Stargate.
Your next rabbit hole.
Welcome to Stargate: a film, three live-action series, two SG-1 follow-up movies, and a few optional detours. You do not need to know the whole universe to take the first step.
Just starting? Watch Stargate (1994), then begin SG-1 with “Children of the Gods.” Keep going through season seven before adding Atlantis. The crossover years need a little map, not a second spreadsheet.
Three series.
Different flavours.
SG-1 is the long central branch. Atlantis grows alongside its later seasons. Universe is the next live-action stop in our viewing route.
Our guide separates the viewing recommendation from the release record. That matters: a movie released in 2008 can belong between episodes that aired earlier.
Untangle the two SG-1 moviesA universe, one release at a time
Explore the screen run that began between 1994 and 2018. These are real-world release landmarks, not dates of fictional events. A series entry marks its beginning, not when to finish all its seasons. Filter a branch, search a title, or open the viewing notes.
- 1994
Stargate
The original film. Our recommended first stop.
Viewing notes
A single-film introduction before committing to a long series. The television continuation follows it; this guide covers the screen run that began here.
Source: AFI Catalog: Stargate
- 1997
Stargate SG-1
Ten seasons form the spine of the live-action journey.
Viewing notes
Begin with “Children of the Gods.” Atlantis joins the viewing path during SG-1’s eighth season; the guide explains the handoff.
Source: GateWorld: Children of the Gods
- 2002
Stargate Infinity
An optional animated detour outside the live-action continuity.
Viewing notes
This is not a missing chapter between SG-1 seasons. Explore it separately if you want to see the animated branch; it is not needed for our main route.
Source: GateWorld: Stargate FAQ
- 2004
Stargate Atlantis
Five seasons, with the first three running alongside SG-1.
Viewing notes
Its opener is “Rising.” Finish SG-1 season seven and its “New Order” opening arc in season eight before starting this branch.
Source: GateWorld: Rising, Part 1
- 2008
Stargate: The Ark of Truth
The first SG-1 follow-up film.
Viewing notes
For the continuity-conscious route, put it after SG-1’s series finale and before Atlantis season three’s finale, “First Strike.” Release year alone does not tell you where to slot it.
Source: GateWorld: The Ark of Truth
- 2008
Stargate: Continuum
The other SG-1 follow-up, with a later Atlantis handoff.
Viewing notes
Watch Atlantis season five’s opener, “Search and Rescue,” before this film, then return to Atlantis. Keep this separate from the placement of The Ark of Truth.
Source: GateWorld: Continuum
- 2009
Stargate Universe
The next live-action series: two seasons to explore.
Viewing notes
Our first-watch route leaves this until after Atlantis. Begin with the “Air” opening story rather than searching for a flashback-based chronological starting point.
Source: GateWorld: Air, Part 1
- 2018
Stargate Origins
A prequel, best treated as an optional later visit.
Viewing notes
Set in 1939. The ten-part web series was also assembled as Stargate Origins: Catherine; choose a presentation rather than treating both as separate required adventures.
Source: GateWorld: Origins public launch
No matching releases. Try another title or clear the filters.
A few friendly ground rules
This hub is spoiler-light: it names titles and crossover checkpoints without explaining their plot outcomes. Origins is an optional prequel, not our suggested first watch. Its feature version, Catherine, retells the same web-series material; it is not another required chapter. Infinity sits outside the main live-action continuity.
We cover the established 1994–2018 screen branches here, rather than books, comics, games, or development announcements. Streaming catalogues change by country, so the guide does not promise a particular service.
Research checked . Viewing choices are CinematicAddict’s editorial recommendations. Release facts and continuity notes are linked to their sources.
Where the map comes from
- Amazon MGM’s franchise history — series, season counts, optional branches and Ark’s story placement.
- AFI’s original-film catalogue entry — the 1994 U.S. opening.
- GateWorld’s 2024 viewing guide — specialist continuity guidance.
- MGM’s explanation of the Origins feature cut, reported by GateWorld — alternate presentations of the same material.
Each timeline entry also links its release source. Stargate belongs to its respective rights holders. These are independent guides and original illustrations, not official franchise artwork.