Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather films are some of the most iconic and beloved additions to gangster cinema ever made. With some 28 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture wins for the first and second films, and inclusion on countless ‘Top 100 Films’ lists since their release, Coppola’s trilogy has created a standard for gangster films and storytelling that has met few rivals since. Check out our list below to see how to watch all The Godfather movies in order and where to stream them!
Based on Mario Puzo’s novel titled The Godfather, the films tell the story of the Corleone crime family in New York City. Although Vito Corleone starts out as the head of the family, the focus is ultimately on his youngest son, Michael, whose cleverness and strategic thinking lead him to become the next Don. Over the years, Michael must work to keep his family in check — and often make great sacrifices on their behalf — ensure business is running smoothly, and evade law enforcement detection in order to keep things afloat.
How to Watch The Godfather Movies in Order
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The Godfather (1972)
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The Godfather Part II (1974)
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The Godfather Part III (1990)
The first two films are widely considered to be masterpieces, and both won Best Picture at the Oscars during their respective years. The third instalment was released over sixteen years later and, although it was nominated for several Oscars including Best Picture, it didn’t win any, with both critics and audiences largely agreeing that the film didn’t measure up.
In 2020, Francis Ford Coppola returned to the third part with a new director’s cut and an attempt to rebrand with a new title: The Godfather, Coda: The Dead of Michael Corleone. The move defined it as a ‘coda’ rather than the final act in the trilogy.
Who Stars in The Godfather Trilogy?
The Godfather films star Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, the youngest son of the mafia family whose reluctance to join the family business transforms over the course of the films into a calculated grasp at ultimate power. Marlon Brando stars in the first film as the head of the family, Don Vito Corleone, in a role that has since become iconic and has inspired countless imitations since. The other Corleone children are played by James Caan (Sonny), John Cazale (Fredo), and Talia Shire (Connie). Other cast members include Diane Keaton, Frank Sivero, Richard S Castellano, Al Martino, Abe Vigoda, Gianni Russo, Lenny Montana, and others.
Part II weaves together two timelines, taking viewers back to Sicily where a young Vito Corleone finds himself embroiled in mafia crime as he seeks a better life for his family in the United States. This younger Vito is portrayed by Robert De Niro, for which he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Oscars.
Part III goes forward in time to the late 1970s where an ageing Michael is grappling with his guilt over his ruthless career as the head of a mafia family. But just as he tries to move forward and make peace with the past, he is pulled back in when the illegitimate son of his brother, Vincent Corleone (played by Andy Garcia), appears on the scene.
Where to watch The Godfather movies online
Check out the guide below to find everything you need to stream all The Godfather movies online through platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Netflix, and more!
