How to watch

National Treasure Movie Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch the National Treasure movies in order

Last updated: April 19 2026

Written by: ChronoBob

National Treasure blends history, puzzles, and blockbuster adventure into one of the most rewatchable treasure-hunt franchises. With films and a TV spinoff in the same universe, watch order helps keep the timeline clear.

National Treasure made modern clue-chasing adventure fun for a new generation, with Nicolas Cage's Benjamin Franklin Gates racing from one historical mystery to the next. The first film focuses on the legendary Templar treasure hidden in plain sight, while the sequel scales up with presidential secrets and a global conspiracy. Years later, the franchise expanded with National Treasure: Edge of History, a Disney+ series set in the same world. Because the show references franchise lore and arrives after both films, most viewers should watch in release order. This guide covers the complete franchise so you can choose a quick movie marathon or include the series for extra mythology.

🕐 Release Order

Release order introduces the Gates saga first, then expands the universe with the later television series.

  1. National Treasure (2004)
  2. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
  3. National Treasure: Edge of History (2022)

In-story chronology also follows the same sequence, since the series takes place after the movie events and inherited legacy clues.

📖 Story Chronology

Chronological order tracks the franchise timeline from Ben Gates's early treasure hunt to later adventures involving a new generation of puzzle-solvers.

  1. National Treasure (2004)
  2. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
  3. National Treasure: Edge of History (2022)

Which Order Should You Choose?

For most viewers, release order is best and doubles as chronological order, so there is no downside. Start with National Treasure, then Book of Secrets, and treat Edge of History as an optional universe expansion. If you're here mainly for Ben Gates and the original cast, the two films deliver the complete core story and remain the strongest entries. If you enjoy clue-heavy adventure worlds and want more franchise lore, add the series at the end for a broader perspective on the same treasure-hunting universe.

🔗 Related Guides

  • Indiana Jones Watch OrderGuide
  • Robert Langdon Watch OrderGuide
  • Pirates of the Caribbean Watch OrderGuide

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