The Star Wars saga, a space opera that has captivated audiences worldwide for nearly five decades, is a cornerstone of modern pop culture. From the deserts of Tatooine to the forests of Endor, the journey of the Skywalker family, their allies, and their adversaries, offers an epic blend of mythology, politics, and action that has inspired countless fans. However, with multiple trilogies, standalone films, and series, newcomers might find the viewing order of Star Wars a galaxy-sized conundrum. Fear not, for this guide will navigate you through the stars, ensuring your journey through the Star Wars universe is nothing short of spectacular.
What to expect
The Different Orders to Watch Star Wars
1. Release Order
Experience the saga as the world did, starting with the Original Trilogy that debuted in 1977. This order preserves the surprises and reveals of the story that audiences first experienced, unfolding the saga’s mysteries and twists in real-time.
- Original Trilogy
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi (1983)
- Prequel Trilogy
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack Of The Clones (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
- Sequel Trilogy
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)
- Additional Movies
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Benefits: Preserves the original storytelling pace and surprises.
2. Chronological Order
For those who prefer a linear storyline, the chronological order begins with the tale of Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side, followed by his son Luke’s quest to defeat the Empire and finally Rey’s journey from a scrapper to the ways of the force.
The Skywalker Saga and Standalone Movies:
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (32 BBY)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (22 BBY)
- The Clone Wars (movie) (22 BBY)
- The Clone Wars (TV series) (22-19 BBY)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (19 BBY)
- The Bad Batch (TV series) (19 BBY and after)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story (~13-10 BBY)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series) (9 BBY)
- Andor (TV series) (5 BBY leading up to shortly before Rogue One)
- Star Wars Rebels (TV series) (5 BBY-1 BBY)
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (0 BBY)
- Episode IV: A New Hope (0 BBY/0 ABY)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (3 ABY)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (4 ABY)
- The Mandalorian (TV series) (9 ABY)
- The Book of Boba Fett (TV series) (Parts of it overlap with The Mandalorian Season 2 and post-Season 2, around 9 ABY)
- Star Wars: Resistance (TV series) (starts around 34 ABY, overlaps with the sequel trilogy)
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (34 ABY)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (34 ABY)
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (35 ABY)
Benefits: Offers a straightforward narrative, allowing viewers to follow the timeline of events as they happen in the Star Wars universe.
The Star Wars Timeline
In the Star Wars universe, “BBY” stands for “Before the Battle of Yavin,” and “ABY” stands for “After the Battle of Yavin.” The Battle of Yavin is a pivotal event that occurs at the end of “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope,” where the Rebel Alliance successfully destroys the first Death Star. This event is so significant that it serves as the central point around which the Star Wars timeline is organized.
- BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) is used to denote years that occur before this event.
- ABY (After the Battle of Yavin) is used to mark years that happen after this event.
Using the Battle of Yavin as the zero point helps fans and creators alike keep track of when particular events happen in relation to each other within the vast Star Wars narrative.
3. Machete Order
A fan-created sequence that focuses on the Skywalker saga, omitting Episode I for a tighter narrative. It begins with the introduction of Luke Skywalker, before a flashback to Anakin’s story, and concludes with the fall and redemption of Darth Vader.
- Episode IV: A New Hope – Introduces the Star Wars universe and the journey of Luke Skywalker.
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back – Continues Luke’s journey, leading to the dramatic reveal of his parentage.
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones – After the reveal in Episode V, the narrative jumps back to explore Anakin Skywalker’s (Darth Vader’s) backstory and descent towards the Dark Side.
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – Concludes Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader and sets the stage for the original trilogy.
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi – The saga concludes with the redemption of Anakin Skywalker, the fall of the Empire, and the restoration of balance to the Force.
It’s important to note that the Machete Order was proposed before the release of the sequel trilogy (“The Force Awakens,” “The Last Jedi,” and “The Rise of Skywalker”) and standalone films like “Rogue One” and “Solo.” Fans who wish to include these in their viewing experience may choose to watch them after completing the Machete Order’s sequence.
Benefits: Enhances narrative depth and character development, maintaining suspense and the emotional impact of key reveals.
