What if the secret to an unforgettable summer wasn’t a vacation plan, but a cartoon’s blueprint for fun? For stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb, every day is a mission to build something spectacular, from a backyard rollercoaster to a portal to Mars. This constant creativity forms the first half of a surprisingly clever formula that defines the entire series (Phineas And Ferb Buford And Baljeet).
At the same time, a second, hidden story unfolds. Their seemingly ordinary pet, Perry the Platypus, is actually a secret agent. With a tip of his fedora, he becomes “Agent P,” sneaking off to foil the schemes of the bumbling-but-determined villain, Dr. Doofenshmirtz.
The show’s real genius is how these two plots brilliantly intersect. The chaos from Perry’s mission against Doofenshmirtz almost always causes the boys’ invention to disappear moments before they’re caught. It’s this unique A/B plot structure that gives the show its rhythm and makes the bigger stakes of a movie so compelling.
Which Phineas and Ferb Movie Should You Watch First?
Wondering which Phineas and Ferb movie to watch first? While both are fantastic stand-alone adventures, watching them in chronological order helps you see the stakes get bigger and bigger.
Here is the correct viewing order for the films:
- Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension (2011)
- Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020)
The first movie, often called “the evil Phineas and Ferb movie,” is a fan-favorite where the boys discover Perry’s secret agent life and travel to a darker alternate reality. In contrast, Candace Against the Universe focuses on their older sister, who is abducted by aliens, sparking an intergalactic rescue mission.
So, how do these huge events fit in with the TV show? The films are officially part of the story, or “canon,” but the creators use a clever reset button. At the end of Across the 2nd Dimension, for instance, a classic Doofenshmirtz invention erases everyone’s memories of the event, neatly returning things to normal for the next episode. This allows the movies to tell epic stories without breaking the show’s beloved formula.
Your Guide to Streaming the Movies and Finding the Best Moments
Your adventure starts on Disney+, the exclusive streaming home for both Phineas and Ferb movies.
As you watch, keep an ear out for some of the best songs from the films, like the jazzy “Everything’s Better With Perry” or the impossibly upbeat “Such a Beautiful Day.” Pay close attention during the first film’s climax for the moment Perry’s secret is revealed to the boys, a scene that beautifully captures the series’ surprising depth.
And while you may wonder if there will be a third film—creator Dan Povenmire is interested, but nothing is official—the existing movies provide more than enough proof that with a little imagination, any day, or any movie night, can be an extraordinary one.