How to watch

Overlord Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch the Overlord anime series and movies in order

Last updated: September 29 2026

Written by: ChronoChris

Overlord follows Momonga, a player trapped in his powerful skeletal avatar Ainz Ooal Gown after his favorite game shuts down. With four TV seasons and a run of movies, knowing the watch order helps you follow Ainz's rise without missing a beat.

Overlord is one of the most popular isekai anime of the past decade, blending dark fantasy, dungeon-crawling strategy, and a morally grey protagonist who rules an army of loyal NPCs. Adapted from Kugane Maruyama's light novels, the series has spanned four seasons plus theatrical recap films and a brand-new movie, which can make the viewing order confusing for newcomers.

πŸ• Release Order

Release order is the cleanest way to experience Overlord, since each season picks up directly where the last one ended.

  1. Overlord Season 1 (2015)
  2. Overlord: The Undead King (2017)
  3. Overlord: The Dark Warrior (2017)
  4. Overlord Season 2 (2018)
  5. Overlord Season 3 (2018)
  6. Overlord Season 4 (2022)
  7. Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom (2024)

The two 2017 films β€” The Undead King and The Dark Warrior β€” are theatrical recaps of Season 1, so you can safely skip them if you have already watched the first season.

πŸ“– Story Chronology

Overlord's story runs in a straight line, so chronological order matches release order once you set the recap movies aside.

  1. Overlord Season 1 (2015)
  2. Overlord Season 2 (2018)
  3. Overlord Season 3 (2018)
  4. Overlord Season 4 (2022)
  5. Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom (2024)

Which Order Should You Choose?

For a first watch, stick to the four TV seasons in order and finish with The Sacred Kingdom movie, which continues the plot after Season 4. Only seek out the two 2017 compilation films if you enjoy condensed recaps or want a quick refresher before diving back in. Following the seasons in sequence keeps Ainz's schemes, the growth of Nazarick, and the shifting politics of the New World perfectly clear.

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