4. Modified Machete Order
The Modified Machete Order is an adaptation of the original Machete Order for watching the Star Wars films. The intent behind the Machete Order is to preserve the narrative twists and character development of the original and prequel trilogies, focusing on the story of Luke Skywalker and Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. The Modified Machete Order incorporates additional films to update and enhance the viewing experience, especially considering the release of the sequel trilogy and standalone movies.
Here is the Modified Machete Order, including where to place the sequel trilogy:
- Episode IV: A New Hope
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back – Preserves the dramatic reveal of Darth Vader’s identity.
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Optional) – Some versions of the Modified Machete Order suggest skipping this film, but it’s included here for completeness and its contributions to the backstory of Anakin Skywalker.
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones – Begins the flashback sequence to Anakin’s story and his path to becoming Darth Vader.
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – Concludes Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader and sets up the fall of the Jedi Order.
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi – Returns to Luke’s story, concluding his journey and featuring the redemption of Anakin Skywalker.
Incorporating the Sequel Trilogy and Standalone :
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – Can be watched before Episode IV as it directly leads into the events of A New Hope. However, in the context of the Modified Machete Order, it could also be watched after Return of the Jedi to preserve the original trilogy’s narrative flow before moving on to the sequels.
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker – These sequels continue the story of the galaxy far, far away, introducing new characters and challenges while building upon the legacy of the Skywalker saga.
Solo: A Star Wars Story and other series like The Mandalorian, The Bad Batch, or Star Wars: Rebels are not included in the core Machete Order but can be watched after completing the main saga films for additional context and enjoyment of the Star Wars universe.
Benefits: A more comprehensive view of the saga that still focuses on its core themes and characters.
5. Ernest Rister Order
Mixing elements of release and chronological order for a unique storytelling experience, this sequence starts in the middle, goes back to the beginning, and then concludes the story, offering a fresh perspective on the saga’s pivotal moments.
- Episode IV: A New Hope – Begins with the introduction of Luke Skywalker, mirroring the original release sequence and setting up the story.
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back – This continues Luke’s journey, culminating in the revelation of Darth Vader’s identity, which serves as a dramatic pivot for the viewing order.
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace – Starts the flashback to Anakin Skywalker’s origins after the significant reveal in Episode V, providing context for his character.
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones – Continues Anakin’s story, delving into his complex relationship with Padmé Amidala and his initial struggles with the dark side.
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – Concludes the prequel trilogy, showcasing Anakin’s fall to the dark side and transformation into Darth Vader, setting the stage for his eventual redemption.
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi – The saga returns to Luke’s story, culminating in the redemption of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and the fall of the Empire.
The Ernest Rister order aims to maintain the surprise of Vader’s parentage reveal in Episode V and then uses the prequels as an extended flashback sequence to deepen the viewer’s understanding of Anakin’s character and his fall from grace. This order is designed to enhance the emotional and narrative resonance of Anakin’s redemption in Episode VI.
It’s important to note that this order does not include the sequel trilogy (Episodes VII to IX) or the standalone movies (Rogue One and Solo). Fans interested in these films might choose to watch them after completing the main saga, starting with The Force Awakens, followed by The Last Jedi, and concluding with The Rise of Skywalker. Standalone movies can be slotted in based on personal preference or chronological order for those interested in a more expansive view of the Star Wars universe.
Benefits: Delivers an engaging and emotionally resonant viewing experience, emphasising character development and thematic depth.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Order
Selecting a viewing order depends on personal preference, whether you’re a newcomer eager to dive into the Star Wars lore or a longtime fan revisiting the galaxy. Consider what aspects of storytelling, character development, and thematic exploration matter most to you, and select the path that best suits your journey through this epic saga.
The Star Wars saga offers a vast universe of storytelling, rich with complex characters, profound themes, and unforgettable adventures. Whether you choose the release order to experience the evolution of the saga as it unfolded, the chronological order for a linear narrative, the Machete order for a focused storyline, or any other sequence, your journey through the stars is guaranteed to be extraordinary. So, grab your lightsaber, hop aboard the Millennium Falcon, and may the Force be with you as you embark on your Star Wars adventure.