Watch order guide
Evangelion Watch Order
Neon Genesis Evangelion has two versions of its story: the original 1990s TV series with its film ending, and the four Rebuild of Evangelion films. This Evangelion anime watch order shows both paths and which to start with. Part of our anime watch order guides.
By James Henry · Last updated: October 19, 2026
Quick answer · start here
Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV, 26 episodes) → The End of Evangelion (film) → the four Rebuild films.
Path 1: the original story
| # | Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV) | 1995-1996 | 26 episodes |
| 2 | The End of Evangelion | 1997 | Film; an alternate version of the final two episodes. Watch after the series |
Skip: Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (1997) is mostly a recap with an early piece of End of Evangelion.
Path 2: the Rebuild of Evangelion films (movie watch order)
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone | 2007 |
| 2 | Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance | 2009 |
| 3 | Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo | 2012 |
| 4 | Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time | 2021 |
The Rebuild films start as a retelling of the series, then go in a completely new direction from 2.0 onward. Thrice Upon a Time is the final ending of the whole franchise.
Which should I watch first?
Watch the original series first. The Rebuild films, especially 3.0 and 3.0+1.0, assume you know the original and play with those expectations. Starting with Rebuild works, but the ending lands much harder after the series.
Is End of Evangelion necessary?
Yes. The final two TV episodes take place mostly inside the main character’s mind. The End of Evangelion shows what happens in the outside world at the same time. Most fans treat it as the true ending of the original story.
Where to watch Evangelion
Netflix streams the TV series and The End of Evangelion in many regions. The Rebuild films are on Prime Video in many countries. Availability varies.
How long does it take to watch Evangelion?
Planning a binge? Here is a rough guide to the main parts of the evangelion watch order, based on about 24 minutes per TV episode:
| Part | Length | Watch time |
|---|---|---|
| Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV) | 26 episodes | about 10 hours |
| The End of Evangelion | 1 film | about 1.5 hours |
| Rebuild of Evangelion | 4 films | about 7 hours |
You can watch the TV series and End of Evangelion in one weekend, then save the four Rebuild films for later. Times are approximate and do not include openings you skip or breaks.
Tips for first-time Evangelion viewers
- Follow the release order first. It is the order the creators intended, and it protects you from spoilers.
- Sub or dub? Both are fine. Subtitles keep the original Japanese performances; dubs let you focus on the animation.
- Avoid wiki pages and comments. Big twists are often spoiled in titles and thumbnails.
- Pace yourself. Two or three episodes a night is enough to stay hooked without burning out.
- Use official streaming. Legal services support the creators and usually have the best quality.
What to watch after Evangelion
Finished the evangelion watch order and want more? Fans often enjoy these next:
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Gurren Lagann
- Darling in the Franxx
- Akira
Each of these shares something with Evangelion, such as its action, characters or tone, so they make an easy next step.
Why follow this evangelion watch order guide?
Our evangelion watch order guide gives you the release order, the chronological order, what you can skip and where everything fits, checked against official sources and updated when new seasons or films are announced. Use the evangelion watch order above to plan your binge, then bookmark the page so you can check it when the next part is released.
