As one of the best-selling manga of all time, One Piece is an action-adventure that tells the story of a boy named Monkey D. Luffy, whose body gains rubber-like properties after eating the Devil Fruit and who sets out to become the next Pirate King. The series is based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga and is filled with an incredibly entertaining and diverse group of anime characters known as the Straw Hat Pirates, including epic battles, challenging capers, and thrilling encounters with the notorious Sea Emperor, Gold Roger’s final treasure.
With over 1,000 episodes divided into 20 seasons (comprising 52 separate story arcs with 10 sagas), it can be challenging to figure out where and when to include the One Piece movies in your (re)watch list. Whether you’re new to the world of One Piece or eagerly awaiting a grand epic film before diving into the live-action series, we’ve got you covered.
To help you determine the order to watch One Piece movies and episodes, take a look at our One Piece timeline guide.
How many One Piece movies are there?
Currently, there are 15 feature-length One Piece films that you can enjoy alongside the anime series. The movie stories are not directly connected to the main series (canon), but they revolve around canon characters and provide more insights into the world of the Straw Hat Pirates, making them enjoyable for anime fans but not necessarily crucial to the overall plot.
Chronological order of the movies:
To avoid spoilers from the early introduction of characters from the manga or the expansive franchise, we recommend watching the One Piece films related to anime episodes.
1. One Piece: The Movie (18th episode recommended).
After clashing with the Pirate Ganzack and his band of thieves, the Straw Hat Pirates find themselves facing the cruel sea pirate, El Drago. To foil El Drago’s plan to find the treasure of a great captain and secure a stash of gold for themselves, the Straw Hat Pirates embark on an adventure that lies between the Syrup Village Arc and the Baratie Arc. This film provides a good, if somewhat detached, overview of the crew’s early days.
2. One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure, which may be viewed following Episode 53.
The Straw Hat Pirates join forces with a gang of thieves to retrieve their stolen ship, Going Merry, and weapons from a group of marauders. The cunning gang and their allies must engage in a battle against the mechanical warriors ruling Clockwork Island to obtain super weapons for their leader and prevent their navigator Nami from being forced into marriage. This movie takes place after the Loguetown Arc, but it may have a separate storyline, making it an enjoyable and whimsical journey about vacation plans gone awry.
3. After episode 102, view One Piece: Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals.
Tales of a large treasure lead Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates to Crown Island’s jungle. Instead of treasure, they encounter an old woman who requires their help in returning her to her home on the Mechani-Den Island. Luffy agrees to help her in exchange for a treasure, setting off an adventure that reveals the secrets hidden beneath this happy community. Without giving away much to the unfamiliar, we can safely say that Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals should not be on your skip list.
4. Watch One Piece: Dead End Adventure following episode 138.
In need of cash, the Straw Hat Pirates participate in a massive race among pirate crews known as the Dead End Competition. Challenging the skilled swordsmen of Chaser, they encounter a cunning pirate with an unbeatable reward. The movie showcases the crew’s chase for a treasure box, rather than plunder, leading to an encounter with an elderly woman who asks for their assistance in returning to her island. The adventures that follow will reveal the hidden secrets beneath the surface of this seemingly joyful community. Without giving away much, we suggest that Dead End Adventure is best enjoyed after Episode 138 of the Foxy’s Return Arc in Skypiea Saga.
5. Watch One Piece: The Cursed Holy Sword following Episode 143
The Cursed Holy Sword centers around the swordsmanship of the thief Zoro. While residing on Asuka Island, the Straw Hat Pirates learn about a cursed sword, Shichiseiken. In an effort to conceal his true intentions, Chaser is drawn to the crew and asks for their help in searching for the sword. The rest of the movie reveals the secrets this idyllic town has hidden behind its surface. While intriguing in parts, The Cursed Holy Sword can be skipped altogether until you are dying to know more about Chaser.
6. One Piece – The Desert Princess and the Pirates episode of Arabasta (watch after episode 312)
The majority of One Piece fans would list the Arabasta Arc as one of the best arcs in the franchise. This means that if you have seen the episodes, you can confidently skip this film. The movie is essentially a condensed version of that story and does not offer any new revelations. If you need a refresher with high-quality action sequences or are keen on seeing a particular segment in a more compact form, the Episode of Arabasta: The Desert Princess and the Pirates is a good choice. This film appears after the Foxy’s Return Arc in the Water 7 Saga.
7. One Piece: Karakuri Castle’s Giant Mechanical Soldier (Watch after Episode 228)
The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle will more than satisfy your craving for top-notch action scenes and unconventional storytelling. The Straw Hat Pirates find a treasure chest and open it, only to find an old woman inside. Instead of attacking them, the elderly woman offers them a deal. They help her return to her home on Mechachopper Island, and she will grant them a reward of great value. This leads to a confrontation with the leader of the island, Karakuri, and his mechanical soldiers, all of whom are under his command. The movie takes place after Episode 228, which is the Foxy’s Return Arc in Water 7 Saga.
