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How to watch the magical girl anime Pretty Cure (or PreCure) in order

Open your heart with this Precure watch guide

Pretty Cure / PreCure — Image credit: Toei Animation

Guides by Latonya Pennington, Contributing writer

Published on Wed Jun 12 2024

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Created by Izumi Todo and Bandai, Pretty Cure (aka PreCure) is a Japanese magical girl anime franchise that debuted in 2004 with its first series Futari wa Pretty Cure. Since then, there have been 21 anime series, nearly 20 movies for each series, and a dozen crossover films. The most recent series, Wonderful PreCure! premiered in February 2024. In addition, Wonderful PreCure! The Movie was announced for a September 2024 release in Japan.

As a franchise, PreCure is known for its action-packed fight sequences, creative story themes, and lighthearted nature. While this series is similar to other magical girl anime series such as Sailor Moon or Tokyo Mew Mew, punches, kicks, and motifs such as makeup and desserts make the series unique.

Given that this series is now twenty years old, it can be hard to decide what series to start from. For those who need a fun magical girl anime fix, check out this watch guide for recommendations.

How to watch PreCure in release order

Watching PreCure in release order can be difficult. Depending on where you live, only certain series are available to stream or physically buy. In some cases, certain anime series can be streamed, but not the movies. Nonetheless, here is the release order for the PreCure anime franchise, which includes all the series and movies:

Futari Wa PreCure (2004)
Futari Wa PreCure Max Heart (2005)
Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart the Movie (2005)
Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart 2: Friends of the Snow-Laden Sky (2005)
Futari Wa PreCure Splash Star (2006)
Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star the Movie: Tick-Tock Crisis Hanging by a Thin Thread! (2006)
Yes! PreCure 5 (2007)
Yes! PreCure 5 the Movie: Great Miraculous Adventure in the Mirror Kingdom! (2007)
Yes! PreCure 5 Go Go! (2008)
Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo! the Movie: Happy Birthday in the Sweets Kingdom (2008)
Fresh Pretty Cure!
Fresh Pretty Cure! the Movie: The Toy Kingdom has Lots of Secrets!? (2009)
Pretty Cure All Stars DX: Everyone's Friends - the Collection of Miracles! (2009)
Heartcatch PreCure!
HeartCatch PreCure! the Movie: Fashion Show in the Flower Capital... Really?! (2010)
Pretty Cure All Stars DX2: Light of Hope - Protect the Rainbow Jewel! (2010)
Suite PreCure
Suite PreCure the Movie: Take it back! The Miraculous Melody that Connects Hearts (2011)
Pretty Cure All Stars DX3: Deliver the Future! The Rainbow-Colored Flower That Connects the World (2011)
Smile PreCure!
Smile PreCure! the Movie: Big Mismatch in a Picture Book! (2012)
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage: Friends of the Future (2012)
Doki Doki! PreCure! (2013)
DokiDoki! PreCure the Movie: Mana's Getting Married!!? The Dress of Hope that Connects to the Future (2013)
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 2: Friends of the Heart (2013)
HappinessCharge Precure!
HappinessCharge PreCure! the Movie: The Ballerina of the Land of Dolls (2014)
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 3: Eternal Friends (2014)
Go! Princess Precure (2015)
Go! Princess Pretty Cure the Movie: Go! Go!! Gorgeous Triple Feature!!! (2015)
Pretty Cure All Stars: Spring Carnival♪ (2015)
Witchy Pretty Cure (2016)
Witchy Pretty Cure! The Movie: Wonderous! Cure Mofurun! (2016)
Pretty Cure All Stars: Singing with Everyone♪ Miraculous Magic! (2016)
KiraKira PreCure a la Mode (2017)
Kirakira Pretty Cure a la Mode the Movie: Crisply! The Memory of Mille-feuille! (2017)
Pretty Cure Dream Stars! (2017)
Hug Pretty Cure (2018)
Pretty Cure Super Stars! (March 2018)
Hug! Pretty Cure Futari wa Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (October 2018)
Star Twinkle PreCure (2019)
Star Twinkle Pretty Cure the Movie: These Feeling within The Song of Stars (2019)
Pretty Cure Miracle Universe (2019)
Healin' Good PreCure (2020)
Pretty Cure Miracle Leap: A Wonderful Day with Everyone (2020)
Healin' Good Pretty Cure the Movie: GoGo! Big Transformation! The Town of Dreams (2021)
Tropical Rogue! PreCure (2021)
Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure the Movie: The Snow Princess and the Miraculous Ring! (2021)
Delicious Party PreCure (2022)
Delicious Party Pretty Cure the Movie: Dreaming Children's Lunch! (2022)
Soaring Sky Pretty Cure (2023)
Pretty Cure All Stars F Movie (2023)
Power of Hope: PreCure Full Bloom (2023)
Wonderful PreCure (2024)
Wonderful PreCure The Movie (2024)

