The Twilight movies form a saga of five theatrical films released between 2008 and 2012. They adapt Stephenie Meyer’s four-book series, with the final novel, Breaking Dawn, split into two films.
Release order and chronological story order are the same, so the films can be followed in the sequence they were released. According to JustWatch’s US guide, each film picks up where the previous one leaves off.
Readers also ask about The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the people behind the films and where the films can be watched legally. The sections below address each of these questions and point out where the available information is limited.
Which Twilight movies make up the complete saga, and in what order?
The saga has five films, and the same order applies whether you follow release dates or the story. The guide from Forbes lists the films in this sequence, starting with Twilight in 2008 and ending with Breaking Dawn – Part 2 in 2012.
Films in the saga
5 (2008 to 2012)
Source novels
Stephenie Meyer’s four-book series
Core cast
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
Release order
Same as story order
Key insights at a glance
- The saga has five films, released in story order from 2008 to 2012.
- Release order and story order match, so one sequence serves both ways of watching.
- Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, David Slade and Bill Condon directed the films, and Condon directed both parts of Breaking Dawn.
- The final novel was split into two films, following the precedent set by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
- Box office figures differ between sources, so the basis of each number should be checked before comparing films.
| # | Film | Release date | Director | Box office as reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twilight | Catherine Hardwicke | Over $400 million worldwide, according to Cosmopolitan | |
| 2 | The Twilight Saga: New Moon | Chris Weitz | $296,623,634 in one listing; basis not stated | |
| 3 | The Twilight Saga: Eclipse | David Slade | $300,531,751 in one listing; nearly $700 million worldwide according to Cheatsheet | |
| 4 | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 | Bill Condon | Not stated | |
| 5 | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 | Bill Condon | Not stated |
Who directed and starred in the Twilight movies?
Four directors worked on the five films, and the cast is led by three actors who appear across the saga.
Which director worked on each Twilight film?
Twilight was directed by Catherine Hardwicke, New Moon by Chris Weitz, and Eclipse by David Slade. Bill Condon directed both parts of Breaking Dawn, according to the IMDb list of the films.
Credit pattern
Bill Condon is the only director credited on two consecutive films in the saga, as he directed both Breaking Dawn instalments.
Who are the lead cast members?
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner are named as the lead cast in listings for the saga. Their names also appear in a trailer listing for Breaking Dawn – Part 1, which covers a single film rather than the full series.
Readers who want a similar release-order overview for another actor’s films can consult the Jennifer Lawrence movies in release order guide.
How did The Twilight Saga: Eclipse perform, and what is it about?
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse was directed by David Slade and released on 30 June 2010. It is the third film in the series and sits between New Moon and Breaking Dawn – Part 1.
What happens in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse?
The film follows a string of killings in Seattle. Bella must choose between Edward and Jacob, and vampires and werewolves unite against a shared threat.
On IMDb, the film is listed with a rating of 5.1.
How does Eclipse’s box office compare?
Eclipse is listed with a box office figure of $300,531,751 in one search listing, which is higher than the $296,623,634 shown for New Moon in the same listing. Cheatsheet gives a different figure, reporting that Eclipse grossed nearly $700 million worldwide, as set out in the Cheatsheet guide.
Conflicting figures
The two Eclipse figures do not match, and neither source states the basis for its number. The difference remains unresolved until the figures are checked against a dedicated box office database.
Where can the Twilight movies be watched legally?
Streaming availability for the Twilight movies varies across guides. Different guides list different platforms, and the options vary by country. Listings for the United States and India, for example, do not match.
Availability also changes over time. The PopWatcher guide notes that streaming options change, so any platform named in a guide should be checked directly before viewing.
Checking availability
Official availability can be confirmed through a licensed streaming search in your country or through the distributor’s website. Unofficial uploads may be unauthorised.
When was each Twilight movie released?
The release dates below are taken from the USA Today full list, which matches the dates given by IGN for the two Breaking Dawn films.
- Twilight:
- The Twilight Saga: New Moon:
- The Twilight Saga: Eclipse:
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1:
- The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2:
Which Twilight facts are confirmed, and which remain unclear?
Most core facts about the saga are consistent across the sources. Some details, including exact dates in certain territories, box office totals and runtimes, vary between listings.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| The saga consists of five theatrical films released from 2008 to 2012. | Box office totals for Twilight and both Breaking Dawn films are not reported. |
| Release order and story order are the same. | The Eclipse box office figures conflict, and their basis is not stated. |
| Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, David Slade and Bill Condon directed the films. | Runtimes differ between sources, with Twilight listed at 2 hours 2 minutes in some and 122 minutes in others. |
| Breaking Dawn, the final novel, was split into two films. | Streaming platforms and their availability vary by country and over time. |
Why are the Twilight films usually watched in release order?
Several guides, including the Entertainment Weekly guide, state that the release order matches the chronology of the story. That is why the films are commonly followed in the sequence they came out.
The franchise was produced by Summit Entertainment, according to IGN. IGN also reports that the decision to split Breaking Dawn into two parts followed the precedent set by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Twilight was made on a modest budget, while later films received larger budgets and bigger press tours, according to Cheatsheet. Readers who compare how other series are sequenced can also use the Downton Abbey Movie watch order guide.
How reliable are the sources behind these Twilight facts?
The core facts draw on several watch guides, a database listing, and a streaming and entertainment outlet. Their coverage overlaps on the main points, but the depth and dating of each source vary.
Some sources carry publication dates that are inconsistent with others, so their currency should be treated with caution. No direct quotations from the studio, distributor or author are included.
What is the simplest way to watch the Twilight movies?
Watching the five films in release order is the simplest approach, because it matches the story order. Start with Twilight in 2008 and finish with Breaking Dawn – Part 2 in 2012. Check the availability of each film in your country before viewing, since streaming options differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a sixth Twilight movie?
The saga consists of five films released between 2008 and 2012, and no sixth film appears in the available sources. If the query refers to a different title or franchise, specifying it will help clarify the answer.
What does “Twilight Movies 2” refer to?
The query most likely refers to the second film, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, released in 2009. This is an interpretation rather than a confirmed intent.
Can I watch the Twilight movies on Dailymotion?
Unofficial uploads may be unauthorised. The films are best watched through licensed services, and official availability can be checked through a licensed streaming search or the distributor’s website.
Is Midnight Sun a Twilight movie?
No. Midnight Sun is Stephenie Meyer’s fifth book, told from Edward’s perspective, and it is not a film. One source reports an animated television adaptation was announced, but this claim is not verified elsewhere.
How many books did Stephenie Meyer write for the series?
The main series consists of four books, and the final book, Breaking Dawn, was adapted as two films. Her fifth book, Midnight Sun, is not part of the film series.
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Toby Marsh is Senior Reporter at Castradar.uk, covering film and TV stories across the UK.