Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is one of the most iconic manga and anime series of all time, with well over a thousand episodes over its 20+ year run. However, the series goes beyond just the anime, as there are also fifteen One Piece movies, so here’s how to watch all of them in order.
All One Piece Films in Chronological Order
One Piece’s films are generally considered non-canonical, and many do not fit neatly into the anime’s continuity. That being said, they do all have a place in the series more broadly due to certain plot points, characters, and other details. With that in mind, here’s the watch order for the movies and the approximate episode of the One Piece anime series each takes place around:
One Piece: The Movie (After Episode 18)
The first One Piece movie has the Straw Hat Pirates cross paths with the vicious pirate El Drago, who sends Luffy and Zoro into the ocean as he searches for a legendary treasure. As the two friends regain their bearings and move to intercept El Drago, they are joined by a young boy on their impromptu adventure named Tobio. Given that the Straw Hat Pirates are still relatively early in their exploits, One Piece: The Movie takes place after the Syrup Village Arc in the series.
Clockwork Island Adventure (After Episode 53)
Clockwork Island Adventure finds the Straw Hats at the mercy of another rival pirate crew, this time with a group of bandits based out of the titular Clockwork Island. After having their ship stolen by this cruel ensemble, Luffy rallies his friends to recover their vessel and gear while liberating those ruled over by the enemy pirates. Clockwork Island Adventure marks the first movie with Sanji in the fold and takes place sometime in the midst of the Loguetown Arc.
Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in Winter, Miracle Sakura (Retells Episodes 78-91)
Episode of Chopper Plus offers an alternate adaptation of the Drum Island Arc, condensing the 14-episode story into a 113-minute movie. This version of the story – with Luffy out to rescue Nami once again – adds Franky, Nico Robin, and several characters not in the manga or anime iterations of the tale. Chronologically, Episode of Chopper Plus should be watched after the Drum Island Arc in the anime to compare and contrast.
Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals (After Episode 102)
Enticed by stories of a great treasure, the Straw Hats travel to the Island of Strange Animals, which they find populated by intelligent animals. The Straw Hats’ latest recruit, Chopper, is whisked away by the animals on this island, who initially believe him to be their new king, resulting in a battle of mistaken identities and intentions. The first movie with Chopper, Island of Strange Animals takes place during the Arabasta Arc.
Episode of Arabasta: The Desert Princess and the Pirates (Retells Episodes 92-130)
As the title indicates, Episode of Arabasta offers a retelling of the Arabasta Arc, one of the best storylines in the entire series, streamlining what was originally a 139-episode story into a 90-minute movie. Arriving at a desert island nation in the middle of a revolution, the Straw Hats battle the nefarious Sir Crocodile and his formidable army. After finishing the Arabasta Arc, consider viewing this movie to see how the adventure could’ve unfolded a bit differently while retaining several of the key moments.
Dead End Adventure (After Episode 138)
Dead End Adventure has the Straw Hats enter a high-stakes race against other pirate crews for a lucrative prize, crossing paths with a bounty hunter along the way. One of the best movies of the bunch, Dead End Adventure is the first One Piece released to include fan-favorite character Nico Robin. Given Nico Robin’s presence and the Straw Hats’ abilities, Dead End Adventure takes place after the Goat Island Arc.
The Cursed Holy Sword (After Episode 143)
A Zoro-centric adventure, The Cursed Holy Sword has Zoro lured into a dangerous adventure by his childhood friend Saga involving the malevolent Seven-Star Sword. As Zoro tries to save his friend from the sword’s evil influence, the Straw Hats are drawn into the conflict, seeking orbs to seal away the sword’s power. The Cursed Holy Sword takes place roughly after the Ruluka Island Arc in the series if you’re looking to watch the One Piece movies in order.
Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (After Episode 224)
After rigorous exploits on the high seas, the Straw Hats decide to take a well-earned vacation at a resort island in Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. Baron Omatsuri challenges the crew to undergo seven trials to enjoy a true vacation on his island, with the Straw Hats finding a deeper mystery behind this scenic community at play. Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island takes place after the Ocean’s Dream Arc.
The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle (After Episode 228)
Opening a treasure chest, the Straw Hats are shocked to discover an elderly woman who requests that the crew return her to an island in exchange for the actual treasure. However, as The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle unfolds, this island has enemies of its own with their own surprising motives. The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle takes place after Foxy’s Return Arc in the series.
