Look, let’s be real. Nobody is watching the 365 Days trilogy for the intricate plot development or a masterclass in cinematic pacing. You’re likely here because you saw a viral clip on TikTok or heard about the "controversy" and now you’re staring at the Netflix home screen wondering where to start. It’s a mess. The titles don't exactly scream "Part 1, 2, and 3," and if you jump into the middle, you’re going to be very confused about why a high-end Italian mobster is suddenly moping around a beach house.
The 365 days movie order is actually straightforward once you strip away the flashy marketing. It follows a chronological timeline based on the novels by Blanka Lipińska. If you don't watch them in the right sequence, the character arcs—if we can call them that—completely fall apart.
The Correct 365 Days Movie Order to Follow
First thing's first. You have to start with the 2020 original. It’s just called 365 Days (or 365 Dni in Polish). This is where the whole "I'm going to kidnap you and make you love me in a year" thing starts. It's the foundation. Without it, the sequels make zero sense.
After that, you move to the second film, 365 Days: This Day. This one dropped in early 2022. It picks up right where that cliffhanger ending of the first movie left us hanging—well, sort of. It skips a bit of time but deals with the immediate aftermath of Laura and Massimo’s "union."
Finally, you wrap it up with The Next 365 Days. Netflix released this one surprisingly fast, just a few months after the second movie. It’s the "final" chapter, though fans of the books will tell you the movie ending is way different than what Lipińska wrote. Honestly, the movie version is a bit more ambiguous, which might be a good thing depending on how much you like the main couple.
Why the Order Actually Matters for the Story
You might think you can just skip to the third movie for the better production value. Don't. Even though these movies get roasted by critics—we’re talking 0% on Rotten Tomatoes for the first two—there is a specific emotional trajectory for Laura Biel.
In the first film, she's a corporate worker trapped in a dying relationship. Then she’s thrust into Massimo’s world. By the second movie, the "honeymoon phase" (if you can call it that) is over. New characters like Nacho show up. If you don't know who Nacho is or why his entrance matters, the tension in the third movie evaporates. The 365 days movie order preserves the "who should she choose" drama that drives the later half of the trilogy.
Massimo Torricelli isn't exactly a hero. He’s a complicated, often toxic protagonist. Seeing his evolution from a literal kidnapper to a man terrified of losing his grip on his wife is the only way the story carries any weight. If you watch out of order, he just looks like a confused guy in a suit.
Breaking Down Each Film (Without the Fluff)
365 Days (2020)
This is the one that started the global frenzy. It follows Laura, a Polish sales director, who gets kidnapped while on vacation in Sicily. Massimo gives her 365 days to fall in love with him. It’s controversial, it’s problematic, and it became one of the most-watched things on Netflix during the pandemic lockdowns. The ending is a massive cliffhanger involving a tunnel and a potential hit on Laura’s life.
365 Days: This Day (2022)
We find out Laura survived. Surprise. They get married. But the marriage is rocky because Massimo has secrets and Laura is bored of being a "mafia wife." This movie introduces Adriano, Massimo’s twin brother (yes, really), and Nacho, a gardener who isn't actually a gardener. It’s much more of a soap opera than the first one.
The Next 365 Days (2022)
The vibe shifts here. It’s less about the "mafia" and more about Laura’s internal struggle. She’s caught between her feelings for Massimo and her growing attraction to Nacho. It’s shot beautifully, mostly in Portugal and Sicily, and it tries to be a bit more of a serious psychological drama. It’s the shortest of the three, which helps the pacing quite a bit.
How the Movies Differ From the Books
If you’re a reader, you might get frustrated. The 365 days movie order matches the book order (365 Dni, Ten Dzień, and Kolejne 365 Dni), but the content diverges wildly by the third installment. In the books, Massimo becomes significantly more villainous. Like, irredeemably bad.
The movies softened him. Why? Likely because Michele Morrone became a massive star and Netflix didn't want to completely alienate the fans who were rooting for the couple. In the third book, there's a whole plotline involving a dead dog and a heart transplant that the movies completely ignored. Probably for the best.
Watching Tips for the Best Experience
- Subtitles over Dubbing: Seriously. The English dubbing is notoriously stiff. Watch it in the original Polish and Italian with subtitles. You get much more of the intended emotion from the actors.
- Don't skip the soundtrack: One thing everyone agrees on is that the music is great. Most of it is actually performed by Michele Morrone himself.
- Check your expectations: These are erotic dramas. They aren't trying to be The Godfather. If you go in looking for a popcorn flick with high production values and a lot of style, you’ll have a better time.
Actionable Steps for Your Movie Night
If you're planning to binge the 365 days movie order, here is how to handle it efficiently:
- Set aside about 6 hours. Each movie runs roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. You can do the whole trilogy in one rainy Saturday afternoon.
- Use the Netflix search bar effectively. Sometimes Netflix suggests the sequels first because they are "newer." Explicitly search for "365 Days" to find the 2020 original first.
- Watch the trailers first. If you’re on the fence, the trailers for the second and third movies actually give a very good "vibe check" without spoiling every single beat.
- Compare the ending. Once you finish The Next 365 Days, look up the book ending. It’s a wild rabbit hole that will make you look at the entire movie trilogy in a completely different light.
There is no word yet on a fourth movie, but the way the third one ends leaves just enough room for the story to continue. For now, sticking to the three-film sequence is the only way to experience Laura and Massimo’s chaotic journey.