How to watch PreCure in chronological order

With such a massive franchise, you might be wondering where all of these shows fit in. The PreCure anime franchise consists of a multiverse, in which most of the PreCure anime series and their tie-in films take place in their own universe.

Each series also features different generations of PreCure and different themes and motifs. The exceptions to this are Futari Wa PreCure, Futari Wa PreCure Max Heart, Yes! PreCure 5, and Yes PreCure 5 Go Go!.

Futari Wa PreCure Max Heart is the sequel to Futari Wa PreCure, while Yes! PreCure 5 Go Go! is the sequel to Yes! PreCure 5. In addition, PreCure Full Bloom is a special series that continues the story of Yes! PreCure 5!, Yes PreCure 5 Go Go!, and Futari Wa PreCure Splash Star! In addition, Witchy PreCure 2! will air in 2024 and continue the story of Witchy PreCure! with adult characters. Here is a breakdown of the chronological PreCure continuity:

PreCure main series timeline:

Futari Wa PreCure (2004)- 49 episodes; features the 1st generation of PreCure & a motif of yin and yang. Adapted into English as Pretty Cure in 2009.
Futari Wa PreCure Max Heart (2005)- 47 episodes; continues the 1st PreCure generation in a direct sequel series and the yin and yang motif
Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart the Movie (2005)- takes place after the Max Heart series
Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart 2: Friends of the Snow-Laden Sky (2005)- takes place after the Max Heart series, but stands alone from the first Max Heart movie
Futari Wa PreCure Splash Star (2006)- 49 episodes; features the 2nd generation of PreCure and a motif inspired by nature
Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star the Movie: Tick-Tock Crisis Hanging by a Thin Thread! (2006)- takes place after the Splash Star series
Yes! PreCure 5 (2007)- 49 episodes; features the 3rd generation of PreCure and a butterfly motif
Yes! PreCure 5 the Movie: Great Miraculous Adventure in the Mirror Kingdom! (2007)- takes place after Yes! PreCure 5!
Yes! PreCure 5 Go Go! (2008)- 48 episodes; continues the 3rd generation of PreCure in a direct sequel series and a rose motif
Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo! the Movie: Happy Birthday in the Sweets Kingdom (2008)- takes place after the Yes! PreCure 5 GoGo! series
Power of Hope: PreCure Full Bloom (2023)- continues the story of Yes! PreCure 5!, Yes PreCure 5 Go Go!, and Futari Wa PreCure Splash Star! with adult characters
Fresh Pretty Cure! (2009)- features the 4th generation of PreCure and themes of happiness and dance and a motif inspired by playing cards, fruits, and clovers
Fresh Pretty Cure! the Movie: The Toy Kingdom has Lots of Secrets!? (2009)- takes place after the Fresh Pretty Cure! series
Heartcatch PreCure! (2010)- features the 5th generation of PreCure and features themes inspired by the language of flowers, fashion, and music
HeartCatch PreCure! the Movie: Fashion Show in the Flower Capital... Really?! (2010)- takes place after the series Heartcatch PreCure!
Suite PreCure (2011)- features the 6th generation of PreCure and motifs of music and friendship
Suite PreCure the Movie: Take it back! The Miraculous Melody That Connects Hearts (2011)- takes place after the Suite Precure series
Smile PreCure! (2012)- features the 7th generation of PreCure and motifs of fairy tales and happiness. Adapted in English as Glitter Force in 2015.
Smile PreCure! the Movie: Big Mismatch in a Picture Book! (2012)- takes place after the Smile PreCure series
