Star Wars is a vast science fiction universe created by George Lucas in the late 1970s. Over the years, this media franchise has become incredibly popular, ranking second in box office earnings among all movie franchises (after Marvel) and amassing a legion of devoted fans.
There are many ways to watch Star Wars, but the two most popular are by release date and chronological order of events. Below, we will discuss these two methods in more detail.
Before watching Star Wars recommend you to read our article – What to Make for Dinner: 44 Easy Dinner Ideas.
Star Wars Chronology by Release Date
The Star Wars universe encompasses nine main films, which are divided into three trilogies.
First Trilogy
- Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Second Trilogy
- Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
- Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Third Trilogy
- Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
- Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
- Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
First Star Wars Trilogy
The first Star Wars trilogy starts off with intense films such as these.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
On the sandy planet of Tatooine, young Luke Skywalker searches for a missing droid. Fate brings him together with Obi-Wan Kenobi, an old Jedi Knight. Meeting Kenobi becomes a turning point in Luke’s life. This is how he learns about his true origin.
Meanwhile, the ruthless Emperor Palpatine terrorizes the Galaxy with the help of his loyal servant Darth Vader. The Rebel Alliance is almost crushed, but with the appearance of Luke, a new hope emerges. The young man possesses incredible abilities that will help him become a Jedi and challenge the Empire.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
The fifth episode of the Star Wars saga unfolds against the backdrop of escalating battles for the fate of the Galaxy. Inspired by the destruction of the Empire’s dreadful weapon – the Death Star – the rebels face a harsh counterattack. Imperial forces launch a massive assault, seeking to finally defeat the rebels and their allies.
Meanwhile, young Luke Skywalker embarks on a quest to find Master Yoda to undergo Jedi training and master the Force. This episode marks a turning point in the saga, as Luke takes significant steps toward becoming a true hero.
The Empire Strikes Back is often recognized as the best film in the Star Wars universe. In this part, viewers witness the epic duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, where the villain reveals a shocking secret about the young Jedi’s father. This scene has become legendary and is forever remembered by fans of the saga.
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
The sixth episode of Star Wars unfolds against the threat posed by a new, even more powerful Death Star, created by Darth Vader. Having united all the forces of evil, he aims to deal a final blow to the rebels and their allies.
Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and their friends challenge this threat. Their tasks are:
- Rescue Han Solo from the captivity of the criminal Jabba the Hutt.
- Travel to the planet Endor, where the decisive battle is set to take place.
The film Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi becomes the epic conclusion of the first trilogy in the Star Wars universe.
Second Star Wars Trilogy
The second Star Wars trilogy is essentially a prequel to the main story of the first trilogy. It consists of the following films.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
Conflict erupts on the peaceful and prosperous planet Naboo. The Trade Federation, unwilling to pay taxes, engages in direct confrontation with Queen Amidala, the ruler of the planet. This leads to a brutal war.
On the side of the Queen and the Republic in this bloody battle stand two Jedi Knights – the wise teacher Qui-Gon Jinn and his young apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The events unfold 15 years before the main Star Wars story. This is George Lucas’s triumphant return to the screens with a series of prequels. In these parts, he shows in detail the rise of Darth Vader, as well as how the prosperous Republic transforms into an oppressive Empire.
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
Ten years have passed since the events described in the first episode of the epic Star Wars saga. Anakin, now grown, is training in Jedi mastery under the guidance of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Meanwhile, the Galactic Republic is plunging into a chasm of contradictions and chaos. The Separatist movement, which unites hundreds of planets and a powerful corporate alliance, becomes a new threat to peace in the galaxy.
Anakin is assigned to protect Princess Amidala from assassination attempts by the Separatists. His mentor, meanwhile, travels to a distant planet to recruit the clone army once created by one of the Jedi.
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Anakin ultimately succumbs to the dark side of the Force and becomes Darth Vader. The Confederacy gains strength, delivering crushing blows to the Republic, and the Jedi lose control of the Galaxy.
Meanwhile, Padmé, Anakin’s beloved, is expecting a child. Their fates intertwine against the backdrop of a grand battle that will mark the end of the Clone Wars.
This final film in the trilogy is steeped in a grim atmosphere. It depicts the fall of the Republic, Anakin’s transformation into a villain, and the tragic demise of most of the Jedi.
Third Star Wars Trilogy
The third Star Wars trilogy is essentially a sequel to the main story of the first trilogy. It consists of the following films.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens marks the beginning of a new trilogy in the Star Wars universe. This film was the first in the history of the franchise not written and produced by George Lucas, the creator of the saga.
The film’s events take place 30 years after the death of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. Luke Skywalker, the last Jedi, has disappeared. Meanwhile, the First Order, led by Kylo Ren, searches for him across the galaxy.
On the other side, General Leia Organa, Luke’s sister, leads the Resistance, a military formation fighting against the First Order.
Caught up in the whirlwind of intergalactic events is also the young scavenger Rey from the planet Jakku. She comes into possession of a droid with information about Luke’s whereabouts.
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
Following the tragic death of Han Solo, the galaxy plunges into an even deeper abyss of discord. The fierce conflict between the First Order and the Resistance reaches a new level of brutality. In this darkness, hope flares – Rey, a young heroine with exceptional strength. Her journey leads her to the last living Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker.
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
The film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker marks the grand conclusion of the incredible story of the Skywalker family, which lasted for over forty years. This epic episode gives viewers the long-awaited finale, where good once again clashes with evil in a deadly battle.
The plot throws the heroes into a whirlwind of thrilling events, as it turns out that the dreadful Emperor Palpatine, whom everyone thought dead, actually survived. During this time, he secretly led the First Order, planning to finally seize control of the galaxy.
To save the world from imminent destruction, the young Rey must complete an impossible mission. Specifically, she must convince Kylo Ren, the heir to the dark side of the Force, to renounce evil and turn to the light side.
Final Thoughts
So what is the best order to watch the Star Wars movies? There is no right or wrong answer to the question of what order to watch Star Wars in. The most important thing is to enjoy the movie! Moreover, it all depends on your personal preferences. Watching in release order will allow you to see the story as it was first seen by the audience and feel the same surprise and excitement. On the other hand, chronological order can help you better understand the plot and character development.
FAQ
You can choose from different sequences to watch the movies.
1. Chronological sequence. Start with Episode I. The Phantom Menace and end with Episode IX. The Rise of Skywalker.
2. Release sequence. Start with Episode IV. A New Hope (1977) and continue in release order.
All of the movies are essential to understanding the overall storyline, but some fans feel that Episode I can be skipped without significant loss of understanding of the main story.
In addition to the main episodes, there are additional movies and TV series, such as The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, that expand the Star Wars universe.
For newcomers, it is better to follow the chronological sequence to better understand the development of the plot and characters. Experienced fans may prefer the release sequence or chronological sequence for a deeper analysis of plot twists and turns.
