How to watch the “Kingsman” movies in release and chronological order

Manners maketh man....and a bloody fun franchise.

Manners maketh man. They also make for a bloody fun film franchise, too.

For nearly a decade, the Kingsman series became the new kid on the block to make the overly serialized Daniel Craig-era James Bond flicks shake (not stir) in their boots. The feature film trilogy directed by Matthew Vaughn, which is based on the Mark Millar comic book series of the same name, offered an ultraviolent yet classy spin on the spy genre.

What began as a spy tale about a street-smart teen (Taron Egerton) becoming the protégée of an experienced spy (Colin Firth) for a prestigious, King Arthur-based agency, exploded into a highly successful series. Every entry featured these British spies facing off against Saturday morning cartoonlike villains — adding a hefty dose of revisionist history as well. The films featured beloved performers portraying the films' colorful characters, including Sofia Boutella as an evil metal-legged assassin, a lisping Samuel L. Jackson as a tech titan, Julianne Moore as a country drug queenpin, Elton John as himself, and Pedro Pascal as a cowboy agent named Whiskey with an electric lasso. Most importantly, the franchise made a star out of at-the-time newcomer Taron Egerton.

With the first two Kingsman entries, The Secret Service and The Golden Circle currently streaming on Netflix and its prequel The King's Man on Hulu, the uninitiated might be curious about where to start on the spy flicks. How do you start in the timeline? How to watch the Kingsman films in release order? Here's what you need to know about the Kingsman franchise.

Related: Matthew Vaughn teases upcoming Kick-Ass reboot and gives Kingsman 3 update

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How can I watch all the Kingsman movies in release order?

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)

Set in modern-day London, The Secret Service revolves around Eggsy Unwin (Taron Egerton), a reckless, young man recruited by his late dad's colleague Harry Hart (Colin Firth) to become a Kingsman: a classy, secret spy organization dedicated to saving the world from global threats. As Eggsy undergoes a rigorous training competition, a billionaire villain, Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), and his right-hand muscle with metallic legs, Gazelle (Sofia Boutella), threaten to rid humanity using free SIM cards and a satellite signal to have to-the-death violence break out among people across the world. With time running out, the Kingsman must defeat the duo before the world's population is decimated.

Stream Kingsman: The Secret Service on Netflix.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

As a full Kingsman agent, Eggsy has evolved and assumed the name Galahad from the late Harry Hart. But his honeymoon period doesn't last long, as missiles take out the entire Kingsman base, killing off some members. Eggsy and Merlin (Mark Strong) head Stateside to their American division, the Statesman, seeking refuge and find more allies in Ginger Ale (Halle Berry), Tequila (Channing Tatum), Champagne (Jeff Bridges), and Whiskey (Pedro Pascal). They also find out an amnesiac, one-eyed Harry Hart is alive. The UK and American spy organizations must band together and stop a new threat in Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore), the richest drug cartel criminal in the world who bombed their base in the first place. She also kidnapped Elton John. Time for the Kingsman and Statesman to get a little action.

Stream Kingsman: The Golden Circle on Netflix.

The Kings' Man (2021)

The Kingsman organization's origin goes back a whole century before Eggsy and Harry's adventures. In this prequel, Orlando Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) forms an independent intelligence agency dedicated to stopping global threats. During World War I, Oxford, his son Conrad (Harris Dickinson), maid Polly (Gemma Arterton), and butler Shola (Djimon Hounsou) work to put an end to the war. In their efforts, they clash with many historical figures, including Rasputin (Rhys Ifans).

Stream The King's Man on Hulu.

Related: The 19 best Ralph Fiennes performances

How can I watch all the Kingsman movies in chronological order?

The movies in the Kingsman franchise can be watched in the following order based on the period in which they are set: The King's Man, Kingsman: The Secret Service, and finally Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

A fourth film in the franchise, Kingsman 3, is in development, Vaughn told ETimes in 2022 while promoting The King's Man release. "Kingsman 3...is about the conclusion of the Eggsy and Harry relationship," he said and also teased a sequel to The King's Man and possibly another film in the series. "It's up to everyone out there — if they keep watching it, we'll make more."

At New York Comic Con in October 2023, Vaughn confirmed Kingsman 3 is definitely still on his to-do list along with the Kick-Ass reboot.

"We've got to get on with Kingsman 3, because I was joking that Colin is going to end up being a portrait on the side while Taron is Arthur," he said. "So we are working on that at the moment."

The mid-credits scene at the end of Vaughn's 2024 film Argylle also suggests that there's possibly a King's Man/Kingsman connection for Henry Cavill's titular character, as the pub shown in the "20 years earlier" flashback is called "The King's Man."

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.