How to watch Star Wars in order (both chronological and release date)

The best way to watch the Star Wars movies was probably in the cinema, as they came out. But with no time machine handy, we'll have to make do with a binge session on Disney Plus.

All of the Star Wars films, and the key TV series, are available on the streamer. If you're planning a rewatch, you just need to decide on the order. And if you're going to leave out the TV shows — and potentially a film or two you just can't stomach, if you're not a purist.

There are two standard approaches. The release rewatch just arranges the Star Wars movies in release order. This lets you see the jumps in movie technology, and how the character of film-making changes over the decades.

Alternatively, the chronological order starts with the prequel trilogy, heads to the originals, then ends with the more recent trilogy.

Below you'll find these mapped out, with and without the movie and TV spin-offs. And a third way that claims to focus on storytelling rather than release or time order.

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)
• Ahsoka
• 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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