Haven’t played Fortnite in a while? Or maybe you’re just curious about how the game has evolved.
In this article, we’ll walk through every Fortnite season in order from the very first Chapter 1 season back in 2017 all the way to the present Chapter 6. You’ll get a quick recap of each season’s theme or biggest event, so you can catch up on what’s changed (and maybe learn some Fortnite history along the way). Let’s dive in!
What Are Fortnite Seasons?#
Fortnite’s seasons are periodic updates (usually a few months long) that bring new themes, map changes, Battle Pass rewards, and gameplay features. The game is also divided into Chapters, which are larger overhauls that usually introduce a brand-new map. Think of Chapters as big eras, and seasons as episodes within those eras. Each season often has a unique theme (like superheroes, aliens, or pirates) and typically ends with a special live event to transition the story to the next season. This seasonal format keeps Fortnite fresh, with constant changes that give players new experiences over time.
Current Chapter Summary (Chapter 6)#
The current era, Fortnite Chapter 6, kicked off at the end of 2024 with a bang introducing a fresh island and storyline. Chapter 6 has already taken players on a wild ride through different themes. Season 1 (“鬼Hunters”) launched the chapter with a supernatural demon-hunter vibe on a new map. Season 2 (“LAWLESS”) switched things up to a crime spree theme, complete with high-stakes heists and a gritty underworld feel.
Now the latest season has gone full crossover: Fortnite x Star Wars in “Galactic Battle,” bringing lightsabers, Force powers, and familiar Star Wars characters into the fight. This chapter shows how Fortnite can pivot from original story themes to pop-culture events, keeping even long-time players on their toes.
Full Timeline: All Seasons in Order#
Below is a full timeline of all Fortnite seasons (Chapter 1 through Chapter 6) in reverse chronological order, starting with the newest season and going back to the very first. Each season is listed with its Chapter, season number, and a brief note about its theme or major event.
Chapter 6 Season 2 – “LAWLESS”
Feb 2025 – May 2025
Crime & Heist Theme
A crime-themed season where heists, vault break-ins, and gold bars took over the island. This season had a gritty underworld vibe (think getaway cars and bank vaults) as players battled in a lawless crime spree.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 6 Season 1 – “鬼Hunters”
Dec 2024 – Feb 2025
Demon Hunters & New Chapter
The start of Chapter 6 introduced a new island and a supernatural theme. Demon-hunter characters (inspired by folklore, hence the “鬼” meaning “oni/demon”) faced off against monsters, giving the game a spooky, mythic vibe to kick off the chapter.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 5 Season 5 – “Chapter 2 Remix”
Nov 2024 (One Month)
Fortnite Remix (Chapter 2 Flashback)
A special nostalgia event that brought back elements of Chapter 2. For about a month, players revisited classic Chapter 2 locations and moments in a rotating playlist – a flashback tour right before Chapter 6 began.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 5 Season 4 – “Absolute Doom”
Aug 2024 – Nov 2024
Marvel: Doctor Doom
Marvel returned as Doctor Doom took over the island in this superhero-themed season. Chapter 5’s finale had players suiting up as Marvel heroes (and villains) to stop Doom’s domination, leading to an explosive climax and the end of the chapter.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 5 Season 3 – “Wrecked”
May 2024 – Aug 2024
Wasteland & Vehicles
A high-octane wasteland theme turned the island into a desert battleground. Think Mad Max vibes – sandstorms, scrappy survival outposts, and tricked-out vehicles racing across dunes. “Wrecked” was all about chaos in a post-apocalyptic setting.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 5 Season 2 – “Myths & Mortals”
Mar 2024 – May 2024
Greek Mythology
Greek mythology came to life as Olympus arrived in Fortnite. Players could find Zeus’s temple and even Hades’ underworld on the island. Gods and mortals clashed, with mythological powers (like thunder and fire) spicing up battles in this legendary-themed season.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 5 Season 1 – “Underground”
Dec 2023 – Mar 2024
New Helios Map Debut
