How to watch Star Wars
While the original movie from 1977 was originally titled simply “Star Wars”, it was later amended to be known as Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope. As a result, the order in which the films were released is not the order in which the events depicted in the galaxy far, far away happen. Watching the movies in episodic order lines the films up chronologically and, as it happens, is series creator George Lucas’s preferred watching order. And who are we to argue with the man who created Jedi, The Force, and Luke Skywalker?
Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Episode 2 – Attack of the Clones
Star Wars: Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Disney Plus series)
Andor (Disney Plus series)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope
Star Wars: Episode 5 – The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: Episode 6 – Return of the Jedi
The Mandalorian seasons 1 and 2 (Disney Plus series)
The Book of Boba Fett (Disney Plus series)
Star Wars: Episode 7 – The Force Awakens
Star Wars: Episode 8 – The Last Jedi
Star Wars: Episode 9 – The Rise of Skywalker
Pros: Arguably the simplest and most straight forward way to watch the movies. There are no flashbacks and nothing to confuse the uninitiated. Plus, with the spin-offs included, you get that seamless transition from Rogue One into A New Hope, and the Disney Plus series makes a whole lot more sense here.
Cons: You start with the prequels, which are almost universally seen as the worst Star Wars movies. The Phantom Menace, which includes a lot of Jar Jar Binks, could put some viewers off watching the rest of the series. Watching the prequels first also dates the later movies, as the CGI can contrast with the practical effects of the original trilogy.