Infernal Affairs backdrop

Franchise · 3 films · 2002–2003

Infernal Affairs Movies in Order

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.

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Complete Watch OrderFranchise Overview

The Saga Timeline

Infernal Affairs Watch Order

Release order
3
Total Films
2002
First Release
2003
Latest Release
7.4
Avg Rating

Every Film

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.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I watch Infernal Affairs?
The recommended Infernal Affairs watch order by release date is: 1. Infernal Affairs (2002), 2. Infernal Affairs II (2003), 3. Infernal Affairs III (2003).
What is the first Infernal Affairs movie?
The first Infernal Affairs movie is Infernal Affairs, released on December 12, 2002.
What is the most recent Infernal Affairs movie?
The most recent Infernal Affairs movie is Infernal Affairs III (2003).
How many Infernal Affairs movies are there?
There are 3 movies in the Infernal Affairs franchise.
What is the highest-rated Infernal Affairs movie?
The highest-rated Infernal Affairs movie is Infernal Affairs, with an audience score of 7.8/10 on TMDB.
Do I need to watch Infernal Affairs movies in order?
While each Infernal Affairs movie can be enjoyed on its own, watching them in order gives you the full story progression and character development across all 3 films.
Where can I watch Infernal Affairs movies online?
Most Infernal Affairs movies are available on Amazon Prime Video. Each movie on this page has a direct "Watch on Amazon" link.
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