
After Movies in Order: How to Watch All 5 Films Chronologically
If you’ve been scrolling past the After movies on Netflix without knowing where to start, you’re not alone. The series quietly built a devoted following across five films released between 2019 and 2023, yet many viewers still wonder whether they should begin with the original or jump ahead. Below is the complete, verified watch order for all five After films, plus what’s coming next.
Total Films Released: 5 ·
First Film Release: 2019 ·
Latest Film: After Everything (2023) ·
Series Origin: After book series ·
Main Stars: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin
Quick snapshot
- Official release date for the sixth film (After 6: Next Generation)
- Whether Josephine Langford will return as Tessa
- Whether the fifth film marks a true series conclusion
- 2019: After released April 12
- 2020: After We Collided released September 2
- 2021: After We Fell released September 10
- 2022: After Ever Happy released August 26
- 2023: After Everything released September 15
- After 6: Next Generation teaser announced for 2025
- Hero Fiennes Tiffin confirmed to return
- Focus remains on Hardin’s character arc
The following table summarizes essential details about the film series, including genre, source material, and key cast information.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Films | 5 |
| Genre | Romantic drama |
| Based On | Anna Todd novels |
| Lead Actors | Josephine Langford as Tessa, Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Hardin |
| Production Company | Voltage Pictures |
How to watch After movies in order?
The After film series follows a straightforward release order, which is also the recommended viewing order. The films were released annually from 2019 through 2023, with each installment continuing the story of Tessa Young and Hardin Scott.
Chronologically, the films pick up exactly where the previous one ended. There is no benefit to watching them in any order other than release order, as each film builds directly on events from the last.
Release order
- After (2019)
- After We Collided (2020)
- After We Fell (2021)
- After Ever Happy (2022)
- After Everything (2023)
Plot chronological order
The plot order mirrors the release order exactly. No films exist outside this sequence, and there are no alternate timeline or flashback-heavy entries that would require a different approach. Viewers can confidently start with After (2019) and proceed sequentially through the collection.
What are the 5 movies of After?
The After film series consists of five theatrical and streaming releases that adapt Anna Todd’s Wattpad novel series. Wikipedia and IMDb both list the films in identical order, confirming the canonical release sequence.
The five-film collection is widely available as a complete set on DVD and Blu-ray from retailers like EzyDVD, making it easy to own the entire series in order.
Film 1: After
After (2019) marked the directorial debut of Jenny Gage and introduced audiences to Tessa Young, a devoted student whose life changes when she meets Hardin Scott. The film is based on the first novel in Anna Todd’s series, which originated as Wattpad fan fiction.
Film 2: After We Collided
After We Collided (2020) continued the romance drama under director Roger Kumble. The film pushed the relationship between Tessa and Hardin into more turbulent territory, exploring trust issues and family secrets. Voltage Pictures produced the sequel.
Film 3: After We Fell
After We Fell (2021) brought back the core cast as new revelations about Hardin’s past threatened to derail the couple. The film was released during the pandemic era but maintained its theatrical schedule.
Film 4: After Ever Happy
After Ever Happy (2022) featured significant twists and a major breakup between the central characters. Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin both reprised their roles. The film received both theatrical and video-on-demand releases.
Film 5: After Everything
After Everything (2023) shifted focus away from Tessa entirely, centering the narrative on Hardin Scott as he reflects on his journey. The spin-off-style approach marked a notable departure from the previous films in the series.
Is After 5 the last movie?
After Everything (2023) appeared to conclude the series, as it was marketed as the final chapter. The film focuses exclusively on Hardin’s perspective, with no appearance from Tessa Young, which led many fans to interpret it as a series conclusion.
After Everything details
The fifth film stripped away the dual-narrative structure of earlier entries. Hardin narrates throughout, and viewers see events from his point of view rather than split between him and Tessa. This stylistic choice reinforced the character’s growth arc while potentially closing the door on the original couple.
Series status
Despite the “final chapter” marketing, a sixth film was teased shortly after After Everything’s release. The announcement of After 6: Next Generation (2025) suggests the series will continue, though in a new direction focused on Hardin.
Is there going to be a 6th movie in the After series?
Yes, a sixth film titled After 6: Next Generation has been announced with a 2025 teaser. Hero Fiennes Tiffin is confirmed to return as Hardin Scott, indicating the continuation will follow his character rather than restore the original Tessa-Hardin dynamic.
