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How to watch Steven Universe in release and chronological order

Want to get started on Steven Universe? Here’s how to do it!

Guides by Joshua Lapin-Bertone, Contributing writer

Published on Mon Dec 02 2024

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When the galaxy is threatened by the dreaded Diamond Authority, the only hope for salvation is……an ice cream loving boy with a cheeseburger backpack.

Meet Steven Universe. He’s half-magic (on his mom’s side). This human-gem hybrid is trying to forge his own path as he grows up in Beach City. Steven has to deal with the pressure of living up to his late mother’s legacy, while struggling to grow up in the face of an intergalactic war.

Premiering in 2013, Steven Universe remains one of the most progressive children’s programs. The Cartoon Network series was one of the first to feature a same-sex couple, and later a same-sex wedding. It also dealt with heavy themes such as PTSD, anxiety, grief, and more.

If you’ve ever wanted to get started on Steven Universe, but weren’t sure how, we’re here to help! This guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to binge the series, and where Steven Universe: The Movie and spinoff series Steven Universe Future fits in.

How to watch Steven Universe in release order

Are you ready to dive into action, adventure, and extreme emotional trauma with Steven and the Crystal Gems? Watching Steven Universe in release order is fairly simple. The original series ran for 5 seasons, which was followed by an animated movie titled Steven Universe: The Movie. The storyline was then wrapped up with a 20-episode epilogue series Steven Universe Future. To watch them in release order, simply follow this list…

How to watch Steven Universe in chronological order

Some episodes of Steven Universe were aired out of order, which isn't entirely uncommon for animated series. (In fact, some season 1 episodes didn’t air until season 2 had already begun.) To this day, streaming sites like Hulu and Disney+ have some of the early episodes out of order.

Don’t worry, Popverse has you covered! Here is the chronological viewing order for Steven Universe….

Steven Universe season 1

‘Gem Glow’
‘Laser Light Cannon’
‘Cheeseburger Backpack’
‘Together Breakfast’
‘Frybo’
‘Cat Fingers’
‘Bubble Buddies’
‘Serious Steven’
‘Tiger Millionaire’
‘Steven’s Lion’
‘Arcade Mania’
‘Giant Woman’
‘So Many Birthdays’
‘Lars and the Cool Kids’
‘Onion Trade’
‘Steven the Sword Fighter’
‘Lion 2: The Movie’
‘Beach Party’
‘Rose’s Room’
‘Coach Steven’
‘Joking Victim’
‘Steven and the Stevens’
‘Monster Buddies’
‘An Indirect Kiss’
‘Mirror Gem’
‘Ocean Gem’
‘House Guest’
‘Space Race’
‘Secret Team’
‘Island Adventure’
‘Keep Beach City Weird’
‘Fusion Cuisine’
‘Garnet’s Universe’
‘Watermelon Steven’
‘Lion 3: Straight to Video’
‘Alone Together’
‘Warp Tour’
‘The Test’
‘Future Vision’
‘On the Run’
‘Horror Club’
‘Winter Forecast’
‘Maximum Capacity’
‘Marble Madness’
‘Rose’s Scabbard’
‘Open Book’
‘Shirt Club’
‘Say Uncle’
‘Story for Steven’
‘Political Power’
‘The Return’
‘Jail Break’

Steven Universe season 2

‘Full Disclosure’
‘Joy Ride’
‘Love Letters’
‘Reformed’
‘Sworn to the Sword’
‘Rising Tides, Crashing Skies’
‘Keeping It Together’
‘We Need to Talk’
‘Chille Tid’
‘Cry for Help’
‘Keystone Motel’
‘Onion Friend’
‘Historical Friction’
‘Friend Ship’
‘Nightmare Hospital’
‘Sadie’s Song’
‘Catch and Release’
‘When It Rains’
‘Back to the Barn’
‘Too Far’
‘The Answer’
‘Steven’s Birthday’
‘It Could’ve Been Great’
‘Message Received’
‘Log Date 7 15 2’

Steven Universe season 3

‘Super Watermelon Island’
‘Gem Drill’
‘Same Old World’
‘Barn Mates’
‘Hit the Diamond’
‘Steven Floats’
‘Drop Beat Dad’
‘Mr. Greg’
‘Too Short to Ride’
‘The New Lars’
‘Beach City Drift’
‘Restaurant Wars’
‘Kiki’s Pizza Delivery Service’
‘Monster Reunion’
‘Alone at Sea’
‘Greg the Babysitter’
‘Gem Hunt’
‘Crack the Whip’
‘Steven vs. Amethyst’
‘Bismuth’
‘Beta’
‘Earthlings’
‘Back to the Moon’
‘Bubbled’

Steven Universe season 4

(Same as release order)

Steven Universe season 5

(Same as release order)

Steven Universe: The Movie

Steven Universe Future season 1

(Same as release order)

Should I watch Steven Universe: The Movie before Steven Universe Future?

