Star Wars Movies in Order: Looking for the correct order to watch Star Wars Movies, so that you can understand an epic space opera multimedia franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the eponymous 1977 film and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. But you may have a dilemma that what is the correct order of the star wars movies or what order should I watch Star Wars Movies. There are 4 different order of Star Wars Movies to watch. 1) As per Release, 2) Chronological, 3) Ernst Rister Order, and 4) Machete order.
Non-chronologically produced, The Star Wars series has spawned multiple live-action and animated films. The series started with a film trilogy set in media res—beginning in the middle of the story—which was later expanded to a trilogy of trilogies, better known as the “Skywalker saga”. The film series follows each generation of the Force-sensitive Skywalker family and their struggle against the evil Sith Lord Darth Sidious (Palpatine). The prequel trilogy focuses on Anakin Skywalker, his training as a Jedi, and his eventual fall to the dark side as Darth Vader due to Palpatine’s machinations and his fear of losing his wife Padmé Amidala. The original trilogy follows their children, Luke and Leia, as they join the Rebel Alliance and battle Vader, Palpatine, and his Galactic Empire. The sequel trilogy features Kylo Ren (Ben Solo)—the son of Leia and Han Solo, nephew and former Jedi apprentice of Luke, and grandson of Padmé and Anakin—who fell to the dark side and seeks to rule the galaxy with Rey, the granddaughter of Palpatine and the last Jedi apprentice of Luke and Leia.
So here on the page, you will film the best order to watch Star Wars Movies. The Star Wars movies are spread across three trilogies, with spin-offs and side stories filling in the universe’s mythic lore. It’s never been easier to marathon the whole series, but before you press play on the first movie, it’s important to decide your preferred viewing order. Here is a complete guide to watching the Star Wars movies in order.
How many Star Wars movies are there?
The Star Wars franchise involves multiple live-action and animated films. There are a total of TWELVE (12) films in the Star Wars film series. The film series started with a trilogy set in medias res which was later expanded to a trilogy of trilogies, known as the “Skywalker Saga”. It was released beginning with the original trilogy (Episodes IV, V and VI, 1977–1983), followed by the prequel trilogy (Episodes I, II and III, 1999–2005) and the sequel trilogy (Episodes VII, VIII and IX, 2015–2019). Together with the theatrical live action “anthology” films: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) also expand the Star Wars universe.
How to Watch The Star Wars in Chronological Order
[Including TV Series]
1. Young Jedi Adventures [TV series]
As a part of the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures set during the High Republic era, centuries before the events of the main Star Wars films, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures follows a group of younglings as they learn the ways of the Force, including compassion, self-discipline, team work and patience, to become Jedi Knights.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures is set to premiere on May 4, 2023, Star Wars Day.
2. The Acolyte [TV series]
The Acolyte is set at the end of the High Republic era in a world of “shadowy secrets and emerging dark side powers”, approximately 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). A former Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes, but the forces they confront are more sinister than they ever anticipated.
3. Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful steps in the journey of Anakin Skywalker set 32 years before the original trilogy, during the era of the Galactic Republic. Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discover nine-year-old Anakin, a young slave unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul. Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith.
4. Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Watch the seeds of Anakin Skywalker’s transformation take root in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Ten years after the invasion of Naboo, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. Under the leadership of a renegade Jedi named Count Dooku, thousands of solar systems threaten to break away from the Galactic Republic. When an assassination attempt is made on Senator Padmé Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo, twenty-year-old Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect her. In the course of his mission, Anakin discovers his love for Padmé as well as his own darker side. Soon, Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan Kenobi are drawn into the heart of the Separatist movement and the beginning of the Clone Wars.
5. Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)
Set between the Star Wars prequel trilogy films Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, it is amongst the first of many works to explore the conflict known as the Clone Wars. The series begins shortly after Attack of the Clones, follows the actions of various prequel trilogy characters, notably Jedi and clone troopers, in their war against the droid armies of the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Sith.
6. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) [Film & TV series]
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is back! As a continuation of the previous Genndy Tartakovsky produced 2003 Clone Wars series.
Set during the Star Wars prequel trilogy era, taking place over a span of three years in between the films Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. It focuses mainly on the Jedi characters of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, as well as Anakin’s Padawan apprentice, Ahsoka Tano (an original character created by Filoni for the series), with other characters from the live-action films in supporting roles. The series marked the beginning of Dave Filoni’s involvement in Star Wars animation projects.
Watch the final season of the hit animated series now, only on Disney+.
7. The Bad Batch (2021–present) [TV series]
Set after the events of The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch is part of the Star Wars franchise, acting as both a sequel to, and spin-off from, the series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
The Bad Batch follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in “The Clone Wars”) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army—each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew.
8. Tales of the Jedi [TV series]
Each episode of Tales of the Jedi tells a short story featuring Jedi from the Star Wars prequel trilogy era.[5] The six episodes are split into two “paths”: the first following Ahsoka Tano across various points in her life, and the other depicting a young Count Dooku before his fall to the dark side of the Force.
9. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Discover the true power of the dark side in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Years after the onset of the Clone Wars, the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists. When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the dark side of the Force to become the Emperor’s new apprentice – Darth Vader. The Jedi are decimated, as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Yoda are forced into hiding.
10. Star Wars: Droids [TV series]
Retroactively placed four years after Revenge of the Sith and fifteen years before the events of A New Hope, Star Wars: Droids focuses on the exploits of droids R2-D2 and C-3PO between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.
11. Obi-Wan Kenobi [TV series]
Ten years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)—in which the Jedi were destroyed by Order 66 and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, became the Sith Lord Darth Vader—Kenobi is in hiding on the planet Tatooine, watching over Anakin’s son, Luke, when he is called on a mission to rescue Anakin’s daughter, Leia, after she is kidnapped by the Galactic Empire’s Jedi-hunting Inquisitors in a plot to draw Kenobi out. This leads to a confrontation between Kenobi and Vader.
12. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in Solo: A Star Wars Story, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.
13. Star Wars Rebels (2014-2018) [TV series]
Star Wars Rebels, set five years before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, tells the story of the Rebellion’s beginnings while the Empire spreads tyranny through the galaxy. Now streaming on Disney+.
14. Andor (2022-present) [TV series]
Beginning five years before the events of Rogue One (2016) and A New Hope (1977), the series follows an ensemble cast of characters during the time that a Rebel Alliance is forming in opposition to the Galactic Empire. One of these characters is Cassian Andor, a thief who becomes a revolutionary and eventually joins the Rebellion.
15. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
From Lucasfilm comes the first of the Star Wars standalone films, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new epic adventure. In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.
16. Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Luke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, Luke is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in seclusion on the desert planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan begins Luke’s Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of Darth Vader and the evil Empire.
17. Star Wars Holiday Special [TV series]
Set between the events of the A New Hope (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Wars Holiday Special follow the events of the original film, Chewbacca and Han Solo attempt to visit the Wookiee home planet of Kashyyyk to celebrate “Life Day”. They are pursued by agents of the Galactic Empire, who are searching for members of the Rebel Alliance on the planet. The special introduces three members of Chewbacca’s family: his father Itchy, his wife Malla, and his son Lumpy.
18. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
After the destruction of the Death Star, Imperial forces continue to pursue the Rebels. After the Rebellion’s defeat on the ice planet Hoth, Luke journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, who has lived in hiding since the fall of the Republic. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap in the Cloud City of Bespin.
19. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
After a quick trip back to Tatooine, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo are reunited and join up with the amassing rebel fleet to take down the evil Empire once and for all. But the Empire is plotting too. Emperor Palpatine commands his troops aboard his newly consturcted Death Star stationed above the forest moon of Endor, where the rebels – and some unlikely furry friends – make their stand against the Empire. While Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader on the Death Star once more, Han leads a team to take out a shield protecting the battle station so that the rebel fleet can destory it once more and finally put an end to the war…
20. The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022) [TV series]
Go inside The Book of Boba Fett, now streaming on Disney+, with episode guides, Databank entries, and a bounty of in-depth articles. A spin-off from the series The Mandalorian, taking place in the same timeframe as that series and its other interconnected spin-offs after the events of Return of the Jedi (1983). The Book of Boba Fett follows bounty hunter Boba Fett from The Mandalorian and other Star Wars media as he establishes himself as the new crime lord of Jabba the Hutt’s former territory.
21. The Mandalorian (2019-present) [TV series]
After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi (1983) and the fall of the Galactic Empire, The Mandalorian follows Din Djarin, a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy. He is hired by remnant Imperial forces to retrieve the child Grogu, but instead goes on the run to protect the infant. While looking to reunite Grogu with his kind, they are pursued by Moff Gideon, who wants to use Grogu’s connection to the Force. The duo then travel to Mandalore so Din Djarin can redeem himself for the transgression of removing his helmet.
22. Ahsoka [TV series]
A spin-off from the series The Mandalorian, taking place in the same timeframe as that series and its other interconnected spin-offs after the events of Return of the Jedi (1983), features the character Ahsoka Tano from The Mandalorian and other Star Wars media.
23. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew [TV series]
Taking place in the same timeframe as The Mandalorian and its interconnected spin-offs after the events of Return of the Jedi (1983). Skeleton Crew tells a coming-of-age story set in the Star Wars universe.
24. Star Wars: Resistance (2018-2020) [TV series]
Star Wars Resistance, set prior to the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, follows Kazuda Xiono (“Kaz”), a young pilot recruited by the Resistance for a top-secret mission to spy on the growing threat of the First Order.
25. Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Thirty years since the destruction of the second Death Star, the sinister First Order, commanded by the mysterious Snoke and apprentice Kylo Ren, rise from the ashes of the Empire. The Resistance, led by General Leia Organa, attempts to thwart the First Order’s threat, but they’re desparate for help. Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, find themselves joining forces wiiht Han Solo and Chewbacca in a desperate mission to return a BB-unit droid with a map to Luke Skywalker back to the Resistance.
26. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks new mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
The Resistance is in desperate need of help when they find themselves impossibly pursued by the First Order. While Rey travels to a remote planet called Ahch-To to recruit Luke Skywalker to the Resistance, Finn and Rose, a mechanic, go on their own mission in the hopes of helping the Resistance finally escape the First Order. But everyone finds themselves on the salt-planet of Crait for a last stand.
27. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once more to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the landmark Skywalker saga, in which new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
The Skywalker saga comes to a thrilling conclusion as the Resistance prepares for its final stand against the First Order–now under the command of Supreme Leader Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and a returned Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). Strong with the Force, young Jedi Rey (Daisy Ridley) must summon every bit of power she can or else become a pawn in Palpatine’s twisted plot to rule the galaxy once more.
All Star Wars Movies in Order of Release Date
Here are the Star Wars Films in the order, they were released.
Skywalker Saga:
1. Episode IV – A New Hope — May 25, 1977
2. Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back — May 21, 1980
3. Episode VI – Return of the Jedi — May 25, 1983
4. Episode I – The Phantom Menace — May 19, 1999
5. Episode II – Attack of the Clones — May 16, 2002
6. Episode III – Revenge of the Sith — May 19, 2005
7. Episode VII – The Force Awakens — December 18, 2015
8. Episode VIII – The Last Jedi — December 15, 2017
9. Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker — December 20, 2019
Spin-off films:
1. Star Wars: The Clone Wars — August 15, 2008
2. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story — December 16, 2016
3. Solo: A Star Wars Story — May 25, 2018
4. Rogue Squadron — TBA
Animated series:
1. Droids — September 7, 1985—November 30, 1985
2. Ewoks — September 7, 1985—December 13, 1986
3. The Clone Wars — October 3, 2008—May 4, 2020
4. Rebels — October 3, 2014—March 5, 2018
5. Resistance — October 7, 2018—January 26, 2020
6. The Bad Batch — May 4, 2021—March 29, 2023
7. Visions — September 22, 202—May 4, 2023
8. Tales of the Jedi — October 26, 2022
9. Young Jedi Adventures — May 4, 2023
Live-action series:
1. The Mandalorian — November 12, 2019 — Present
2. The Book of Boba Fett — December 29, 2021 — February 9, 2022
3. Obi-Wan Kenobi — May 27, 2022 — June 22, 2022
4. Andor — September 21, 2022 — Present
5. Ahsoka — TBA
6. Skeleton Crew — TBA
7. The Acolyte — TBA
8. Lando — TBA
Ernst Rister order of Star Wars movies
As per mister-s. Ernst Rister involves watching the films in the following order:
1. A New Hope (1977)
2. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
3. The Phantom Menace (1999)
4. Attack of the Clones (2002)
5. Revenge of the Sith (2005)
6. Return of the Jedi (1983)
7. The Force Awakens (2015)
8. The Last Jedi (2017)
9. The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
By watching the films in order, we can see Luke develop from a young farmer into a lieutenant commander in the Rebel Alliance, studying the ways of the Force, in the span of two films (A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back). After the shocking reveal of Darth Vader’s true identity to Luke at the end of Episode V, the story can then shift to a flashback of Vader’s younger years. The prequel trilogy is introduced at this point as a sort of extended flashback before Episode VI picks up where it left off. This viewing order of the saga allows for a more direct comparison of Luke and Anakin’s stories and culminates in the thrilling conclusion of Return of the Jedi.
Star Wars Order as per Machete order
As per mister-s. Machete involves watching the films in the following order:
1. A New Hope (1977)
2. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
3. Attack of the Clones (2002)
4. Revenge of the Sith (2005)
5. Return of the Jedi (1983)
6. The Force Awakens (2015)
7. The Last Jedi (2017)
8. The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
It’s very similar to the Ernst Rister Order, with one key difference: Episode I is left out entirely. Rob Hilton, creator of Absolutely No Machete Juggling and the order in question, explains why the first episode of the series is superfluous. Characters established in The Phantom Menace who are crucial to the story are either killed off or replaced; intricate but ultimately irrelevant plot threads, such as trade disputes and midi-chlorians, are eliminated; and, best of all, there is significantly less Jar Jar in Episode II. There’s no more equitable way to put it.
About Star War Universe
Star Wars films take place “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” in a universe where humans and various alien species (often humanoid) coexist with robots (commonly referred to in the films as “droids”), who may assist them in their daily lives; space travel between planets is common thanks to lightspeed hyperspace technology.
While the Star Wars universe shares many similarities with our own, the lenient physics allow for more fantastic tales to be told. As a result, “an energy field created by all living things… [that] binds the galaxy together” (from the original film’s description of the Force) emerges as a mysterious power. There are two major knightly orders that wield the aforementioned powers, and they are at odds with each other: the Jedi, who maintain peace in the Galactic Republic through detachment and mediation, and the Sith, who use the dark side of the Force through the manipulation of fear and aggression.
Due to its incorporation of both sf and ff elements, Star Wars is able to tell stories that can appeal to a wide audience.
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