NARUTO:
WATCH ORDER
Naruto's biggest trap isn't a movie, it's the sheer amount of filler padding both series. This guide covers the canon spine — Naruto, then Shippuden, then the one movie that's treated as canon — so you get the full story without wading through hundreds of skippable episodes.
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Story, Creator & Reception
Naruto is written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1999 to 2014. The manga sold over 250 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling series in history. The anime adaptation holds a MyAnimeList score of 7.9 for the original series and 8.3 for Shippuden, with the finale arcs consistently rated highest by fans.
Why Order Matters
Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden together run over 700 episodes across two connected timelines. Watching straight through in broadcast order means sitting through several stretches of filler, especially in early Shippuden. Canon order skips known filler blocks and slots the two required movies in at their story-accurate points.
Broadcast vs Canon Order
Broadcast order is Naruto (episodes 1–220), then Shippuden (1–500). Canon order follows the same sequence but skips filler arcs and places "The Last: Naruto the Movie" after episode 493 rather than as an afterthought once the series ends.
Studio & Dub Cast
Produced by Studio Pierrot, Naruto's English dub features Maile Flanagan as Naruto and Yuri Lowenthal as Sasuke, both recasting their roles since the mid-2000s. Composer Toshiro Masuda's score, including the track "Sadness and Sorrow," has become iconic well beyond the anime community.
Trivia
Kishimoto originally pitched Naruto as a one-shot about a boy who turns into a fox-like creature, later reworking the concept into the ninja series fans know today. The series has spawned two direct sequel shows: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations and Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming Shippuden filler is clustered — it's spread across multiple arcs.
- Watching all side-story movies as canon — only "The Last" matters going forward.
- Jumping into Boruto before finishing "The Last" — it skips key setup.
FAQ
How much of Naruto and Shippuden is filler?
A lot — about 41% of the original Naruto and 44% of Shippuden are anime-original filler episodes not adapted from the manga. That's roughly 295 episodes across both series you can skip without losing the story.
Do I need to watch any of the other Naruto movies?
No. Aside from The Last: Naruto the Movie, none of the Naruto or Shippuden films are canon — they're standalone side stories you can watch or skip freely.
Where does The Last: Naruto the Movie fit in the watch order?
After Shippuden episode 479 (some guides say 493) — watch it before finishing the final episodes of Shippuden for the intended emotional payoff.
Do I need to watch Boruto to finish Naruto's story?
No. Naruto's story concludes satisfyingly at the end of Shippuden and The Last. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is a separate sequel series about the next generation.
What's the best order to watch all Naruto movies?
If watching all films, place them near the point in the series they're set — but only The Last is required; the rest can be watched anytime or skipped entirely.
Is Naruto Shippuden: The Movie canon?
No. Like most Naruto films aside from The Last, it's a standalone story that doesn't affect the main plot and can be skipped.