Madoka Magica Watch Order: Series, Films and Walpurgisnacht

Watch the 12-episode television series, then Rebellion (2013), then Walpurgisnacht: Rising (2026). The two films called Beginnings and Eternal are a re-edited version of the television series, so watch them instead of the show or skip them; you do not need both. Magia Record is a side story and can wait until after the main line.

Madoka Magica main-line order (checked October 7, 2026)

Order	Title	Released in Japan	What it is
1	Puella Magi Madoka Magica (TV)	2011-01-06 to 2011-04-21	12 episodes
1 (alt.)	The Movie Part 1: Beginnings and Part 2: Eternal	2012-10-06 and 2012-10-13	The 12 episodes re-edited into two films
2	The Movie Part 3: Rebellion	2013-10-26	New story after the television ending
3	The Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising	2026-08-28	Sequel to Rebellion

The series or the two recap films?

The official franchise history describes the 2011 broadcast as a 12-episode television series and the two 2012 films as a theatrical version re-edited from all 12 of those episodes, with animation and direction updated in many places. Anime News Network calls them compilation films. They retell the same story rather than continuing it.

That makes this a choice of format, not a gap in the order. Our recommendation for a first viewing is the television series, because its episode breaks are where the original broadcast placed them; the films suit someone who wants the story in two sittings. Watching the films right after the series repeats the story you have just seen.

One more version may turn up in listings. ANN reported that a television edition of Beginnings and Eternal, in 11 episodes, began airing in Japan on October 12, 2025. It is another cut of the same material, not new episodes.

Rebellion comes next

Rebellion opened in Japan on October 26, 2013. The official history calls it an entirely new work, made after the two compilation films with many of the main staff returning. It continues past the television ending, so it belongs after either version of the first story and not before. Save any plot summary until you have seen it; our ending explainer covers both endings and is full of spoilers.

Walpurgisnacht: Rising is out in Japan

ANN describes the fourth film as the official sequel to Rebellion; the official history uses the same word for it. It is not a remake and not a side story, so watch it last. ANN reported an earlier February 2026 opening before the film moved to August 28, 2026. The film's official site gives that Friday, August 28, 2026 release, and its news feed was still announcing week-seven theater bonuses on October 6, 2026. ANN reported that it ranked first in its opening weekend, selling 535,000 tickets in its first three days.

Yukihiro Miyamoto directed it, according to ANN. Aniplex of America released the television series, the two compilation films and Rebellion in North America, ANN notes, but we found no announced North American date for this film when we checked on October 7, 2026. Check the distributor before planning around it.

Where Magia Record fits

Magia Record began as a smartphone game in 2017, and the official history marks that game's service as ended. Its anime ran in three parts: the first season in 2020, 2nd Season: Eve of Awakening in 2021 and a Final Season in 2022 (subtitled Asaki Yume no Akatsuki in ANN's romanization). The Japanese title calls it a gaiden, and ANN's English title is Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story. Nothing in the main line above requires it. Watch it after the television series if you want more of this world, and keep it out of the main order.

After the anime

Our verified Madoka Magica quotes carry spoilers and are best read after the series. If you want the manga adaptation in English, the Madoka Magica manga buying guide compares the editions.