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War of the Worlds Movie Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch the War of the Worlds movies in order

Last updated: November 11 2026

Written by: ChronoChris

H. G. Wells' 1898 novel about a Martian invasion has been adapted again and again for film and television. With remakes, sequels and reimaginings spread across seven decades, a watch order guide helps you see how each version fits together.

Few science fiction stories have been retold as often as The War of the Worlds. From George Pal's Technicolor 1953 classic to Steven Spielberg's terrifying 2005 blockbuster with Tom Cruise, and on to period dramas and modern streaming takes, each adaptation reflects the fears of its own era. Some entries connect directly, while others are completely standalone retellings of Wells' original story.

πŸ• Release Order

Watching in release order lets you trace how special effects, tone and political subtext evolved from Cold War paranoia to post-9/11 dread and today's screen-life thrillers.

  1. The War of the Worlds (1953)
  2. War of the Worlds: The Series (1988–1990)
  3. War of the Worlds (2005)
  4. The War of the Worlds β€” BBC miniseries (2019)
  5. War of the Worlds β€” Fox/Canal+ series (2019–2022)
  6. War of the Worlds (2025)

Most of these versions are separate continuities, but the 1988 television series is a direct sequel to the 1953 film, set decades after the original invasion. That makes a story-based order slightly different from the release list.

πŸ“– Story Chronology

If you want to follow the setting of each adaptation, start with the BBC's Edwardian-era miniseries β€” the closest to Wells' book β€” then move through the 1953 film and its TV sequel before reaching the modern-day retellings.

  1. The War of the Worlds β€” BBC miniseries (2019) β€” set in Edwardian England
  2. The War of the Worlds (1953)
  3. War of the Worlds: The Series (1988–1990) β€” sequel to the 1953 film
  4. War of the Worlds (2005)
  5. War of the Worlds β€” Fox/Canal+ series (2019–2022)
  6. War of the Worlds (2025)

Which Order Should You Choose?

Newcomers should begin with the 1953 film and Spielberg's 2005 version β€” they're the two most influential takes and work perfectly on their own. If you enjoy those, the BBC miniseries offers a faithful period piece, while the 1988 series is a fun curiosity for fans of the George Pal film. The 2025 version is entirely optional, but completists will want to see how the story was updated for the streaming age.

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