How to watch

Before Star Wars, George Lucas directed American Graffiti, a warm, music-filled portrait of teenagers cruising their small town on one last night of summer in 1962. Its sequel catches up with the same characters as the carefree early '60s give way to turbulent later years. The ensemble cast launched careers for stars like Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss, and its jukebox soundtrack set a template many films have copied since.

🕐 Release Order

Release order works best, as the sequel directly follows the lives of the original film's ensemble.

1. American Graffiti (1973)
2. More American Graffiti (1979)

The original is set on a single night in 1962, while the sequel jumps forward to follow the same cast across several New Year's Eves in the late 1960s. The sequel experiments with split-screen storytelling and a looser structure, making it a notably different experience from the tightly focused original.

📖 Story Chronology

Story chronology follows release order, picking up the characters years after the events of the first film. Following the characters from one carefree night into the uncertainty of the late 1960s gives the pair a surprising emotional throughline.

1. American Graffiti (1973)
2. More American Graffiti (1979)

Which Order Should You Choose?

Watch in release order, starting with the 1973 original, a beloved classic and one of the most influential coming-of-age films ever made. More American Graffiti is a more experimental follow-up, best enjoyed once you're attached to the original's characters. If you only have time for one, the original is an essential slice of American cinema, but the sequel rewards fans curious about where the characters ended up.

🔗 Related Guides

• Coming to America Watch OrderGuide
• Meet the Parents Watch OrderGuide

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