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How to watch all of Thomas the Tank Engine TV series, spinoffs, and movies in order

The world of Thomas and Friends has been going strong since 1984, and here is how you can get started on the classic British television show

A still of Thomas the Tank Engine on Thomas and Friends
Image credit: HIT Entertainment
Jules Chin Greene
Guides by Jules Chin Greene, Contributing Writer
Published on

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Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends are the backbone of their community. And together, Thomas & Friends have inspired a love of trains for generations of children now. This friendly blue train and his buddies have changed quite a bit since they first appeared in their television show back in 1984. The original Thomas and Friends show utilized live-action footage of model trains as well as stop-motion animation to capture the movement of specific characters. But today, the rebranded Thomas & Friends shows feature clean digital animation. With more Thomas & Friends projects on the horizon, it's clear that this train isn't stopping anytime soon. 

To get the full rundown on all things Thomas & Friends, look no further than this handy guide we've put together. It takes you through every stop in Thomas's history onscreen, 

How to watch all of the Thomas the Tank Engine shows and movies in release order:

A still of Thomas the Tank Engine in Thomas and Friends
Image credit: HIT Entertainment

To watch everything Thomas the Tank Engine, you can start by watching the first four seasons of the Thomas & Friends show, before the show begins to branch off with spinoffs, movies, and specials. We've compiled all of the releases here. Watching everything in this order will give you an idea of how the franchise has transformed over the years, particularly through the animation techniques used on the show. 

Was Thomas originally green?

Thomas and Bruno from Thomas and Friends
Image credit: Mattel Television

Thomas the Tank Engine is typically blue, but in his earliest days, he was a teal green color. 

Where does Thomas the Tank Engine sleep?

A still featuring Tidmouth Sheds in Thomas and Friends
Image credit: HIT Entertainment

Thomas goes to sleep with the other trains in a place called Tidmouth Sheds. 

Why did Ringo Starr leave Thomas the Tank Engine?

A still from Thomas and Friends
Image credit: HIT Entertainment

Yes, you read that right, Ringo Starr was once the narrator for the Thomas & Friends show. However, Ringo being Ringo, he left the show in 1990 to go back to being a rockstar, which we can't fault him for. Comedian George Carlin replaced him as the narrator for the American version of the show. 

Why did Pierce Brosnan narrate Thomas the Tank Engine? 

A still from Thomas and Friends: The Great Discovery
Image credit: HIT Entertainment

Pierce Brosnan narrated Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery partly because he enjoyed reading the books to his children. 

Who is the youngest engine on Thomas and Friends?

A still of Percy in Thomas and Friends
Image credit: HIT Entertainment

The youngest engine on Thomas and Friends is Percy, who was forged in the year 1900. A real whippersnapper if you ask me! 

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Jules Chin Greene

Jules Chin Greene: Jules Chin Greene is a journalist and Jack Kirby enthusiast. He has written about comics, video games, movies, and television for sites such as Nerdist, AIPT, Multiverse of Color, and Screen Rant.

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