Where to start withThe Godfather
5 versions · originally a book, 1969
Themes: Power, Loyalty, Family, Betrayal, Corruption.
Start with The Godfather (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972) — the film. The Godfather exists in 5 versions across media, beginning as a book in 1969; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The Godfather saga is a sprawling, multi-generational examination of power, family loyalty, and the moral decay inherent in organized crime.
✦ 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 readers extensive internal monologues and backstory for the Corleone family that provide a deeper psychological context for the entire franchise.
1972 film
✦ Start hereThe Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1972
The Godfather (1972) is the definitive cinematic masterpiece, capturing the atmospheric tension and iconic performances that established the Corleone family as the gold standard for American crime cinema.
1974 film
The Godfather Part II
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1974
The Godfather Part II (1974) functions as both prequel and sequel, expertly paralleling young Vito Corleone’s rise in 1910s New York with Michael’s subsequent expansion 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 unique, seven-hour chronological edit that stitches together the first two films with restored scenes for a linear experience.
1990 film
The Godfather Part III
Film · 1990
The Godfather Part III (1990) shifts focus to the aging Michael Corleone’s desperate quest for redemption and legitimacy, concluding the epic tragedy of his life amidst his final business dealings.
Common questions
What order should I watch The Godfather movies in?
You should watch the series in the order of release: The Godfather (1972), The Godfather Part II (1974), and finally The Godfather Part III (1990). This chronological release sequence follows the narrative progression of the Corleone family saga as intended by the filmmakers.
Is The Godfather book different from the 1972 movie?
The Godfather book, published in 1969, serves as the original source material for the 1972 film. While the movie remains a faithful adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel, the book provides additional background details and subplots that are not fully explored within the runtime of the film.
How does Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television differ from the movies?
Mario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television, released in 1977, is a television edit that combines footage from both The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. It rearranges the narrative into a chronological structure that differs from the original theatrical release order of the two films.
Should I read The Godfather book before watching the films?
Reading The Godfather book before watching the 1972 film is a common choice for fans. The 1969 novel offers deeper insight into the characters and setting, which can enhance your understanding of the events depicted in The Godfather and its subsequent cinematic sequels.