This is the Complete Book & Adaptation Guide of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books series. Few children’s book series have captured the imagination of young readers quite like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Created by American author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney, this beloved franchise follows the misadventures of Greg Heffley, a self-absorbed but endearing middle schooler who documents his daily life in a journal — which he insists is most definitely not a diary.
Jeff Kinney first conceived the character of Greg Heffley in 1998. After spending years developing the story, he released an online version of the book on the children’s website Fun Brain in 2004, where it quickly amassed millions of readers. The printed version of the first book was released in April 2007 through Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams Books, and it became an instant bestseller. Today, the series has sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, been translated into 56 languages, and has consistently featured on the New York Times bestseller list for over 800 weeks.
What sets the series apart is its unique format: each book is written as a journal entry, blending hand-lettered text with simple but expressive doodle-style cartoons. Greg is an anti-hero — flawed, self-serving, and often oblivious — yet deeply relatable to children and adults alike. Alongside him are memorable characters including his ever-loyal best friend Rowley Jefferson, troublemaking older brother Rodrick, tattletale younger brother Manny, and his well-meaning but often embarrassing parents Susan and Frank.
The series has grown far beyond its original books, spawning spin-offs, activity books, movie companion guides, live-action films, and animated Disney+ movies. This article provides a comprehensive guide to all the books in chronological order, as well as the supplementary titles and screen adaptations that have expanded the Wimpy Kid universe.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Main Series (Books 1–21)
The following are all the main Diary of a Wimpy Kid books in the order they were published, each continuing Greg Heffley’s journey through the trials and tribulations of middle school and beyond.
Book 1: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007)
The one that started it all. Greg Heffley begins middle school determined to become popular, but his schemes consistently backfire. This first book introduces readers to the notorious Cheese Touch, Greg’s complicated friendship with Rowley, and the irreverent diary format that would define the series.
Book 2: Rodrick Rules (2008)
Greg enters a new school year desperate to keep a summer secret from getting out — a secret only his older brother Rodrick knows. Full of sibling warfare, a terrible rock band called Löded Diper, and Greg’s ongoing quest for social survival.
Book 3: The Last Straw (2009)
Greg’s father Frank reaches his limit with his son’s laziness and threatens to send him to military school. Greg must find a way to shape up — or ship out. A laugh-filled battle of wills between father and son.
Book 4: Dog Days (2009)
Over summer vacation, Greg would rather stay indoors playing video games, but circumstances keep pulling him outside. A sun-soaked summer of indoor avoidance, family chaos, and a disastrous country club scheme.
Book 5: The Ugly Truth (2010)
After a falling out with Rowley, Greg must navigate the new school year largely on his own. Meanwhile, he is forced to confront the uncomfortable realities of growing up. A hilarious coming-of-age story about adolescence and what it really means to grow up.
Book 6: Cabin Fever (2011)
As the holiday season approaches, Greg finds himself in serious trouble at school. Then a massive snowstorm traps the Heffley family inside their home, raising the stakes considerably. A cozy yet chaotic snow-bound adventure.
Book 7: The Third Wheel (2012)
Greg sets his sights on finding a date for the school’s Valentine’s Day dance. But when he, Rowley, and classmate Abigail end up going as a group, Greg slowly realizes he may be the awkward third wheel in his own plan.
Book 8: Hard Luck (2013)
When Rowley gets a girlfriend, Greg suddenly finds himself without his best friend. He turns to a Magic 8 Ball for guidance on rebuilding his social life, leading to a series of increasingly disastrous decisions.
Book 9: The Long Haul (2014)
The Heffley family embarks on a cross-country road trip that quickly turns into an epic disaster. Between a runaway piglet, rival vacationers, and non-stop car chaos, Greg’s idea of a relaxing summer is completely destroyed.
Book 10: Old School (2015)
Greg’s mother petitions the town to go electronics-free for a weekend. Greg is then sent to Hardscrabble Farms, a back-to-basics outdoor camp, where things go predictably wrong.
