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Final Fantasy VII Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch the Final Fantasy VII movies and related animation in order

Last updated: August 5 2026

Written by: ChronoChris

Final Fantasy VII is best known as a game franchise, but its film and animation projects also have a specific viewing order if you want the larger Compilation story to make sense. This guide focuses on the major screen entries and where they fit around the original adventure.

Final Fantasy VII is unusual compared with most watch-order franchises because the core story began in games, while the screen projects expand and complement that material rather than replace it. Even so, many fans specifically want to know where Advent Children, Last Order, and related animated works fit in the broader Compilation of Final Fantasy VII. The answer depends on whether you want to follow release history or approximate story chronology after the original game. Either way, it helps to remember that these entries are best experienced as companions to the game narrative, not standalone replacements.

πŸ• Release Order

Release order is the simplest route because it follows how Square Enix gradually expanded the world of Final Fantasy VII for audiences beyond the original game.

  1. Last Order: Final Fantasy VII (2005)
  2. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)
  3. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete (2009)
  4. On the Way to a Smile - Episode: Denzel (2009)

Chronological order makes slightly more sense if you want to line up the prequel flashback material before the post-game sequel events.

πŸ“– Story Chronology

Story chronology places the Nibelheim-focused flashback material first, then moves into the post-original-game stories that follow Cloud and the rest of the cast.

  1. Last Order: Final Fantasy VII (2005)
  2. On the Way to a Smile - Episode: Denzel (2009)
  3. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)
  4. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete (2009)

Which Order Should You Choose?

If you are already familiar with the original Final Fantasy VII story, release order is the smoothest way to watch these animated projects because it matches how the Compilation unfolded publicly. If you are brand new to the world, you should not start with these films at all; the original game or its remake project provides the essential character and plot foundation. Once you know that story, Advent Children Complete is usually the preferred version of the sequel film, while Last Order and Episode: Denzel work best as supplemental viewing.

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