Detective Conan (Case Closed) watch order

Teen detective Shinichi Kudo is poisoned by a mysterious crime syndicate and wakes up in a child's body. As Conan Edogawa, he solves cases while hunting the Black Organization. Running since 1996, with a new film every April.

First time? You don't need all 1,200+ episodes. Start at episode 1, follow the Black Organization episodes named in the notes, and mix in standalone cases you like. The movies are self-contained, but save The Raven Chaser and later Black Organization films until you're caught up to them.

First-timer order

The TV series in five stretches, with only the movies that tie into the main story. Inside each stretch, watch the key episodes named in its note and whichever standalone cases you enjoy; the other movies can be added any time.

Episodes 1–129 TV, 1996–99, 129 episodes
Shinichi Kudo is poisoned by the Black Organization's Gin and Vodka and shrinks into Conan (episode 1). Ends with episodes 128–129, the Akemi Miyano case and the arrival of Ai Haibara.
Episodes 130–504 TV, 1999–2008, 375 episodes
Key Black Organization episodes: Pisco (176–178), Contact with the Black Organization (309–311), Black Impact, which introduces Kir (425), and the 14-episode Clash of Red and Black (491–504).
Movie 13: The Raven Chaser Movie, 2009
A Black Organization movie. Best after the Clash of Red and Black (episode 504).
Episodes 505–783 TV, 2008–15, 279 episodes
Key episodes: The Jet-Black Mystery Train (701–704), where Bourbon appears, and The Scarlet Return (779–783), a major turning point for the main story.
Movie 20: The Darkest Nightmare Movie, 2016
A Black Organization movie involving Curaçao, an aide to Rum. Best after The Scarlet Return (episode 783).
Movie 22: Zero the Enforcer Movie, 2018
Centered on Rei Furuya (Amuro). Best after The Scarlet Return (episode 783).
Episodes 784–1002 TV, 2015–21, 219 episodes
Bourbon, the FBI and the hunt for Rum keep developing between hundreds of standalone cases.
Movie 24: The Scarlet Bullet Movie, 2021
Centered on the Akai family. Best after The Scarlet Return; guides suggest after episode 1002.
Movie 26: Black Iron Submarine Movie, 2023
A Black Organization movie in which Haibara's identity is at risk. Best after The Jet-Black Mystery Train and The Scarlet Return.
Episodes 1003 onward TV, 2021
The ongoing run, including the Police Academy arc (Wild Police Story), which aired in parts from 2021 to 2023. Still airing in 2026.

Story order

The TV series split into five stretches, each followed by the movies released during it. The movies are standalone, so this is about avoiding spoilers rather than following a plot. Spin-offs and specials are left out.

