Usually, around this time of year, that is, May the 4th, or whenever a new Star Wars movie is about to be released, I generally get the same question: What is the best order to watch the Star Wars movies?
Now, if there is one thing that Star Wars fans are, it’s opinionated. So a question like this could potentially generate dozens of opinions on what should (or shouldn’t) be watched. So we’ve taken some of the best viewing orders to watch the Star Wars films and we are giving you the pros and cons to each one; which viewing order is best for who and so forth.
So here we go! Chewie, punch it!
THE OPTIMAL VIEWING ORDER FOR STAR WARS
Alright. There’s a ton of different ways to watch all the Star Wars movies back to back. You know, a decade ago it was a much easier task to binge all the Star Wars movies in a day, all you needed was a boxed DVD set, a bowl of popcorn, a soda, and a day to kill. But now it’s a weekend-long commitment! So let’s say you want to watch every Star Wars movie, what’s the best way?
Here’s the best Star Wars viewing order:
1. EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE
Luke Skywalker, a young farm boy discovers that he has the ability to tap into a mystical power known as The Force and gets roped into the Rebellion against the evil Darth Vader and the sinister Galactic Empire. Luke must team up with a colorful cast of characters, rescue the Rebellion’s leader, Princess Leia and destroy the Empire’s ultimate superweapon before it’s too late!
If you’re going to watch Star Wars for the first time, you have to start at the beginning…with movie number four. Okay, it gets pretty complicated, but trust me. Starting with the very first Star Wars movie is important because it sets the stage for everything you getting ready to see. Consider A New Hope your Star Wars 101 course, understanding this is key to the whole thing.
2. EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
As the Rebel Alliance continues its fight against the Galactic Empire, Luke Skywalker discovers that he needs to dive deeper into his study of the Force with a mysterious new teacher. Meanwhile, the Alliance is on the run, and Han, Chewie and Leia must survive the Empire at all costs!
Considered by many to be the best Star Wars movie of them all, The Empire Strikes Back is full of great action and characters, but it takes the first Star Wars movie and expands on it, exploring the depths of the Force, the strength of the Empire and further explores connections between characters both old and new.
3. EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI
After a daring rescue, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia prepare to lead the final assault on the Galactic Empire. But as revelations about Luke Skywalker’s family continue to mount and threaten everything that the Rebellion has worked for. Will Luke have the strength to become a Jedi, confront Darth Vader and his master, The Emperor, to destroy the Empire once and for all?
Return of the Jedi brings the adventure back to Tatooine and brings some characters full circle. It is the introduction of some of the series’ most memorable creatures, an epic lightsaber duel, and features an all-time great space battle. The score is excellent and it’s a solid addition to the Skywalker story.
4. EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE
Taking the story back to the very beginning, The Phantom Menace tells the story of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker, a young slave boy they meet on the planet Tatooine. The Jedi, ordered to protect a young queen, soon find that a conspiracy might be in the works by an ancient enemy long-thought defeated.
Episode I starts the story of the Skywalker family from the very beginning, giving additional context to the events that transpire over the course of Episodes IV, V, and VI. It’s a little bit slow at times, but it has a finale that will blow your socks off.
5. EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES
Anakin Skywalker, now in the final stages of his Padawan apprenticeship, is called to protect Senator Padmé Amidala, who is under threat of assassination. Meanwhile, Kenobi follows clues to find the assassin but stumbles upon a mysterious clone army in its final stages of preparation; an army that could mean the beginning of the end of the Republic.
Attack of the Clones is where the prequels really start to take off. Its love story is rough and full of cringe-worthy dialogue, but there are some great action scenes and the story continues to bring Anakin Skywalker further down the road towards his destiny.
6. EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH
The Clone War is in its final days and the Jedi are stretched across the stars, quelling rebellion and protecting the innocent. But a Dark Force is making final preparations to unleash revenge across the galaxy and an enemy long-thought dead threatens to return with a ferocity not seen for a thousand years.
The best of the prequels, Revenge of the Sith not only has the best battle scenes in the Star Wars prequels but also has some of the best music and a lightsaber battle for the ages. It is the final stepping stone to connect the prequels to the original trilogy and its inevitable end is as heartbreaking and crushing than you would expect.
7. ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
The Galactic Empire is at the height of its power. It rules with an iron fist across the galaxy. But a small group of rebels has discovered that that the Empire’s secret weapon, a planet killer called the Death Star, has a flaw. Jyn Erso, daughter of the Death Star’s chief architect, must infiltrate one of the Empire’s most secure facilities to find the weapon’s weakness.
Some might wonder why I recommend watching Rogue One now as opposed to closer to A New Hope. But Rogue One is just as much a sequel to Episode III as it is a prologue to Episode IV. But A New Hope is Star Wars 101 and Revenge of the Sith is the 200 level class, and both are a prerequisite to Rogue One. You’ll be glad you watched both before you started this one.
8. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
Solo: A Star Wars Story looks back at the adventures of the young Han Solo. From his beginnings as a street rat to a solider in the Galactic Empire and eventually, as the ace pilot we know him as. After a job goes wrong, Han must team up with new friends like Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian and make uneasy alliances in order to break even and get out alive.
Solo is the red-headed stepchild of Star Wars movies, but that doesn’t hurt its shine. It’s a movie that requires that you know the Han Solo of the original trilogy, and it’s an excellent preparatory film for older Han in The Force Awakens. It’s an imperfect movie and yet, with Alden Ehrenreich really nailing the Solo mantle in his own way, it’s a fun Star Wars ride from start to finish.
9. EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS
30 years after the destruction of the Galactic Empire and the death of the Emperor, a new evil has begun to stretch across the galaxy, and yet, Luke Skywalker, the mighty Jedi Master is nowhere to be found. General Leia Organa leads a Resistance of fighters loyal to the New Republic against The First Order while on a remote planet, a young girl named Rey is about to find the Force awaken within her.
The Force Awakens introduces new characters as a new generation of heroes takes on the new threat of Kyo Ren, Supreme Leader Snoke, and The First Order. The first film in the sequel trilogy, The Force Awakens picks up three decades after Return of the Jedi, but you’ll find a lot of familiar faces here.
10. EPISODE VIII: THE LAST JEDI
With The First Order in hot pursuit, The Resistance is in a desperate attempt to escape. But The First Order has new tricks up their sleeve, making escape nearly impossible. Meanwhile, Rey makes a last-ditch effort to bring an aged hero back from the brink of despair or train her to be the hero that The Resistance needs.
The Last Jedi is a somewhat Star Wars film (to be fair, they usually are), but do not let that dissuade you from experiencing what it has to offer. It has some incredible action sequences, a real focus on character and relationships complex and unique to Star Wars as a whole.
11. EPISODE IX: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
The Resistance is up against the ropes and The First Order reigns supreme. But from the depths of death itself, a voice long-thought lost announces its return. As the galaxy scrambles, Rey, Poe, and Finn must find a way to destroy this threat before Kylo Ren stops them and brings an end to Light in the galaxy for good.
The Rise of Skywalker fully embraces both the Light and Dark Side of the Force with moments of levity, humor, and joy, but also some of the most horrifying imagery in all of Star Wars. Of all the films that would benefit from a binge-watch, The Rise of Skywalker is probably the one that benefits the most. It is loaded with references and nostalgic winks that will be well worth it when the other films are fresh in your mind.
VIEWING OPTION 2: RELEASE ORDER
In most cases, the original release order is the best way to watch the Star Wars saga. Why? Well, because that’s the way God intended it! Just kidding, but it is the way that The Maker, George Lucas, made it.
What is the order for the Star Wars Release Order?
- Episode IV: A New Hope
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
What about Solo: A Star Wars Story and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story? These films are generally left out of the Theatrical Release Order since they don’t revolve around the Skywalkers as much, but these films both take place between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope.
What are the benefits of watching Star Wars in Release Order?
One of the best parts about the Star Wars saga is the various twists and turns that it takes. Unlike most franchises, Star Wars was released in an odd way in that the original trilogy is actually the middle chunk of the saga, with the prequel films delivering exposition on some of the twists of the original three films. Because of this, watching in release order preserves the twists of not just the original trilogy, but all 9 films.
Who is Release Order the best viewing order for?
Release Order is generally the best order for someone’s first interaction with Star Wars, or someone’s first time watching the movies. It allows the original trilogy to establish the universe, introduce some of the saga’s best characters, and also delivers them all the thrills in the right order while avoiding any potential spoilers that some films might deliver.
