Where to start
The Godfather
5 versions · originally a book, 1969
The Godfather saga chronicles the dark, intricate evolution of the Corleone family's power, morality, and inevitable internal decay.
✦ Most fans start here
The Godfather (1972)
The original novel
The Godfather
Mario Puzo · Book · 1969
The Godfather (1969) serves as the literary foundation, offering a dense, text-heavy exploration of the Corleone family's inner workings and the specific New York City criminal landscape of the mid-twentieth century.
1972 film
✦ Start hereThe Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1972
The Godfather (1972) is the definitive cinematic masterpiece, distilling the core narrative into a legendary visual chronicle of the Corleone family's rise, perfectly capturing the tension of the 1945-1955 era.
1974 film
The Godfather Part II
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1974
The Godfather Part II (1974) functions as both prequel and sequel, contrasting Vito Corleone's humble origins in 1910s Sicily and New York with the ongoing, complex saga of the family's criminal empire.
1977 series
Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television
Francis Ford Coppola · Series · 1977
Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television (1977) provides a sprawling, seven-hour chronological edit that restores deleted scenes to create a seamless, expansive timeline of the Corleone family history.
1990 film
The Godfather Part III
Film · 1990
The Godfather Part III (1990) focuses on Michael Corleone’s final years as he attempts to legitimize his business dealings in 1979, struggling to reconcile his violent past with a search for redemption.
Common questions
What order should I watch The Godfather movies in?
You should begin with the 1972 film The Godfather, followed by The Godfather Part II released in 1974. Finally, you can conclude the trilogy with The Godfather Part III, which was released in 1990.
Is The Godfather book different from the 1972 movie?
The Godfather book was written by Mario Puzo and published in 1969. While the 1972 film The Godfather serves as an adaptation of this source material, the book provides the original narrative foundation for the entire cinematic series.
How long is Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television?
Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television is a television adaptation released in 1977. This version expands upon the original source material and the film narrative to provide a more comprehensive look at the story of the Corleone family.
Should I read The Godfather book before watching the movies?
Reading the 1969 book The Godfather before watching the films is a common approach for fans. The book offers deep context for the events depicted in The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and The Godfather Part III, enriching your understanding of the characters and their motivations.