All Godfather Movies in Order

With one of the highest-rated movies on IMDb, The Godfather film trilogy is arguably the greatest cinema ever. The gangster movie genre was launched by the Corleone family’s struggle to establish their power and underground mafia kingdom in the heart of New York City. Director Francis Ford Coppola produced a whole trilogy of excellent films.

With a captivating story, perfect cast, and fantastic direction, The Godfather movies have created an enormous fan following. Adapted from the Italian novel of the same name by Mario Puzo, the franchise, over time, has become a significant cultural and visual achievement. We follow the story of Michael as he slowly rises in the ranks of his mafia family while keeping his enemies in check.

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So, if you want to get into the dark and fascinating world of the Godfather trilogy, you have come to the right place. This blog post offers everything you need to know if you want to start watching the Godfather franchise in the proper order and appreciate the grim and dark world of the New York Mafia.

All Godfather Movies in Order

1. The Godfather

   Streaming On: DIRECTV

   Director: Francis Ford Coppola

   Writers: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo

   Stars: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Diane Keaton, Al Lettieri

   Genres: Crime, Drama

   

   One of the most influential Mafia movies ever made, we follow the story of the youngest son of the Corleone family as he makes his way to the top of the family.

   The leader of the Corleone family, Vito, listens to his sons’ and grandkids’ wishes at the film’s beginning. The youngest son of Vito, Michael, introduces Vito to Kay Adam, his girlfriend. When Vito’s grandson Jonny requests a part in a well-known future film, Vito sends Tom Hagen, his right-hand man, to the film’s producer.

   A drug lord named Sollozzo approaches Vito, asking for protection for his empire, but Vito declines because the agreement could harm his political connections. Vito sends his underling on an espionage mission because he believes Sollozzo is up to evil. Sollozzo sees through this plan and kills the underling on their first meeting.

   Later, enforcers shoot Vito and capture Hagen. Vito is taken to a hospital after surviving the shooting. Micahel stops Sollozzo’s second attempt to kill Vito. Michael agrees to a meeting when Sollozzo asks for one but intends to assassinate him there. Michael successfully carries out the plan with a pistol he hid in the bathroom.

   The “Five Families” go to war once this happens. Gangsters kill Sonny, Vito’s first child and the current head of the Corleone family. Vito, devastated by Sonny’s passing, calls a meeting of the five families to end the fighting.

   Later, Michael takes over as the Family Head and receives clues about Sonny’s killer, Dan Barzini. When Vito suffers a heart attack in 1955, Tessio betrays Michael and tries to arrange a meeting with Dan. The conference coincides with a grand event where all five families assemble. Michael assassinates all the family leaders and assumes the position of Don.

   The Godfather is a crime Epic that offers a fantastic story with characters the viewers get connected to. The movie gives off a grand aura and is considered one of the best Mafia movies ever.

2. The Godfather II

   Streaming On: DIRECTV

   Director: Francis Ford Coppola

   Writers: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo

   Stars: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Talia Shire, Morgana King, John Cazale, Mariana Hill, Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo

   Genres: Drama, Crime

   

   The Godfather II is highly regarded as a sequel to the original. The movie shows parallel perspectives of the rise of Vito and his empire and the fall of Miachel as a Don.

   Vito’s Storyline

   At 9, Vito fled his country after Don Ciccio killed his family. As he arrives in New York, Vito changes his identity to Vito Corleone. Living there, he weds Carmela, who gives birth to a son named Sonny. When Vito helps Peter, his neighbor, in a hard situation, Peter recruits him.

   Vito and Peter recruit Tessio to increase their business. When the trio starts making large profits, they attract the attention of Don Fanucci. Vito reassures his partners that he will deal with the don and kill Fanucci in his apartment. This gains him a lot of respect in the community.

   A few years later, Vito returns, disguised as a businessman, to his hometown. Asking Don Ciccio to bless his business, Vito stabs him to death, avenging his family.

