Film · in order
The Godfather Movies in Order
The Godfather is a trilogy of three films (1972-1990). Release order is the intended experience; a chronological "Saga" re-edit untangles Part II's flashbacks into a straight timeline.
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Why this order?
There are only three Godfather films, but the order question is genuinely interesting because Part II is two stories braided together: a sequel following Michael Corleone's descent in the 1950s, and a prequel tracing young Vito's rise from 1900s Sicily through 1920s New York. That structure is the whole reason this page exists.
Release order is the order we recommend and the one Francis Ford Coppola intended. Watch The Godfather (1972), then The Godfather Part II (1974), then The Godfather Part III (1990). The deliberate cross-cutting in Part II โ Vito building a family while Michael destroys his own โ only lands emotionally if you already know where Michael ends up. Seeing the parallel in the director's chosen sequence is the point, and reordering it flattens the tragedy.
Chronological order is for second-time viewers and completists. Coppola himself authorized a re-edit, "The Godfather Saga" (also broadcast as "The Godfather: A Novel for Television"), which splices Parts I and II into a single straight timeline starting with Vito's childhood and running forward. It's a fascinating watch once you've seen the originals, but it drains the suspense and the thematic rhyme, so it's a re-watch experience, not a first pass.
One more gotcha: Part III was recut and re-released in 2020 as "The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone," with a new opening, new ending, and tighter pacing that many consider the definitive version. If you've only seen the 1990 cut, the Coda is worth seeking out. Fans of sprawling American crime sagas often pair this with Once Upon a Time in America or the long-form crime storytelling of The Sopranos.
Timeline 1972โ1990
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
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Frequently asked questions
How many Godfather movies are there?
There are three: The Godfather (1972), The Godfather Part II (1974), and The Godfather Part III (1990). Part III was later recut and re-released in 2020 as The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, but it's the same film, not a fourth entry.
What order should I watch The Godfather in?
Watch in release order: The Godfather, then Part II, then Part III. That's the order Coppola intended, and Part II's prequel/sequel structure only pays off emotionally if you watch it second. Save the chronological re-edit for a repeat viewing.
What is The Godfather Saga?
It's an authorized re-edit that splices Parts I and II into one straight chronological timeline, starting with young Vito's story. It aired on TV as 'The Godfather: A Novel for Television' and is great for rewatches, but it removes the original's deliberate suspense and parallel structure.
Is The Godfather Part II a prequel or a sequel?
Both. It continues Michael Corleone's story in the 1950s while simultaneously flashing back to young Vito Corleone's rise decades earlier. The two timelines are intercut throughout, which is why the film is celebrated for its structure.
What is The Godfather Coda?
The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone is Coppola's 2020 re-edit of Part III, featuring a new opening and ending plus tightened pacing. Many viewers consider it the definitive version of the third film.
Do I need to watch Part III?
Part III isn't essential to the core story of Parts I and II, but it provides the trilogy's closure and Michael's final reckoning. If you watch it, seek out the 2020 Coda recut, which is widely regarded as the stronger cut.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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