All Call of Duty games in release order

When it comes to first-person shooters, there’s no more significant video game franchise in the world than the iconic Call of Duty.

As of June 2022, CoD games have sold more than 425 million copies since the series’ inception in 2003, standing third all-time behind the Mario and Tetris franchises. That’s especially impressive considering those series began in the 1980s. Financially, the franchise has generated more than $30 billion in revenue.

There have been several spin-offs and re-releases in the FPS franchise, like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered and Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified. But we have compiled a list of the primary games, the mainline entries, and the ones that have had massive success in the entertainment world; sometimes changing its landscape forever.

Here are all of the Call of Duty games in the order they were released.

2003: Call of Duty

two soldiers firing with one behind the vehicle. — It all started here. Image via Activision

Release date: Oct. 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
Sales: 4.5 million

The game that started a franchise, Call of Duty was first released on PC in 2003 and featured both a single-player campaign and multiplayer. CoD featured six multiplayer modes, which for its time was substantial, compared to the modern titles which have almost doubled. It was first released on PC, Mac, and even the N-Gage handheld device.

2005: Call of Duty 2

One beret wearing soldier with a tank to his left in the desert — A favorite for many. Image via Activision

Release date: Oct. 25, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
Sales: 5.9 million

CoD 2003 may have been the game that started it all, but Call of Duty 2 took the game to new heights as the first title to be released on a console with the Xbox 360. Who would have thought 23 years later we would be gearing up for the release of Call of Duty Black Ops 6 with the franchise being one of the most successful in console history?

2006: Call of Duty 3

soldiers and tanks in a battlefield charging in as it rains — Treyarch’s first. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 7, 2006
Developer: Treyarch
Sales: 7.2 million

Treyarch started their journey in the Call of Duty franchise in 2006, and now, they’re preparing for the launch of Black Ops 6. And for good reason: Treyarch is considered one of the more loved developers in the CoD space and has produced just under ten titles in the franchise thus far.

2007: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

first person in-game view of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare with 4 players and a capture point — The entry into the mainstream. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 6, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Sales: 15.7 million

A title that changed the industry forever, Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare literally brought the CoD franchise years ahead of its time. CoD 4 took the franchise into the modern era, an era that has had the fans coming back for more each year. The previous titles were fun, but this one hit you in the feels with its breathtaking campaign and addictive multiplayer. CoD 4 revolutionized how multiplayer was played with the first prestige system. This system was popular back then but has not been used in a while. It’s making a return in Black Ops 6.

2008: Call of Duty: World at War

first person rifle view of Call of Duty: World at War — A return to WWII. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 11, 2008
Developer: Treyarch
Sales: 15.7 million

Treyarch upped its game in 2008 with World at War, introducing the highly successful Nazi Zombies mode to the series for the first time.

2009: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

a soldier with a mohawk in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 — Hey Soap. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 10, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Sales: 25.02 million

If CoD 4 was the series’ entry into the mainstream, then MW2 turned the franchise into an entertainment juggernaut. It sold a whopping 25 million copies, which was unheard of then. That number would only grow.

2010: Call of Duty: Black Ops

A soldier in Call of Duty: Black Ops aiming around a corner at two enemy soldiers — The numbers, Mason. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Sales: 30.72 million

The success continued in 2010 with the first entry in the classic Black Ops series. The Zombies mode was expanded, and the campaign introduced franchise favorite characters such as Frank Woods and Alex Mason.

2011: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

first person in-game view of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 firing your automatic weapon with a rocket overhead — World War. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Sales: 30.71 million

The finale of the original Modern Warfare trilogy featured yet another epic campaign and addictive multiplayer.

2012: Call of Duty: Black Ops II

firs person in-game view of Call of Duty: Black Ops II while with a team and taking fire on a bridge — The best esports title? Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 12, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Sales: 31 million

The highest-selling CoD to date is often regarded by many as one of the best in the series thanks to its competitive multiplayer, fun campaign, and further expansion of the Zombies universe.

2013: Call of Duty: Ghosts

first person in-game view of Call of Duty: Ghosts and aiming an automatic weapon. — A solid entry. Image via Infinity Ward

Release date: Nov. 5, 2013
Developer: Infinity Ward, Neversoft, Raven Software
Sales: 28.98 million

The thus far standalone Ghosts title brought a dog named Riley to the fight.

2014: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

a soldier uses a riot shield as one aims up a staircase at an enemy soldier firing at them — Jetpacks, welcome. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 3, 2014
Developer: Sledgehammer Games, High Moon Studios
Sales: 21.76 million

The first “jetpack” CoD game turned the focus of the franchise from “boots on the ground” to “flying in the air” for a few years. Exosuits allowed players to boost jump in all directions and jump high in the air, changing the gameplay significantly. It was also Sledgehammer Games’ first work in the series.

2015: Call of Duty: Black Ops III

first person in-game view of Call of Duty: Black Ops III wielding a heavy weapon and joystick — Specialists arrive. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 6, 2015
Developer: Treyarch, Beenox, Mercenary Technology
Sales: 26.72 million

BO3 introduced specialists to the series for the first time. Each character had their own unique set of abilities and personalities.

2016: Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

a full squad interacting in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare — I’m in space. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Treyarch, High Moon Studios, Beenox, Vicarious Visions
Sales: 13.6 million

Infinity Ward brought the fight to space in 2016, and many gamers felt the “jetpack” gameplay style was wearing thin. Activision heard the cries, and the next CoD brought the fight back to Earth again.