Book 11: Double Down (2016)
Greg tries to prove he has what it takes to be a filmmaker, diving into horror movies, music, and other creative ventures — all while trying to manage the chaos of everyday school life.
Book 12: The Getaway (2017)
The Heffley’s escape the holiday madness with a tropical resort vacation. But paradise turns out to be anything but, as the trip is plagued by bad luck, annoying relatives, and resort disasters at every turn.
Book 13: The Meltdown (2018)
A fierce snowstorm shuts down the neighborhood, and what begins as innocent snow day fun quickly escalates into an all-out street-wide snowball war. Greg and Rowley must survive the chaos of winter warfare.
Book 14: Wrecking Ball (2019)
When the Heffley’s receive an unexpected inheritance, they decide to renovate their home — a decision that quickly spirals out of control. A hilarious look at home renovation gone horribly wrong.
Book 15: The Deep End (2020)
The Heffley’s embark on an RV camping trip that does not go according to plan. They end up stranded at an overcrowded RV park, navigating the unexpected challenges of life on the road.
Book 16: Big Shot (2021)
After a disastrous field day at school, Greg swears off all sports forever. But through a series of unfortunate events, he ends up on a basketball team, embarking on a hilariously hopeless season.
Book 17: Diper Överlöde (2022)
Greg tags along with his brother Rodrick’s metal band, Löded Diper, hoping to ride their coattails to fame. But life on the road with a dysfunctional band turns out to be far less glamorous than Greg imagined.
Book 18: No Brainer (2023)
Greg’s middle school is on the brink of closure due to terrible test scores and budget problems. When a retired principal returns with strict new policies and unusual fundraising ideas, things go from bad to worse.
Book 19: Hot Mess (2024)
The secret behind Gramma’s famous meatball recipe has been closely guarded for years. When the Heffley family descends on a cramped beach house for the summer, the battle over that secret recipe becomes an all-out family feud.
Book 20: Party-pooper (2025)
Greg is expecting a surprise birthday party, but it never materializes. Determined to have the birthday he deserves, he decides to plan his own party — only to discover that being the host is far harder than being the complaining guest.
Book 21: Fight or Flight (October 20, 2026)
In the upcoming 21st instalment, Greg faces his biggest challenge yet when he becomes a target for the school bully. While best friend Rowley has taken up karate, an unexpected twist makes Greg realize he is facing an uphill battle. Will he step into the ring or throw in the towel?
III. The Spin-off Series — Awesome Friendly Kid
From 2019 onwards, a companion spin-off series was published, written from the perspective of Greg’s loyal and endlessly optimistic best friend, Rowley Jefferson. Unlike Greg’s often self-serving narration, Rowley’s books offer a warmer, more innocent take on the Wimpy Kid world — and are often even funnier for it.
Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson’s Journal (2019)
The first spin-off gives Rowley his own journal, where he tells the story of his friendship with Greg from his own cheerful, good-natured perspective. A delightful contrast to Greg’s version of events.
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure (2020)
Rowley steps into the realm of fantasy fiction, writing his own adventure story featuring brave heroes, magical creatures, and epic quests. A playful, imaginative departure from the usual Wimpy Kid setting.
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories (2021)
Rowley tries his hand at horror, crafting a collection of spooky stories from his own uniquely innocent imagination. The result is more charming than terrifying — but all the more entertaining for it.
IV. Activity & Special Books
Alongside the main narrative series, several special books have been released that allow fans to engage more interactively with the Wimpy Kid universe.
Do-It-Yourself Books
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book (2008)
An interactive activity book that invites readers to create their own journal in the style of Greg Heffley. Featuring quizzes, comics, creative prompts, and blank pages for readers to fill in, it was the first supplementary title in the franchise.
The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book — Revised & Expanded Edition (2011)
A significantly expanded version of the original, released in 2011 with over 60 additional pages and 16 new full-color comics. This edition became the definitive version of the activity book.
