How to watch all the Twilight movies in order: A complete guide

In 2008, the Twilight saga was adapted to screen for the first time, and the era was largely dominated by superhero films and wizard tales. No one saw it coming, but when Twilight (2008) came, it launched a pop cultural thunderstorm.

Built upon a small budget, this vampire romance of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan quietly sank its teeth into the cinematic bloodstream. Based on Meyer's bestselling YA novel, it delivered a breath of fresh air with its gothic, melodramatic, and unapologetically emotional appeal.

The popularity of the saga is a testament to the brilliance of this five-film saga that ultimately made $3.4 billion across the globe. At the core, Twilight saga was a tale of two people in love from different worlds (three, when you count the complex love triangle with Jacob that develops in Edward’s absence).

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What the saga entailed: a quick look

Edward Cullen, the pale, brooding vampire, and Bella, the painfully awkward girl fall in love with each other. Further, with Jacob’s entry into the romantic triangle, fans got divided in no time. On one side, some cheered for Edward and Bella to happen, while others rooted for Jacob and Bella to click.

Set in the forest-laced town of Forks, Washington, Twilight portrayed through its landscapes a sense of angst, and the unknown. When a vampire is involved a certain degree of tension is not a strange addition.

But the threat soon gives way to the sweeping romance, and teenage intensity. Critics were not always impressed by the films coming from this franchise but loyal fans braced themselves in anticipation each time an announcement happened.

So, whether you’re revisiting for the nostalgia or watching it for the first time here’s how to watch the Twilight movies in order:

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How to watch all the Twilight movies in order: A complete guide

1. Twilight (2008)

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke this film had a runtime of 122 mins. This is where it all began: Bella moves to Forks and is new to the city. She plays a crucial part in the story’s narration, playing the role of an observant eye for the viewer. Viewers understand the setting and the characters through her perception.

Soon, after meeting Edward, Bella slowly starts to get curious about Edward’s power and falls for Edward, who turns out to be a 100-year-old vampire. Bella adores his sparkling skin under sunlight and chooses to be with him despite her being human.

This is not a classic vampire story of a pale-skinned vampire preying on the hot blood of an innocent human, but a heartwarming tale of choices, commitments and the willingness to walk any length for the beloved.

With brooding stares, piano solos, and biology class tensions this 2008 film is where to begin your journey of watching the five-film long saga.

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2. New Moon (2009)

Directed by Chris Weitz, this film marks the second film of the franchise. With a runtime of 130 mins. It grossed a box office collection of $709.7M and delivered a breath of relief to the loyal fans who waited to see the teleology of the story after Twilight (2008).

In this film, there are far more tense scenes and complicated emotions than the first movie. Bella spirals into a depressive montage in the absence of Edward. Bella now starts to find a place of comfort and emotional support in Jacob. Through motorcycle-fixing sessions, the two get close and Bella soon learns that Jacob also has a side that he hides. Jacob is a werewolf. There’s cliff diving and dramatic vision of Edward in Italy but Bella eventually finds him and Edward is saved.

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3. Eclipse (2010)

Eclipse came out in 2010 and marked the 3rd movie of the franchise. Directed by David Slade the film has a runtime of 124 mins and a box office collection of $698.5M.

Here, viewers see a more emotionally untethered version of Bella who awkwardly chooses Edward but keeps Jacob emotionally attached.

Any simple reduction of their choices or decisions in the story may appear shallow, hence fans have different readings of what occurred here.

The crisis emerges when villain Victoria forms a newborn vampire army to hunt down Bella as revenge. The Cullens and werewolves join hands (reluctantly) to protect Bella. Bonus: You get the most passive-aggressive tent sleepover featuring these characters.

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4. Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011)

This close-to-heart, 4th addition came out 2011. Directed by Bill Condon and with a runtime of 177 mins, this film is literally the dream-come-true moments of loyal Edward-Bella fans.

As wedding bells ring, Bella and Edward go on their honeymoon but the raging romance ends up in an accidental vampire pregnancy. This baby is not a human, but half-vampire and it is capable of growing superfast, risking Bella’s life. What unfolds from this point onwards is an unbearable sequence of suffering of Bella.

Her skin fell pale, her bones became fragile but through it all, the Cullen family stood by her and Edward. Jacob rebels against his own family and the Cullens panic, and Bella slowly withers away.

However, as expected from a Twilight film, the story ends with a beautiful birth scene that doubles as a vampire transformation.

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5. Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)

The second installment to the franchise finale (as of yet) was directed by Bill Condon with a runtime of 115 mins. It grossed a solid box office collection of $829.7M. Bella is no longer the awkward newcomer, but an integral part of the vampire family. And a vampire mom with superpowers herself.

The transformation is not only magnetic but also a relief for her dire condition during pregnancy.

Her daughter, Renesmee (yes, that name), is growing at an alarming rate and somehow the Volturi arrive. They think of her as an illegal “immortal child.”

To fight the threat, the Cullens gather and form a global vampire squad, and we get the saga’s biggest battle tease.

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Also read: Why does Robert Pattinson hate Twilight?