs) are excellent. If you only want peak Naruto, consider stopping after The Last movie.
Final Thoughts
Naruto’s journey from lonely outcast to the greatest Hokage remains one of anime’s most inspiring stories. Yes, navigating the filler can be frustrating, but the core narrative—themes of friendship, perseverance, and breaking cycles of hatred—is absolutely worth the investment.
Use our filler guide to skip the unnecessary episodes, don’t miss The Last movie for canon closure on Naruto and Hinata’s relationship, and decide for yourself whether Boruto’s continuation appeals to you. The Will of Fire burns eternal—welcome to the Hidden Leaf Village.
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