How to watch

Once Upon a Time imagines a world where fairy tale characters have been cursed to live in the town of Storybrooke, Maine, with no memory of their true identities. Over seven seasons and a spin-off, the show reinvents classic stories with sprawling, interconnected mythology and time-hopping flashbacks.

Created by Lost writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, the show became known for its ambitious crossovers, weaving together Disney and public-domain fairy tales into one interconnected universe. From Snow White and the Evil Queen to Peter Pan, Frozen's Elsa, and beyond, the series constantly expanded its roster, rewarding attentive viewers who followed every twist of its layered mythology.

🕐 Release Order

Release order is the intended way to follow the show's tangled web of curses, realms, and revelations.

1. Once Upon a Time: Seasons 1-3 (2011-2014)
2. Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013-2014)
3. Once Upon a Time: Seasons 4-6 (2014-2017)
4. Once Upon a Time: Season 7 (2017-2018)

The spin-off Wonderland ran alongside the main show, but the flagship series is best followed in its own seasonal order.

📖 Story Chronology

Story chronology follows the main series in season order, with Wonderland acting as a parallel side-story you can watch after Season 3.

1. Once Upon a Time: Seasons 1-3 (2011-2014)
2. Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013-2014)
3. Once Upon a Time: Seasons 4-6 (2014-2017)
4. Once Upon a Time: Season 7 (2017-2018)

Which Order Should You Choose?

Watch the main series in season order for the full experience. The Wonderland spin-off is optional and self-contained — fit it in after Season 3 if you want more, but it isn't required to follow the core story.

🔗 Related Guides

• The Originals Watch OrderGuide
• The Vampire Diaries Watch OrderGuide
• Supernatural Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!