Let's be real: trying to track the timeline of Tessa Young and Hardin Scott is like trying to untangle a pair of wired headphones that have been sitting in your pocket for three years. It's messy. It’s chaotic. Honestly, it’s probably a little bit toxic, but that is exactly why we can't stop watching. Whether you found the series through Anna Todd’s original Wattpad stories (shoutout to the 2013 Harry Styles fanfic era) or you just stumbled upon a clip on TikTok, knowing the after movies in order is the only way to make sense of the emotional whiplash.
Most people think there are just four movies. Some think it ended with a wedding. Others are still waiting for a prequel that was whispered about years ago. If you're looking for a simple, no-nonsense roadmap to the "Hessa" saga, you've come to the right place. We aren't just listing titles; we're breaking down why the order matters and where the story actually stands in 2026.
The Chronological Order (Which is also the Release Order)
The good news? You don't have to deal with any Pulp Fiction style non-linear storytelling here. The release order and the chronological order are identical. If you want to watch the after movies in order, you just follow the path from Tessa's first day of college to the eventual fallout of their adulthood.
1. After (2019)
This is where the "Good Girl meets Bad Boy" trope gets its modern makeover. We meet Tessa (Josephine Langford), a dedicated student with a sensible boyfriend back home, and Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), the brooding British guy with a leather jacket and a chip on his shoulder.
It starts with a game of Truth or Dare. It ends with a massive betrayal involving a bet that basically ruins Tessa’s life. If you’re watching this for the first time, keep an eye out for Peter Gallagher as Hardin's dad—he's one of the many actors who gets swapped out later in the franchise.
2. After We Collided (2020)
Picking up right after the first movie’s cliffhanger, this one introduces the fan-favorite character "F---ing Trevor," played by Dylan Sprouse. Tessa is trying to move on with an internship at Vance Publishing, but Hardin isn't exactly the "letting go" type.
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This movie shifted the tone from "teen romance" to "steamy R-rated drama." It’s also where the "Recast Fever" begins. Rob Estes takes over as Ken Scott, and we get Candice King (from The Vampire Diaries) as Kimberly.
3. After We Fell (2021)
Things get heavy here. Tessa’s estranged, alcoholic father shows up, and she’s planning a move to Seattle for her career. Hardin, predictably, loses it. This film was shot back-to-back with the fourth one in Bulgaria during the pandemic, which explains why so many actors had to be replaced due to travel restrictions.
Chance Perdomo (rest in peace) took over the role of Landon here, and Mira Sorvino stepped in as Tessa's mom. It’s a lot of change to process while also dealing with the bombshell revelation about Hardin’s real father at the end.
4. After Ever Happy (2022)
The title sounds optimistic. The movie is not. This is the "breakup" movie. After the revelations in London, Hardin spirals into self-destruction, and Tessa finally realizes she can't "fix" him.
They spend years apart. We see them grow up, find themselves, and—eventually—cross paths again. Most fans thought this was the end of the road, but the creators had one more surprise in the chamber.
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5. After Everything (2023)
This is the "bonus" movie that wasn't based on a specific book in the original series. It focuses heavily on Hardin's journey to Portugal to make amends with a girl from his past, Natalie (played by Mimi Keene).
While it feels like a Hardin solo project for the first hour, it eventually circles back to Tessa. It provides the definitive "Happily Ever After" that the previous movie skipped over.
What About the Prequel and the Next Generation?
Here is where the confusion usually starts. Back in 2021, director Castille Landon announced two more projects: a prequel titled Before and a "Next Generation" sequel.
- Before: This is based on Anna Todd's novella. It’s supposed to show Hardin’s life before he met Tessa, giving context to his trauma and his "bad boy" persona. As of early 2026, production news has been quiet, leading some to wonder if it's still happening or being reworked into a limited series.
- The Sequel: This is meant to follow Tessa and Hardin’s kids, Emery and Auden, along with their cousin Addy. Landon has mentioned it would be a "next generation" story, but Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin likely wouldn't be the leads, given the age jump.
Honestly, the "main" story is done. If you watch the five movies listed above, you have the full Hessa arc. Anything else is just icing on a very dramatic cake.
Why the Recasting Happened (And Who is Who)
If you're binge-watching these, you’re going to get confused. You’ll be like, "Wait, didn't Landon look different ten minutes ago?" Yes, he did.
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The series is notorious for its revolving door of actors. Between After We Collided and After We Fell, the production moved to Bulgaria to keep filming during COVID-19. Many of the original US-based actors couldn't make the trip or had scheduling conflicts.
| Character | Actor 1 | Actor 2 | Actor 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landon Gibson | Shane Paul McGhie | Chance Perdomo | — |
| Ken Scott | Peter Gallagher | Rob Estes | — |
| Christian Vance | Charlie Weber | Stephen Moyer | — |
| Carol Young | Selma Blair | Mira Sorvino | — |
| Kimberly | Candice King | Arielle Kebbel | — |
| Karen Scott | Jennifer Beals | Karimah Westbrook | Frances Turner |
It’s a bit of a mess, but you get used to it. Just focus on the chemistry between the two leads; they’re the only ones who stayed consistent through all five films.
The Legacy of the After Series
Say what you want about the dialogue or the "toxic" tropes—this franchise changed how movies get made. It proved that there is a massive, underserved audience for romance that doesn't shy away from being messy and mature.
The after movies in order represent a specific era of internet culture moving to the big screen. It started as a hobby on a phone app and turned into a multi-million dollar film franchise. That’s pretty wild when you think about it.
If you’re planning a marathon, my best advice is to have some snacks ready and maybe a box of tissues. You're going to go from screaming at the screen to swooning in about five seconds flat.
Next Steps for the Hessa Hive:
- Check Netflix for the first four films; they’ve been the primary streaming home for years.
- Look for After Everything on Prime Video or digital storefronts, as its streaming rights have been a bit more fragmented.
- If you want the "true" ending, read the epilogue of the book After Ever Happy—the movies change a few details about the timeline of their kids.