If you’re looking for a fun, laugh-out-loud book series that captivates kids and adults alike, Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey is a must-read! This wildly popular series follows the adventures of two mischievous fourth-graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, and their comic book creation, Captain Underpants—a superhero with a knack for getting into absurdly funny situations. Whether you’re a parent helping your child dive into the series or a fan revisiting the chaos, this guide lists all Captain Underpants books in order, including spin-offs, to ensure you don’t miss a single wedgie-powered adventure!
Why Captain Underpants Is a Beloved Series
Before we jump into the book list, let’s talk about why Captain Underpants is such a hit. With over 80 million copies sold worldwide, Dav Pilkey’s series combines silly humor, engaging illustrations, and relatable characters to spark a love for reading in young audiences. The books tackle themes like friendship, creativity, and standing up to bullies, all while delivering non-stop laughs through pranks, comic strips, and toilet humor that kids adore. Plus, the series’s fast-paced storytelling and interactive elements like flip-o-rama make it perfect for reluctant readers.
Ready to explore the Captain Underpants universe? Below is the complete list of books in publication order, including the main series and spin-offs, to guide you through George and Harold’s epic journey.
Complete List of Captain Underpants Books In Order
Below is the complete list of Captain Underpants books in series order, including the main series and spin-offs, presented in a clear table format for easy reference.
| # | Title | Publication Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Adventures of Captain Underpants | 1997 | George and Harold hypnotize their principal, Mr. Krupp, into becoming their comic book superhero, Captain Underpants. |
| 2 | Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets | 1999 | The boys’ prank brings talking toilets to life, and Captain Underpants must stop them. |
| 3 | Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space | 1999 | Alien cafeteria ladies plot to take over the world with zombie nerds. |
| 4 | Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants | 2000 | A mad scientist forces everyone to change their names to silly ones. |
| 5 | Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman | 2001 | Ms. Ribble becomes the evil Wedgie Woman after a hypnosis mishap. |
| 6 | Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets | 2003 | A science experiment creates a booger-powered villain. |
| 7 | Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2: The Revenge of the Ridiculous Robo-Boogers | 2003 | Captain Underpants faces robotic snot monsters in the booger battle’s conclusion. |
| 8 | Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People | 2006 | George, Harold, and Captain Underpants meet evil versions of themselves from an alternate universe. |
| 9 | Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers | 2012 | Time travel and a vengeful villain lead to a wild adventure. |
| 10 | Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers | 2013 | The boys battle radioactive underwear and time-traveling chaos. |
| 11 | Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 | 2014 | The Turbo Toilet 2000 seeks revenge, and Captain Underpants must stop it. |
| 12 | Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot | 2015 | The final main series book introduces a smelly villain. |
| Spin-Off 1 | The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby | 2002 | George and Harold’s comic creation, Super Diaper Baby, battles Deputy Doo-Doo. |
| Spin-Off 2 | The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future | 2010 | A comic about cavemen with kung-fu skills and time-travel antics. |
| Spin-Off 3 | Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers | 2011 | Super Diaper Baby faces a giant, evil potty. |
| Spin-Off Series | Dog Man (Series) | 2016 – Ongoing | George and Harold’s half-dog, half-human hero stars in a separate series, starting with Dog Man (2016). |
Note: The Dog Man series is a spin-off created by George and Harold within the Captain Underpants universe and has grown into its extensive series with over 10 books. For the best experience, read the main Captain Underpants series first, then explore the spin-offs in order.
Captain Underpants Books in Order (Main Series)
The main Captain Underpants series consists of 12 books, published between 1997 and 2015. Follow George and Harold as they hypnotize their cranky principal, Mr. Krupp, into becoming the underwear-clad superhero, Captain Underpants!
