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Stargate: SG-1, Atlantis, Universe and beyond - how to watch the science fiction franchise in release and chronological order

How to watch Stargate in release and chronological order

Guides by Joshua Lapin-Bertone, Contributing writer

Published on Thu Mar 05 2026

Stargate is one of the most enduring and imaginative science fiction franchises, and it still has more stories to tell. With a new series being developed for Prime Video, now is the perfect time to catch up on the Stargate universe. If you aren’t sure where to begin, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Stargate franchise, how to watch it, and all your other burning questions.

How to watch Stargate in release order

The Stargate franchise began in 1994 with the first Stargate movie. A television spinoff called Stargate SG-1 came a few years later, and the popularity of that led to another spinoff called Stargate Atlantis. Since then, the franchise has grown with the Stargate Origins web series, Stargate Universe, and some direct-to-video movies. That might seem like a lot to keep track of but simply follow this release order watchlist and you’ll be good to go.

How to watch Stargate in chronological order

1928: Stargate (1994 film prologue)
1939: Stargate Origins
1994: Stargate (1994 film)
1997: Stargate SG-1 season one
1998: Stargate SG-1 season one and two
1999: Stargate SG-1 season two and three
2000: Stargate SG-1 season three and four
2001: Stargate SG-1 season four and five
2002: Stargate SG-1 season five and six
2003: Stargate SG-1 season six and seven
2004: Stargate SG-1 season seven and eight and Stargate Atlantis season one
2005: Stargate SG-1 season eight and nine and Stargate Atlantis season one and two
2006: Stargate SG-1 season nine and ten and Stargate Atlantis season two and three
2007: Stargate SG-1 season ten, Stargate: The Ark of Truth, and Stargate Atlantis season three and four
2008: Stargate Atlantis season four and five and Stargate: Continuum
2009: Stargate Atlantis season five and Stargate Universe season one
2010: Stargate Universe season two

Non-canonical future

2024: Stargate Infinity

If you want to watch Stargate in chronological order, simply refer to this timeline. Watching the Stargate franchise in chronological order is almost the same as watching in release order. For the most part each television show and film is set during the year of their release, with the exception of Stargate Origins, which is a prequel. Stargate Infinity is also set in the future, but don’t worry, because it isn’t canon - more on that later in the guide. (Please note, some seasons of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis overlap, and it’s generally assumed that each episode is set the year it aired unless otherwise noted.)

What is Stargate about?

In 1994 a strange metallic ring-shaped structure was found in Egypt. That device was called the Stargate, and it changed the human race forever. The Stargate gave the human race the power to journey through portals to other worlds in far off galaxies. How many adventures could this lead to? Enough to span multiple movies and television shows.

Is there going to be a Stargate reboot?

Yes, a Stargate reboot is currently being developed by Amazon MGM Studios. Martin Gero, who wrote and produced for previous Stargate projects, will serve as showrunner. Other Stargate alumni, such as Stargate co-creators Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, will serve as executive producers. The new series will air on Prime Video. As of this writing there no casting has been announced and there is no confirmed release date.

Is the upcoming Stargate show a reboot or a sequel?

It’s unclear whether Prime Video’s upcoming Stargate show is a complete reboot or a sequel. However, most of the evidence points to it being a continuation. The press release announcing the series calls it a “new chapter of this beloved franchise.” Showrunner Martin Gero has said it will honor the legacy of the franchise while still being accessible to new viewers. This certainly points to a continuation or a soft reboot rather than a complete continuity reboot. However, some of this could just be vague Hollywood talk. It’s still early in the production process and the first episode hasn’t been shot yet. Still, with all the legacy Stargate producers working on this show, it’s a good sign that longtime fans won’t be disappointed.

Should I watch Stargate SG-1 before Atlantis?

Either way works. While there are some crossovers between the two shows, Stargate Atlantis works as a standalone series. The series is set in a different galaxy with mostly new characters. However, watching Stargate SG-1 first is the better option, as it gives you more context for the world. It will also make the crossovers and references to Earth-based operations less confusing.

Is Stargate Infinity canon?

No, Stargate Infinity is not considered canon.

Stargate Infinity is an animated series set thirty years after the first Stargate film. The cartoon, which aired Saturday mornings on Fox, was more kid oriented. The creative teams behind the live-action Stargate shows were not involved with Stargate Infinity and have stated that they don’t see it as canon. The show also has some lore discrepancies with Stargate SG-1, particularly with how it handles the Ancients and the public’s knowledge of the Stargate program. Brad Wright, who co-created Stargate SG-1, has stated that he doesn’t have a problem with Infinity, but it should be considered it’s own thing and not part of the larger canon.

Which Stargate is the best to watch first?

Stargate SG-1 is the best show to watch first in the Stargate franchise. Not only is it the heart and soul of the Stargate franchise, but it’s the series that introduced the franchise’s core concepts, characters, and lore. Other shows like Stargate Atlantis build on these ideas, but SG-1 is the metaphorical spark that lit the fire. For the best viewing experience, you should watch the 1994 Stargate movie before diving into SG-1. After finishing SG-1, you’ll have a better understanding of the franchise and can branch out to other shows like Stargate Universe.

Where can I watch Stargate?

As of this writing, the Stargate movies and television shows are divided between two streaming services. Tubi has the movies, Stargate, Stargate: The Ark of Truth, and Stargate: Stargate: Continuum. Prime Video has the television shows, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Universe, Stargate Origins, and yes, even Stargate Infinity. Please note, the availability of these titles may change as streaming licenses expire and new deals are made.

Now you have everything you need to enjoy the Stargate franchise! Enjoy the extraordinary journey.

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Joshua Lapin-Bertone: Joshua is a pop culture writer specializing in comic book media. His work has appeared on the official DC Comics website, the DC Universe subscription service, HBO Max promotional videos, the Batman Universe fansite, and more. In between traveling around the country to cover various comic conventions, Joshua resides in Florida where he binges superhero television and reads obscure comics from yesteryear.