Chapter 5 opened on the brand-new Helios island. The theme was a conflict between the downtrodden “Underground” and the elite “Society” in a European-inspired cityscape. This season introduced new urban locations as players explored the fresh map.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 4 Season OG
Nov 2023 (One Month)
Return of the Chapter 1 Map
A dream come true for long-time players. Fortnite brought back the OG Chapter 1 map for a limited-time nostalgia event. For this month, the game literally felt like 2018 again: classic loot, old-school locations like Tilted Towers, and a chance for everyone to relive (or experience for the first time) the original Fortnite island.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 4 Season 4 – “Last Resort”
Aug 2023 – Nov 2023
Heist & Finale
Chapter 4’s final season had a heist movie flair. The island’s new big bad (a vampire named Kado Thorne) hoarded treasures in heavily guarded vaults. Players became thieves, raiding these locations with new gadgets. “Last Resort” wrapped up with an epic finale event that paved the way for the next chapter.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 4 Season 3 – “Wilds”
Jun 2023 – Aug 2023
Jungle Biome
A massive jungle biome overtook part of the map, complete with climbable vines and mud for stealth. Ancient temples emerged, and even Optimus Prime showed up in the Battle Pass. The “Wilds” season gave a summer adventure vibe as players explored dense forests and uncovered secrets in the jungle.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 4 Season 2 – “MEGA”
Mar 2023 – Jun 2023
Neo-Tokyo Theme
This season introduced Mega City, a sprawling neon metropolis inspired by cyberpunk Tokyo. Futuristic katanas, fast bikes, and grind rails for sliding around the skyscrapers made gameplay feel like an action movie. “MEGA” was all about high-tech urban combat in a glowing, night-time city.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 4 Season 1
Dec 2022 – Mar 2023
New Island (A New Beginning)
The launch of Chapter 4 created a totally new island from reality fragments. The map had a mix of medieval castles and futuristic areas, thanks to the Reality Zero reboot. New gameplay mechanics (like the Shockwave Hammer and dirt bikes) debuted, giving Fortnite a fresh start.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 3 Season 4 – “Paradise”
Sep 2022 – Dec 2022
Chrome Invasion
Despite the name, things weren’t exactly paradise. A mysterious chrome substance began consuming the island. The Chrome turned structures (and players!) metallic, introducing Chrome Splash items and phased movement. This season’s chrome invasion (led by The Herald) set up a cataclysmic end-of-chapter event.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 3 Season 3 – “Vibin’”
Jun 2022 – Sep 2022
Reality Tree & Summer Vibes
After a big war, the island relaxed with a chill summer party vibe. A giant Reality Tree sprouted, bringing a magical mushroom biome and even changing some points of interest each match. Roller coasters (at the new Rave Cave) and colorful Ballers returned, giving Season 3 a fun “vacation” feel.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 3 Season 2 – “Resistance”
Mar 2022 – Jun 2022
IO vs Seven War
An all-out faction war broke out between the Imagined Order (IO) and The Seven (the island’s defenders). Tanks, armored battle buses, and blimps appeared across the map as players fought to reclaim territory. Notably, building was temporarily turned off at the season’s start, forcing everyone to adapt to zero-build combat until the Resistance won and brought building back.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 3 Season 1 – “Flipped”
Dec 2021 – Mar 2022
New Chapter, New Island
The end of Chapter 2 literally flipped the island, revealing a completely new map for Chapter 3. This season introduced sliding movement and scattered Spider-Man web-slingers around the map (letting players swing like Spidey). New weather events like tornadoes and lightning spiced up matches as players explored the flipped island.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 2 Season 8 – “Cubed”
Sep 2021 – Dec 2021
Cubes & The Sideways
The Cube (nicknamed Kevin) returned and it brought friends. Mysterious purple cubes spread corruption across the island, opening portals to “The Sideways,” a creepy monster-filled alternate dimension. Season 8 saw players battling cube monsters during matches and slowly rebuilding a giant mecha, all leading to “The End” event that concluded Chapter 2.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 2 Season 7 – “Invasion”
