With so many TV shows, specials, and movies, it may be confusing to figure out how to watch Ben 10 in order. Ben 10 is one of Cartoon Network’s most popular original TV shows and also one of the network’s longest-existing franchises. The series follows Ben Tennyson, a young boy who discovers the Omnitrix, a device that allows him to turn into any one of ten alien creatures, each with their own powers. Ben uses these alien forms to defend Earth from other extraterrestrials and becomes a hero. First premiering in December 2005, Ben 10 lasted for five seasons.

The original series was then quickly followed by four more Ben 10 animated TV shows, three animated made-for-TV specials, three feature-length animated movies, and two feature-length live-action movies. The franchise also includes plenty of merchandise with toys, DVDs, comic books, and 12 video games, along with a Minecraft DLC. It’s a major franchise with fans from many different age groups. Those who want the full Ben 10 experience would do well to watch the shows, movies, and specials in order, taking the franchise from the beginning to have the best understanding of where the show started and where it’s gone.

How To Watch The Ben 10 Franchise In Order — By Release Date & Chronologically

Ben 10 Has Released Each Title In Chronological Order

While watching every Ben 10 TV show, movie, and special is a tall task from a time perspective, it’s surprisingly easy to figure out the right order to watch the show. That’s because the release dates of Ben 10 productions match the in-universe chronology of the show. The first Ben 10 series is the beginning of the saga, and each successive production builds off the one that came before it. Even the movies, live-action and animated specials slot nicely into the franchise’s chronology, making for an interesting watch when everything is viewed in the order it aired on Cartoon Network.

In the Ben 10 storyline, Ben first finds the Omnitrix, using it to protect Earth. As the series progresses, Ben becomes a better wielder of his alien forms and eventually learns about other worlds in his universe with other aliens, some heroic, some villainous. As the series progresses, Ben gains more forms, meets new friends, and grows as a character. Watching the franchise chronologically allows the viewer to experience Ben’s growth firsthand and as shows often take place only a few weeks apart, it makes the most sense to watch them in release order.

Where To Watch The Ben 10 Franchise Online

Viewers Will Need To Use Different Streamers To Watch Everything

Despite how simple it is to figure out the right order to watch Ben 10, finding all the different TV shows, specials, and movies is another story entirely. For one, very few of the shows and movies are available to rent, save for Versus the Universe, which can be found on all the major platforms. Streaming the productions is easier, with HBO Max and Spectrum having the most titles.

HBO Max used to have many more Ben 10 titles in early 2023, but there was a major purge from the service in May of that year (via Comicbook). Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Ben 10: Omniverse, Ben 10: Alien Force all left. It’s unclear why certain titles stayed on HBO Max, and it’s unknown when other Ben 10 titles will return to it, or any other service. For now, those interested in watching the full catalog will need to do some platform jumping, mixed with searching for physical media.

Release Date

2005 – 2008

Network

Cartoon Network

Directors

Scooter Tidwell, Sebastian Montes

Writers

Eugene Son, Joe Casey, Steven T. Seagle, Duncan Rouleau, Marsha Griffin, Marty Isenberg, Greg Klein, Tom Pugsley, Greg Weisman, Joe Kelly, Adam Beechen, Amy Wolfram, Jeff Hare, James Taylor Phillips

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  Meagan Moore

  Gwen Tennyson (voice)