8. One Piece – The Desert Princess and the Pirates episode of Arabasta (watch after episode 312)
The majority of One Piece fans would list the Arabasta Arc as one of the best arcs in the franchise. This means that if you have seen the episodes, you can confidently skip this film. The movie is essentially a condensed version of that story and does not offer any new revelations. If you need a refresher with high-quality action sequences or are keen on seeing a particular segment in a more compact form, the Episode of Arabasta: The Desert Princess and the Pirates is a good choice. This film appears after the Foxy’s Return Arc in the Water 7 Saga.
Remember, this is a guide to watching the One Piece movies along with the anime episodes. You can customize your viewing order based on your preferences, but we hope this helps you enjoy the world of One Piece to the fullest!”
9. One Piece – Chopper Plus: Miracle Sakura, Bloom in Winter (Watch after Episode 325)
The plot of the Chopper Plus remake is altered, and new canon characters are included, including a sidekick for the Drum Island arc’s villain Wapol. It’s best seen as an alternative universe where Luffy is still trying to save his companion, Nami, with the help of the Straw Hat crew, facing various obstacles. After Episode 325 and the conclusion of the Water 7 Saga, you can watch Chopper Plus to discover how Bloom in Winter plays out in a parallel universe.
10. Strong World from One Piece (watch after episode 381)
Luffy and his crew learn that the East Blue islands have been destroyed. They discover that a former member of the Rox Pirates, Shiki the Golden Lion, is responsible and wants to annihilate the Navy. After kidnapping Nami to make her his navigator, Shiki decides to take on the Straw Hat crew and save Nami. Strong World showcases Shiki’s devilish fruit powers and challenges Luffy and the crew with countless adversities. Although it’s not part of the canon, it makes for a fantastic adventure. Watch it anytime after Episode 381.
11. Watch Straw Hat Chase from One Piece 3D after episode 381
Although it’s a short film, One Piece 3D: Straw Hat Chase is regarded as the eleventh installment in the One Piece series. filled with excitement. After wrapping up Strong World, you can directly watch this film as it doesn’t have anything particularly significant to be watched separately.
12. One Piece Film: Z (Watch after Episode 578)
One Piece Film: Z focuses on the story revolving around the former Marine Admiral Zephyr. Z, known as “Zephyr” or “Z” for short, steals a dangerous weapon known as the Dyna Stones and now plans to destroy the world. The film showcases spectacular animation and thrilling action, becoming one of the fan favorites. To get the best context, consider watching it after Episode 573 or wait until the end of the Z Ambition Arc with Episode 578.
13. Gold from One Piece Film (View following Episode 750)
The Straw Hat Pirates visit the massive entertainment city, Gran Tesoro. The story turns into a thrilling casino adventure with elements of heist and intrigue. Gold provides fantastic animation and action throughout. After concluding the Silver Mine Arc in the Whole Cake Island Saga, it’s best to watch this film.
14. Watch One Piece: Stampede after episode 889.
Luffy and the Straw Hat crew participate in a Pirate Expo with many other renowned pirates. Things get chaotic when it’s revealed that one of the exhibits is the treasure from Roger’s past. The film is an epic showcase of favorite characters and their powers, filled with action and mystery. Stampede is a must-watch after the completion of the Levely Arc in the Wano Country Saga.
15. One Piece Film: Red (Watch after Episode 1030)
One Piece Film: Red is the most recent film, focusing on Shank and his daughter, Uta. The Straw Hat crew attends a music festival hosted by the famous singer Uta on Elegia Island. Things take a drastic turn when the audience discovers that Uta is the daughter of Red Hair Pirates’ captain, Shanks. The film is an engaging musical adventure with mesmerizing animation and plenty of action. It fits perfectly after the completion of the Uta’s Past Arc in the Wano Country Saga.
The Release Order to Watch One Piece Films:
1. One Piece: The Movie (2000)
2. Clockwork Island Adventure (2001)
3. Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals (2002)
4. Dead End Adventure (2003)
5. The Cursed Holy Sword (2004)
6. The 2005 film Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island
7. Karakuri Castle’s Giant Mechanical Soldier (2006)
8.The Desert Princess and the Pirates, an episode of Alabasta from 2007.
9. Chopper Plus: Episode of Bloom in Winter, Miracle Cherry Blossom (2008)
10. One Piece Film: Strong World (2009)
11.The 2011 film One Piece 3D: Straw Hat Chase
12. One Piece Film: Z (2012)
13. One Piece Film: Gold (2016)
14. One Piece: Stampede (2019)
15. One Piece Film: Red (2022)
A Piece of the Future:
Eiichiro Oda originally started One Piece (manga) in 1997, making it a weekly serial that has been ongoing for over twenty years and is still running. Oda had once said that his work was only 80% done! This means that even if this fan-favorite manga were to conclude in 2024 or 2025 according to predictions, there are plenty of source materials available to adapt future tales for many years to come. Netflix is also set to stream its live-action One Piece series from August 31, 2023. Enjoy the journey!