If you are tired of watching Star Wars in the correct order all the time, how about trying the best order?
Star Wars is one of those franchises everyone knows, even if they have never actually sat down and watched the whole thing. Lightsabers, Darth Vader, the Force, weird family drama in space; it is all part of pop culture at this point.
The only confusing part is figuring out where to start. George Lucas did not exactly build this saga in a straight line, so depending on the order you choose, Star Wars can feel like an epic tragedy, a classic adventure, or a very expensive family therapy session.
For this guide, we are only including the movies, not shows like The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, or Ahsoka. Otherwise, your simple movie marathon suddenly becomes a full-time job with better spaceships.
Star Wars: Chronological Order
If you want to watch the story as it happens inside the Star Wars universe, chronological order is the easiest option. You start with Anakin Skywalker as a kid, watch the Republic collapse, move into the original trilogy, and then finish with Rey and the sequel era.
It is clear, simple, and probably the easiest order for following the actual timeline. The downside? It completely ruins one of the biggest twists in movie history. If someone somehow still does not know the famous Vader reveal, this order throws it into the trash compactor.
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Solo: A Star Wars Story – optional
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – optional
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Rogue One fits nicely before A New Hope, since it leads directly into the original film. Solo, meanwhile, is more of a bonus. Watch it if you want more Han, Chewie, and Lando. Skip it if your marathon already feels long enough.
Star Wars: Release Order
Release order is the classic way to watch Star Wars, and honestly, it still works. You begin with the original trilogy, experience the saga the way audiences first did, then jump back to the prequels for Anakin and Obi-Wan’s backstory.
It is not the cleanest timeline, but it protects the biggest reveals and shows how the franchise evolved across decades. The shift from the original trilogy to the prequels is a little wild, but then again, so is most of this galaxy.
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – optional
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Solo: A Star Wars Story – optional
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
This is probably the best order if you care about the cultural experience of Star Wars. You see the original phenomenon first, then the controversial prequel era, then the Disney sequels. Messy? Sure. Historically accurate? Absolutely.
Star Wars: The Best Order
Now we get to the best order, at least for first-time viewers. This version keeps the biggest twists intact, avoids starting with the slower prequel setup, and turns Anakin’s story into a flashback right when it matters most.
It is basically a modified Machete Order. You begin with Luke, hit the major reveal, jump back to Anakin’s fall, and then return to Return of the Jedi with much more emotional baggage. Healthy? No. Great storytelling? Very much yes.
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
- Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace – optional
- Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – bonus
- Solo: A Star Wars Story – bonus
You can skip The Phantom Menace if you want the leanest version, but keeping it gives you Qui-Gon, Darth Maul, and a better look at where Anakin started. Attack of the Clones is still a rough ride, but it does help set up his fall in Revenge of the Sith.
So, what is the best Star Wars watch order? For newcomers, start with A New Hope, not The Phantom Menace. The original movie is still the cleanest doorway into the galaxy, and everything that comes after feels stronger once you have met Luke, Leia, Han, and Darth Vader the way audiences first did.