- The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997)
George and Harold create a comic book superhero, Captain Underpants, but things get out of hand when they accidentally turn their principal into the real deal. Get ready for epic battles and plenty of laughs! - Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets (1999)
The boys’ latest prank goes wrong when their invention brings talking toilets to life. Can Captain Underpants stop these porcelain menaces? - Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (1999)
Alien cafeteria ladies plan to take over the world with zombie nerds. It’s up to Captain Underpants to save the day! - Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants (2000)
A mad scientist with a ridiculous name forces everyone to change their names to something equally silly. Chaos ensues! - Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman (2001)
George and Harold’s teacher, Ms. Ribble, becomes the evil Wedgie Woman after a hypnosis mishap. Expect wedgie warfare! - Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets (2003)
A science experiment gone wrong creates a booger-powered villain. Gross and hilarious! - Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2: The Revenge of the Ridiculous Robo-Boogers (2003)
The booger battle continues as Captain Underpants faces off against robotic snot monsters. - Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People (2006)
George, Harold, and Captain Underpants encounter evil versions of themselves from an alternate universe. Mind-bending fun awaits! - Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers (2012)
Time travel and a vengeful villain make this adventure a wild ride through the past and future. - Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers (2013)
The boys and Captain Underpants battle radioactive underwear and time-traveling chaos. - Captain Underpants and the Tyrannical Retaliation of the Turbo Toilet 2000 (2014)
The Turbo Toilet 2000 is back for revenge, and it’s up to Captain Underpants to flush away the danger. - Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot (2015)
The final book in the main series introduces a smelly new villain and wraps up the epic saga with a bang.
Captain Underpants Spin-Offs and Related Books
Dav Pilkey expanded the Captain Underpants universe with spin-offs and companion books that dive deeper into the world of George, Harold, and their wacky creations. Here’s how to read them in order:
- The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby (2002)
George and Harold’s comic book creation, Super Diaper Baby, gets his own story as he battles Deputy Doo-Doo. A hilarious spin-off! - The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future (2010)
Another comic by George and Harold, this time featuring cavemen with kung-fu skills and time-travel antics. - Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers (2011)
Super Diaper Baby returns to face a new villain: a giant, evil potty. More gross-out fun! - Dog Man (2016 – Ongoing)
While not a direct Captain Underpants story, Dog Man is a spin-off series created by George and Harold, featuring a half-dog, half-human hero. The Dog Man series has become a massive hit in its own right, with over 10 books and counting. Start with Dog Man (2016) and continue through the series for more zany adventures.
Reading Tips for Captain Underpants Fans
- Start with the Main Series: The 12-book main series is the core of the Captain Underpants experience. Read them for the best understanding of the story arc and character development.
- Explore Spin-Offs for Extra Fun: The Super Diaper Baby and Ook and Gluk books are shorter and perfect for younger readers or fans craving more humor.
- Dive into Dog Man: If your child loves Captain Underpants, the Dog Man series is a natural next step with similar humor and art style.
- Engage with Interactive Elements: Encourage kids to try the flip-o-rama pages and even create their comics inspired by George and Harold’s creativity.
- Parental Guidance: The series is ideal for ages 7–10 but contains toilet humor and mild mischief that some parents may want to review.
Why Kids (and Adults!) Love Captain Underpants
The Captain Underpants series isn’t just about silly pranks—it’s about celebrating imagination, friendship, and standing up to authority when it’s unfair. Dav Pilkey’s own experiences with dyslexia and ADHD inspired the series, making it especially relatable for kids who struggle with traditional learning. The mix of text, comics, and illustrations keeps readers engaged, while the absurd humor ensures they’ll be laughing from start to finish.
Where to Find Captain Underpants Books
You can find Captain Underpants books at most major bookstores, libraries, or online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Scholastic. Many are available in paperback, hardcover, or e-book formats. Check your local library for free access or look for boxed sets to save on the complete series.
Final Thoughts
The Captain Underpants series is a timeless adventure that brings joy and laughter to readers of all ages. Whether you’re reading with your kids or revisiting the series for nostalgia, following the books in order ensures you experience every ridiculous moment in the right sequence. Start with The Adventures of Captain Underpants and work your way through the main series and spin-offs for a wild, wedgie-filled ride!
Have a favorite Captain Underpants moment or villain? Let us know in the comments, and happy reading!
