The Twilight Saga was formidable for us millennials. Are the films problematic? 100%. Does that matter? Not really. We fell in love anyway, and some people still have a great fondness for it and everything that it brought to their lives, whether that's an experience in fandom or their getaway into reading more fantasy romance novels. It meant something. And surprisingly, despite its roaring popularity that took the world by storm back in the early 2000s, there may be some people who've yet to watch it. (I know I keep meaning to do a rewatch with friends, but what is time?)
Still, if you're just getting started in your vampire romance journey, there is no better place to start. Here is how to watch the Twilight movies in order, as well as a guide to where to stream them next when the next platform removes them.
Twilight (2008)
If anyone wants the best description of why to start Twilight, I suggest turning to Parks and Recreation's (2009) "Time Capsule," where Will Forte guest stars as the book's superfan, basically. But in seriousness, this is where it all starts with Kristen Stewart's Bella Swan coming to the small town of Forks, Washington, to live with her dad before she starts to fall in love with Robert Pattinson's Edward Cullen.
As a film, Twilight is the strongest one in the trilogy, making a case for why we should care about the elusive Cullen family as well as this love story blooming in front of our screens. With an incredible soundtrack, some genuinely impressive scenes, and a great meet-cute, it's undoubtedly the best in the saga. If you only watch one, the beginning is aces.
New Moon (2009)
The Twilight Saga: New Moon gets some flak as the movie that essentially splits Bella and Edward up, then officially kickstarts the love triangle with Taylor Lautner's Jacob Black. But it brings us Jamie Campbell Bower as Caius, so does it really matter? I suppose it does because all the dramatic heartbreak and whatnot lead Bella and Edward to realize that they're most certainly it for each other.
But apart from that, this is where we get the introduction of the Volturi and the outside threats of how vampires are with one another, and those who are of different species, too. More than anything, it's the cast of new players in New Moon that makes every minute enjoyable and ensures that it stands as a mostly solid sequel. Perfect for anyone who wants an introduction to werewolves, too.
Eclipse (2010)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse might be my second favorite after Twilight, mostly because things are a bit more established, and the tension between all the characters is thick. As the vampires and werewolves band together to help protect Bella from a blood thirsty vampire, the lore slightly deepens and provides a substantial penultimate to the story's end.
It's also the one that has a number of great scenes for the romance girlies, which makes it extra fun right alongside the original movie. If you decide to stop watching the saga after this one, honestly, it could very well work in your favor, at least for a while. You won't have to see all the wild antics from the ending.
Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
The day that executives decided to split the final book in the series into two movies is something I'll perpetually hate. Does it sometimes work? Sure, I suppose it does with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010), but it certainly doesn't with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1. However, Breaking Dawn Part 1 is at least somewhat more exciting than its latter half.
With Bella and Edward's long-awaited marriage and honeymoon coming to fruition, it's an exciting showcase of an earned happy ending in the romance area. But everything that follows the birth of their infamous CGI baby (if you know you know), and Bella's turn into a vampire is well… questionable, at best. Still, you can stop here if you really want.
Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012)
If you made it this far, then you've got to press play and watch the ending because, as questionable as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 is, it's still important to finish the story and see the conclusion of how these characters find a happy ending, even if it feels rushed at times. Which, interestingly, you'd think the split-arc wouldn't do, and yet it still does.
There are very few things about Breaking Dawn Part 2 that work, and the wild imprinting romance certainly doesn't, but if you're here for Bella and Edward's journey, then it's a rightful conclusion without any character deaths. For viewers who hate getting to the end of a story and losing their favorite characters, in this regard, Breaking Dawn Part 2 will save you the heartache.
