Stop Watching Jujutsu Kaisen Wrong: The Definitive Order Before Season 3

Trying to catch up on Jujutsu Kaisen before season 3 lands? Same. Between Gojo's sunglasses era, Geto's heel turn, and Yuji's ongoing misery parade, the timeline can look like a cursed knot. The good news: there is a clean way through it, and there is also a slightly weird new movie release that stitches some of it together. Here is the path that actually makes sense, plus what is up with that compilation film and when season 3 hits.

The watch order that will save you headaches

If you want the story to flow in-universe without whiplash, go chronological. That means starting with the past, sliding into the prequel movie, then riding the mainline chaos into the new stuff.

1. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, episodes 1-5 (Hidden Inventory / Premature Death) — Go back to when Gojo and Geto were on the same side and sunglasses were a lifestyle. This arc lays the emotional landmines that explode later. Streaming: Crunchyroll
2. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (movie) — Meet Yuta Okkotsu and Rika. This is the key prequel film that bridges the old guard to Yuji's era and tees up season 3 in a big way. Streaming: Crunchyroll
3. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1, episodes 1-24 — Yuji's cursed marathon begins, Sukuna grins, and the show locks in its vibe. Streaming: Crunchyroll
4. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, episodes 6-23 (Shibuya Incident) — The turning point. Wildly destructive, status-quo shattering, and basically required viewing before anything else. Streaming: Crunchyroll
5. Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution - Shibuya Incident x The Culling Game Begins (movie) — A compilation feature that compresses the Shibuya Incident and then slips in the first two episodes of season 3 as a preview. Think of it as a theatrical refresher plus a head start. Streaming: TBD
6. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 (The Culling Game) — The new season. Full-scale death game energy with Yuji, Megumi, Yuta, and the rest trying to navigate rules, survive, and save Tsumiki. Streaming: TBD, but expected to also be on Crunchyroll

Do you actually need to watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0?

"Yes. No debate."

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is not side content. It is the on-ramp for Yuta, who matters a lot going forward, and it ties directly into what season 3 is adapting. Also, the movie absolutely rips visually, even by MAPPA standards, and that box office (over $200 million worldwide) was not an accident.

If you are sticking to strict chronology, drop it right after Hidden Inventory. If you are going by release feel, you can watch it after season 1. Either way, do not skip it.

So what is this 'Execution' movie, exactly?

The new film is called 'Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution - Shibuya Incident x The Culling Game Begins'. It is a theatrical compilation of the Shibuya Incident arc from season 2, followed by an early look at the first two episodes of season 3. Slightly unusual? Yeah. Useful if you want a big-screen recap and a sneak peek? Also yes.

Release timing: it hits North America on December 5, 2025.

When season 3 drops, and what it covers

Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 arrives in January 2026. The arc is The Culling Game, which means new rules, new zones, and a lot of people trying very hard not to die while chasing a very personal save: Tsumiki. If Shibuya felt like a disaster movie, this is closer to a ruthless tournament with moving goalposts. Expect Yuta to step forward in a big way alongside Yuji and Megumi.

The short version

Watch Gojo and Geto's past, then JJK 0, then season 1, then finish season 2, take the 'Execution' movie if you want a cinematic recap plus a head start, and you will be perfectly lined up for season 3 in January 2026. Grab snacks, charge your cursed energy, and brace for impact.