VIEWING OPTION 3: CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
Look, some people are purists and they prefer a more A-to-B-to-C style approach to watching their Star Wars movies. Watching the movies chronologically follows the story fluidly from start to finish, following the Skywalkers’ impact across the galaxy from its beginnings on Tatooine down to its final moments in that same desert landscape. It’s a viewing order that is probably one of, if not, the most common.
What is the order for the Star Wars Chronological Order?
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Episode IV: A New Hope
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
What are the benefits of watching Star Wars in Chronological Order?
I generally tend to lean in the direction of chronological because it feels more like I’m watching a story from start to finish. Chronological also, in my opinion, allows you to finish some of the weaker films in the saga earlier, get the jolt of the original trilogy in the middle and then it’s smooth sailing through the rest of your viewing.
Who is Chronological Order the best viewing order for?
Chronological is best for those who are already familiar enough with the Star Wars saga to where the twists and turns of the films don’t need to be preserved. This is the best method of watching for those looking to revisit these films as a refresher course before a new film drops, wanting to marathon the saga (quite a challenge to undertake) or just want to go back through and enjoy these movies all over again.
VIEWING OPTION 4: MACHETE ORDER/”MODIFIED” MACHETE ORDER
The Machete Order was a viewing order created in 2011 prior to Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm. This viewing order hacks off The Phantom Menace (“machete”, get it?) entirely as any elements from the film relevant to the rest of the saga are covered in both Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Since this viewing order originated before the sequel trilogy existed, we have created an “updated” Machete Order here that includes the sequel trilogy as well:
What is the viewing order for the Star Wars Machete Order?
- Episode IV: A New Hope
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
For our Modified Machete Order, continue with:
6. Episode VII: The Force Awakens
7. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
8. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
What are the benefits of watching Star Wars in Machete Order?
As previously mentioned, the main perk to the Machete Order is that it treats the prequels almost like a flashback and eliminates The Phantom Menace. This order of viewing relies on the idea that The Phantom Menace’s relevant moments are covered in Attack of the Clones–Darth Maul never returns, Qui-Gon Jinn is only briefly mentioned a couple of times, Shmi Skywalker shows up again in Episode II but we only need to know that she is Anakin’s mother. Episodes II and III have to do more work, but they get the job done.
Who is Machete Order the best viewing order for?
Machete Order is only recommended for those that are familiar with the Star Wars saga already. It’s a great way to cut your actual watch time down while doing a saga binge-watch and eliminates arguably the most boring of the Star Wars movies. Those brand new to Star Wars should probably look to another viewing order to gain better context to little things mentioned in other films that the Machete Order assumes viewers already know.
VIEWING OPTION 5: THE COMPLETE SAGA ORDER
But Star Wars isn’t just 9 movies, is it? Star Wars is bigger than that and it continues to grow every year. So how does all of that content fit into the films? What’s the proper order if one wants to watch everything, TV included, in the proper order? Well, there’s a lot of content that is no longer considered canon, so we’ll just stick to Star Wars canon here. So here’s your breakdown of EVERYTHING you can watch that’s considered canon in chronological order:
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Movie)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Animated TV Series)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars: Rebels (Animated TV Series)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Episode IV: A New Hope
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi
- The Mandalorian (Live-Action TV Series)
- Star Wars: Resistance (Animated TV Series)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
- Star Wars: Forces of Destiny (Animated Miniseries)
Who is the Complete Galaxy Order the best Star Wars viewing order for?
Look, it’s a lot to chew on, but for those looking to get a deeper understanding of Star Wars, really love the world-building and how things connect and want more of it, the Complete Saga is the only way to go. Obviously it is going to take you some time to work your way through all that Star Wars content, but hey; just like Rey… “these are your first steps.”
What are the benefits of watching Star Wars in the Complete Galaxy Order?
The films on their own are great, but adding the television series not only adds additional context to the films and gives characters more opportunities to develop (The Clone Wars does a lot of legwork for developing characters in Episodes I-III), but the storytelling involved is generally really, REALLY good!
So tell us! What viewing order do you prefer when you are planning a Star Wars binge watch? Let us know!
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