How to watch

Star Wars is more than just a film series—it’s a vast universe of stories that span generations. Whether you’re a newcomer or a lifelong fan, knowing the correct viewing order can dramatically change your experience.

With prequels, sequels, spinoffs, animated series, and Disney+ originals, it can be confusing to figure out where to start. Should you begin with the originals from the 70s or follow the galaxy’s events chronologically?

This guide will walk you through the two main ways to watch the Star Wars saga: chronological order and release order. Each has its strengths, and which one you choose depends on how you want to experience the story.

⏱️ Chronological Order

Watching Star Wars in chronological order means starting with the earliest events in the galaxy’s timeline. You’ll follow Anakin Skywalker’s rise and fall, the rise of the Empire, and the eventual redemption arc through Luke Skywalker and beyond.

1. Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)IMDb
2. Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)IMDb
3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020)IMDb
4. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)IMDb
5. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)IMDb
6. Andor (2022–2025)IMDb
7. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)IMDb
8. Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)IMDb
9. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)IMDb
10. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)IMDb
11. The Mandalorian (2019– )IMDb
12. The Book of Boba Fett (2021–2022)IMDb
13. Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)IMDb
14. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)IMDb
15. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)IMDb

This method is perfect if you want to see the Star Wars timeline as one continuous narrative. It also allows you to see character development in a more linear way—especially when it comes to Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka.

📅 Release Order

Release order is how audiences originally experienced Star Wars. It begins with the 1977 classic and preserves major plot twists the way they were intended. This order builds suspense and slowly reveals the saga’s larger mythology.

1. Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)IMDb
2. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)IMDb
3. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)IMDb
4. Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)IMDb
5. Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)IMDb
6. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)IMDb
7. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020)IMDb
8. Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)IMDb
9. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)IMDb
10. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)IMDb
11. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)IMDb
12. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)IMDb
13. The Mandalorian (2019– )IMDb
14. The Book of Boba Fett (2021–2022)IMDb
15. Andor (2022–2025)IMDb

If it’s your first time watching, this order might make more narrative sense—especially with the emotional reveals around Vader and Luke. It also keeps the tone consistent as you move from trilogy to trilogy.

Which Order Should You Choose?

If you’re a completionist who loves linear storytelling, chronological order is the way to go. But if you want the cinematic experience as it was delivered to the world—twists and all—release order is more authentic.

Either way, you’re in for an unforgettable ride through a galaxy far, far away.

🔗 Related Guides

• Jurassic Park Watch OrderGuide
• Indiana Jones Watch GuideGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we’ll update the guide!