If you’re planning to watch Star Wars for the first time, one of the most common questions fans ask is: What order should I watch Star Wars in? With a saga spanning multiple decades, nine main movies, multiple spin-offs, and a vast array of TV series, choosing the best viewing order can be a bit tricky. Whether you’re a movie buff, a casual viewer, or someone diving into Star Wars for the first time, this guide will help you navigate the Star Wars universe in the best possible order for a satisfying viewing experience.
In this article, we’ll explore the various viewing orders for the Star Wars movies and TV shows, including the Machete Order, Chronological Order, Release Order, and more, all while keeping your viewing experience as enjoyable as possible. So, let’s jump into the galaxy far, far away and find out the best way to watch Star Wars for the first time.
Why Does Watching Star Wars in the Right Order Matter?
For many, Star Wars isn’t just a collection of films but a cultural phenomenon. The Star Wars movies are filled with twists, turns, and character arcs that might be spoiled if you don’t watch them in the right order. The saga’s timeline spans decades of storytelling, and the release order versus chronological order can greatly affect how you perceive the characters and plot.
The magic of Star Wars comes not only from the spectacular space battles and stunning visuals but from its deep narrative structure. Watching in the right order ensures that plot points, character development, and surprises are felt at their most impactful. The way you experience Star Wars for the first time can influence your appreciation of the entire franchise.
1. Star Wars Release Order: The Classic Way to Start
The Release Order follows the order in which the Star Wars movies were originally released. This is the viewing order many fans of the franchise recommend for first-time viewers because it mirrors the experience of watching the movies when they first hit theaters.
Release Order Viewing Guide:
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
This order allows you to experience the original trilogy first, with the iconic A New Hope setting the stage for one of the most beloved franchises of all time. From there, you’ll watch Empire Strikes Back, followed by the satisfying conclusion in Return of the Jedi. After the original trilogy, you’ll dive into the prequel trilogy (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith), giving you the backstory and context for the characters, especially Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the Dark Side.
The sequel trilogy (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker) will then give you a glimpse of how the galaxy has changed after the events of the original trilogy, with new characters like Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren taking center stage.
Why Choose Release Order?
- It preserves the surprise of plot twists, especially the iconic revelation in Empire Strikes Back.
- It mimics the experience of first-time audiences, capturing the excitement of discovering the universe in its original form.
- It highlights the evolution of special effects and storytelling, making the later films more visually impactful after seeing the original trilogy.
2. Star Wars Chronological Order: A Linear Journey Through Time
If you prefer to follow the events of the Star Wars universe in a linear fashion, the Chronological Order is for you. This order places the films in the sequence of events within the Star Wars timeline, starting with the prequels before moving into the original trilogy and then the sequels.
Chronological Viewing Guide:
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Why Choose Chronological Order?
- You can follow the storyline in a straight path, from Anakin Skywalker’s rise to the fall of the Empire and the rise of the First Order.
- It offers an understanding of the narrative progression, particularly the transformation of characters like Anakin and Luke Skywalker.
- The visual continuity between the prequels and sequels makes for a more seamless viewing experience in terms of technology and setting.
However, be aware that watching in chronological order will spoil some of the major plot twists in the original trilogy, most notably The Empire Strikes Back’s twist. For a first-time viewer, this might take away some of the excitement.
3. Machete Order: A Fan-Favorite Approach
For those who want a slightly different experience, the Machete Order is a fan-created sequence that offers a unique twist on the typical viewing experience. This order skips The Phantom Menace entirely and begins with the original trilogy before moving into the prequels and finishing with the sequels.
Machete Order Viewing Guide:
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Why Choose Machete Order?
- You avoid the prequel film The Phantom Menace, which some fans feel is the weakest entry in the series.
- It retains the key plot twists and emotional impact of the original trilogy.
- The prequels help build important character backstory for Anakin Skywalker, without spoiling the classic moments from the original trilogy.
The Machete Order is particularly appealing if you’re looking to dive straight into the action with A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back before filling in the backstory with the prequels.
4. Ultimate Star Wars Order (Including Spin-offs and TV Series)
For viewers who want to experience the Star Wars universe in its entirety, including the movies, spin-offs, and TV series, there’s an Ultimate Star Wars Order that ties everything together, from The Mandalorian to Rogue One and Solo.
Ultimate Viewing Guide:
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020) – TV series
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021–present) – TV series
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018) – TV series
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
- The Mandalorian (2019–present) – TV series
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Why Choose Ultimate Order?
- It gives you the full experience, including the rich side stories and character development explored in spin-off movies and TV series.
- It offers a deeper understanding of the Star Wars galaxy, including important events like the rise of the Rebel Alliance and the fall of the Empire.
Conclusion
What Order to Watch Star Wars?
The order in which you watch Star Wars can significantly impact your viewing experience. Whether you choose the classic Release Order, the linear Chronological Order, the fan-favorite Machete Order, or the comprehensive Ultimate Viewing Order, each provides a unique way to experience the galaxy far, far away. For first-time viewers, the Release Order offers the best mix of surprises and plot twists, while the Chronological Order gives a more straightforward approach to the story. The Machete Order skips the less popular prequel, The Phantom Menace, and keeps the focus on the core story, while the Ultimate Order integrates movies, spin-offs, and TV series for a complete Star Wars experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on how much you want to dive into the lore and how you want to experience this iconic saga. No matter the order, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure!