   On Vito’s 50th birthday, Michael announces his joining the Marines, which causes dismay among the siblings. When Vito opens the door, all the siblings hide to surprise him except Michael.

   Michael Storyline

   At his son’s Coronation, many relatives of the Corleone family are upset with Miachel as he has been neglecting his duties. That night, after a failed assassination attempt on Michael, Michael departs. 

   Michael suspects Roth but tells Roth he suspects Pentangeli. Michael sends Pentangeli away to solve a problem with his domain. When Pentangeli is met with cops on his mission, he feels betrayed.

   All the executives of the Corleone family go to Havana to discuss their business in Cuba. When Fredo mistakenly identifies Roth’s right-hand man, Ola, whom Fredo never met, Miachel realizes that Fredo is the traitor. Michael orders a hit on Ola and Roth, where Ola is killed, but the rest escape.

   Back home, Fredo explains his behavior, and Michael disowns him but orders no one to touch him until Carmella dies. Hagen visits Pentangeli, and later, Pentangeli is discovered dead in his bathtub. After Carmella passes, Miachel instructs his son not to accompany Fredo on a fishing trip, where Fredo is later killed. 

   Praised for its dark themes and well-handled backstory, Godfather II was highly praised on its release. Al Pachino’s performance was heavily praised in the second movie, too.

3. The Godfather III

   Streaming On: Paramount+,  HBO MAX

   Director: Francis Ford Coppola

   Writers: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo

   Stars: Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Andy García, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, Bridget Fonda, George Hamilton, Sofia Coppola, Raf Vallone

   Genres: Crime, Drama

   

   The Godfather III’s third installment has a more emotional approach toward the series and executes the concept flawlessly.

   Michael has started giving to charities after feeling guilty about his prior brutal behavior. Michael and Kay are now divorced, and the children, Anthony and May, now reside with Kay. Connie introduces Joey to Vincent, Sonny’s Bastard son. Things get heated between Joey and Vincent, and the two start fighting. Concerned and impressed by Vincent, Miachel hires him.

   Michael submits an offer to acquire a majority stake in Vatican Bank when he recognizes the chance. The offer has been accepted, but the Pope must yet ratify it. Michael is informed by Connie’s godfather, Don Altobello, that his partners want a piece of the action. Joey doesn’t receive anything after making amends with them and storms out. After Altobello chases him outside, the entire building is shot by a chopper moments later. Neri, Michael’s bodyguard, and Michael Vincent make it out alive.

   While Michael is recovering, Vincent begins dating May. When Michael learns about this, he instructs Vincent to put an end to it because Vincent is in the Crime industry. The family makes a trip to Sicily. Michael sends Vincent on an intelligence mission to Altobello, where he learns all the details of the bank deal. Vincent discovers that the transaction is a fabrication and that Altobello plans to kill Michael.

   Being impressed by Vincent, Miachel names him the next Don. The murder attempt on Miachel at Anthonys’ first opera fails. Michael screams in agony as Mary is shot dead during the play. The movie ends with an old Miachel slumping in his chair and falling to the ground.

   Praised for using themes like regret and repentance, The Godfather III concludes the Epic tale well.

Conclusion

And those were all the Godfather movies in the correct order. This three-part epic spans from Vito Corleone’s ascent in “The Godfather Part II” to Michael’s authority as the Don, and his final downfall in “The Godfather Part III” is a must-see for any cinema enthusiast.

The Godfather trilogy is a classic movie that will leave you wanting more with its compelling storylines, outstanding performances, and magnificent graphics. So sit, keep your snacks next to you, and be ready to be blown away by this marvelous trilogy.

Godfather Movies According to IMDb Ratings

The Godfather (1972) – 9.2 By 1.9 Million Votes

The Godfather II (1974) – 9.0 By 1.3 Million Votes

The Godfather III (1990) – 7.6 By 407k Votes

Godfather Movies According to Box Office Collection

The Godfather (1972) – $291 Million

The Godfather II (1974) – $93 Million

The Godfather III (1990) – $136.9 Million

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