National Treasure movies in order National Treasure Marathon
Page Last Modified:
4 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
National Treasure: Book of Secrets - 2007
Total Runtime:
255 Minutes
Total Items:
2
Average User Score:
(6.5)National Treasure movies in order
Grab some popcorn, throw on your favorite hoodie, and prepare for an evening filled with secret codes, lost treasures, and Nicolas Cage at his finest. The National Treasure franchise is the ultimate comfort food for fans of action, mystery, and a hefty dose of American history with a playful twist. If you're planning a National Treasure movie marathon, you'll want to know the best viewing order. Don't worry, we've got you covered with the perfect chronological lineup, complete with context, trivia, and reasons why you won't want to miss a moment. Whether you're a seasoned treasure hunter or joining Ben Gates and company for the first time, this guide will lead you through an evening of Da Vinci Code-style adventures, historical conspiracy thrills, and booby-trapped temples.
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National Treasure Movie 131 min. 2004Modern treasure hunters, led by archaeologist Ben Gates, search for a chest of riches rumored to have been stashed away by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin during the Revolutionary War. The chest's whereabouts may lie in secret clues embedded in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and Gates is in a race to find the gold before his enemies do.USER SCORE 7 -
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National Treasure: Book of Secrets Movie 124 min. 2007Benjamin Franklin Gates and Abigail Chase re-team with Riley Poole and, now armed with a stack of long-lost pages from John Wilkes Booth's diary, Ben must follow a clue left there to prove his ancestor's innocence in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.USER SCORE 6
Why This Viewing Order Makes Your Movie Night Legendary
The National Treasure films are standalone adventures, but watching them in chronological order enhances the experience. You'll witness Benjamin Gates (Nicolas Cage) evolve from a driven historian to a national hero. Follow the development of his relationships, both personal and professional, and gain insight into the larger mysteries that span the franchise, from the Knights Templar treasure to the President's Secret Book. Plus, it's just more fun when Riley has to prove his nerd status before chatting with the president.
National Treasure (2004)
Kick off your marathon with the original film, directed by Jon Turteltaub and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer for Walt Disney Pictures. This adventure grabs you immediately with a legendary Declaration of Independence heist. Meet Benjamin Gates, a brilliant yet obsessive historian and treasure hunter, who, along with tech expert Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) and archivist Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger), sets out to find a treasure linked to his family's history, dating back to the Knights Templar and Freemasons.
What makes this film so binge-worthy? The combination of escape room-worthy puzzles, hidden symbols in American monuments like the National Archives and Independence Hall, and the constant "can this really happen?" vibe. Add a top-notch cast with Sean Bean as the unforgettable antagonist Ian Howe and Jon Voight as Ben's father Patrick Gates, and you've got an instant classic. You'll quickly learn the dynamics between the main characters, including Riley's delightful sarcasm, and get a glimpse of the deeper lore that extends far beyond this one treasure.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
Time for the next chapter. National Treasure: Book of Secrets builds directly on the first film's events but adds more mystery and scale. When a page from John Wilkes Booth's diary surfaces with the name 'Thomas Gates', Ben's great-grandfather, the Gates family is suspected of involvement in Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Cue a new quest, this time with an international twist and an even bigger treasure hidden in Mount Rushmore, based on Olmec and Native American legends.
What strengthens this sequel within the National Treasure timeline is the universe's expansion. Helen Mirren adds depth to the Gates family dynamics as Ben's mother Emily Appleton, and Ed Harris plays Mitch Wilkinson, an opponent with a personal agenda that evokes just enough sympathy. The film also introduces the mythical President's Secret Book, a legendary document granting access to the deepest secrets of the American government. From George Washington's Mount Vernon to the Library of Congress, this is a non-stop historical conspiracy thriller that seamlessly connects to the first part and invites speculation about what else may be hidden in American history.
Why a National Treasure Binge Night Is the Best Idea Ever
Let's be honest, if you love fast action, clever puzzles, hidden messages, and a Nicolas Cage fully committed to his role as a hyper-intelligent treasure hunter, then the National Treasure franchise is a no-brainer. These films are made for movie marathons, with enough cliffhangers, callbacks, and mysterious hints to keep you entertained all evening. Think decoding old documents, discovering secret passages behind presidential portraits, and Riley Poole's attempts to publish his own book about their adventures (which, of course, no one takes seriously). It's Indiana Jones meets The Da Vinci Code, but with a touch of Disney family-friendliness and a hefty dose of popcorn fun.
And bonus: you don't have to worry about a confusing viewing order. There are currently two films in the franchise, forming a nicely rounded duology. But there's more to come. The series National Treasure: Edge of History expands the story further with new characters and mysteries. So, keep your decoding glasses ready because the universe of hidden treasures and encoded histories is far from exhausted.
Tips for the Ultimate Viewing Night
Want to make your National Treasure movie marathon truly legendary? Start around 7:00 PM with the first film and plan a short break filled with snacks and nerd discussions (for example: "Would you really dare to steal the Declaration?"). Make sure you're comfortable with blankets, mood lighting, and maybe a fake treasure map on the table for ambiance. Put on the second film right after because the end of the first part will leave you craving more. And if you really want to go all-in, make it a theme night: serve snacks with historical names, print out some fake clues, and let everyone play a role (being Riley Poole is an honor, not a punishment).
Whether you stay for the action, the conspiracies, or to relive every moment of Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Gates, the National Treasure movie marathon is a guaranteed hit. Now that you know the order and what to expect, it's just a matter of hitting play. Time to open those hidden doors and start the hunt yourself.