Sword Art Online has a reputation for being confusing because of all the movies and spin-offs, but the actual order is simple: release order, with one canon movie you must not skip.
- TV · 25 ep · 2012
The Aincrad and Fairy Dance arcs. The mandatory starting point.
- TV · 24 ep · 2014
Phantom Bullet, Calibur and Mother's Rosario.
- Movie · 2017
A canon movie, not an extra: it takes place after SAO II and Alicization assumes you've seen it.
- TV · 24 ep · 2018
The saga's most ambitious arc, first half.
- TV · 12 ep · 2019
- TV · 11 ep · 2020
The conclusion of the Alicization arc.
- Movie · 2021Optional
Retells the Aincrad arc in far more detail, from Asuna's perspective. For fans — not an entry point.
- Movie · 2022Optional
The second Progressive movie, continuing the Aincrad retelling.