Doki Doki! PreCure! (2013)- features the 8th generation of PreCure and a motif of love, emotions, selflessness, selfishness, and playing cards. Adapted in English as Glitter Force Doki Doki in 2017.
DokiDoki! PreCure the Movie: Mana's Getting Married!!? The Dress of Hope that Connects to the Future (2013)- takes place after the series Doki! Doki! PreCure!
HappinessCharge Precure! (2014)- features the 9th generation of PreCure and features a motif of love, fashion styles, and dance moves.
HappinessCharge PreCure! the Movie: The Ballerina of the Land of Dolls (2014)- takes place after the series HappinessCharge PreCure!
Go! Princess PreCure (2015)- features the 10th generation of PreCure and a motif of hope and dreams as well as princesses, keys, and perfumes
Go! Princess Pretty Cure the Movie: Go! Go!! Gorgeous Triple Feature!!! (2015)- takes place after the Go! Princess PreCure series
Witchy Pretty Cure (2016)- features the 11th generation of PreCure and a motif of friendship, magic, and jewelry
Witchy Pretty Cure! The Movie: Wonderous! Cure Mofurun! (2016)- takes place after the Witchy Pretty Cure! series
Witchy PreCure! 2 (2024)- will continue the series of Witchy PreCure featuring the characters as adults
KiraKira PreCure a la Mode (2017)- features the 12th generation of PreCure and a motif of happiness, creativity, desserts, and animals
Kirakira Pretty Cure a la Mode the Movie: Crisply! The Memory of Mille-feuille! (2017)- takes place after the series Kira Kira PreCure and Witchy PreCure! and features the teams from both series
Hug Pretty Cure (2018)- features the 13th generation of PreCure and motifs of dress code, destiny, and future
Star Twinkle PreCure (2019)- features the 14th generation of PreCure and motifs of imagination, diversity, and outer space
Star Twinkle Pretty Cure the Movie: These Feeling within The Song of Stars (2019)
Healin' Good PreCure (2020)- features the 15th generation of PreCure and motifs of the elements and medicine
Healin' Good Pretty Cure the Movie: GoGo! Big Transformation! The Town of Dreams (2021)- takes place after the series Healin' Good PreCure
Tropical Rogue! PreCure (2021)- features the 16th generation of PreCure and motifs of mermaids, tropical & ocean themes, and makeup
Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure the Movie: The Snow Princess and the Miraculous Ring! (2021)- takes place after the series Tropical Rogue PreCure and Heartcatch PreCure and features the teams from both series
Delicious Party PreCure (2022)- features the 17th generation of PreCure and motifs of cuisine, cooking, and gratitude
Delicious Party Pretty Cure the Movie: Dreaming Children's Lunch! (2022)- takes place after the series Delicious Party PreCure
Soaring Sky Pretty Cure (2023)- features the 18th generation of PreCure and motifs of heroism and the sky
Wonderful PreCure (2024)- features the 19th generation of PreCure and motifs of animals, pets, and bonds
Wonderful PreCure The Movie (2024)- takes place during the series, but features an original story

What about the PreCure crossover films?

When it comes to PreCure All Stars crossover films, they take place in a separate timeline from the main anime series. Taking place in their own universe, each movie has its own standalone story that isn't related to any events from any of the PreCure anime series. Each movie also features PreCure teams from various series working together to save the world. You won't miss out on anything important if you don't watch these movies, but doing so allows you to have fun seeing your favorite Precure team interact with other teams. Here is the chronological watch order for the crossover films and a bit about each one:

Precure crossover film order:

Pretty Cure All Stars DX: Everyone's Friends - the Collection of Miracles! (2009)- The first movie in the series and the first in the DX trilogy. It features the Cures from Futari wa Pretty Cure Max Heart, Futari wa Pretty Cure Splash Star, Yes! Pretty Cure 5 GoGo! and Fresh Pretty Cure!.
Pretty Cure All Stars DX2: Light of Hope - Protect the Rainbow Jewel! (2010)- The second in the DX trilogy, starring all Cures from previous series, and those introduced in HeartCatch PreCure!
Pretty Cure All Stars DX3: Deliver the Future! The Rainbow-Colored Flower That Connects the World (2011)- The last in the DX trilogy, starring all Cures from the previous series, including those introduced in Suite PreCure, as well as various villains from previous Pretty Cure movies.
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage: Friends of the Future (2012)- The first of the New Stage trilogy, starring all Cures from previous series, including those introduced in Smile PreCure!. It also introduces a movie-exclusive Pretty Cure named Cure Echo.
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 2: Friends of the Heart (2013)- The second in the New Stage trilogy, featuring all Cures, including those introduced in DokiDoki! PreCure.
Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 3: Eternal Friends (2014)- The last in the New Stage trilogy, featuring all Cures, including those introduced in HappinessCharge PreCure!
Pretty Cure All Stars: Spring Carnival (2015)- It features characters from all Pretty Cure series, including those introduced in Go! Princess PreCure.
Pretty Cure All Stars: Singing with Everyone Miraculous Magic! (2016)- A musical featuring PreCures from various series, including Witchy PreCure.
Pretty Cure Dream Stars! (2017)- A film featuring characters from Go! Princess PreCure, Witchy PreCure!, and Kirakira Pretty Cure a la Mode.
Pretty Cure Super Stars! (March 2018)- A film focusing on characters from Witchy PreCure!, Kirakira Pretty Cure a la Mode, and Hug! Pretty Cure.
Hug! Pretty Cure Futari wa Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (October 2018)- A film that has the Hug! Pretty Cure team joining forces with the Futari wa Pretty Cure team to retrieve the stolen memories of other Pretty Cures.
Pretty Cure Miracle Universe (2019)- A film featuring a team-up between characters from Kirakira Pretty Cure a la Mode, Hug! Pretty Cure, and Star Twinkle PreCure.
Pretty Cure Miracle Leap: A Wonderful Day with Everyone (2020)- A film featuring the Cures from Hug! Pretty Cure, Star Twinkle PreCure, and Healin' Good Pretty Cure.
Pretty Cure All Stars F Movie (2023)- A film featuring all 78 Main PreCures, including ones introduced in Soaring Sky PreCure!

Can you watch PreCure in any order?

Since all of the PreCure series feature their own stories and characters, you can watch the series in any order. You do not have to watch every series and film in order to enjoy the franchise.

Are the PreCure series connected?

Generally, the PreCure series aren't related to each other since each series has a stand-alone story with different characters and themes. However, you will get the occasional "baton-pass" episode with one series introducing characters from the succeeding series. As seen in certain movies and the PreCure All Stars film series, different PreCure teams will occasionally team-up together, but this has no bearing on any of the anime series.

Where do I start the PreCure series?

The easiest way to start watching PreCure is to just watch the most recent series that is currently complete. However, you can also decide what to watch by looking at each series' motifs. Love desserts? Kira Kira PreCure is for you. Want mermaids? Tropical Rogue PreCure is where to go.

Where Do I Watch The PreCure Series?

There are many ways to watch the PreCure series depending on where you are. In the United States, the following anime series are available to stream on Crunchyroll: Wonderful PreCure, Soaring Sky PreCure, PreCure Full Bloom: Power of Hope, Tropical Rogue PreCure, Healin' Good PreCure, Kira Kira PreCure A La Mode, and Futari Wa PreCure. In addition, Futari Wa PreCure is also available to stream on Tubi.

When it comes to the three English adaptations, only two are available to stream. Glitter Force! and Glitter Force Doki! Doki! are available to watch on Netflix. Moreover, you can also purchase physical DVDs of certain PreCure series from websites such as Retro Animation and Play Tech Asia.

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Latonya Pennington: Latonya Pennington is a freelance pop culture contributor at Reed Pop. In addition to writing about anime and manga, they have also written about video games, American comics, and young adult fiction. Their writing can also be found at Fandom Games, Into More, Gayming Magazine, and Comics XF among others. When they aren't writing for work, they can be found streaming shows, playing video games, reading novels, or doing creative writing.