Jun 2021 – Sep 2021
Aliens & UFOs
Aliens invaded the island in a big way. A giant mothership hovered above, abducting locations (and players!), while flying saucer UFOs let us zip around and wreak havoc. The season was filled with sci-fi weapons (like ray guns) and ended with Operation: Sky Fire, where players boarded the mothership in a live event to blow it up.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 2 Season 6 – “Primal”
Mar 2021 – Jun 2021
Wild Era (Bows & Wildlife)
The Zero Point crisis at the end of Season 5 sent the island back to a primitive era. Modern tech was wiped out, forcing players to craft makeshift weapons from bones and mechanical parts. Wolves, boars, and raptors roamed the wild map, and new primal zones (with forts and tribes) gave the island a prehistoric makeover.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 2 Season 5 – “Zero Point”
Dec 2020 – Mar 2021
Bounty Hunters & Realities Collide
With the Zero Point exposed, Agent Jones brought in famous bounty hunters from different realities to help contain it. The island turned into a hunter’s playground: the Mandalorian, Kratos, Master Chief and others arrived. A desert biome formed in the center with the Zero Point pulsing above, and new Bounty contracts let players hunt each other for rewards.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 2 Season 4 – “Nexus War”
Aug 2020 – Dec 2020
Marvel Universe
An entire season of Marvel crossover! Iconic heroes like Iron Man, Thor, and Wolverine joined the Battle Royale as the island became the battleground for the Nexus War. Marvel locations (Stark Industries, Doom’s Domain, etc.) appeared, and players wielded mythic superhero abilities. The season climaxed with a live event battle against Galactus, the devourer of worlds.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 2 Season 3 – “Splashdown”
Jun 2020 – Aug 2020
Flooded Map
A massive flood changed the island’s landscape. At Season 3’s start, half the map was underwater due to Midas’s failed Device. As weeks passed, the water receded to reveal new locations. Players rode sharks with fishing lines and met Aquaman as the season’s celebrity skin. It was a wet and wild season full of water-themed fun and challenges.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 2 Season 2 – “Top Secret”
Feb 2020 – Jun 2020
Spy vs Spy
A spy-thriller season with two covert factions: GHOST vs. SHADOW. The island got spy bases, secret hideouts, and vaults guarded by NPC henchmen and bosses (like Midas, Meowscles, and Skye). Players ran spy missions and chose sides to unlock special styles. This season’s cinematic flair (like the Agency base) made every match feel like an action movie.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 2 Season 1 – “New World”
Oct 2019 – Feb 2020
All-New Island Debut
After Chapter 1’s dramatic black hole, Fortnite launched Chapter 2 with an entirely new map to explore. This season (titled “New World”) introduced fresh gameplay features like swimming, fishing, and motorboats. It was a soft reset with a simpler loot pool, updated graphics, and a chance for everyone to discover the island’s new locations from scratch.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season X – “Out of Time”
Aug 2019 – Oct 2019
The End of Chapter 1
The tenth and final season of Chapter 1 was a grand remix of Fortnite’s past. The Zero Point’s power caused rift zones that revived old locations with odd twists (like a zombie-infested Retail Row). It all built up to “The End” event, when the rocket and meteor finally collided with the Zero Point, creating a black hole that devoured the entire island and ended Chapter 1.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season 9 – “The Future is Yours”
May 2019 – Aug 2019
Futuristic City
Neo Tilted and Mega Mall rose from the ashes, bringing a bright sci-fi theme. Slipstreams (wind tunnels) circled the map for fast travel. Season 9 felt like a trip to the future capped off by an epic giant mech vs. monster battle.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season 8 – “X Marks the Spot”
Feb 2019 – May 2019
Pirates & Volcano
Pirates invaded Fortnite! Season 8 added a big volcano on the map, a tropical jungle area, and pirate ships. You could even fire yourself out of pirate cannons. It was high adventure, and by the end a massive volcano eruption set the stage for future changes.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season 7 – “You Better Watch Out”
