As one of the best-selling manga of all time, One Piece is an action adventure that follows Monkey D. Luffy, a boy with a body that responds like rubber thanks to eating Devil Fruit, on his quest to become the next Pirate King by finding the ultimate treasure of legendary Pirate, Gold Roger. Based on Eiichiro Oda's manga series, One Piece is full of epic battles, harrowing capers, and his highly entertaining and eclectic ensemble of anime characters known as the Straw Hat Pirates.
With over 1,000 episodes across 20 seasons (divided into 10 sagas with 52 different story arcs) in the series, specials, OVAs and shorts, it can be difficult to decide when and where to put the One Piece movies into your (re)watch list. Whether you’re new to the world of One Piece or settling in for an epic movie rewatch before the live-action series, we’ve got you covered.
Take a look at our One Piece timeline guide for what order you should watch the One Piece movies and episodes in.
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How Many One Piece Movies Are There?
There are currently 15 feature length One Piece movies you can watch alongside the anime series. The movie stories are not connected to the series, and therefore aren’t canon. But the stories are built around canon characters and offer an opportunity to learn more about the movie world of the Straw Hat Pirates as it connects to the anime, but not to each other.
The One Piece Series In Chronological Order
To avoid confusion or early introduction to canon characters, we recommend watching the One Piece movies alongside the anime series and its corresponding episode in the expansive franchise.
1. One Piece: The Movie (watch after episode 18)
The Straw Hat Pirates find themselves pitted against the ruthless pirate Eldoraggo after an encounter with a trio of thieves. The Straw Hat Pirates must thwart Eldoraggo on his hunt for the treasure of a legendary captain and secure the hoard of gold for themselves. One Piece: The Movie falls in between the Syrup Village arc and the Baratie arc of the East Blue Saga. It offers a good, if visually nostalgic, world overview by showcasing the early days of the crew as they embark on a treasure hunt..
2. One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure (watch after episode 53)
The Straw Hat Pirates join forces with the Thief Brothers in order to recover their stolen ship, Going Merry and weapons from bandits. The crew and their allies must go to war against the pirate clan reigning over the Clockwork Island, in order to stop their leader from acquiring a superweapon and forcing their crew mate Nami into marriage. One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure falls after the second half of the Loguetown arc of the East Blue Saga. While this may be a standalone story it's a fun must-watch adventure about a vacation gone awry.
3. One Piece: Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals (watch after episode 102)
Stories about a great treasure lure the Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates to the wilderness of Crown Island where the crew encounters intelligent animals. While separate from the rest of the Straw Hats, the crew’s doctor Tony Tony Chopper triggers a prophecy and ends up crowned the island's lord and protector, the King of Beasts. Despite a few interesting fight scenes, Chopper’s Kingdom is an extremely skippable filler film. But if you’re a completionist, One Piece: Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals falls after episode 102 of the Arabasta Arc: in the Arabasta Saga.
4. One Piece: Dead End Adventure (watch after episode 138)
The Straw Hat Pirates need cash so they enter an underground race between pirates known as the Dead End Competition. The crew finds themselves pitted against a vice-admiral with his own powers and his formidable bounty hunter sidekick. Dead End Adventure is the first full-length feature and offers a fantastic adventure newbies and diehards can enjoy. This movie can be watched at any point after episode 130 but we think it falls in line best after episode 138 in the Goat Island arc of the Sky Island Saga.
5. The Cursed Holy Sword (watch after episode 143)
The Cursed Holy Sword centers on Zoro, the crew’s swordsman. While on the island of Asuka, the Straw Hat Pirates learn about a legendary cursed sword the Shichiseiken. The crew’s quickly swept up in the shenanigans of marines intent on freeing the sword. Zoro’s joined their ranks and the rest of the crew must unravel his reasons and figure out what’s going on. This film is a chaotic mess that doesn’t fully come together and is pretty much a miss unless you’re just dying to know more about Zoro. The Cursed Holy Sword falls in line best after episode 14 of the Ruluka Island arc in the Sky Island Saga.
6. One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (watch after episode 224)
Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island, the sixth movie in the franchise, see the Straw Hat Pirates interrupt their journey to Grand Line for a pit stop on a recreation island to relax. Upon arrival the leader of the island, Baron Omatsuri, welcomes them and gives them seven challenges to achieve greater relaxation. The remainder of the movie is unraveling the mystery lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly happy community. Without giving anything away for the uninitiated, it's safe to say the Secret Island should not be on your skip list. The Secret Island falls in line best after episode 224 of the Ocean’s Dream arc in the Water 7 Saga.
7. One Piece: The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle (watch after episode 228)
If you’re in the mood for great action sequences and an off-kilter plotline, then The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle will fully satisfy. The Straw Hats find and open a treasure box. Instead of loot, the crew finds an old lady inside. They agree to help her return home in exchange for a treasure on her Mecha Island. Upon arrival, the crew comes under attack by the island’s leader before he reverses track and asks for their help finding the treasure. Karakuri Castle is best seen after episode 228 of the Foxy’s Return arc in the Water 7 Saga.
