Welcome to the definitive and comprehensive timeline for The CW’s Supernatural Seasons 1-4!
This meticulously curated guide is designed to help you navigate the vast and intricate world of Sam and Dean Winchester, while efficiently focusing on the main story arcs and overarching themes. By highlighting the most crucial episodes and key plot points, this Supernatural timeline allows you to bypass the “monster of the week” filler episodes and gain a deeper understanding of the show’s central narrative.
Before the beginning of time:
- The Empty exists, home to the cosmic entity, the Shadow.
- Amara (the Darkness) and God come into existence, followed by Death.
- God creates multiple universes and the four Archangels (Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Lucifer).
Creation of life and early events:
- Archangels battle Amara and seal her away with the Mark.
- God creates leviathans, purgatory, the universe, angels, and humans.
- Castiel is part of angel Ana’s garrison on Earth.
- Lucifer starts feeling the negative effects of the Mark.
- Lucifer tempts humanity with the help of angel Gadreel.
The rise of demons:
- Lucifer creates the first demon, Lilith.
- Cain makes a pact with Lucifer, taking the Mark (now the Mark of Cain).
- Michael defeats Lucifer, who is imprisoned in the cage.
- God leaves Heaven and the rise of pagan gods:
- Gabriel leaves Heaven, assuming Loki’s identity.
- God leaves Heaven.
- Angels are recalled to Heaven in 33 AD.
Notable events:
In the 1300s, Ruby sells her soul to the demon Astaroth.
In 1587, The Colony of Roanoke disappears.
In 1661, Fergus MacLeod is born, later becoming the demon Crowley.
In 1835, Samuel Colt builds the Colt and the Devil’s Gate.
The Winchester family history:
- In 1954, John Winchester is born.
- In 1955, Mary Campbell is born.
- In 1967, the Impala is created.
- In 1972, John and Mary meet and fall in love.
- In 1978, Dean is born, followed by Sam in 1983.
Supernatural events leading up to Season 1:
- In 1992, a young Sam discovers the supernatural world.
- In 1997, Sam and Dean kill a werewolf.
- In 2001, Sam’s prom date is possessed by a demon.
- In 2002, Sam leaves his family for Stanford University.
- In 2004, Sam starts dating Jessica Moore. Next year, she dies, and her tragic death serves as a starting point of the Supernatural season 1.
Now that we’re all set, let’s start with the events of Supernatural season 1!
Season 1 (2005-2006)
- Fall 2005: John Winchester goes missing, and Dean asks for Sam’s help.
- Jessica dies, Sam and Dean start searching for John.
- December 2005: First demon encounter.
- April 2006: Sam meets Meg.
- May 2006: Sam reveals his visions and psychic abilities.
- Meg’s true identity as a demon is revealed, John escapes her trap.
- June 2006: Sam and Dean meet Harry Spengler and Ed Zeddmore.
- July 2006: John, Sam, and Dean obtain the Colt from a nest of vampires.
Season 2 (2006-2007)
- Summer 2006: John makes a deal with Azazel to save Dean’s life.
- September 2006: Sam and Dean meet Andy, another psychic kid.
- November 2006: Sam’s visions lead to a town infected with the Croatoan virus.
- February 2007: First encounter with the Trickster.
- April 2007: Azazel kidnaps psychic kids, Roadhouse is destroyed, and Ash dies.
- Sam is killed but resurrected by Dean’s deal with a demon.
- Azazel is killed, and the Devil’s Gate is closed.
Season 3 (2007-2008)
- May 2007: Lilith takes over Hell.
- Sam and Dean fight the Seven Deadly Sins and meet Ruby.
- Bela Talbot is introduced and later steals the Colt.
- Sam experiences a Groundhog Day loop created by the Trickster.
- Dean is killed by hellhounds, and Lilith escapes.
Season 4 (2008-2009)
- Dean is tortured in Hell, eventually agreeing to torture souls.
- Ruby and Sam get closer, Sam drinks demon blood.
- Castiel rescues Dean from Hell.
- November 2008: Anna Milton, a human-turned-angel, is found.
- Alastair is killed, and Uriel is revealed to be a traitor.
- March 2009: Sam and Dean visit an alternate universe created by Zachariah.
- April 2009: The brothers meet their “half-brother” Adam, who is a ghoul.
- May 2009: Sam kills Lilith, and Ruby’s plan to release Lucifer is revealed.