Looking for the correct Paddington movies in order? Good news — this is one of the rare franchises where you don’t have to untangle a messy timeline. Release order and chronological order are exactly the same here, so you can just watch the films in the order they came out and everything will make sense.
Created by Paul King and based on Michael Bond’s beloved books, the Paddington series has become one of the most critically adored family franchises ever made, with Paddington 2 famously holding a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score for years and the trilogy grossing over $730 million worldwide. It’s rare air for a “kids’ movie” to earn that kind of universal acclaim.
Below is your quick-answer table, followed by a deeper dive into each film, plus everything you need to know about the animated spinoff and Paddington 4.
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Quick Answer: Paddington Movies in Order
| # | Film | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paddington | 2014 | Paul King |
| 2 | Paddington 2 | 2017 | Paul King |
| 3 | Paddington in Peru | 2024 | Dougal Wilson |
That’s it — no prequels, no flashback structures, no Rocky-style reshuffling. Paddington movies in order of release is also the correct viewing order for the story.
Paddington Movies in Order: The Complete Watch Guide
1. Paddington (2014)
This is where it all starts. A young bear from “Darkest Peru” travels to London after a disaster back home, hoping to find a family — and stumbles into the Browns at Paddington Station. What follows is a warm, funny fish-out-of-water story with a surprisingly sinister villain (a taxidermist voiced by Nicole Kidman) chasing him. Fun fact: the production spent months perfecting Paddington’s fur texture in CGI so it would react realistically to rain and light. This film sets up the found-family dynamic that powers the entire series.
2. Paddington 2 (2017)
Now settled with the Browns, Paddington takes on odd jobs to buy his Aunt Lucy the perfect 100th-birthday gift — a pop-up book of London — only for it to be stolen. Hugh Grant steals scenes as a washed-up actor turned criminal, delivering one of the most beloved comedic villain performances of the decade. Behind the scenes, director Paul King reportedly rewrote the script dozens of times chasing perfect jokes. It’s widely considered the series’ creative peak and raised the stakes for what a “Paddington” sequel could be.
3. Paddington in Peru (2024)
Years after the second film, Paddington and the Browns travel to Peru itself after learning his Aunt Lucy has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears. The story shifts from cozy London streets to jungle and mountain adventure, with Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas joining the cast. This was the feature directorial debut of Dougal Wilson, who took over from Paul King, and it marked Sony’s first co-production credit on the series. It closes out the “original trilogy” while leaving the door open for more.
Do You Need to Watch the Earlier Films Before Paddington in Peru?
Yes, technically — but not strictly required. Paddington in Peru references relationships and running jokes built up over the first two films, and you’ll get more emotional payoff from Aunt Lucy’s arc if you’ve seen the setup. That said, each film is self-contained enough that a newcomer won’t be lost.
If you’re short on time, here’s the minimum viable watch order:
Minimum viable watch order:
- Watch Paddington (2014) — establishes the Browns, London setting, and Paddington’s backstory
- Watch Paddington 2 (2017) — the emotional and comedic high point; skipping it means missing key character growth
- Then Paddington in Peru (2024) for the most complete experience
If you truly only have time for one film before jumping into Peru, make it Paddington 2 — it’s the most essential emotionally and the most acclaimed of the three.
How Many Paddington Movies Are There?
There are currently 3 theatrical Paddington movies (2014, 2017, 2024), plus an animated TV spinoff series and a short film. A fourth theatrical film and a separate animated movie are both in development.
All Paddington Movies in Order by Release Date
1. Paddington — January 23, 2015 (UK: November 28, 2014)
2. Paddington 2 — November 10, 2017
3. Paddington in Peru — November 8, 2024 (UK) / February 14, 2025 (US)
The Adventures of Paddington: The Animated Spinoff
Beyond the three feature films, StudioCanal also produced The Adventures of Paddington, an animated TV series that ran from 2019 to 2025, along with a 2022 short film, “Marmalade Sandwich, Your Majesty?” These are aimed at younger viewers and exist outside the main theatrical continuity — you don’t need to watch them to follow the films, and vice versa. They’re a nice bonus if you or your kids want more Paddington between movies, but they’re not required viewing for the Paddington movies in order experience.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
The Paddington universe is expanding. At CinemaCon 2026, StudioCanal officially confirmed that Paddington 4 is in development, with Emmy-winning writer Armando Iannucci (Veep, The Death of Stalin) brought on to pen the screenplay, and Paddington in Peru director Dougal Wilson reportedly in talks to return. StudioCanal also announced a separate new animated Paddington film at the same event, signaling a broader expansion of the franchise across both live-action and animation.
No release date, title, or plot details have been confirmed for either project as of this writing, so treat any dates you see online as speculative until StudioCanal officially announces them.
FAQ
Are the Paddington movies in order the same as chronological order?
Yes. Unlike many franchises, Paddington’s release order and story order are identical — just watch them 2014, 2017, 2024.
Do I need to watch Paddington before Paddington 2?
Yes, strongly recommended. Paddington 2 builds directly on the Browns’ relationship with Paddington established in the first film, and skipping it will make character dynamics less clear.
Is Paddington in Peru the last movie in the series?
No. A fourth film and a separate animated movie are both officially in development at StudioCanal as of 2026, though no release dates have been set.
What order should kids watch the Paddington movies and TV series in?
Start with the three films in release order (2014, 2017, 2024); the animated series can be watched anytime alongside them since it’s not tied to the film continuity.
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