To watch Twin Peaks in order, follow the original release order of the show and movie:

  1. Twin Peaks – Season 1 (1990)
  1. Twin Peaks – Season 2 (1990–1991)
  1. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me – prequel film (1992)
  1. Twin Peaks: The Return (often called Season 3, 2017)

That’s the core, spoiler‑safe watch order most fans and guides recommend.

Quick Scoop

If the question is simply how to watch Twin Peaks in order, the clean, beginner‑friendly path is:

  • Start with:
    • Season 1 → Season 2.
  • Then watch:
    • Movie: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (FWWM).
  • Finish with:
    • Twin Peaks: The Return (Season 3).

This follows the release order , which is what most long‑time fans recommend and what current guides lay out as the “correct” viewing sequence.

Optional extras (if you get obsessed)

Once you’ve done the main run, there’s a layer of bonus material many fans enjoy:

  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014)
    • Collection of deleted/extended scenes from FWWM, usually watched after FWWM and before or after The Return , depending on preference.
  • International Pilot
    • An alternate cut of the pilot with a different ending; treated as non‑canon and watched as a curiosity after you’re into the show, often after Season 1 or even after Season 2.
  • Books (lore extras, not required)
    • The Secret History of Twin Peaks and The Final Dossier by Mark Frost are often read after finishing the series, to fill in background and aftermath.
* _The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer_ is another fan‑favorite tie‑in that people slot between Season 2 and _The Return_ or after the whole series.

None of these are needed to understand the main story, but they deepen the mythology and are often discussed in fan communities.

Simple “no‑spoiler” roadmap

If you like a very clear checklist, use this:

  1. Pilot + Season 1 (make sure you’re watching the regular pilot , not only the “International Pilot”).
  1. Season 2.
  1. Movie: Fire Walk With Me.
  1. Optional: The Missing Pieces.
  1. Season 3 / The Return.
  1. Optional: bonus books and International Pilot as side material.

Why this order works best

  • It mirrors how audiences originally experienced the story: TV show → prequel film → revival season.
  • The emotional impact of FWWM and The Return relies heavily on what you already know from Seasons 1 and 2.
  • Release order also lines up with how current fan guides and forum discussions reference events, so it makes it easier to follow conversations and avoid major spoilers.

TL;DR:
For the cleanest experience: Season 1 → Season 2 → Fire Walk With Me → The Return , then dive into The Missing Pieces , the International Pilot , and the books only if you’re hungry for more.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.