National Treasure movies are action-adventure mystery franchise that follows Ben Gates (Nicholas Cage) on his adventures of finding lost national treasures and solving centuries-old mysteries. The movies are adventure gemstones to watch, and Disney has also decided to launch a spin-off show, National Treasure: Edge of History, in that collection. In this article, you can learn about National Treasure movies in order and how the show Edge of History fits into this franchise.
How many National Treasure movies are there?
There are currently two National Treasure movies. However, in December 2022, the show National Treasure: Edge of History aired as a continuation of the National Treasure movies. The first movie, National Treasure, was released in 2004, and the second one, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, three years later in 2007. A decade and a half after the second movie, the show National Treasure: Edge of History was developed and aired as a spin-off Disney+ series of the franchise.
National Treasure movies in order – at a glance
When the first National Treasure movie was released in 2004, it was well received by the audience and scored good numbers at the box office. So, it was no surprise that the sequel hit theaters three years later as well. The second movie also came across the audience’s approval as it provides adventure, fun, and a historical theme, just like the first. Years after that, the fans were hoping for a third franchise installment, but unfortunately, that did not happen. However, 15 years after the National Treasure: Book of Secrets was released, the show National Treasure: Edge of History was introduced to the audience as a spin-off series and continuation of the franchise. These are National Treasure movies in order of their release, including the show Edge of History:
- National Treasure (2004)
- National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
- National Treasure: Edge of History (2022)
In the first movie, we meet Ben Gates, a descendant of the Gates family known for exploring and hunting historical artifacts and treasures. After no luck proving their claims, his family got a bad reputation as nothing more than conspiracy theorists. However, Ben shows great passion and is determined to solve the mystery his grandfather told him years ago, and the clues he finds point out that the answer lies in the Declaration of Independence. On his quest, Ben has the help of his friend Riley Poole and Dr. Abigail Chase.
In the sequel, Ben has to defend his family name after allegations that his family member was a part of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865. So Ben gathers his group again and does everything he can to disprove those claims. After the second movie, there were years of far-fetched claims about the status of the third movie and when it came out. But, eventually, Disney decided to go with the spin-off series instead. In December 2022, National Treasure: Edge of History aired on the Disney+ platform. The series follows Jess Valenzuela, a young woman, on a journey to find lost Pan-American treasures and learn about her family’s history.
What is the best way to watch National Treasure movies?
National Treasure is best enjoyed by watching them in order of release, in my experience. This means starting with the first National Treasure movie, then watching the National Treasure: Book of Secrets, and then the show National Treasure: Edge of History. By watching the movies in this order, you get a better experience of the franchise.
If you watch these movies and the show this way, you’ll be able to connect more with the characters, their aspirations, and their passion. The storyline of the movies will make more sense that way, and you will appreciate the show Edge of History better. However, the movies are action-adventure mystery movies, and each follows a different adventure, so you will surely be entertained by watching them as standalone movies.
National Treasure movies in order by release date
National Treasure movies are released as follows:
1. National Treasure (2004)
National Treasure follows Benjamin ‘Ben’ Franklin Gates, a descendant from a treasure hunter family. Ben has demonstrated passion for his family’s job since he was a kid, and his grandfather told him the legend about the lost treasure that the Founding Fathers had hidden. When Ben grew up, he found the clues leading to the treasure, the most significant being that the Declaration of Independence holds the key to the treasure’s whereabouts. However, Ben is not the only one who wants to find the treasure as his former accomplice, Ian, is also after it.
Along the way, Ben decides that the only way to protect the Declaration of Independence from Ian is to steal. In doing so, Ben is accompanied by his best friend, Riley Poole. He also meets lovely Dr. Abigail Chase, curator of the archives. Both of them help Ben decrypt the clues and eventually find the treasure.
2. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
Several years after the event in the first movie Ben made a fortune after he found the Knight’s Templar national treasure. After things started to go well for him and his family for some time, things started to degrade. Another treasure hunter, Mitch Wilkinson, claimed that he found the missing page of John Wilkes Booth’s diary and stated that he had proof of Ben’s family member being complicit in President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.
To find the lost city of gold and clear his family’s name, Ben must go on a new adventure, look into the President’s Secret Book, and even kidnap the President in the process. Once again, he surrounds himself with the Riley’s and Abigail’s company.
3. National Treasure: Edge of History (2022)
This spin-off series follows Jess Valenzuela, a 20-year-old who discovers the clues leading to the important treasure. When she tells her friends the story of a treasure map, they decide to accompany her on a journey to find the lost Pan-American treasure. Along the way, she also learns that her father is a different man than she thought, and her family’s secrets can only be unveiled by finding the treasure and following the dangerous clues.
Where to watch National Treasure movies?
Both National Treasure and National Treasure movies are available to stream on Disney Plus. You can also buy or rent these movies on platforms like Amazon Video or Vudu. The show, National Treasure: Edge of History, has been available to stream on Disney Plus since December 14, 2022.
Do you need to watch National Treasure movies in order?
You do not need to watch National Treasure movies in order. These movies are perfectly watchable as standalone movies as both follow different adventures, and the storyline can be understood well by watching them as standalone. However, if you watch them by their release, you’ll appreciate the relationship between Ben, Riley, and Abigail more, and Gates’ family heirloom will make more sense. So, it would be best to watch them by their release date. But it is not necessary. As for the show, Edge of History is a spin-off and a continuation of the movies, so you should watch it after the movies.
Are National Treasure movies connected?
National Treasure movies are connected. Both movies are centered around Ben Gates and his treasure-hunting adventures. His family’s legacy is important to him, preserving the national treasure. That theme is well presented in both movies. The storyline of the movies is connected, but not in a big way. However, the main characters from the first movie are also present in the sequel, so their relationships connect the movies very well.
Is National Treasure: Edge of History connected with the National Treasure movies?
National Treasure: Edge of History is a spin-off series and a continuation of the movies. So yes, in a way, the show is connected with the movies, and the basic theme of the show is the same as in the movies, as it is also centered around finding the lost treasure and solving important clues. There are also some characters from the movies appearing in the show.
Will there be more National Treasure movies?
The work on the third National Treasure movie is in progress, regardless of the show Edge of History show airing in 2022. An official release date has yet to be set, as the movie is still in the early stages of development, but it is expected to hit the theaters by the end of 2024.
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