The Yu-Gi-Oh! The movies may not be as well-recognized or successful as other popular anime series like Pokémon or Naruto, but they still hold a certain nostalgia for many fans, and for those who want to revisit them in the best possible viewing order, there are a few aspects to consider. While there is no doubt that the Yu-Gi-Oh! movies have had their ups and downs, the series has played a major role in ushering in the childhoods of many children around the world and creating one of the most iconic childhood games of modern times.
The Yu-Gi-Oh film universe spans 17 years across four films, beginning with Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie (1999) and ending with Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions (2016); however, the number of different seasons and series makes the series' timeline difficult to follow. Despite various inconsistencies and inconsistencies in some of the films, which make them considered non-canon in the anime and manga, Understanding which movies are where can help make for the best Yu-Gi-Oh viewing experience possible.
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie
Produced by Toei Animation, this is the perfect short for nostalgic fans.
Release year:
1999
Running time:
30 minutes
The first film in the series follows an original story centered on the Red Eyes Black Dragon card and shows a rematch between Yugi and Kaiba, with the latter resembling his original design rather than the glossy blue-haired version from the Toei Animation anime. Despite being a short film, it captures the spirit that made the series popular: in Duel Monsters, victory is not established for those with the stronger cards, but for those who figure out a strategy by continuing to believe in themselves until the end, as shown in the quote featured at the beginning of the film:
The Blue-Eyes White Dragon will bring victory. While the Red-Eyes Black Dragon will bring the potential for victory, but only to those with the courage to fight.
Unfortunately, the movie is not as well known to fans as it was released exclusively in Japan. While its fast pace makes it difficult to understand the effects of the cards in the duel, its focus on the love of the game and the beautiful animation of the duel between Yugi and Kaiba, which is heavily inspired by their first duel in the Duelist Kingdom arc in chapter 100 of the manga, makes it perfect for nostalgic fans. It also introduces the Meteor Black Dragon for the first time and one of the best transformation scenes between Yugi and Atem.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Movie: Pyramid of Light
Produced by 4 Kids, this is an original story that may please, but is for fans only.
Release year:
2004
Running time:
90 minutes
The Pyramid of Light is the first Yu-Gi-Oh movie produced by Gallop, thanks to 4Kids, who saw an opportunity in the series' success in the US and wanted to emulate other major franchises like Pokémon. Also known simply as Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie, the main theme of the film is the appearance of the ancient Egyptian god Anubis, who puts the world in danger in an attempt to get revenge. However, it all starts with another failed attempt by Kaiba Seto to defeat Yugi.
Although the film's script was based on a story cut from the manga by Kazuki Takahashi, he only approved the film and designed the villain Anubis, so the film is considered non-canon due to inconsistencies with the series, especially the early story arc with the Millennium Puzzle. Although it received poor reviews from critics, who classified the film as a film that only understood previous fans and questioned the plot, animation quality, and disappointing ending in the final duel, Pyramid of Light is still a fun movie for fans of the series..
Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Timeless Bonds
Produced by Studio Gallop, the film sheds light on the series' universe and timeline.
Release year:
2010
Running time:
50 minutes
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the anime, Studio Gallop decided to make a Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D movie that connects the first three generations of the series. In this movie, they introduce a new concept of time travel by bringing together Yugi, Jaden, and Yusei to defeat Paradox, a villain who travels back in time to change the dark future where the earth will eventually collapse.
The film is considered canon to the Yu-Gi-Oh anime, as the events of the film are confirmed in Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds, as Paradox is mentioned in episode 146, proving that these 3 series take place in the same timeline universe instead of parallel universes like Zexal and Arc-V, the latter being one of the universes that includes the multiverse into its plot. However, although the villain does not have a deep backstory due to the short length of the film, The battle of the three main characters is truly a feast for the eyes.make fans watch.
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions
The Dark Side of the Dimension is the perfect ending to the original Yu-Gi-Oh manga.
Release year:
2016
Running time:
131 minutes
The Dark Side of Dimensions is the fourth film to be released, made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the series and is a direct sequel to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters manga written by Kazuki Takahashi himself. The film not only brings back the Millennium Items and the feud with the evil spirit Yami Bakura who resides in the Millennium Ring, showing how he first possessed Bakura's body, but also talks about moving on with life and finding closure after the loss of someone important, which is a perfect theme for the conclusion of the original story.