2017: Call of Duty: WWII

Call of Duty: WWII promo image of two soldiers hunkered down behind cover readying to fire — Another WWII return. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 3, 2017
Developer: Sledgehammer Games, Raven Software
Sales: 19.82 million

WWII returned the franchise to its roots with a grounded campaign and multiplayer experience.

2018: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Blackout

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 in-game first person view aiming at an ATV — CoD’s first BR. Image via Activision

Release date: Oct. 12, 2018
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software, Beenox
Sales: 14.3 million

CoD’s first foray into battle royale launched alongside BO4. Blackout showed Activision the world’s thirst for the last-man-standing mode, and it began a massive turnaround for the series. This was also the first entry in the series to avoid having a campaign.

2019: Call of Duty: Mobile

Call of Duty: Mobile promo image with helicopters flying in the background and a squad of five members charging into battle — You guys have phones, don’t you? Image via Activision

Release date: Oct. 1, 2019
Developer: TiMi Studio Group
Sales: 500 million-plus downloads, over $1 billion in revenue

Smartphone gamers everywhere have loved CoD: Mobile and its “greatest hits” theme. The game features modes, maps, characters, and weapons across the franchise.

2019: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare promo image with two men shooting at each other in a destroyed warzone — A reboot. Image via Activision

Release date: Oct. 25, 2019
Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Beenox, High Moon Studios
Sales: 30 million

Infinity Ward rebooted the MW storyline with some new characters while returning ones like Captain Price and more. The gritty campaign was supplemented by addictive multiplayer, but the big kid on the block was just around the corner.

2020: Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty: Warzone promo image of a man aiming his scoped assault rifle — The big one. Image via Activision

Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games, Beenox, High Moon Studios, Activision Shanghai, Toys For Bob
Sales: Over 100 million downloads

Warzone shook up the battle royale landscape and gaming everywhere when it was released at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving players worldwide an escape into Verdansk with one of the most successful BR games released thus far. It’s become a flagship in the series, with future games tied into it, with live events and constant content updates to follow.

2020: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War promo image of a man rearing up to shoot his heavy weapon — Mason and Woods return. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 13, 2020
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Beenox, High Moon Studios, Activision Shanghai, Demonware
Sales: 30 million

A direct sequel to Black Ops 1, Black Ops Cold War saw the return of characters like Frank Woods, Alex Mason, and Jason Hudson in the 1980s.

2021: Call of Duty: Vanguard

an armed woman aiming her rifle in Call of Duty: Vanguard — The third WWII return. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games, Treyarch, Raven Software, Beenox, High Moon Studios, Activision Shanghai, Demonware
Sales: Unknown, but lower than expected

The franchise returned to World War II once more in 2021. Activision Blizzard has not released the sales numbers for Vanguard, but the company publicly acknowledged that the game did not meet expectations for sales. It attributed this to the WWII setting and a need for more innovation in the premium release.

2022: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 cover image — Ghost is back. Image via Activision

Release date: Oct. 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Sales: $1 billion within 10 days

MW2 is a direct sequel to the rebooted Modern Warfare from 2019, and it is Infinity Ward’s first main series release since, not including Warzone. The campaign sees the return of Captain John Price, Sergeant Kyle “Gaz” Garrick, Simon “Ghost” Riley, and John “Soap” MacTavish. Infinity Ward also introduced a revamped Gunsmith and AI systems for its co-op mode, Special Ops, and extensive seasonal updates.

2022: Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and DMZ

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and MW promo image featuring two armed soldiers in a desert — The open world is yours to explore. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 16, 2022
Developers: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, others
Sales: Unknown

The first substantial update in MW2 introduced the new battle royale experience, Warzone 2.0, and the Escape from Tarkov-like extraction mode DMZ. The unique experience added a new map, Al Mazrah, and changes to the Warzone formula.

2023: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Captain Price on MW3 Main Announcement Header — Keeping it modern. Image via Activision

Release date: Nov. 10, 2023
Developers: Sledgehammer Games, more
Sales: TBD

What comes after two? Three, of course. (Somebody tell Valve.) The second MW3 on this list was announced and confirmed on Aug. 7, 2023, with a Nov. 10, 2023 release. It’s a direct sequel to MW2 and features Task Force 141 against the famous villain from the original game, Vladimir Makarov.

It also contains all of the maps and weapons from MW2 the year prior, making it one of the largest multiplayer offerings in CoD history. Couple that with zombies mode and a new Warzone experience after launch, and MW3 had some of the most robust content offerings in the series.

2024: Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile

Warzone Mobile screenshot of operators running through the battlefield — Image via Activision

Release date: March 21, 2024
Developers: Activision Shanghai, Beenox, Digital Legends Entertainment, Solid State Studios
Sales: TBD

Warzone for phones and tablets dropped in March 2024, offering the classic Verdansk map and integration between other CoD titles such as player level and battle pass progress, along with classic maps for quick multiplayer games while on the go.

2024: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

cod black ops 6 operators — Zombies time! Image via Activision

Release date: Oct. 25, 2024
Developers: Treyarch, Raven Software
Sales: TBD

Black Ops 6 was officially confirmed in May 2024 and will be coming out on Oct. 25, 2024. The game features a 1990s setting and real world figures like Saddam Hussein and others, with returning characters like Frank Woods.

The 2024 Call of Duty game will also feature the return of round-based Zombies gameplay, along with new “omnimovement” in multiplayer that will let players sprint or dive in any direction in an attempt to revolutionize how the game feels to play. As mentioned previously, Black Ops 6 will bring back the prestige system, a fan favorite.