Episodes 1–129 TV, 1996–99, 129 episodes
Shinichi Kudo is poisoned by the Black Organization's Gin and Vodka and shrinks into Conan (episode 1). Ends with episodes 128–129, the Akemi Miyano case and the arrival of Ai Haibara.
Movie 1: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper Movie, 1997
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 2: The Fourteenth Target Movie, 1998
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Episodes 130–504 TV, 1999–2008, 375 episodes
Key Black Organization episodes: Pisco (176–178), Contact with the Black Organization (309–311), Black Impact, which introduces Kir (425), and the 14-episode Clash of Red and Black (491–504).
Movie 3: The Last Wizard of the Century Movie, 1999
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 4: Captured in Her Eyes Movie, 2000
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 5: Countdown to Heaven Movie, 2001
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 6: The Phantom of Baker Street Movie, 2002
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 7: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital Movie, 2003
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 8: Magician of the Silver Sky Movie, 2004
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 9: Strategy Above the Depths Movie, 2005
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 10: The Private Eyes' Requiem Movie, 2006
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 11: Jolly Roger in the Deep Azure Movie, 2007
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 12: Full Score of Fear Movie, 2008
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 13: The Raven Chaser Movie, 2009
A Black Organization movie. Best after the Clash of Red and Black (episode 504).
Episodes 505–783 TV, 2008–15, 279 episodes
Key episodes: The Jet-Black Mystery Train (701–704), where Bourbon appears, and The Scarlet Return (779–783), a major turning point for the main story.
Movie 14: The Lost Ship in the Sky Movie, 2010
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 15: Quarter of Silence Movie, 2011
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 16: The Eleventh Striker Movie, 2012
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 17: Private Eye in the Distant Sea Movie, 2013
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 18: Dimensional Sniper Movie, 2014
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 19: Sunflowers of Inferno Movie, 2015
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Episodes 784–1002 TV, 2015–21, 219 episodes
Bourbon, the FBI and the hunt for Rum keep developing between hundreds of standalone cases.
Movie 20: The Darkest Nightmare Movie, 2016
A Black Organization movie involving Curaçao, an aide to Rum. Best after The Scarlet Return (episode 783).
Movie 21: The Crimson Love Letter Movie, 2017
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 22: Zero the Enforcer Movie, 2018
Centered on Rei Furuya (Amuro). Best after The Scarlet Return (episode 783).
Movie 23: The Fist of Blue Sapphire Movie, 2019
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Episodes 1003 onward TV, 2021
The ongoing run, including the Police Academy arc (Wild Police Story), which aired in parts from 2021 to 2023. Still airing in 2026.
Movie 24: The Scarlet Bullet Movie, 2021
Centered on the Akai family. Best after The Scarlet Return; guides suggest after episode 1002.
Movie 25: The Bride of Halloween Movie, 2022
Centered on Rei Furuya and his police academy friends.
Movie 26: Black Iron Submarine Movie, 2023
A Black Organization movie in which Haibara's identity is at risk. Best after The Jet-Black Mystery Train and The Scarlet Return.
Movie 27: The Million-Dollar Pentagram Movie, 2024
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 28: One-Eyed Flashback Movie, 2025
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 29: Fallen Angel of the Highway Movie, 2026
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.

Release order

Everything in the order it came out, with the TV series as one entry.

