Movie Series

The Art of Movie Series Ordering: Crafting Narratives Beyond Time

In the realm of cinema, the sequence of a movie series is more than just a timeline; it's a canvas for storytelling. Take the iconic "Star Wars" and "The Godfather" sagas, where the non-linear narrative has become a hallmark of their storytelling. This approach, where the past and future intertwine, invites audiences to piece together a larger, more complex puzzle, enriching the viewing experience.

Consider the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a masterclass in expanded universe storytelling. It's a tapestry of sequels, prequels, and standalone films, each contributing to a grand narrative. This method of storytelling has redefined audience expectations, blending individual tales into a cohesive, interconnected universe.

Then there's the intriguing concept of retroactive continuity, or retcon, as seen in series like "X-Men." Here, new films can alter the fabric of their own universe, breathing new life into established lore and keeping narratives fresh and engaging.

These storytelling techniques reflect not just creative ambitions but also cultural and historical contexts. For instance, the evolution of the James Bond series mirrors shifting societal norms and attitudes, adapting its themes to stay relevant.

Perhaps most fascinating is the role of the audience in all this. Fans actively engage with these complex timelines, creating their own viewing orders to uncover new layers of the narrative. This interaction between filmmaker and viewer is a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to connect across different mediums.

In conclusion, the sequencing of movie series is an art form that transcends traditional narrative structures, offering a richer, more immersive cinematic experience. It's a testament to the ever-evolving nature of storytelling and its enduring impact on audiences worldwide.

Examples

Transformers

Bumblebee (2018)
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
Transformers (2007)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Insidious

Insidious: Chapter 3
Insidious: The Last Key
Insidious
Insidious: Chapter 2
Insidious: The Red Door
Thread: An Insidious Tale (presumably, when it comes out)

Alien

AVP: Alien vs Predator (2004)
Aliens vs Predator - Requiem (2007)
Prometheus (2012)
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Alien (1979)
Aliens (1986)
Alien 3 (1992)
Alien Resurrection (1997)

Mission Impossible

Mission: Impossible (1996)
Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)
Mission: Impossible III (2006)
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)
Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two (2024)

X-Men

First Class
Wolverine Origins
X-Men
X2
Last Stand
The Wolverine
Days of Future Past
Apocalypse
Dark Phoenix
Deadpool
Deadpool 2
New Mutants
Logan

Fast and the Furious

The Fast and the Furious (2001)
2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
Fast & Furious (2009)
Fast Five (2011)
Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
Furious 7 (2015)
The Fate of the Furious (2017)
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
F9 (2021)
Fast and Furious 10 (2023)

Marvel Movies

The Infinity Saga: Phase One (2008-2012)

Iron Man (May 2, 2008)
The Incredible Hulk (June 13, 2008)
Iron Man 2 (May 7, 2010)
Thor (May 6, 2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (July 22, 2011)
Marvel’s The First Avengers (May 4, 2012)

Phase Two (2013-2015)

Iron Man 3 (May 3, 2013)
Thor: The Dark World (November 8, 2013)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (April 4, 2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (August 1, 2014)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1, 2015)
Ant-Man (July 17, 2015)

Phase Three (2016-2019)

Captain America: Civil War (May 6, 2016)
Doctor Strange (November 4, 2016)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (May 5, 2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7, 2017)
Thor: Ragnarok (November 3, 2017)
Black Panther (February 16, 2018)
Avengers: Infinity War (April 27, 2018)
Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 6, 2018)
Captain Marvel (March 8, 2019)
Avengers: Endgame (April 26, 2019)
Spider-Man: Far From Home (July 2, 2019)

The Multiverse Saga: Phase Four (2021-2022)

Black Widow (July 9, 2021)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (September 3, 2021)
Eternals (November 5, 2021)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (December 17, 2021)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 6, 2021)
Thor: Love and Thunder (July 8, 2022)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 11, 2022)

Phase Five (2023-2024)

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (February 17, 2023)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5, 2023)
The Marvels (November 11, 2023)
Captain America: New World Order (May 3, 2024)
Thunderbolts (July 26, 2024)
Blade (September 6, 2024)

Phase Six (2024-2026)

Deadpool 3 (November 8, 2024)
Fantastic Four (February 14, 2025)
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (May 2, 2025)
Avengers: Secret Wars (May 1, 2026)

Star Wars

The Acolyte
Star Wars: Episode I - Die dunkle Bedrohung
Star Wars: Episode II - Angriff der Klonkrieger
Star Wars: Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Star Wars: Rebels
Andor
Star Wars: Rogue One
Krieg der Sterne
Das Imperium schlägt zurück
Star Wars: Die Ewoks
Star Wars: Ewoks - Karawane der Tapferen
Kampf um Endor
Die Rückkehr der Jedi-Ritter
The Mandalorian
Das Buch von Boba Fett
Ahsoka
Star Wars: Resistance
Star Wars - Episode VII: Das Erwachen der Macht
Star Wars - Episode VIII: Die letzten Jedi
Star Wars: Resistance
Star Wars - Episode IX: Der Aufstieg Skywalkers

Matrix

The Animatrix: The Second Renaissance, Part I and II
The Animatrix: A Detective Story
The Matrix
The Animatrix: The Kid’s Story
The Animatrix: Final Flight of the Osiris
The Matrix Reloaded
The Animatrix: Beyond
The Animatrix: World Record
The Animatrix: Program
The Animatrix: Matriculated
The Matrix Revolutions
The Matrix Resurrections

The Godfather

The Godfather Part II (first half)
The Godfather
The Godfather Part II (second half)
The Godfather Part III

The Lord of the Rings

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Harry Potter

Fantastic Beasts Series:

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (set in 1926)
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (set in 1927)
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (set in 1932)

Harry Potter Series:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone / Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (set in 1991-1992)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (set in 1992-1993)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (set in 1993-1994)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (set in 1994-1995)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (set in 1995-1996)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (set in 1996-1997)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (set in 1997-1998)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (set in 1998)

The Terminator

Terminator Salvation (post-apocalyptic future)
The Terminator
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Terminator: Genisys (alternative timeline)
Terminator: Dark Fate (ignores all but the first two films)

The Conjuring

The Nun
Annabelle: Creation
Annabelle
The Conjuring
Annabelle Comes Home
The Curse of La Llorona
The Conjuring 2
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It