How do you watch all the Twilight movies in order? If you were a teenager in the noughties, then it’s very likely that Twilight was a big part of your life. Perhaps even more than you’d care to admit?
Since its release in 2008, Twilight has been in the public eye for over a decade, with the movies grossing an overall $3.4 billion worldwide. But whether you’re simply revisiting the best vampire movies in the series or diving in fresh, it’s easy to lose your way. It’s one of the best fantasy movie series, yes, but with no numbered titles joining the Twilight cast on its dark, romantic adventure can be complicated. And it’s not over, either, because a Twilight TV series release date is on the horizon to reboot it all.
Thankfully, Twilight is a linear narrative based on Stephenie Meyer’s novels meaning that if you want the franchise to make sense, you need to watch in chronological order. With that in mind, we’ve put together the definitive guide on how to watch all five of the Twilight movies in order with viewing options across the best streaming services so you can enjoy this iconic supernatural saga hassle-free. Warning, minor spoilers ahead!
How to watch all the Twilight movies in chronological order:
- Twilight
- New Moon
- Eclipse
- Breaking Dawn Part 1
- Breaking Dawn Part 2
Twilight (2008)
Where to watch: Peacock, Prime Video, and Apple TV
Before Robert Pattison led The Batman cast, he stretched his acting wings as the heartthrob vampire Edward Cullen. The movie that kicked it all off, was a cultural phenomenon that set every teen’s imagination alight.
Here we meet Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), a high school student who moves to Forks and meets the mysterious Cullen family. A forbidden supernatural relationship soon kicks off between the human girl and the mind-reading vamp Edward, igniting the central conflict at the heart of the best romance movie series of its era (at least, in our eyes).
In fact, it sets up the overall love story that, let’s face it, we were all too heavily invested in back in the day. Twilight also introduces the hostile vampire Victoria, who would become a big feature in later films and reveals Edward’s reluctance to turn his human beau into a fellow undead creature.
New Moon (2009)
Where to watch: Peacock, Prime Video, and Apple TV
Directed by Chris Weitz and opening with Bella almost becoming vampire food at the Cullen house, New Moon shows Bella, and Edward’s relationship take on a more somber tone. Edward has essentially broken up with Bella and left Forks for good, causing the teenager to spiral into depression and turn to a hunky werewolf for comfort – Jacob Black.
In this sequel, a lot, and I mean a lot, of developments happen. Firstly the love triangle between Jacob, Bella, and Edward kicks off (we are firmly #TeamEdward, by the way). We meet the ancient vampiric council called the Volturi, and Edward is told that he has to turn Bella into a vampire – which no one but Bella wants. It is all very spicy, we know, but that’s what you want from the best teen movies.
Eclipse (2010)
Where to watch: Peacock, Prime Video, and Apple TV
Remember Victoria from the first movie? Well, she’s back, hungry for revenge, and has been busy making a newborn vampire army. Eclipse sees the Cullens and the werewolves come together in an all-out supernatural war to protect Bella.
Eclipse is a divisive entry in the franchise, earning praise from some fans who loved its action sequences while drawing a tepid response from critics. But who to believe? By the end of the film, it is pretty obvious that the Volturi will cause trouble, and we are now about to enter a new Twilight age as Bella itches closer to her ‘fang’-tastic (sorry for the lousy pun) destiny.
Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011)
Where to watch: Peacock, Prime Video, and Apple TV
Finally, we have reached the beginning of the end with 2011’s Breaking Dawn – Part 1. Not a lot of action happens in this one, and it is really all about setting up the story for the finale. But despite all the filler, it is an unmissable entry to tee up the conclusion.
Set a few months after the events of Eclipse, the movie opens up on the day of Bella and Edward’s wedding. Many fluffy romantic moments are scattered throughout, complete with a sunny honeymoon, until we see one of the most traumatic pregnancies in cinema. Bella starts withering away while carrying her hybrid vampire baby. Despite constant threats from Jacob and Edward’s pleading, in the end, Renesmee is born.
With the new supernatural hybrid, a reason for the Volturi to attack is introduced into the story, and we enter the final confrontation in the Twilight Saga.
Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)
Where to watch: Peacock, Prime Video, and Apple TV
Unlike Part 1, which was all slow setup, Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is the tense finale to the whole Twilight Saga – complete with another supernatural war and a bunch of new sparkly vampires with unique superpowers. This is what the last four films have been building up to, and trust us; it is the perfect ending to Bella and Edward’s story.
The film begins straight after the events of Part 1. Bella is finally a newly awakened vampire. Along with having to come to terms with, you know, drinking blood now, she also has to deal with her newborn baby, who, despite being only a few days old, is already causing trouble.
Renesmee is the catalyst for an upcoming major conflict as the Volturi uses her as an excuse to wipe out the powerful Cullen family once and for all. The final showdown begins, leading to what we think might be one of the best movie twists ever.
How to watch the Twilight movies in order of release
If you’re looking to revisit the Twilight movies in release order to replicate the experience of cinema-goers, you’re in luck: there aren’t any prequels or sequels, and it’s the same as the chronological order.
So, that means you’ll be starting with Twilight and ending with Breaking Dawn Part 2, as if there was any other way.
How to watch all the Twilight movies in release order:
- Twilight
- New Moon
- Eclipse
- Breaking Dawn Part 1
- Breaking Dawn Part 2
And that’s it! You got to the end, and now you’re all clued up on everything you need to know about how to watch the Twilight movies in order. For more on the best movies to feature sparkly vampires, check out why we think Rosalie is the best Twilight character and six stories we’re desperate for the Twilight TV series to tell.
If you’re after new movies about vampires to get your teeth into, check out our guide to the MCU Blade release date. We’ve also got guides to some less bitey movies, including the Dune 2 release date, and see what’s going on with Wednesday season 2.