An instant bestseller from the start, Diary of a Wimpy Kid has become a middle-grade staple. If you want to experience Greg Heffley’s story as it unfolds, this guide lays out all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books in order, from beginning to end.
Jeff Kinney tells the story through a mix of journal-style entries and comic strips, following Greg as he navigates the social chaos of middle school. It’s awkward, exaggerated, and painfully familiar.
The series can look intimidating at first, especially lined up on a shelf. But while the books are physically substantial, they read quickly thanks to the illustrated format and short bursts of text.
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books in Order
Here is a list of all the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books in order of publication. Conveniently, and unsurprisingly with a diary format, this list is also of the books in order chronologically!
Every book is a self-contained story and can be read as a standalone; however, the best way to enjoy the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books in order is the publication order.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007)
- Rodrick Rules (2008)
- The Last Straw (2009)
- Dog Days (2009)
- The Ugly Truth (2010)
- Cabin Fever (2011)
- The Third Wheel (2012)
- Hard Luck (2013)
- The Long Haul (2014)
- Old School (2015)
- Double Down (2016)
- The Getaway (2017)
- The Meltdown (2018)
- Wrecking Ball (2019)
- The Deep End (2020)
- Big Shot (2021)
- Diper Överlöde (2022)
- No Brainer (2023)
- Hot Mess (2024)
- Partypooper (2025)
The Best Way to Read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books in Order
As these books are told through Greg’s diary, each book builds upon the previous one with its setting and characters. While each book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend starting at the beginning with the first book.
Starting with Diary of a Wimpy Kid will introduce you fully to the characters. It will let you understand the format and allow you to accompany Greg as he begins middle school, including all the ups and downs that come with it.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Adaptations
In addition to winning awards and selling millions of copies, Diary of a Wimpy Kid has inspired multiple films.
The first movie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, premiered in 2010. It is based on the first book of the same name. The next installment, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, followed swiftly with a 2011 release. It is based on the second book, Rodrick Rules.
A third movie premiered the following year in 2012, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days. The third movie is based on The Last Straw and Dog Days, book three and book four respectively.
These three live-action and animated comedy films star Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley, Robert Capron as his best friend Rowley, and Devon Bostick as Greg’s older brother Rodrick.
With five years between the release of the third and fourth movie, it might be no surprise that when Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul premiered in 2017 it brought with it a massive cast change up and mixed reaction.
Adapted from the ninth and tenth book, The Long Haul and Old School, this installment stars Jason Drucker as Greg Heffley, Owen Asztalos as his best friend Rowley, and Charlie Wright as Greg’s older brother Rodrick. Alicia Silverstone and Tom Everett Scott also replace Rachael Harris and Steve Zahn as Greg and Rodrick’s parents.
New Disney+ Animated Films
After a pause between installments and a shift away from theatrical releases, Diary of a Wimpy Kid was reintroduced as an animated franchise on Disney+. Beginning in 2021, the series returned to the start of Greg Heffley’s story, following his early middle-school years in animated form.
The first animated film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, debuted on Disney+ in December 2021 and adapts the original book. It was received reasonably well, which led directly to a second adaptation. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, based on the second book, followed in December 2022.
The same core voice cast appears in both films, with Brady Noon as Greg Heffley, Ethan William Childress as Rowley, and Hunter Dillon as Rodrick. Reception to the second movie was more mixed, particularly compared to the first.
The animated lineup expanded with holiday-themed adaptations like Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever, which adapts the sixth book, as well as additional standalone entries such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw. Rather than following the books in strict order, the animated films appear to select stories that work best as self-contained movies.
Jeff Kinney remains closely involved with the animated projects as both writer and producer, maintaining creative continuity across the franchise. Taken together, the Disney+ films function as an active, ongoing animated take on Diary of a Wimpy Kid, rather than a limited reboot or a direct replacement for the earlier live-action movies.
What is Diary of a Wimpy Kid?
The popular middle grade comedic series documents the life of Greg Heffley as he starts middle school. Written in the form of a diary with illustrations throughout, Diary of a Wimpy Kid depicts the struggles of starting in a new school, and then finding oneself at the bottom of the ladder.
In addition to navigating his new school corridors, Greg confides in his diary as the challenges of middle school test the strength of his friendship with his best friend, Rowley.
The series grows alongside Greg with each new challenge that middle school, friendship, sibling rivalry, and summer vacation presents.
The popular book series has also inspired a film franchise with four theatrical releases and two animated films.
Looking for more books in order?
If you want more authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Books in Order index.