Steven Universe: The Movie should be watched before Steven Universe Future. The movie premiered on Cartoon Network on September 2, 2019. Steven Universe Future aired its first episode three months later on December 7, 2019.

Steven Universe: The Movie introduces the character Spinnel, a gem who plays a big role during the final arc of Steven Universe Future. The film also ages Steven up to 16 years old and reveals what happened to Earth and Homeworld after the events of Steven Universe season 5. Watching the film first will help you understand that status quo going into Steven Universe Future.

Has Steven Universe crossed over with any other shows?

Steven Universe has crossed over with a few other cartoons. The Steven Universe season 1 episode ‘Say Uncle’ (which didn’t air until season 2) featured a guest appearance from Uncle Grampa, the title character of another Cartoon Network show. According to the episode, Uncle Grampa is Steven’s uncle (and his grampa). Uncle Grampa begins the episode by breaking the fourth wall by telling the audience that the crossover is not canon. Steven and the Crystal Gems returned the favor by appearing on the Uncle Grampa episode ‘Pizza Eve.’

Garnet appears on the OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes episode ‘Crossover Nexus.’ It’s worth noting that OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes was created by Ian Jones-Quartey, who once worked on Steven Universe. In addition, Jones-Quartey is married to Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar.

The Cartoon Network show Craig of the Creek contains various references to Steven Universe. For example, a Steven doll can be seen in the show’s pilot, and another episode features a reference to Cookie Cat, an ice cream mascot that Steven adores. However, these references should be considered Easter eggs, not evidence that the shows exist in the same universe. The version of Earth seen in Craig of the Creek is different from the one altered by gem colonization in Steven Universe.

Where else have Steven Universe and the Crystal Gems appeared?

Steven Universe and the Crystal Gems have occasionally popped up in other projects. Steven Universe: Attack the Light is a role-playing game released for mobile devices. The 2015 game was followed by Steven Universe: Save the Light in 2017, and Steven Universe: Unleash the Light in 2019. Series creator Rebecca Sugar helped develop the stories for the games, so they’re considered canon.

In addition to their own games, Steven and Garnet are playable characters in the crossover fighting game MultiVersus. Estelle reprises her role as Garnet, while Daniel DiVenere replaces Zach Callison as Steven. DC Comics has also published a MultiVersus limited series featuring Steven and Garnet. While nothing has been officially said, it’s safe to say that Steven battling alongside Bugs Bunny and Batman is not canon.

Steven and the Crystal Gems have also appeared in other Cartoon Network crossover video games, such as Formula Cartoon All-Stars and Battle Crashers. In addition, Steven Universe characters can be unlocked in the fighting game Brawlhalla.

In 2020 and 2021 Cartoon Network produced a series of PSAs starring the Crystal Gems. Each PSA featured original animation and the original Steven Universe voice cast, minus Steven himself. The PSAs dealt with racism, history, and how to be an ally. If you’re curious, all four PSAs can be found on the Crystal Gems Speak Up campaign website.

Steven and the Crystal Gems regularly made guest appearances in skits that aired as Cartoon Network bumpers. For example, Steven and the Crystal Gems have silent cameos as audience members during Cartoon Network’s Grampie Awards.

Why did they stop Steven Universe?

Steven Universe was a progressive show, and series creator Rebecca Sugar constantly battled Cartoon Network on potential storylines. One of the major controversies surrounded Ruby and Sapphire, two gems who were coded female. Ruby and Sapphire were in a romantic relationship, which concerned Cartoon Network. When the series was distributed internationally, some markets would censor the show by making Ruby male, recontextualizing the romance as a heterosexual one.

For years Rebecca Sugar pushed for Cartoon Network to approve a Ruby and Sapphire wedding, which eventually happened in the season 5 episode ‘Reunited.’ However, Cartoon Network said that as a result, they would not be renewing the series. Sugar was given a movie to wrap up the storyline, which became Steven Universe: The Movie. However, Cartoon Network told Sugar that there was no point to the film if it wasn’t promoting a show, which led to the 20-episode epilogue series Steven Universe Future.

In short, Cartoon Network informed Sugar that the series was ending after season 5, but gave her a movie and a 20-episode epilogue to wrap things up.

Are they making more Steven Universe?

Steven Universe Future aired its final episode in 2020, bringing Steven’s story to a close. However, the door has been left open for more adventures with Steven and the Crystal Gems. During an interview with Variety, series creator Rebecca Sugar stated she would love to return to work on a revival. “I would love to return to it. And I hope, if everyone else feels the same as I do, I may have an opportunity to do something like that.”

It's worth noting that other Cartoon Network shows like Adventure Time and Regular Show have been revived, so there is precedent. Perhaps we’ll be seeing Steven and the Crystal Gems again. After all, now that Steven is a young adult, there are plenty of new stories to tell.

Is Steven Universe kid appropriate?

