Underworld Movies in Order: Release Order and the Prequel

Where should you start?

Watch the films in release order. Rise of the Lycans takes place earlier, but it works as background after the conflict has been introduced. The main sequence follows Selene while the prequel gives a different perspective on the war around her.

All five films in release order

1. Underworld (2003)
2. Underworld: Evolution (2006)
3. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
4. Underworld: Awakening (2012)
5. Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)

This guide covers the five live-action features. The years identify their initial release years; they are not dates within the story. Blood Wars began its international release in 2016, before its US release in 2017, so both years can appear in listings. Short-form animated material is outside this feature-film route.

Where does Rise of the Lycans fit?

Rise of the Lycans is a prequel about the origins of the vampire–Lycan conflict, with Lucian and Sonja at its center. It is not the next stage of Selene's journey after Evolution. Watching it third lets the earlier films establish the conflict before you explore its background.

For a rewatch organized by the main period of each story, use this order:

1. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009)
2. Underworld (2003)
3. Underworld: Evolution (2006)
4. Underworld: Awakening (2012)
5. Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)

This is a whole-film chronology, not a scene-by-scene rearrangement. Flashbacks remain inside their films. Our first-watch recommendation is still release order: chronology gives you the history sooner, while release order lets you discover that history through the series' original progression.

Can you follow only Selene's story?

Yes. If you want the main sequence centered on Selene, use this shorter route:

1. Underworld (2003)
2. Underworld: Evolution (2006)
3. Underworld: Awakening (2012)
4. Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)

The prequel adds context rather than a new chapter starring Selene. You can return to it after this four-film route. Avoid jumping straight from the original to Awakening: Evolution continues the earlier story before Awakening moves the situation forward.

Our take on the collection

Moviebase editorial

The series combines stylized night-time imagery, supernatural politics and action. Its elaborate faction history can be engaging if you enjoy dark fantasy, though the exposition sometimes competes with the momentum. The look is intentionally consistent, so visual variety is less of a draw than the ongoing conflict.

Planning your watchlist

For a first watch, resist moving the prequel to the beginning. Leave time between films to keep the returning alliances straight, and expect mature violence throughout.

A five-night plan keeps the release-order route simple. For Selene's route, pair the original with Evolution, then Awakening with Blood Wars, checking the displayed runtimes before scheduling a double feature. Treat Rise of the Lycans as its own evening if you add it later. The runtime total above describes all five cards, not the shorter four-film route.

Keep separate lists for the route you choose and any optional extras. For another franchise with competing viewing orders, compare our Alien guide. Download Moviebase to create your own list and mark films watched; the download button does not save the collection for you.

Sources

Sony’s Rise of the Lycans page describes the origin-story focus; Blood Wars returns to Selene. The TMDB Blood Wars record supplies the international release-year identity used by the cards. Reviewed September 13, 2026.

Film titles, release dates, runtimes, audience ratings and artwork come from TMDB. Viewing advice is Moviebase editorial opinion. Collection references: TMDB 2326. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.