So you wanna dive into Star Wars but have no clue where to start? Been there. When my nephew asked me "Uncle, what are the order of Star Wars movies?" last Christmas, I realized how overwhelming this galaxy can be for newbies. Honestly, even hardcore fans argue about the best viewing sequence.
Look, I've been obsessed since my dad took me to see Return of the Jedi in '83 (yeah I'm dating myself). Over the years, I've tried every viewing order imaginable – some worked great, others felt like navigating an asteroid field blindfolded. Let me save you the headache.
We'll break down all possible viewing sequences, why they matter, and which one suits your situation. No corporate nonsense, just straight talk from someone who's binged these movies more times than he'd admit.
Why Does Movie Order Even Matter?
Star Wars isn't like other franchises. The films weren't released chronologically, so watching in release order means jumping around timelines. Case in point: The prequels (Episodes I-III) came out after the original trilogy (IV-VI) but happen before them timeline-wise.
Mess this up and you'll get major spoilers. Imagine learning Darth Vader's backstory before the "I am your father" reveal! That's like someone telling you the ending of The Sixth Sense during the opening credits.
Three Main Ways to Approach the Star Wars Movie Order
Most fans agree on these core approaches:
Release Order (The Traditionalist Route)
Where George Lucas wants you to start. Watch them in the order they hit theaters:
| Release Year | Episode | Official Title | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | IV | A New Hope | 121 min |
| 1980 | V | The Empire Strikes Back | 124 min |
| 1983 | VI | Return of the Jedi | 134 min |
| 1999 | I | The Phantom Menace | 136 min |
| 2002 | II | Attack of the Clones | 142 min |
| 2005 | III | Revenge of the Sith | 140 min |
| 2015 | VII | The Force Awakens | 138 min |
| 2017 | VIII | The Last Jedi | 152 min |
| 2019 | IX | The Rise of Skywalker | 142 min |
Why I dig this: You experience the story as generations did. The big reveals hit harder.
Downside: Jumping between eras feels jarring after Episode VI.
Chronological Order (The Timeline Purist)
Follow the story from beginning to end:
| Timeline Position | Episode | Official Title | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | The Phantom Menace | 32 BBY* |
| 2 | II | Attack of the Clones | 22 BBY |
| 3 | III | Revenge of the Sith | 19 BBY |
| 4 | Solo | A Star Wars Story | 13-10 BBY |
| 5 | Rogue One | A Star Wars Story | 0 BBY |
| 6 | IV | A New Hope | 0 ABY** |
| 7 | V | The Empire Strikes Back | 3 ABY |
| 8 | VI | Return of the Jedi | 4 ABY |
| 9 | VII | The Force Awakens | 34 ABY |
| 10 | VIII | The Last Jedi | 34 ABY |
| 11 | IX | The Rise of Skywalker | 35 ABY |
*BBY = Before Battle of Yavin
**ABY = After Battle of Yavin
Cool factor: Story flows logically. No time-hopping confusion.
Warning: Major spoilers for original trilogy twists. Vader's reveal loses punch.
Machete Order (The Fan-Hybrid Approach)
Named after blogger Rod Hilton's 2011 post, this clever sequence preserves surprises while smoothing timeline jumps:
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Notice what's missing? Episode I (The Phantom Menace) gets axed. Controversial? Absolutely. But Hilton argued it's non-essential to the Skywalker saga.
My take: Tried this with my wife during lockdown. Works surprisingly well! You get Vader's origin after learning his identity but before his redemption.
Biggest gripe: Skipping Episode I means missing Darth Maul's killer intro and podracing (which I unapologetically love).
Where Do Spin-Offs Fit In?
The Star Wars universe exploded beyond the main episodes. Here's how to slot them in:
| Movie | Best Viewing Position | Essential? |
|---|---|---|
| Rogue One (2016) | Right before Episode IV | Highly recommended - directly leads into A New Hope |
| Solo (2018) | After Episode III or anytime post-prequels | Optional but fun backstory for Han |
What about TV shows? Save The Clone Wars and Rebels for later. They're amazing but overwhelming for beginners figuring out the Star Wars movie order.
Which Order Should YOU Choose?
Depends entirely on your situation:
For First-Time Watchers
Release order no question. Why? Because the prequels assume you know key reveals from the originals. Watching Episode I first ruins the biggest twist in cinema history (yes, I said it).
My buddy Tom ignored this advice. His reaction to Episode V's climax? "Meh, saw that coming." Don't be Tom.
For Rewatches or Timeline Nerds
Chronological order hits different when you know the spoilers. You appreciate how Palpatine's schemes unfold across decades. But brace yourself - the jump from polished prequels to 1977 effects is jarring.
For Time-Crunched Viewers
Try the Skywalker Saga essentials:
- A New Hope (Episode IV)
- The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V)
- Return of the Jedi (Episode VI)
- The Force Awakens (Episode VII)
Yeah, I'm suggesting you skip the prequels and sequels initially. Controversial? Maybe. Efficient? Absolutely. Add others later if you get hooked.
Every Main Film At a Glance
Quick reference for when you're deciding your Star Wars movie marathon order:
| Episode | Title | Director | Key Characters Introduced | IMDb Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | The Phantom Menace | George Lucas | Qui-Gon, Young Anakin, Darth Maul | 6.5 |
| II | Attack of the Clones | George Lucas | Count Dooku, Jango Fett | 6.5 |
| III | Revenge of the Sith | George Lucas | General Grievous | 7.5 |
| IV | A New Hope | George Lucas | Luke, Leia, Han, Vader | 8.6 |
| V | The Empire Strikes Back | Irvin Kershner | Emperor Palpatine, Yoda | 8.7 |
| VI | Return of the Jedi | Richard Marquand | Jabba the Hutt | 8.3 |
| VII | The Force Awakens | J.J. Abrams | Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren | 7.8 |
| VIII | The Last Jedi | Rian Johnson | Rose Tico, Vice Admiral Holdo | 6.9 |
| IX | The Rise of Skywalker | J.J. Abrams | Zorii Bliss | 6.5 |
Burning Questions About Star Wars Movie Order
Can I watch the sequel trilogy first?
Technically yes, but you'll miss 40 years of context. It's like starting Lord of the Rings with Return of the King.
Are the animated movies included?
No - this guide covers live-action theatrical releases only. The animated films (Clone Wars, etc.) fall under TV territory.
What about the Ewok movies?
Let's be real - unless you're a completionist or love campy '80s TV movies, skip Caravan of Courage. Even I haven't touched those since childhood.
Does Disney+ have a recommended order?
Their default is release order. Smart move - their engineers know what they're doing.
My Personal Star Wars Journey
Grew up with the original trilogy on VHS. Wore out our Return of the Jedi tape from rewinding the speeder bike chase. When the prequels dropped, I lined up at midnight for each one. Disappointed by Jar Jar? Sure. But seeing Yoda duel Dooku in Episode II? Worth every penny.
These days? I do chronological order with newbies only if they already know the big spoilers. Otherwise, release order preserves the magic. And I'll die on this hill: Rogue One is the best Disney-era Star Wars film. Fight me.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, there's no perfect answer to "what are the order of Star Wars movies?" Your ideal sequence depends on:
- Whether spoilers matter to you
- How much time you have
- Your tolerance for '70s special effects
If nothing else, remember this: however you watch them, you're experiencing one of cinema's most influential sagas. The lightsaber battles. John Williams' score. That binary sunset. No viewing order can ruin those moments.
Now grab some blue milk and start your marathon. And when someone inevitably asks you "what are the order of Star Wars movies to watch?" – send them this guide. May the Force be with you!