How to watch

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air turned Will Smith into a household name. The NBC sitcom follows a streetwise teen sent to live with his wealthy relatives, the Banks family, in a California mansion. Decades later, a reunion special brought the cast back together, and a fan-made trailer inspired Peacock's dramatic reimagining, Bel-Air.

🕐 Release Order

Release order covers the classic sitcom, the heartfelt reunion and the modern drama.

1. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)
2. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion (2020)
3. Bel-Air (2022–2025)

The reunion and the reboot both look back at the original story, but in very different ways.

📖 Story Chronology

The 2020 special is an unscripted reunion where the cast reflects on the show, so it naturally follows the sitcom. Bel-Air restarts Will's story from scratch as a serious drama with a new cast, making it a separate timeline rather than a sequel.

1. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Seasons 1–6 (1990–1996)
2. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion (2020)
3. Bel-Air Seasons 1–4 (2022–2025) — separate reimagining

Which Order Should You Choose?

Watch the original sitcom first. The reunion is far more moving once you know the characters, especially its tribute to James Avery, who played Uncle Phil. Bel-Air can be enjoyed without any prior knowledge, but spotting how it reworks classic moments like Will's emotional confrontation with his father is half the fun.

🔗 Related Guides

• Boy Meets World Watch OrderGuide
• Saved by the Bell Watch OrderGuide
• Full House & Fuller House Watch OrderGuide

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