Teaser details
The After 6: Next Generation teaser was released as part of promotional material for the series’ continuation. It confirmed that production or pre-production was underway, though an exact release date has not been publicly confirmed as of this writing.
Cast rumors
Reports indicate that Hero Fiennes Tiffin is involved in the sixth film. Whether other cast members from the original five films will appear alongside him remains unconfirmed.
Why isn’t Tessa in AFTER 5?
Josephine Langford does not appear in After Everything (2023). The film’s narrative structure centers entirely on Hardin, following his personal journey rather than continuing the couple’s story. This creative decision effectively removed Tessa from the series’ fifth installment.
Plot reasons
After Everything explores Hardin’s past and his attempts to reconcile with his mother’s troubled history. The story requires his perspective exclusively, making Tessa’s absence a narrative choice rather than a casting issue. The film presents events that were previously unseen, filling gaps from earlier films.
Cast changes
Josephine Langford’s absence marked a significant shift in the series. With Tessa gone, After Everything functions as a character study of Hardin rather than a continuation of the romantic drama that defined the first four films. Newer actors joined the cast to support this focused narrative.
Fans wanting closure on Tessa and Hardin’s relationship found the fifth film delivered neither reconciliation nor definitive breakup—leaving character arcs deliberately unresolved ahead of the sixth film’s announcement.
Timeline of After movies
The chronological progression of the series tracks annual releases from 2019 through 2025, with the upcoming sixth installment continuing the franchise’s expansion.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019 | After released |
| 2020 | After We Collided released |
| 2021 | After We Fell released |
| 2022 | After Ever Happy released |
| 2023 | After Everything released |
| 2025 | After 6 teaser announced |
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear about the After series
Confirmed facts
- 5 films released in order 2019–2023
- Wikipedia and IMDb list identical order
- All films based on Anna Todd novels
- Hero Fiennes Tiffin confirmed for After 6
- After Everything focuses on Hardin only
Unconfirmed rumors
- 6th film official release date
- Josephine Langford’s potential return
- Whether Tessa gets pregnant in the story
- Complete cast for After 6
- Whether the fifth film was originally meant as a finale
What viewers and sources say about the After series
The After franchise, based on the Wattpad novels by Anna Todd, has become a cultural touchstone for young adult romance cinema, with each installment exploring themes of love, loss, and personal growth.
— Wikipedia, After (film series) entry
Five films in, the After series has carved out a dedicated audience that has followed Tessa and Hardin’s tumultuous relationship through every twist.
— Cosmopolitan, film coverage
If you’re starting fresh, all five films are currently available for streaming, but library availability changes. For viewers in regions where Netflix carries the series, the complete collection is accessible in release order.
Related reading: Mission Impossible Films in Order
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This lineup matches the detailed Surrey Journal watch guide that traces Tessa and Hardin’s romance across all five releases from 2019 to 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What is the After film series about?
The After film series follows Tessa Young, a dedicated college student, and Hardin Scott, her rebellious classmate. Their relationship evolves from initial attraction into a turbulent romance filled with secrets, family conflicts, and personal growth across five films.
Where to watch After movies?
The After movies are available on Netflix in regions where the streaming platform holds rights. Physical media (DVD and Blu-ray) is also widely available through retailers. Availability varies by region, so check your local Netflix library.
Are After movies on Netflix?
Yes, Netflix holds streaming rights for the After film series in many regions. The entire five-film collection has been available on the platform following theatrical releases.
What book is After based on?
After is based on Anna Todd’s novel series, which began as fan fiction on Wattpad. The original novel was published in 2014 and became a bestseller before being adapted into the film franchise.
Who stars in the After series?
Josephine Langford plays Tessa Young across the first four films, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin plays Hardin Scott throughout all five films. Supporting cast members include Selma Blair, Jennifer Pearl, and others who appear across multiple installments.
Does After Everything have Tessa?
No. After Everything (2023) does not feature Josephine Langford as Tessa. The fifth film centers exclusively on Hardin Scott’s character, presenting events from his perspective without Tessa’s presence.
Why couldn’t Tessa get pregnant in the story?
Questions about pregnancy storylines in the After series come from book reader discussions. In the source novels, Tessa faces fertility challenges during her relationship with Hardin. The films condensed and modified several plot points from the books.