The film focuses on Yugi and Kaiba and how Kaiba makes a desperate attempt to fight Atem again for his pride as a duelist. The film's villain, Aigami, has a clearly established origin and motivation, and while the events of the story can be a bit over-the-top, even by the series' hyperbolic standards, and doesn't give significant roles to fan-favorite characters like Joey Wheeler, the film does offer some surprises and interesting battles. The film is considered by many to be the best of the series, as it only enhances the already wonderfully wrapped-up ending of the manga.
Where do the Yu-Gi-Oh movies take place in the series' events?
The Yu-Gi-Oh movie can be viewed as a standalone film, but only for fans of the series.
For the most part, the Yu-Gi-Oh movies are original stories that stand alone from the series and from each other; therefore, it is not necessary to watch them in order. However, they are not really effective as standalone movies, as they require knowledge of the game mechanics to understand them. Additionally, while it may be enough to watch the movies after the series, to experience the series as a whole, it is better to watch them after the specific episode in which they are set, which is easy to determine, as well as the actual release order next to the final movie.
For Yu-Gi-Oh! The film, although the final season of the anime produced by Toei Animation, is chronologically set before the Death-T arc of the series, but since it is non-canon, it can be viewed as the conclusion of the adaptation. In the case of Pyramid of Light, it is set between the third and fourth seasons of Duel Monsters, so it can be viewed after episode 144 of the series.
Bonds Beyond Time should be viewed after the Dark Signers saga of Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds but is specifically set after episode 84, which is also the anime's tenth anniversary special. In the other two series, the crossover takes place after the Battle City Arc in Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters, because of the duel disc, and after the end of Yu-Gi-Oh Gx. Finally, Dark Side of Dimensions should be viewed after the end of the Duel Monsters anime, because it follows Atem and Yugi's duel that took place in the final episode.
All Yu-Gi-Oh movies and series in chronological order
Year
Yu-Gi-Oh! Also known as Part 0
1998
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie
1999
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (Seasons 1 to 3)
2000-2003
Yu-Gi-Oh! Movie: Pyramid of Light
2004
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (Seasons 4 to 5, Episode 14)
2003-2004
Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters
2006
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (From Season 5, Episode 15 to the end, Episode 40)
2004
Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions
2016
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
2004-2008
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (Part 1 to Part 3, Volume 20)
2008-2010
Yu-Gi-Oh! Timeless Bonds
2010
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (From Season 3, Episode 21 to End, Season 5, Episode 20)
2010-2011
Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal
2011-2012
Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II
2012-2014
Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V
2014-2017
Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
2017-2019
Yu-Gi-Oh! Seven
2020-2022
Yu-Gi-Oh! Go!!
2022- present
All Yu-Gi-Oh movies and series in order of release yearYu-Gi-Oh! Also known as Season 01998Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie1999Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters2003-2004Yu-Gi-Oh! Movie: Pyramid of Light 2004Yu-Gi-Oh! GX2004-2008Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (From Part 1 to Part 3, Volume 20)2008-2010Yu-Gi-Oh! Timeless Bonds2010Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (From Season 3, Episode 21 to End, Season 5, Episode 20)2010-2011Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal2011-2012Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II2012-2014Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V2014-2017Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions2016Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS2017-2019Yu-Gi-Oh! Seven2020-2022Yu-Gi-Oh! Go!!2022- present
What is the best way to watch Yu-Gi-Oh?
There are only three Yu-Gi-Oh movies available on streaming platforms
Unfortunately, there is no official English-language release of Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie, and it is not available on any streaming platforms as of yet. However, there are a few streaming services where fans can watch the other three films. While these three films are most easily viewed on Prime Video, they are also available to stream for free on The Roku Channel and Tubi, and are available to rent or purchase on Google TV.
Additionally, Pluto TV offers the movies Pyramid of Light and Bonds Beyond Time. The Dark Side of Dimensions is available for purchase on Vudu, and the remaining two movies can be streamed ad-free. For the collectors, the movies can be purchased on Amazon with the Yu-Gi-Oh! Movie Steelbook Blu-ray Disc: Pyramid of Light is now available for pre-order and will be released on September 10. There are a number of options for those who want to watch the Yu-Gi-Oh movies that have become classics and are worth watching even if only to relive one of the best shōnen anime out there.