Dec 2018 – Feb 2019
Winter & Ice King
Winter arrived in force when an iceberg collided with the island, adding a huge snow biome. Planes (X-4 Stormwing biplanes) let players dogfight in the skies. The Ice King shrouded the map in a blizzard during a live event, spawning Ice Legion monsters.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season 6 – “Darkness Rises”
Sep 2018 – Dec 2018
Halloween & Kevin the Cube
A spooky season where the mysterious purple Cube (nicknamed Kevin) lifted Loot Lake’s island into the sky. The map took on a full Halloween vibe with Cube Monster zombies roaming about. Shadow Stones (items that let players turn ghostly invisible) debuted. “Darkness Rises” was Fortnite’s first big Halloween season, complete with a Fortnitemares event.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season 5 – “Worlds Collide”
Jul 2018 – Sep 2018
Rift to Reality
Reality rifts opened in the sky, bringing in random objects from other eras. A new desert biome (Paradise Palms) replaced Moisty Mire, and Fortnite got its first drivable vehicle – the ATK golf cart. Different “worlds” collided on the island, mixing the past with the present.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season 4 – “Brace for Impact”
May 2018 – Jul 2018
Meteor & Superheroes
A comet finally crashed into the island, blasting Dusty Depot into a huge crater (Dusty Divot). The season rolled out a superheroes vs. villains storyline on the island. Anti-gravity Hop Rocks from the meteor let players leap in low gravity. Season 4 felt like a blockbuster action movie, capped by a live rocket launch that cracked the sky itself.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season 3
Feb 2018 – Apr 2018
Space Theme
Fortnite went to outer space (at least in spirit) with a space-themed Battle Pass featuring astronauts and a funky spacesuit-clad John Wick skin (“The Reaper”). Late in Season 3, players noticed a comet in the sky – the first hint of big changes coming. No map changes happened yet, but the mysterious buildup had everyone buzzing.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season 2
Dec 2017 – Feb 2018
Medieval (Knights)
The first ever Battle Pass arrived with a medieval theme – think knights, castles, and dragons (well, dragon-themed gliders at least!). New locations like Tilted Towers and Snobby Shores were added to the map, drastically expanding it. Season 2’s “Fort Knights” skins (like the Black Knight) became OG classics. This season really kicked off Fortnite’s rise in popularity.
Image: Epic Games Chapter 1 Season 1
Oct 2017 – Dec 2017
The Beginning
Where it all began. The very first season of Fortnite Battle Royale didn’t have a fancy theme. It was the game’s humble beginning. The map was small and simple (no Tilted Towers yet!), and progression was through a Season Shop rather than a Battle Pass. Skins like the Renegade Raider debuted. It was a rough-around-the-edges Fortnite, but this is where the phenomenon started.
Image: Epic Games
That’s the full journey from Fortnite’s start to today. As you can see, each season brought something new. Whether it was a gameplay mechanic, a map change, or an epic crossover. Fortnite has come a long way, constantly reinventing itself with fresh ideas.
Fortnite Seasons FAQs#
What season is it now?#
As of now, the current season is Chapter 6 Season 3, also known as “Galactic Battle.” It’s a special Star Wars–themed mini-season featuring a crossover with the Star Wars universe (Jedi vs. Sith vibes on the Fortnite island!). This season is relatively short and is scheduled to conclude in early June 2025.
When does the next Fortnite season start?#
The next season (Chapter 6 Season 4) is expected to start around June 7–8, 2025, right after the current season ends. Epic Games usually rolls out the new season shortly after the previous one’s finale event, often with just a few hours of server downtime in between. (Dates can shift if there are delays, but early June is the target for the next big update.)
What was the longest Fortnite season?#
The longest season in Fortnite history was Chapter 2 Season 1, which lasted about 128 days (roughly four months!). It ran from October 2019 to February 2020. An unusually long stretch, extended by Epic to prepare major changes. By contrast, most seasons last about 10 to 12 weeks. (Fun fact: the shortest season was Fortnite OG in late 2023, which was only one month long as a special throwback event!)