8. One Piece – Episode of Arabasta: The Desert Princess and the Pirates (watch after episode 312)
Most One Piece fans will list the Arabasta arc as one of the best in the franchise. Which means if you watched the episodes, then this movie is extremely skippable. This movie is essentially a condensed version of that storyline that doesn’t offer any new storywise. If you need or want a refresher offered with high quality action sequences then watch the Episode of Arabasta remake after episode 312.
9. One Piece – Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in Winter, Miracle Sakura (watch after episode 325)
The Chopper Plus remake offers a change of events and new canon characters added into the mix including a sidekick for the villain Wapol to the original episodes in the Drum Island arc. It’s best to view this as an alternate universe where Luffy’s still trying to save crewmate Nami with different obstacles. If you’re interested in seeing the Bloom in Winter play out in a parallel world, watch Chopper Plus after episode 325 and the end of the Water 7 Saga.
10. One Piece Film: Strong World (watch after episode 381)
Luffy and his crewmates learn that islands in East Blue have been destroyed. The crew discovers that an ex-member of the Rocks Pirates, Shiki the Golden Lion, is responsible. Shiki wants to destroy the marines. After he kidnaps Nami to become their navigator, the Straw Hats decide to take matters into their own hands. They come together to battle the legendary Shiki and rescue Nami. Strong World showcases Shiki’s devil fruit powers and pits Luffy and crew against a myriad of challenges. Strong World is absolutely not canon but makes for a great ride. Watch it any time after episode 381. But we suggest waiting until after the last episode (429) of Little East Blue arc of the Summit Saga for best alignment in this epic journey.
11. One Piece 3D: Straw Hat Chase (watch after episode 381)
One Piece 3D: Straw Hat Chase gets treated as the eleventh movie in the One Piece franchise, but in reality it’s more of a short. Luffy wakes up to a missing crew and spends the entire movie on the hunt for them. Cue it up directly after finishing Strong World because there’s nothing special to separate it from the pack. Straw Hat Chase is so skippable not even hardcore completionists will demand you sit through it.
12. One Piece Film: Z (watch after episode 578)
One Piece Film: Z aims right for the feels with a story centering former marine admiral Z. Z’s stolen a dangerous weapon known as the “Dyna Stones,” and now the Straw Hat Pirates and other admirals must battle him to stop the end of the world. Widely considered one of the best One Pieces movies, Z is colorful and action-packed on top of being a tear-jerker. There’s a bit of debate about the best time to slide Z into the timeline. It’s viewers choice: cue it up after episode 573 or wait until the end of the Z’s Ambition arc with episode 578. Whichever you decide, not watching it would be a mistake.
13. One Piece Film: Gold (watch after episode 750)
The Straw Hat Pirates visit the greatest entertainment city contained on the Gran Tesoro ship. THe story shifts from a gambling vacation to a heist film in short order. This casino adventure offers slick animation and plenty of action from start to finish. Sometimes the point is fan service and that’s exactly the aim of Gold. If you’re this far down the One Piece rabbit hole then that fan service is going to make for a satisfying ride. This is best viewed after finishing the Silver Mine arc of the Whole Cake Island Saga.
14. One Piece: Stampede (watch after episode 889)
Luffy and crew decide to participate in a pirate festival alongside numerous other famous pirates. They quickly realize it's actually a free-for-all to find another one of Roger’s treasures. Over the course of the battle royale, more mysterious goings-on appear and cause upheaval. Do expect to see plenty of fan favorite characters, and the full range of powers operation in the One Piece World. Stampede is next-level fan service wrapped in an epic adventure. This must see movie can be watched any time after episode 889, the end of the Whole Cake Saga. But we suggest maybe waiting until after the Cidre Guild arc in the Wano Country Saga.
15. One Piece Film: Red (watch after episode 1030)
One Piece Film: Red, the most recent movie, is about Shanks and his daughter Uta. The Straw Hats attend a concert hosted by Uta, a famous singer, on Elegia the Island of Music. Things quickly go awry when the attendees discover that Uta is the daughter for Shanks, chief of the Red Hair Pirates. It should be noted that Red is initially driven by songs since that’s how Uta’s power manifests but the unfolding mysteries, chases, displays of legendary powers, and dangerous encounters make it all worthwhile. Red fits seamlessly after the Uta's Past arc of the Wano Country Saga.
How to Watch 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)
The Future of One Piece
Eiichiro Oda originally started One Piece (the manga) in 1997; meaning these stories have been a weekly serial for the past twenty-six years and still running. Oda’s said in the past he’s only eighty percent finished! That means even if this fan-favorite manga run ends in 2024 or 2025 as predicted, there’s plenty of source material to adapt into future sagas for many years to come. Netflix is also going to be airing it's live-action One Piece series starting on August 31, 2023.