Detective Conan (TV series) TV, 1996
Still airing weekly since 1996, with more than 1,200 episodes. Mostly standalone mystery cases, with the Black Organization storyline running through a small share of them. Released in English as Case Closed.
Movie 1: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper Movie, 1997
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 2: The Fourteenth Target Movie, 1998
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 3: The Last Wizard of the Century Movie, 1999
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 4: Captured in Her Eyes Movie, 2000
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 5: Countdown to Heaven Movie, 2001
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 6: The Phantom of Baker Street Movie, 2002
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 7: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital Movie, 2003
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 8: Magician of the Silver Sky Movie, 2004
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 9: Strategy Above the Depths Movie, 2005
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 10: The Private Eyes' Requiem Movie, 2006
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 11: Jolly Roger in the Deep Azure Movie, 2007
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 12: Full Score of Fear Movie, 2008
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan (optional) Special, 2009
A crossover TV special with Lupin III. Optional.
Movie 13: The Raven Chaser Movie, 2009
A Black Organization movie. Best after the Clash of Red and Black (episode 504).
Movie 14: The Lost Ship in the Sky Movie, 2010
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Magic Kaito (optional) Special, 2010–12, 12 episodes
Specials adapting the Magic Kaito manga about Kaito Kid, aired in Conan's time slot. Superseded by Magic Kaito 1412. Optional.
Movie 15: Quarter of Silence Movie, 2011
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 16: The Eleventh Striker Movie, 2012
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 17: Private Eye in the Distant Sea Movie, 2013
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Lupin the 3rd vs. Detective Conan: The Movie (optional) Movie, 2013
A theatrical sequel to the 2009 crossover special. Optional.
Movie 18: Dimensional Sniper Movie, 2014
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Magic Kaito 1412 (optional) TV, 2014–15, 24 episodes
A full 24-episode adaptation of Magic Kaito, the manga about Conan's rival Kaito Kid. Separate from the 2010 specials; watch this one. Optional.
The Disappearance of Conan Edogawa (optional) Special, 2014
A two-hour TV special. Optional.
Movie 19: Sunflowers of Inferno Movie, 2015
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 20: The Darkest Nightmare Movie, 2016
A Black Organization movie involving Curaçao, an aide to Rum. Best after The Scarlet Return (episode 783).
Episode One: The Great Detective Turned Small (optional) Special, 2016
A two-hour special retelling how Shinichi became Conan. Optional.
Movie 21: The Crimson Love Letter Movie, 2017
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 22: Zero the Enforcer Movie, 2018
Centered on Rei Furuya (Amuro). Best after The Scarlet Return (episode 783).
Movie 23: The Fist of Blue Sapphire Movie, 2019
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
The Scarlet Alibi (optional) Movie, 2021
A compilation film of TV footage about the Akai family, released ahead of movie 24. Optional recap.
Movie 24: The Scarlet Bullet Movie, 2021
Centered on the Akai family. Best after The Scarlet Return; guides suggest after episode 1002.
Movie 25: The Bride of Halloween Movie, 2022
Centered on Rei Furuya and his police academy friends.
Zero's Tea Time (optional) ONA, 2022, 6 episodes
A slice-of-life spin-off about Rei Furuya's daily life. Optional.
The Culprit Hanzawa (optional) ONA, 2022, 12 episodes
A comedy spin-off about the show's familiar black-silhouette culprit. Optional.
The Story of Ai Haibara: Black Iron Mystery Train (optional) Movie, 2023
A compilation film of the Mystery Train arc, released ahead of movie 26. Optional recap.
Movie 26: Black Iron Submarine Movie, 2023
A Black Organization movie in which Haibara's identity is at risk. Best after The Jet-Black Mystery Train and The Scarlet Return.
Detective Conan vs. Kid the Phantom Thief (optional) Movie, 2024
A compilation film of Conan's clashes with Kaito Kid, with some new footage. Optional recap.
Movie 27: The Million-Dollar Pentagram Movie, 2024
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 28: One-Eyed Flashback Movie, 2025
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
Movie 29: Fallen Angel of the Highway Movie, 2026
A standalone case. Watch it any time after the TV episodes from around its release.
The Counterfeit Case of Ultra 30 (optional) Special, 2026
A 30th-anniversary TV special in which Conan and Heiji chase a counterfeiting case in Osaka. Optional.

Explained

Do I have to watch every episode?

No. Most episodes are self-contained cases, and roughly half are anime-original rather than from the manga. Fans usually follow the Black Organization episodes and recurring-character arcs, then pick standalone cases they like. Even the official English 'episode selection' releases on Netflix and Crunchyroll are curated this way.

Which episodes are the main story?

The big ones: 1 (Shinichi shrinks), 128–129 (Ai Haibara arrives), 176–178 (Pisco), 309–311, 425 (Black Impact, Kir), 491–504 (The Clash of Red and Black), 701–704 (The Jet-Black Mystery Train) and 779–783 (The Scarlet Return). The Police Academy arc (2021–23) builds out Rei Furuya's past.

Which movies matter?

Every film is a standalone case, but some touch the main plot or major characters: The Raven Chaser (13), The Darkest Nightmare (20), Zero the Enforcer (22), The Scarlet Bullet (24), The Bride of Halloween (25) and Black Iron Submarine (26). Watch those after the TV episodes they build on. A new film comes out every April; the 2026 film was Fallen Angel of the Highway.

Why is it called Case Closed?

Funimation released it in English as Case Closed for legal reasons; its dub covered only the early episodes and the first six films. Newer English releases, including curated episode collections on Netflix and Crunchyroll, use the original name, Detective Conan.

What are Magic Kaito and the other spin-offs?

Magic Kaito follows Conan's rival, the gentleman thief Kaito Kid; Magic Kaito 1412 (2014) is the complete version. Zero's Tea Time and The Culprit Hanzawa are short spin-off series, and the compilation films (The Scarlet Alibi, The Story of Ai Haibara, Conan vs. Kid) are recaps released ahead of new movies. There are also mail-order OVAs and 'Magic File' specials, all optional.