World Book Day Special
Diary of Greg Heffley’s Best Friend (2019)
A UK-exclusive World Book Day special title, this short book offers yet another perspective on the Wimpy Kid world, released to coincide with the beloved annual reading celebration.
V. Movie Diaries
Tying in with the live-action film adaptations, a series of behind-the-scenes companion books known as the Movie Diaries were published. These books go behind the camera to document how the films were made, featuring photographs, storyboards, and brand-new illustrations by Jeff Kinney.
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary (2010)
Released alongside the first live-action film, this companion book goes behind the scenes to show how Greg Heffley made it from the page to the big screen. It features film stills, costume designs, script pages, storyboard sketches, and new illustrations by Kinney. Dedicated to the film’s lead actors Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron.
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: Now Includes the New Movie – Rodrick Rules (2012)
An updated edition of the first Movie Diary, expanded to include behind-the-scenes content from the second live-action film, Rodrick Rules.
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: The Story of All 3 Movies! (2013)
A further-expanded edition, now covering all three of the original live-action films — including Dog Days — in one comprehensive behind-the-scenes volume.
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: The Next Chapter (2017)
A standalone Movie Diary dedicated to the fourth live-action film, The Long Haul. Dedicated to Jason Drucker, the actor who took on the role of Greg Heffley in that film.
VI. Film & TV Adaptations
The Wimpy Kid franchise has enjoyed a rich life on screen, with two distinct film series bringing Greg Heffley’s world to life in very different styles.
Live-Action Film Series (2010–2017)
The original screen adaptations were live-action films produced by 20th Century Studios, starring Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley across the first three films.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)
The first film, directed by Thor Freudenthal, adapts the original book. It starred Zachary Gordon as Greg, Robert Capron as Rowley, Steve Zahn as Frank Heffley, and Rachael Harris as Susan Heffley. Chloë Grace Moretz also appeared as a new character named Angie, exclusive to the film.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011)
The second film follows Greg’s attempts to keep a summer secret from getting out while Rodrick schemes against him. Zachary Gordon reprised his role as Greg in this sequel.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012)
The third live-action film blends storylines from both The Last Straw and Dog Days. Released in August 2012, it was the final film to feature Zachary Gordon as Greg.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017)
A reboot of the live-action series with an entirely new cast, this film follows the Heffley family on their disastrous cross-country road trip. Jason Drucker took on the role of Greg in this instalment.
Animated Film Series — Disney+ (2021–Present)
In 2019, Disney announced a full animated reboot of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise for their streaming platform Disney+. The animated films stay closer to the look and feel of the original books, capturing the doodle-style artwork in motion.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2021)
The first animated film, released on Disney+ on December 3, 2021, faithfully adapts the original book with the hand-drawn aesthetic of Jeff Kinney’s illustrations brought to animated life.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2022)
The second animated film was released on Disney+ on December 2, 2022, adapting the Rodrick Rules storyline in the same animation style.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (2023)
A holiday special released on Disney+ on December 8, 2023, this animated film adapts the Cabin Fever book and leans into the festive setting of that story.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (2025)
The fourth animated film was released on Disney+ on December 5, 2025, continuing the series’ annual holiday tradition on the platform.
VII. Conclusion
More than two decades after Jeff Kinney first put pencil to paper, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise remains one of the most beloved and commercially successful children’s book series of all time. With over 300 million copies sold globally, more than 800 consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and a thriving screen presence on Disney+, the series shows no signs of slowing down.
What has kept readers coming back, book after book, is the enduring relatability of Greg Heffley himself. He is not a hero. He is self-centered, often misguided, and regularly the architect of his own misfortune. Yet within that deeply human flawedness lies something readers of all ages recognize: the daily struggle to navigate a world that rarely cooperates. Greg’s failures are funny precisely because they feel familiar.
With Book 21, Fight or Flight, set for release in October 2026, Greg’s journey continues — and if the past 20 books are anything to go by, his path forward will be every bit as chaotic, hilarious, and heartfelt as everything that came before it.