Once Upon a Time Movies: Release Order

Sergio Leone's epic "Once Upon a Time" trilogy represents one of cinema's most ambitious thematic explorations of American mythology, spanning three distinct historical periods without sharing characters or storylines. Each film examines different facets of the American dream and the violence that shaped the nation's identity.

This watch order follows Leone's artistic evolution across sixteen years of filmmaking, from the operatic Western grandeur of Once Upon a Time in the West through the revolutionary chaos of Duck, You Sucker to the sprawling gangster epic Once Upon a Time in America. While each film stands completely alone, experiencing them in release order showcases Leone's expanding canvas and his collaboration with composer Ennio Morricone in creating these monumental cinematic statements about power, friendship, and the cost of progress.