Based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s books, The Witcher became so successful that Netflix decided to expand the saga by introducing the prequel series along with anime films, telling different stories from the original tale, forming the Witcherverse. However, the timeline of each project is entirely different. Therefore, no matter how much fans love the expansion, there comes a little confusion as to what happened when.

To ease your confusion and give you a clear idea, here is the chronological order according to the Witcherverse per the original timeline.

Every The Witcher project’s timeline chronologically

With 3 seasons of the live-action adaptation of the books, 2 anime films, and 2 prequels, the Witcherverse has a complicated timeline for the newcomers. Having said that, you can follow this timeline to make sense of the magical world.

The Witcher: Blood Origin (2022)

This prequel series is set 1200 years prior to the 2019 series. It sets the tone for the entire Witcherverse. The series depicts the lore of the birth of the first Witcher, how the Conjunction of the Spheres happened, and how the world looked like before humans arrived. It has a band of elves and a dwarf, each from a different clan or tribe, united against a common enemy.

The series takes the viewers deeper into the Continent’s past and how humans, monsters, and magic spill across the Continent from entirely different worlds. Additionally, the series also explores what even Andrzej Sapkowski’s Origin novels did not explore.

Seanchai, the mysterious storyteller traveling through space and time to gather forgotten heroic stories, narrated the lore to Jaskier so that he could tell the story to Geralt and Ciri. So, with clarity of the origin of the Chaos and other species on the Continent, next comes the anime.

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021)

Serving as a spin-off for the Netflix Original, Nightmare of the Wolf takes place in the year 1165. It shows Kaer Morhen at its peak during a time when there were several Witchers. Kaer Morhen is a powerful place that created Witchers and it used to be their seat of power before it all went to ruin. This anime depicts the story of Vesemir and Tetra’s journey of discovering the threat scaring the Continent at that time.

Of course, things did not go as planned, but it led Vesemir to become the boast teacher of Henry Cavill’s Geralt of Rivia that fans adore. The film also shows the time before humans betrayed the elves in The Cleansing after they taught them how to use magic. Familiar faces like the elf, Filavandrel, and one of Queen Calanthe’s ancestors, King Dagorad of Kaedwen, also appear in the movie to give the viewers more idea about the past of The Witcher series, which should be next on your watch list.

Season 1 (2019)

Revolving around three main characters, Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Princess Cirilla of Cintra, the first season of the show has a rather complex timeline. Therefore, it is recommended for you to watch the season keeping this order of episodes in mind. The entire season spans Geralt’s story of about 20 years, Yennefer’s story spans around 70 years, and Ciri’s about two weeks. Episodes 2 and 3 show Yennefer’s origin story.

The 8th episode tells the story of Geralt’s origin where his mother, Visenna, abandons him and leaves him under the care of Vesemir. Although his origin story runs parallel to Yennefer’s story, we do not get to know until this episode. Then episodes 1-3 reveal Geralt’s adventures, including one of the most iconic fights, The Butcher of Blaviken. Meanwhile, it has been 30 years since Yennefer went to the court of Aedirn. Realizing her wants and needs, she leaves the court in order to find a cure for her sacrifice.

The pivotal event, around which the entire season revolves, happens in episode 4. Geralt attends the royal ball where he gets dragged into the Law of Surprise, leading him to search for her Child Surprise, Cirilla. Following the fall of Cintra in the episode, Yennefer and Geralt meet and have their own adventures in episodes 5 and 6. Going simultaneously, Yennefer gets hold of a djinn’s bottle that Geralt fished out of a lake.

Meanwhile, Cirilla escapes from The Nilfgaardian army and wanders throughout the season. Followed by The Battle of Sodden Hill, Ciri finally meets Geralt in the 8th episode. She asks about Yennefer which sets the plot for season 2.

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep (TBA)

The second animated film in the Witcherverse takes place between the 5th and 6th episodes of the first season of the Netflix series. Currently in the making, this film is an adaptation of a short story in the Sword of Destiny. The reason for watching the film after the first season is that the viewers can know more about Geralt’s adventures before he meets Ciri.

Also, it gives an extended idea of the other characters in the saga. Once the film hits the streaming giant, you can watch it after the first episode of the second season as well. This upcoming movie will also throw light on Jaskier and Geralt’s bond. It will help you connect all the dots with the utmost clarity.

Season 2 (2021)

Picking up from the end of the first season in 1263, Season 2 covers the time till 1266. Geralt takes Ciri to Kaer Morhen to keep her safe and train her. Unlike the first season, the timeline of the second season is comparatively less complicated as it all happens around the same time. After turning the tides at the Battle of Sodden Hill, Yennefer finds herself mingled in a political situation.

While she embraces her position, it also sets the ground for her character development in the third season. Meanwhile, having Ciri at Kaer Morhen leads Geralt to explore more about her mysterious magical powers. Because all the characters end up unfolding the events in a parallel timeline, the linear plot line becomes easier to follow.

The Rats (TBA)

Another prequel to the Netflix drama has been in the making for a long time now. It will tell the story of the Nilfgaardian criminal gang that is introduced in Season 3 of the show. The forthcoming prequel supposedly takes place before the Nilfgaardian invasion of Cintra, which is before Ciri meets Geralt for the first time.

Technically, this side sequel takes place after Geralt’s few adventures, which makes it eligible to watch after the first season. Nevertheless, we recommend watching it after the second season to make better sense of the entire plot.

Season 3 (2023)

Once again, the third season continues with a complex timeline, just like the first season. One of the major events, The Conclave of Mages, happens 6 months after the conclusion of Season 2. 1267, sees the formation of the Lodge of Sorceresses by Philippa Eilhart. However, with a lot of activities happening all at once, the timeline seems foggy.

Jumping from one timeline to another, the third season received unpleasant feedback from the viewers for the same reason as well. Nevertheless, all the unfinished stories, underdeveloped characters, and confusing timelines might make sense in the upcoming season.

This chronological order is based on the events that happened in the book while merging the events that happened in each adaptation. The purpose of adding the unreleased projects was to make the entire timeline clear to the reader. Despite this timeline, you can always dive into the Witcherverse per the release of each adaptation.