The best order to watch Star Wars depends on your familiarity with the franchise and what kind of experience you want:
1. Release Order (Recommended for First-Time Viewers)
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Watch the original trilogy first:
Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) → Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) → Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) -
Then the prequel trilogy:
Episode I: The Phantom Menace → Episode II: Attack of the Clones → Episode III: Revenge of the Sith -
Followed by the sequel trilogy and standalone movies like The Force Awakens , Rogue One , Solo , The Last Jedi , and The Rise of Skywalker
This order preserves the original viewing experience, avoids spoilers, and lets you appreciate the story as it was originally released
2. Chronological Order (Story Timeline)
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Start with the prequel trilogy:
Episode I → Episode II → Episode III -
Then the original trilogy:
Episode IV → Episode V → Episode VI -
Finish with the sequel trilogy:
Episode VII → Episode VIII → Episode IX -
You can also include standalone films like Solo and Rogue One in their timeline positions.
This order follows the story’s internal timeline but can reveal spoilers early and make some plot twists less impactful
3. Machete Order (For a Balanced Narrative Experience)
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Watch:
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 -
Optionally add the sequel trilogy and standalone films afterward.
-
Skip Episode I: The Phantom Menace (optional) as it is considered less essential by some fans.
This order preserves the surprise of Vader’s identity, provides backstory at the right moment, and enhances the emotional impact of the original trilogy’s ending
Summary Table
Order Type| Description| Pros| Cons
---|---|---|---
Release Order| Watch films as originally released| Preserves original
experience, avoids spoilers| Some prequels feel like flashbacks later
Chronological| Watch films by in-universe timeline| Linear story progression|
Spoilers early, less dramatic reveals
Machete Order| Mix of release and chronological| Best for narrative impact,
preserves twists| Skips Episode I, may confuse first-timers
For a first-time viewer, release order is generally considered the best way to watch Star Wars. If you are already familiar with the saga, the Machete Order offers a compelling alternative that enhances storytelling
