Evangelion Watch Order: Series, Films and Rebuild

Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion (26 episodes, 1995 to 1996) first, then The End of Evangelion (1997). After that, watch the four Rebuild films, which retell the story and then break away from it. The Rebuild films are a separate telling, so you can also start with them, but most viewers get more from the original run first.

Image: Fan art (AI-generated)

Evangelion has no single "correct" order because it exists in two tellings: the original TV series and its film ending, and the Rebuild film series made by Studio Khara. This guide gives the order that works for a first watch, explains which entries you can skip, and flags the places where the story changes. Spoilers are kept to a minimum, and the one section that discusses where the Rebuild films diverge is marked.

The short answer

1. Neon Genesis Evangelion, episodes 1 to 26.
2. The End of Evangelion, the 1997 film.
3. Evangelion: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 3.0+1.0, the Rebuild films, in release order.

Skip Death & Rebirth unless you want a recap. Treat the 3.0 (-46h) short as a bonus after the last film.

Every Evangelion entry at a glance

Runtimes for the Rebuild films are the theatrical figures listed on Wikipedia. Together they come to roughly 7.5 hours.

Two ways to watch, and which to pick

Route A: original first (recommended)

Watch the series, then The End of Evangelion, then the Rebuild films. The Rebuild films reuse the characters, the Evas and many of the early story beats, and the last one openly echoes the earlier ending. Knowing the original makes the changes land. It also means you see the 1990s version of the story as its director first made it.

Route B: Rebuild only

The four films are self-contained and tell a complete story in about 7.5 hours, so they are a legitimate shortcut if you will not commit to 26 episodes. You lose context for the references, but nothing blocks you from following the plot. If you start here and like it, go back to the series afterward.

What not to do

Do not mix the two tellings episode by episode, and do not watch the Rebuild films first and then jump into the series expecting a continuation. The series is not a sequel to the films or the other way round.

The order step by step

1. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995 to 1996, 26 episodes). Directed by Hideaki Anno and broadcast on TV Tokyo from 4 October 1995 to 27 March 1996, according to Wikipedia. Teenagers pilot giant Evangelion units against monstrous Angels. It starts as a mecha adventure and becomes something far more internal.
2. Death & Rebirth (March 1997). Optional. The "Death" half is about an hour of clips from the first 24 episodes, and "Rebirth" previews the next film. You have just watched the material it recaps, so skip it.
3. The End of Evangelion (July 1997, 87 minutes). A theatrical retelling of the last two episodes. Wikipedia notes that official materials describe it as both a remake of episodes 25 and 26 and an alternative ending. Watch it right after episode 26.
4. Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007). A close retelling of the first six episodes with a few new elements.
5. Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009). A much looser retelling of a later stretch of the series, with new characters and changes.
6. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012). The first film that leaves the original continuity behind. It is set well after the previous film, and many viewers find it the most disorienting entry.
7. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021). The conclusion, released in Japan on 8 March 2021 at 155 minutes. An updated cut, 3.0+1.01, opened in Japanese theaters on 12 June 2021 with revised scenes and the same story.
8. Evangelion: 3.0 (-46h) (2023). A short of unaired footage that came with the home video release of the last film. It is a bonus, so watch it after the finale.

Where the Rebuild films diverge (light spoilers)

The first film follows the early episodes closely. The second keeps the framework but adds new characters and changes how events play out. The third is where the two tellings stop matching: it jumps forward in time and introduces a new organization opposed to NERV, so you cannot use the series to guess what happens. The fourth wraps up the film story and draws on the earlier ending as well. You can view the Rebuild films as a remix that eventually becomes its own story.

You may also see these films labeled 1.11, 2.22, 3.33 and 3.0+1.11 on stores and streaming services. These are revised home video versions of the same films. Watch whichever your service offers.

Director's cuts and which TV version to watch

Wikipedia notes that extended "director's cut" versions of episodes 21 to 24 exist, first on Japanese LaserDisc and VHS and later on international releases. They add scenes to the broadcast episodes. The Netflix listing is reported to include these versions, so you do not need to hunt for them. Outside Japan, the Netflix release omits the song "Fly Me to the Moon" because of licensing, according to Wikipedia.

Where to watch

Streaming rights change often, so check the service before you plan a marathon. As of 3 November 2026, JustWatch lists the original series on Netflix in the US. Netflix acquired worldwide rights to the series in 2018 and launched it on 21 June 2019. Amazon Prime Video announced in 2021 that it would stream the fourth film worldwide on 13 August 2021, and the Rebuild films have been reported on Prime Video since. One low-quality report said they would leave Prime Video on 13 August 2026, and we could not confirm it, so look at the Prime Video title page before you count on it. We do not track availability, so use JustWatch for a current list.

What comes next

A new Evangelion TV series was announced on 23 February 2026 at the closing event of the franchise's 30th anniversary festival, with Studio Khara working with CloverWorks. Reporting names Yoko Taro as writer, Keiichi Okabe as composer and Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toko Yatabe as directors, and a teaser has appeared. No release date or plot has been announced as of our check, and the series' place in the timeline is unknown. Nothing needs to be watched for it yet.

If you like Evangelion

For more giant robots, browse our mecha anime page. Two sibling guides show how the order works for other long-running mecha franchises: the Gundam watch order and the Code Geass watch order.

Questions people ask

Do I need to watch The End of Evangelion?

Yes, if you watch the series. It is the film ending of the original story and an alternative to episodes 25 and 26. Watching the series without it leaves out the version many fans consider the real finale.

Do I need to watch Evangelion Rebuild?

No, but it is worth it if you liked the series. It is a separate telling with its own conclusion. Fans of the original often find the first two films familiar and the last two surprising.

Is Evangelion 3.0+1.0 the last movie?

Yes, it is the fourth and final Rebuild film, released in Japan on 8 March 2021. Wikipedia says it was intended as Hideaki Anno's final Evangelion work, though a new TV series has since been announced from Khara and CloverWorks.

Can I skip the original series and watch Rebuild?

Yes. The four films tell a complete story. You will miss references, but you will not be lost.

Is Death & Rebirth worth watching?

Only if you want a one-hour recap. It is not required before The End of Evangelion.

How many episodes does Evangelion have?

The original TV series has 26 episodes. The Rebuild story is told in four films, not episodes.

Is Evangelion a mecha anime?

Yes, it features giant piloted machines, but it is as much a psychological drama as a robot show. The series is in our mecha collection.

Is Evangelion finished?

The original series and the Rebuild films are both complete. A new series has been announced but not dated.

Sources

• Wikipedia, "Neon Genesis Evangelion", sections on the series, films and Netflix release (accessed 4 November 2026): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Genesis_Evangelion
• Wikipedia, "The End of Evangelion", release date, runtime and relation to episodes 25 and 26: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_Evangelion
• Wikipedia, "Rebuild of Evangelion", film dates and runtimes: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebuild_of_Evangelion
• Wikipedia, "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time", release dates, 3.0+1.01 revision and final-film note: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelion:_3.0+1.0_Thrice_Upon_a_Time
• JustWatch Guides, "Everything We Know About The Mysterious New Evangelion Project", 18 August 2026, with US availability checked 3 November 2026: guides.justwatch.com
• Hypebeast, "A New Neon Genesis Evangelion Series Is in Development", February 2026: hypebeast.com
• Anime News Network, "Amazon Prime Video to Stream Final Evangelion Film on August 13", 1 July 2021: animenewsnetwork.com
• Amazon, press release on Evangelion: 3.0+1.01, 2021: press.aboutamazon.com

Last checked: 4 November 2026