How to watch
Monsters, Inc. Watch Order in the correct order
How to watch the Monsters, Inc. movies and series in order
Last updated: July 13 2026
Written by: ChronoAlice
Monsters, Inc. introduced one of Pixar's most lovable partnerships — the big, furry Sulley and his wisecracking best friend Mike Wazowski — and sparked a franchise of sequels, prequels, and Disney+ series. Here is the complete watch order.
Pixar's Monsters, Inc. (2001) revealed the secret world behind every child's closet door — a massive city of monsters who harvest screams as an energy source, until one little girl named Boo changes everything. The film is a masterpiece of warm-hearted storytelling and remains one of Pixar's most beloved classics. The franchise expanded with Monsters University, a prequel exploring how Sulley and Mike met in college, and Monsters at Work, a Disney+ series set immediately after the first film's events.
🕐 Release Order
Release order starts with the original 2001 film, followed by the 2013 prequel and then the Disney+ series. Watching in this order is the ideal first-time experience.
- Monsters, Inc. (2001) — the original theatrical film
- Monsters University (2013) — theatrical prequel
- Monsters at Work (2021–2023) — Disney+ series set after the first film
Monsters University is a prequel set during Mike and Sulley's college years — it takes place before the events of the first film but was made afterward, so watching it second in release order is the natural choice.
📖 Story Chronology
In story terms, Monsters University comes first — it shows how Mike and Sulley met and became friends before the events of Monsters, Inc. If you prefer to watch in internal story order, here is the chronological sequence.
- Monsters University (2013) — Mike and Sulley's college years (chronological start)
- Monsters, Inc. (2001) — Sulley and Mike meet Boo and change the scare industry
- Monsters at Work (2021–2023) — set immediately after Monsters, Inc., the transition to laughs
Which Order Should You Choose?
For the best experience, watch Monsters, Inc. first — it is the heart of the franchise and establishes the world, the characters, and the emotional bond between Sulley, Mike, and Boo. Monsters University is a delightful prequel that works best when you already love these characters and want to know how their friendship began. Monsters at Work is a fun continuation for fans who want more adventures in Monstropolis — it features returning voice cast and expands the world nicely. Both the original film and Monsters University are family classics worth revisiting anytime.
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