Infernal AffairsComplete Watch Order Guide
The setting is the never-ending war between the police and the Triads of Hong Kong. Chan is a cop who's been assigned to undercover work inside the Triads for so long that he's been able to rise through the ranks to a position of some authority. Lau, meanwhile, is a secret member of the Triads who has infiltrated the police force with an equal level of success. As they feed their bosses information on the plans and counter-plans of the organizations they pretend to serve, they both begin to feel the stresses of their double lives as they become torn between the oppressive obligations they owe to their superiors and the growing camaraderie they share with the foot soldiers around them. As the two organizations become increasingly aware of the moles in their midsts, the race is on for Chan and Lau to try and get out of the game alive.
Infernal Affairs Release Timeline
What order should you watch the Infernal Affairs movies?
Release order — click any era to expand or collapse. All 3 movies shown below.
All 3 films in release order — the recommended way to experience the full series.
Watch Infernal Affairs in Order
Watch the Infernal Affairs movies in release order, starting with Infernal Affairs (2002) and continuing through Infernal Affairs III (2003). The series spans 3 films, released between 2002 and 2003. Audiences rate the franchise 7.4/10 on average.
What order should you watch Infernal Affairs?
For most viewers, release order is the recommended way to watch Infernal Affairs. This is how the story was crafted and revealed to audiences — earlier films seed details, callbacks, and twists that pay off in later entries. Watching in release order preserves those reveals and matches the pacing the filmmakers intended.
Infernal Affairs largely tracks its own in-universe chronology, so release order and chronological order overlap closely. You can use either without losing much, though release order is still the safest first watch.
About the Infernal Affairs franchise
The setting is the never-ending war between the police and the Triads of Hong Kong. Chan is a cop who's been assigned to undercover work inside the Triads for so long that he's been able to rise through the ranks to a position of some authority. Lau, meanwhile, is a secret member of the Triads who has infiltrated the police force with an equal level of success. As they feed their bosses information on the plans and counter-plans of the organizations they pretend to serve, they both begin to feel the stresses of their double lives as they become torn between the oppressive obligations they owe to their superiors and the growing camaraderie they share with the foot soldiers around them. As the two organizations become increasingly aware of the moles in their midsts, the race is on for Chan and Lau to try and get out of the game alive.
Each film builds on the previous one, rewarding viewers who watch in sequence.
Infernal Affairs Fun Facts & Trivia
The Infernal Affairs franchise spans 1 years, from 2002 to 2003.
The highest-rated entry is Infernal Affairs with a 7.8/10 audience score.
Across all films, the franchise averages a 7.4/10 rating from audiences.
Infernal Affairs films have collected over 3k audience ratings combined.
Watching all 3 Infernal Affairs films back-to-back takes well over a full day's viewing commitment.
The most recent entry, Infernal Affairs III (2003), continues a franchise that began 1 years earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best order to watch Infernal Affairs?
What is the first Infernal Affairs movie?
What is the most recent Infernal Affairs movie?
How many Infernal Affairs movies are there in total?
How long does it take to watch all Infernal Affairs movies?
What is the highest-rated Infernal Affairs movie?
Can I watch Infernal Affairs movies without watching them in order?
Where can I watch Infernal Affairs movies online?
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