We fans love Re: Zero not just for the pain and resets, but also for those rare peaceful moments. That snow date with Emilia. That lonely forest where Emilia met Puck. These scenes hit different. But wait… are those OVAs even part of the main story? Is the Re: Zero Movie Canon?

Season 1 gave us 25 episodes. But Memory Snow and Frozen Bond slide right between Episodes 11 and 12. If you blinked, you might have missed where they fit. So let us clear up all the confusion — yes, the Re:Zero movies are canon, and here is how to watch them in the right order.

Is Re:Zero Memory Snow Canon in the Main Story?

Memory Snow is 100% canon. It is not filler. Not a spin-off. It came out in theatres on October 6, 2018, and the Blu-ray was released on June 7, 2019.

The story fits right after Episode 11 of Season 1. That is the one-month gap before Subaru and Emilia head to the capital. This OVA shows what they were doing during that break.

Subaru plans a quiet outing with Emilia to see a hidden flower field. But things go sideways — snowstorms, village tasks, Ram and Rem messing around, and Beatrice getting frozen. It feels like a light comedy, but it sits directly in the timeline.

The story is not original to the anime either. It is adapted from Volume 2 of the Re:Zero Tanpenshuu (the short story collection). That makes it part of the original Re:Zero world. If you care about watching in order, then yes, Memory Snow is canon.

Is the Re:Zero Frozen Bond Movie Canon or Not?

Frozen Bond is also canon. It is not just background lore. It released in theatres on November 8, 2019, and the home version came out on April 1, 2020.

It also happens between Episode 11 and 12 of Season 1, just like Memory Snow. But this time, the story follows Emilia. You go back to her childhood in the forest.

You see her meet Puck for the first time. You watch her fight a deadly ice beast called the Snow Blight. She learns to trust others. She learns to control her powers. This is where her emotional struggle starts.

This movie is not original content. It is based on the Re:Zero Prequel: Bonds of Ice light novel. That makes it part of the official lore. If you want to understand Emilia’s actions in Arc 3, this is the piece you cannot skip.

Re:Zero Movies in Order: Complete Watch Sequence

If you want to watch Re:Zero without breaking the flow, follow this exact order:

• Season 1 (Episodes 1–11)
• Memory Snow (2018 OVA)
• Season 1 (Episodes 12–25)
• Frozen Bond (2019 OVA)
• Season 2 Part 1 (Episodes 26–38)
• Season 2 Part 2 (Episodes 39–50)
• Season 3 (Episodes 51–66)

This is the perfect sequence. No confusion. No spoilers. Each OVA fits where the story naturally pauses. Watch them this way, and everything will make sense — especially Emilia’s backstory and her bond with Subaru.

How Re:Zero Movies Connect to the Main Anime Arcs

Both OVAs come after Arc 2 (Mansion Arc) and before Arc 3 (Royal Selection). They are not side tracks. They are small bridges that make the emotional weight of Arc 3 stronger.

Memory Snow fills the calm before the storm.

It shows how close Subaru and Emilia became after the mansion fight. The village scenes, the snow date, the funny chaos — they all build comfort before the story goes serious again.

Frozen Bond explains Emilia’s past.

This is the piece where you learn why Emilia hides her identity. Why she depends on Puck. Why her powers scare her. This backstory becomes important when the selection starts and the pressure grows in Arc 3.

These movies are not just bonus material. They are core moments that the anime skips if you only follow the episodes. You miss them, and you miss who Emilia truly is.

Re:Zero Movie Release Dates and Runtime Details

Here is a quick breakdown of both movies:

• Memory Snow
  Theatrical: October 6, 2018
  Blu-ray: June 7, 2019
  Runtime: Around 75 minutes
• Frozen Bond
  Theatrical: November 8, 2019
  Blu-ray: April 1, 2020
  Runtime: Around 76 minutes

They are both over an hour long, so do not treat them like shorts. They are full-length OVAs with complete arcs, emotional beats, and canon story points.

Final Thoughts

Re:Zero’s movies may not have battles or resets, but they gave us something better — quiet moments. Emilia’s tears in the snow. Subaru’s awkward date. Puck’s first promise. These scenes hit the heart without needing death or despair.

So yes, the movies are canon. And yes, they matter.

Now it is your turn. Did you skip these OVAs the first time? Or did they make you cry too?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Let us hear your Re:Zero movie moments.