So, you want to dive into the world of bespoke suits, high-tech gadgets, and head-exploding choreography. Honestly, it's a great choice. But here is the thing: the franchise has expanded beyond just Eggsy and Harry Hart, and figuring out how to watch the Kingsman in the right order can be a little confusing if you aren't paying attention to the release dates versus the historical settings.
The series is based on The Secret Service comic books by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. However, Matthew Vaughn, the director behind the films, took that raw, gritty energy and turned it into something much more polished and, frankly, much more British. There are currently three films in the wild. You’ve got the original 2014 hit, the 2017 sequel, and then a prequel that jumped way back into the trenches of World War I.
The Simple Way: Release Date Order
Most people should probably just watch them in the order they came out. It’s the easiest way to see how the filmmaking style evolved and how the lore was built from the ground up. You start with Kingsman: The Secret Service. This is the movie that introduced Taron Egerton as Eggsy, a street-smart kid recruited into a secret spy organization. It’s famous for that church scene—you know the one—and for making Colin Firth an unexpected action hero.
Next up is Kingsman: The Golden Circle. This one divided fans a bit. It’s bigger, louder, and introduces the Statesman, the American cousins of the Kingsman who operate out of a whiskey distillery. It’s got Jeff Bridges, Channing Tatum, and Pedro Pascal. It’s a lot. Some love the scale; others felt it lost a bit of the heart from the first one.
💡 You might also like: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
Then you hit The King’s Man. Released in late 2021 after a bunch of COVID-related delays, this moves the clock back to the early 1900s. Ralph Fiennes plays the Duke of Oxford. It explains how the tailor shop became a front for a global intelligence agency. It’s a tonally different movie—much more of a war drama with some spy elements—but it anchors the entire mythology.
The Chronological Order: Living the History
If you’re a completionist or just like seeing a story unfold linearly, you have to start with the prequel.
- The King’s Man (2021): Set during WWI. You see the origins of the table, the code names (Arthur, Galahad, etc.), and the pacifist roots of the organization.
- Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014): Set roughly a century later. This is the "modern" introduction.
- Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017): The immediate aftermath of the first film.
Watching it this way is interesting because you see the "Arthur" title pass down through generations, and you understand the weight of the Kingsman legacy before Eggsy even walks through the door. However, the post-credits scene in The King’s Man might not hit as hard if you haven't seen the flair of the modern movies first.
📖 Related: Is Lincoln Lawyer Coming Back? Mickey Haller's Next Move Explained
Where Can You Actually Stream These?
This is where it gets annoying. Rights shift all the time. In the US, because Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, most of the Kingsman content has lived on Hulu or Disney+. Specifically, in many international markets like the UK or Canada, all three are sitting pretty on Disney+ under the Star brand.
In the States, things are more fragmented. The King’s Man is frequently on Hulu. The first two often bounce between Max (formerly HBO Max) and Hulu depending on the month. If you can't find them on a subscription service, the digital stores—Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu—are the old reliable. You can usually rent them for about four bucks.
Why the Order Actually Matters for the Future
Matthew Vaughn isn't done. He has been very vocal about Kingsman: The Blue Blood, which is supposed to be the final chapter of the Eggsy and Harry relationship. There is also talk of a sequel to the prequel, potentially focusing on the rise of a certain historical dictator teased at the end of the 2021 film.
👉 See also: Tim Dillon: I'm Your Mother Explained (Simply)
If you jump straight into the prequel without seeing the 2014 original, you might miss the stylistic cues. The way the cameras move, the specific "Manners Maketh Man" mantra, and the significance of the signet rings all carry more weight when you've seen the modern version first. The prequel is a love letter to the fans who wanted to know why they use a tailor shop as a base.
Common Misconceptions About the Series
A lot of people think Argylle (2024) is a Kingsman movie. It’s not. It is directed by Matthew Vaughn, and there are some cheeky nods that suggest a "Vaughn-verse" might exist, but it isn’t a direct entry. Don’t feel like you have to watch Henry Cavill’s flat-top haircut to understand Eggsy’s journey.
Also, the movies deviate wildly from the comics. In the comics, Mark Hamill plays himself. In the movie, Mark Hamill plays a character named Professor Arnold. If you are a fan of the source material, just know the movies are their own beast. They are more of a "remix" than a direct adaptation.
Actionable Steps for Your Kingsman Marathon
If you want the best experience, do this:
- Check JustWatch first. Streaming licenses for the Kingsman movies change almost monthly between Disney+, Hulu, and Max. Type in your region to see where they are currently "free" with a subscription.
- Watch the 2014 original first. Even if you want to go chronologically, the first movie establishes the "vibe" that makes the prequel enjoyable.
- Keep an eye on the credits. The King's Man has a mid-credits scene that is arguably the most important part of the film for the future of the franchise.
- Don't skip the "Statesman" lore. While The Golden Circle is polarizing, the introduction of the American branch is expected to play a role in future spin-offs.
Once you've cleared the three main films, you'll be fully caught up for The Blue Blood. Just remember: oxfords, not brogues.