How to watch Star Wars in order (both chronological and release date)
Make sure you are watching Star Wars the right way, with this guide.
What is the correct order to watch the Star Wars movies, we hear you type? Well, there are various ways to watch the whole Star Wars saga - from the order by year they came out, order by the year they take place in the Star Wars Universe, the machete order (which die hard fans swear by) the 'whatever order they are on your shelf' order...
The good news is that Disney Plus has ALL the movies available to watch, so do yourself a favour and block out some much needed time so that you can savour the whole space opera.
This is how to watch the Star Wars series in order...
The Star Wars chronological timeline order (with spin-offs)
If you were to watch the movies according to the narrative timeline, then this is how you should watch them...
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated)
- Stare Wars: Episode III - Revenge of The Sith
- The Bad Batch
- Solo: A Star Wars Movie
- Star Wars Rebels (animated)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Andor
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
- Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure
- Ewoks: The Battle for Endor
- Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
- The Mandalorian
- The Book of Boba Fett (concurrent with The Mandalorian)
- Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
- Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
- Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
The Star Wars chronological timeline order (without spin-offs)
- 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 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
The Machete order
The Star Wars machete order was created before the final three movies were made but according to Time Rod Hilton, the creator of the machete order, reckons they wouldn't be in the order anyway.
So, here is the order. You'll notice that Episode I isn't in there at all, as it's believed that it doesn't make any difference to Luke's storyline in the franchise (the order is all about refocusing the overall story on Luke and his journey). Episode II and Episode III are shown after Episode IV and V but before Episode VI so as not to spoil the "I am your father" surprise.
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars: Episode III - The Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi
The Star Wars release date order
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars: Episode III - The Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
- Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
- Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
Want more Star Wars? Head to our best Star Wars movies guide to vote for your favourite, then flip over to our best Star Wars characters guide.
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