Related: When Will One Piece End?
One Piece Film: Strong World (After Episode 381)
Strong World has the Straw Hats learning that East Blue has been attacked, prompting them to take on the villainous Shiki the Gold Lion. Things escalate when Shiki kidnaps Nami and exhibits his own destructive Devil Fruit powers, challenging Luffy and his friends like never before. Set just after Brook joins the Straw Hat crew, Strong World takes place after Episode 381 of the series and is the only One Piece movie, to date, to have its story written by Eiichiro Oda himself.
One Piece 3D: Straw Hat Chase (After Episode 381)
Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates leap into the third dimension with Straw Hat Chase, with the movie beginning with the relatively innocent premise of Luffy’s hat being stolen by an eagle. Only clocking in at 30 minutes, Straw Hat Chase feels more like an extended filler episode than a feature film but has enjoyable enough moments through its lightweight story. Realistically, Straw Hat Chase can be watched any time after Brook joins the crew, placing it around the same times as Strong World.
One Piece Film: Z (After Episode 578)
Arguably the best One Piece movie to date, One Piece Film: Z has the Straw Hats racing to stop Z, the leader of the Neo Navy, from destroying the world with experimental bombs. The first movie to take place after the two-year time skip in the series, Z takes advantage of the new landscape introduced by New World, the era of the story after the chronological jump. With that in mind, viewers should watch the movie after the Z’s Ambition Arc in the main series.
One Piece Film: Gold (After Episode 750)
One Piece channels its best Ocean’s 11-style heist adventure with One Piece Film: Gold, which has the Straw Hats visit Gran Tesoro, an entertainment city within a ship run by Gild Tesoro. Discovering the lush casino society is an ambush to steal their money and luck, the Straw Hats decide to turn the tables on the house with a carefully coordinated raid. Gold is best watched after the conclusion of the Silver Mine Arc for those diving into the One Piece movies in order.
One Piece: Stampede (After Episode 889)
Commemorating the anime series’ 20th anniversary, One Piece: Stampede brings in a whole host of familiar faces as the Straw Hats attend a full-on pirate festival. This celebration is an excuse to bring everyone together to compete in another treasure hunt belonging to legendary pirate Gol D. Roger. Stampede takes place after the events of the Whole Cake Saga, which concludes with Episode 889.
One Piece Film: Red (After Episode 1030)
The 15th One Piece movie, 2022’s One Piece Film: Red, puts the spotlight on Uta, a pop star in the New World and a long-lost childhood friend of Luffy, who was raised by Red-Haired Shanks. As the Straw Hats attend one of Uta’s concerts, they learn of an elaborate scheme to rid the world of pirates for all the pain they’ve caused. Red fits perfectly after Uta’s Past Arc, which introduces Uta and her connection to Luffy in the series.
All One Piece Films in Release Order
While there are some slight deviations in when One Piece movies can be watched in chronological order, watching them in release order as audiences worldwide first experienced them should be fine. With that in mind, here are all the One Piece movies in release order:
- One Piece: The Movie (2000)
- Clockwork Island Adventure (2001)
- Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals (2002)
- Dead End Adventure (2003)
- The Cursed Holy Sword (2004)
- Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (2005)
- Giant Mecha Soldier of Karakuri Castle (2006)
- The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta (2007)
- Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Cherry Blossom (2008)
- One Piece Film: Strong World (2009)
- Straw Hat Chase (2011)
- One Piece Film: Z (2012)
- One Piece Film: Gold (2016)
- One Piece: Stampede (2019)
- One Piece Film: Red (2022)
Which One Piece Movies Are Canon?
Fans don’t generally consider any of the One Piece movies canon, with many having inconsistencies with the main series and its timeline. It’s also worth noting that Oda’s involvement with many of the movies was pretty minimal, with the exception of Strong World. That being said, there are characters that have debuted in the movies that have later become canon. The practice of having non-canon tie-in films is pretty common for anime series.
And that’s how to watch the One Piece movies in order, as well as what you need to know about whether the films are canon. The show is available to stream now on various platforms.
The above article was updated by Sam Stone on 4/30/2024 to add information about One Piece.