Every parent has their own idea of what is appropriate for their kids. However, compared to other pieces of children’s media, there is very little to be concerned about with Steven Universe. While the show contains fighting, most of the battles are with monsters and aliens. Most of the monsters turn into gemstones when they’re defeated instead of being killed.

While the show contains fighting, it has a largely anti-violence message. As the series progresses, Steven becomes more of a pacifist, encouraging his enemies to resolve their differences instead of battling. The series also promotes positive messages such as self-care, acceptance, and good mental health.

Steven Universe is notable for being one of the first cartoons to feature a same-sex wedding. The series contains LGBTQIA+ themes, but everything is age appropriate. Characters are in loving relationships, but the intimacy consists of quick kisses and tender handholding.

Are the Steven Universe comics canon?

BOOM! Studios published a series of Steven Universe comics from 2014 to 2020. The comics expanded the world of the television show, giving readers a deeper dive into the citizens of Beach City. While the comics are an entertaining reading experience for Steven fans, they don’t contain any essential lore. According to Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar, the comics are not canon. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them. Just consider the comics a fun look into the Steven Universe multiverse.

What happened to Steven Universe’s mom?

The simplest way to explain it is to say that Steven’s mother died in childbirth. The reality is a bit more complicated.

Steven’s mother Rose Quartz was an alien creature known as a gem. She came from a race of sentient rocks who use lights to construct their bodies. As such, gems aren’t organic, and don’t have the same internal organs that humans do. They don’t need to eat, sleep, or breathe. Their entire existence stems from their gemstones, and if those are shattered, they cease to exist.

Rose Quartz was fascinated by humanity, and their ability to create life. Rose decided that she wanted to make a baby with her human partner Greg Universe. Since she was a light construct with no internal organs, she couldn’t become pregnant the traditional way. While the series doesn’t go into the specifics of how the pregnancy happened, it’s assumed that it was a combination of….traditional means….and Rose’s shapeshifting powers.

Whatever the case, Rose became pregnant with Steven, a human/gem hybrid. However, since Steven was part gem, he needed his mother’s gemstone to survive, and as we already established, Rose can’t survive without her gemstone. Steven’s birth is never shown onscreen in any flashbacks, but other characters state that Rose gave up her gemstone in order for Steven to be born. When that happened, she ceased to exist.

Some episodes play around with this, joking that Steven is a reincarnation of his mom. Other episodes present the dark side of this, with Rose’s enemies targeting Steven, believing that he is his mother.

Who shattered Pink Diamond in Steven Universe?

This is a VERY BIG plot twist. Do not read further if you want to avoid spoilers.

Still here? Okay, don’t say we didn’t warn you….

Centuries before Steven was born, the Earth was ruled by a powerful gem known as Pink Diamond. Seeking to free Earth from Pink’s tyrannical rule, Steven’s mother Rose Quartz began a rebellion against Pink Diamond. Her band of freedom fighters became known as the Crystal Gems. The war seemingly ended when Rose Quartz used her sword to shatter Pink Diamond.

At least that’s how the legend goes.

As the series progressed, Steven began to have doubts about the story. Pieces of the narrative weren’t adding up, and he began to suspect that Pearl had shattered Pink Diamond, allowing Rose Quartz to take the fall. However, the truth was more complicated.

In the season 5 episode ‘A Single Pale Rose’ Steven learns that his mother Rose and Pink Diamond had been the same person the entire time. Pink believed that Earth had a right to be free, but she was unable to convince the Diamond Authority to abandon their plans for the planet. Using her shapeshifting powers, Pink transformed into Rose, staging a rebellion against herself, hoping it would discourage the Diamond Authority.

Realizing that the war had taken a toll on everyone, Pink sought to end it by faking her death. Pink told her trusted aide Pearl to shapeshift into Rose Quartz in order to make it appear that the rebel leader had shattered her. As you can imagine, this revelation had major ramifications for the series, and most of season 5 deals with the fallout.

Where can I watch Steven Universe?

You don’t need a gemstone to watch Steven Universe, but you will need a Hulu subscription. The streaming service is the current home for Steven Universe, Steven Universe: The Movie, and Steven Universe Future. If you have the Hulu and Disney+ bundle, then you can watch the franchise on Disney+. Keep in mind, watching Steven Universe on Disney+ doesn’t work unless your existing Hulu subscription is connected. This is kind of on brand for the franchise, since Steven Universe has a heavy emphasis on fusions. It’s important to note that the availability of these shows might change as streaming licenses expire.

Now you have everything you need to begin watching Steven Universe! Grab your fry bits, Cookie Cat ice cream, and let the party begin!

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Joshua Lapin-Bertone: Joshua is a pop culture writer specializing in comic book media. His work has appeared on the official DC Comics website, the DC Universe subscription service, HBO Max promotional videos, the Batman Universe fansite, and more. In between traveling around the country to cover various comic conventions, Joshua resides in Florida where he binges superhero television and reads obscure comics from yesteryear.