How to watch the Infernal Affairs films in order
There are 3 Infernal Affairs films, about 5.6 hours in total. The first was released in 2002, the latest in 2003. Watching in release order is the safest way to meet the story as audiences did.
The setting is the never-ending war between the police and the Triads of Hong Kong. Chan is a cop who's been assigned to undercover work inside the Triads for so long that he's been able to rise through the ranks to a position of some authority. Lau, meanwhile, is a secret member of the Triads who has infiltrated the police force with an equal level of success. As they feed their bosses information on the plans and counter-plans of the organizations they pretend to serve, they both begin to feel the stresses of their double lives as they become torn between the oppressive obligations they owe to their superiors and the growing camaraderie they share with the foot soldiers around them. As the two organizations become increasingly aware of the moles in their midsts, the race is on for Chan and Lau to try and get out of the game alive.
- 1
Infernal Affairs (2002)
12 Dec 2002 · 101 min
Chan Wing Yan, a young police officer, has been sent undercover as a mole in the local mafia. Lau Kin Ming, a young mafia member, infiltrates the police force. Years later, their older counterparts, Chen Wing Yan and Inspector Lau Kin Ming, respectively, race against time to expose the mole within their midst.
- 2
Infernal Affairs II (2003)
1 Oct 2003 · 119 min
In this prequel to the original, a bloody power struggle among the Triads coincides with the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, setting up the events of the first film.
- 3
Infernal Affairs III (2003)
12 Dec 2003 · 118 min
Triad gangster turned corrupt cop Lau Kin-ming goes to dangerous lengths to avoid detection.
Order and dates from TMDB collection data. Unreleased entries are added once they get a release date.